Now that the Dems have weeded out some of the tax dodgers it's time for another two-step... two steps forward, one step back or something like that. In case you missed it, it turns out that Obama's replacement Roland Burris may have perjured himself (http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-burris16feb16,0,6669760.story) and may be caught on the Blago tapes.


U.S. Sen. Roland Burris tried Sunday to quell new questions about his controversial appointment, insisting he shouldn't be blamed for only recently detailing his conversations about the job with five close associates of disgraced former Gov. Rod Blagojevich.

The Chicago Democrat said he didn't provide a full explanation because nobody pressed the point during his sworn testimony last month to House lawmakers who impeached Blagojevich. He accused Republicans of playing politics by calling for an investigation into whether he committed perjury and even asking for his resignation.

But Burris' evolving explanation of what happened took another twist when he said federal investigators want to talk about his appointment to the Senate seat that Blagojevich was charged with trying to sell.

"What I understand is some of the agents have reached out to my lawyers," Burris said, adding "they want to meet with me."

Burris attorney Timothy Wright acknowledged Burris may be on a covert recording in the Blagojevich investigation but declined to explain the senator's comment about meeting with federal agents, saying "the FBI has not come to us and they're not asking us for anything."

Burris, a former attorney general, alternately looked nervous and feisty at a hastily arranged news conference in Chicago just a day before he was to embark on a statewide listening tour to meet the constituents he has represented for about a month. At times, Burris and his lawyer gave contradictory answers or no answers when pressed on whether he told the whole truth about his role.

It's a good thing the Dems have replaced that GOP culture of corruption, right?

This was Feb 5 but the news conveniently did not come out until the day after Burris was an important part of the 60 votes the Dems needed to pass the bucket list .

Maybe Turbotax wasn't working properly .

BTW . Why hasn't Fitzgerald indicted Blago yet ?

It's getting much closer to being able to prove Burris perjured himself. He says the reason he didn't disclose Blago's demand for 10 grand from his brother was he wasn't asked about it. Turns out he was given ample opportunity to come clean (http://www.suntimes.com/news/brown/1434129,CST-NWS-brown17.article).

I wonder if Harry Reid is regretting his cave-in on seating him?

I wonder if Harry Reid is regretting his cave-in on seating him?

Not at all . He got what he wanted from Burris ;that decisive vote on the bucket list.

Remember ;Reid and Obama had to send a jet (at taxpayer's expense*) to pick up Sen. Sherrod Brown ;who interupted the memorial service for his mother to rush back to DC for the vote. That's how close it was.

But now that Burris' work is done expect him to be thrown under the bus.

*edit : if they wanted some consistency they should've made Brown take a hybrid convoy back to DC

Here's aother one than deserves a promotion into federal service: "Republicans, who hold majorities in both chambers, blocked Gov. Kathleen Sebelius' proposal to borrow $225 million from healthy state funds to cover shortages in accounts used to meet the state's payroll and issue tax refunds." How complicated is income = budget?
Kansas may delay tax refunds, paychecks | Breaking News | Kansas.com (http://www.kansas.com/735/story/701750.html)

The Chicago Tribune has called on Burris to resign (http://newsblogs.chicagotribune.com/vox_pop/2009/02/roland-burris-resign.html). As they say it just keeps getting deeper and deeper...


The hole just gets deeper and deeper, and Burris keeps digging. He has no credibility.

And many Democrats are losing theirs.

Illinois House Majority Leader Barbara Flynn Currie (D-Chicago), who chaired the impeachment panel, sat on Burris’ amended testimony for more than a week.

U.S. Sen. Durbin and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid vowed that no Senate appointment by the disgraced Rod Blagojevich would stand—until Blagojevich appointed Burris.

They told Burris to go to the impeachment committee and testify fully and truthfully. And he did not.

And now what? "He went before the state Legislature and he obviously convinced them, but we’ll have to see… I hope he didn’t try to avoid or mislead anyone..." Reid said Tuesday. Durbin is on an overseas trip and hasn’t bothered to comment on the tomfoolery back home.

Currie received the affidavit on Feb. 4th (http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/columnists/chi-kass-18-feb18,0,4327749.column) and held it until Obama's porkulus was passed so good call tom. And Reid? "I hope he didn’t try to avoid or mislead anyone."

What a bunch of frauds... and they've just managed to screw the American people for a trillion dollars. I hope the 3 turncoat Reps are happy with themselves now.

Reid's Senate Ethics Committee will hold a dog and pony show and Burris most likely will be absolved with a slap of the wrist. After-all ;he did not *really* lie... just withheld some important information from the Impeachment hearings.

I think otherwise Burris survives at least until he gets challenged in the 2010 primaries. Reid would not risk expulsion given the block of voters Burris represents.

... I think otherwise Burris survives at least until he gets challenged in the 2010 primaries. Reid would not risk expulsion given the block of voters Burris represents.

I say, let's keep him around unless those goofs call a special election.

Yeah but I have to revise my comments . The Trib is one thing ;but now the Washington Compost is jumping on the resignation bandwagon

washingtonpost.com (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/02/17/AR2009021702717.html)

When the Slimes chimes in I don't think Rev Al will be able to save Burris .

yeah but I have to revise my comments . The Trib is one thing ;but now the Washington Compost is jumping on the resignation bandwagon

Let's start a "Keep Burris For The Common Good Committee". Conservatives shouldn't waste a good issue; the Slimes and Compost understand.

More corruption? "The federal investigation, however, did not stop Stanford from using corporate money to become a big man at last year's Democratic convention in Denver.

"A video posted on the firm's web-site shows Stanford, now sought by U.S. Marshals, being hugged by Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi and praised by former President Bill Clinton for helping to finance a convention-related forum and party put on by the National Democratic Institute... Over the last decade, Stanford has spent more than $7 million on lobbyists and campaign contributions to Washington politics in both parties, although the vast majority of the money has gone to Democrats." ABC News: Accused Financier Under Federal Drug Investigation (http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/story?id=6907429&page=1)

Still more... Rahmbo is in trouble . [posting complete article because of subscription requirements.]



NEWS broke last week that Rahm Emanuel, now White House chief of staff, lived rent- free for years in the home of Rep. Rosa De Lauro (D-Conn.) - and failed to disclose the gift, as congressional ethics rules mandate. But this is only the tip of Emanuel's previously undislosed ethics problems. One issue is the work Emanuel tossed the way of De Lauro's husband. But the bigger one goes back to Emanuel's days on the board of now-bankrupt mortgage giant Freddie Mac. Emanuel is a multimillionaire, but lived for the last five years for free in the tony Capitol Hill townhouse owned by De Lauro and her husband, Democratic pollster Stan Greenberg. During that time, he also served as chairman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee - which gave Greenberg huge polling contracts. It paid Greenberg's firm $239,996 in 2006 and $317,775 in 2008. (Emanuel's own campaign committee has also paid Greenberg more than $50,000 since 2004.) To be fair, Greenberg had polling contracts with the DCCC before - but each new election cycle brings its own set of consultants. And Emanuel was certainly generous with his roommate. Emanuel never declared the substantial gift of free rent on any of his financial-disclosure forms. He and De Lauro claim that it was just allowable "hospitality" between colleagues. Hospitality - for five years? Some experts suggest that it was also taxable income: Over five years, the free rent could easily add up to more than $100,000. Nor is this all that seems to have been missed in the Obama team's vetting process. Consider: Emanuel served on the Freddie Mac board of directors during the time that the government-backed lender lied about its earnings, a leading contributor to the current economic meltdown. The Federal Housing Enterprise Oversight Agency later singled out the Freddie Mac board as contributing to the fraud in 2000 and 2001 for "failing in its duty to follow up on matters brought to its attention." In other words, board members ignored the red flags waving in their faces. The SEC later fined Freddie $50 million for its deliberate fraud in 2000, 2001 and 2002. Meanwhile, Emanuel was paid more than $260,000 for his Freddie "service." Plus, after he resigned from the board to run for Congress in 2002, the troubled agency's PAC gave his campaign $25,000 - its largest single gift to a House candidate. That's what friends are for, isn't it? Now Rahm Emanuel is in the White House helping President Obama dig out of the mess that Freddie Mac helped start. The president's chief of staff isn't subject to Senate confirmation, but his ethics still matter. Is this the change that we can depend on?

https://secure.nypost.com/newsletter/register.htm

More on the Stanford problem George posted .

Depositors turned away from Stanford banks (http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090218/ap_on_bi_ge/cb_antigua_stanford_7)

FT.com / Companies / Financials - Stanford vanishes as probe widens (http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/c0c761d6-fdee-11dd-932e-000077b07658.html)
There was a run on his banks overseas .

Democrat culture of corruption continues? Hello Steve:

If you looked out there in the world, you'd find a lot of bad guys. That wouldn't make a culture of corruption among men, would it?

Given your title, I think you would.

Me, being a better person than you, would NEVER paint the entire GOP with the same swishy brush that I'd paint, say Foley or the wide stance guy.

excon

Clearly Steve was using a play on the verbage that the Dems used in the 2006 campaign and the Frist and Abramoff scandals .

clearly Steve was using a play on the verbage that the Dems used in the 2006 campaign and the Frist and Abramoff scandals .
Are you and steve the same person?

What tom said. I'm surprised you didn't get it, ex, or did you? It'sblatantly obvious (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Culture_of_corruption)and the irony is soooo delicious. Now can we just weed out all the miscreants in Washington?

Cool, you're using Michelle Malkin talking points now: The Democratic Culture Of Corruption -- Michelle Malkin -- GOPUSA (http://www.gopusa.com/commentary/mmalkin/2008/mm_12101.shtml)

What tom said. I'm surprised you didn't get it, ex, or did you? Hello again, Steve:

No, I didn't get it. I'm just an overly sensitive, namby pamby, wishy washy, teddy bear of a lib.

excon

Cool, you're using Michelle Malkin talking points now: The Democratic Culture Of Corruption -- Michelle Malkin -- GOPUSA (http://www.gopusa.com/commentary/mmalkin/2008/mm_12101.shtml)

I can and do actually think and articulate. Perhaps Michelle borrowed from me? I referred to it on Oct 13, 2008 (https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/current-events/democratic-culture-corruption-268962.html#post1319427), two months before the date of Michelle's column. I've sarcastically referred to their 2006 campaign mantra since William Jefferson was caught with 90K in his freezer in 2006, again when Spitzer got stung (https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/current-events/spitzer-linked-prostitution-ring-193128.html#post926633), and first used the phrase here last September (https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/current-events/foxes-weasels-261535.html#post1283055).

You just never learn do you?

Hello again, Steve:

No, I didn't get it. I'm just an overly sensitive, namby pamby, wishy washy, teddy bear of a lib.

You ol' softy, you. :D

Black pastors to ask Burris to resign (http://apnews.excite.com/article/20090219/D96EUN200.html)


Feb 19, 6:30 PM (ET)

By TAMMY WEBBER

CHICAGO (AP) - A group of black ministers who previously supported U.S. Sen. Roland Burris now plan to ask for his resignation, one of the ministers told The Associated Press on Thursday. Many of the city's influential black pastors supported Burris because of his scandal-free reputation - even though he was appointed by then-Gov. Rod Blagojevich after the governor was arrested.

But, prompted by revelations Burris attempted to raise money for Blagojevich while seeking the Senate job vacated by President Barack Obama, some of those pastors will ask Burris to resign, according to the minister, who spoke on condition of anonymity because a meeting with Burris had not yet been scheduled.

Blagojevich is accused of trying to sell the Senate appointment.

Sentiment in the black community is not unanimous, but the clergy's silence as the maelstrom of criticism swells around Burris "speaks volumes," said another minister, Ira Acree, of the Greater St. John Bible Church.

"I'm a little disturbed, but because of his track record, don't want to rush to judgment," Acree said Thursday. "But neither will I attempt to defend his actions."

I think perhaps his time is short...

Finally! An easy answer for Obama's senate replacement...


Unless Illinois Democrats can find one candidate for an '09 special election who would unite the party and trounce Kirk. And, actually, I can think of one Illinois Dem who could do just that: Michelle Obama (http://blogs.tnr.com/tnr/blogs/the_plank/archive/2009/02/26/a-modest-proposal-to-solve-the-burris-problem.aspx). She has a 49 percent approval rating (paired with just a 5 percent disapproval rating) and is almost certainly even more popular in her home state. More importantly, at a time when the federal government is going to be showering money on the states, she could credibly argue to Illinois voters that they'd certainly get their share.

Of course, some might say it would be inappropriate for a sitting First Lady to also be a U.S. Senator (although Hillary Clinton managed to perform both roles for a couple weeks in January 2001). So, if Michelle's unavailable, what about her mother, Marian Robinson? At 71, she's the same age as Burris, and she could pledge to merely serve out the remainder of the current term and not run in the 2010 elections. Plus, she's already in Washington--having moved into the White House with the Obamas--so she wouldn't have to relocate. I can already see her campaign slogan: "If I'm a good enough caretaker for my grandchildren, I'm a good enough caretaker for that Senate seat!"

Why stop there? Let's get his destitute brother for HUD secretary and his aunt for Homeland Security.

Who is Bronx Borough President Adolfo Carrion? "In one case, a developer became a Carrion fund-raiser two months before the borough president signed off on his project, raising more than $6,000 in campaign cash.

"In another, eight Boricua College officials came up with $8,000 on the same day for Carrion three weeks before the school filed plans to build a new tower. Carrion ultimately approved the project and sponsored millions in taxpayer funds for it.

"Carrion resigned as borough president effective Sunday and begins his new job as director of the White House Office on Urban Policy Monday.

Saturday Carrion declined to answer written questions about his receipt of timely campaign contributions." Buildings sprang up as donations rained down on Bronx Borough President Adolfo Carrion (http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/bronx/2009/02/28/2009-02-28_buildings_sprang_up_as_donations_rained_.html)

We should consider him a 'community organizer'?

There's been a lot of money floating around the Bronx during the Bronx revival .More than $12 billion is the number I hear with most of it going towards residuals of the nnew Yankee Stadium construction,and the success of the Yankess that made it cool to be in the Bronx again . Housing units were built and new retail opened.

Carrion will probably be given credit for this but he has not been clean. He pushed for many things that fell through and did not follow up on them ;like a Bronx Ice rink .

Some of his big ticket projects displaced local ethnic merchants... especially a shopping center in the old Bronx Terminal . Also the new Yankee Stadium is being built on what was once community parks next to the old stadium. They will not be replaced.

It is interesting that Obama would pick him for this post . As a community organizer in Chi-town Obama would've opposed the displacement that came along with the Bronx revival .

It doesn't surprise me that Carrion got greased by developers . That is standard operating procedures around here. But again ;it all comes down to a conflict between the ethics of the applicant ,and what the President promised his administration would be.

That is standard operating procedures around here. But again ;it all comes down to a conflict between the ethics of the applicant ,and what the President promised his administration would be.

Promises, promises... just words.

The Democrat culture of corruption continues to widen?


Visclosky's ties to troubled PMA Group run deep (http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/chi-ap-in-viscloskydonation,0,158993.story)

By HENRY C. JACKSON | Associated Press Writer
12:00 AM CST, March 2, 2009

WASHINGTON - He represents an area known for its rampant corruption, but Rep. Pete Visclosky has always had a reputation for staying above the fray.

That consensus is being challenged by revelations about the northwest Indiana Democrat's ties to a troubled defense lobbying firm.

PMA Group was once one of the biggest lobbying firms in Washington, specializing in securing defense earmarks for its clients. Now, the firm is disintegrating amid a federal investigation into allegations that its founder, Paul Magliochetti, a former top aide to Rep. John Murtha, D-Pa. steered donations to lawmakers through sham donors.

PMA Group's top beneficiaries include Murtha, chairman of the House Appropriations subcommittee that funds defense programs, and Rep. Jim Moran, D-Va., who also sits on the defense appropriations subcommittee.

But few lawmakers have stronger ties to the firm than Visclosky. His former congressional chief of staff worked as a lobbyist for the firm, and he received at least $100,000 in contributions from donors tied to PMA Group between 2006 and 2008, according to Federal Election Commission reports. PMA Group was the top donor to Visclosky's 2008 re-election campaign.

From his seat on the House Appropriations Committee and its defense funding subcommittee, Visclosky has also reciprocated -- helping to secure more than $23 million in earmarks in 2008 for clients of PMA Group.

"It's pretty clear that Visclosky has deep ties to PMA Group," said Sheila Krumholz, executive president of the Center for Responsive Politics.

"It's also clear that (campaign funds) are being delivered to him on a targeted basis, based on his committee assignments. He's been in a position to help them from his perch," she said.

PMA Group spokesman Patrick Dorton declined to comment on Visclosky's ties to the firm.

The congressman said in mid-February he would return at least $18,000 from donors who were listed as having ties to PMA Group, including $16,000 in donations from men who live in the Florida community of Amelia Island and are listed in FEC filings as members of PMA's board of directors, and $2,000 from Marvin Hoffman, of Marina del Rey, Calif. who is listed as a PMA Group lobbyist but has said he has no ties to PMA Group.

Campaign spokesman David St. John said then that if more allegations of straw donors were unearthed, Visclosky would "look at giving those back" too. He declined further comment Friday.

Krumholz and others said Visclosky's ties to PMA Group reflect a culture of pay-to-play in Washington.

Ooops! :eek:

And on and on (http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-napolitano14-2009feb14,0,7925305.story)...



Reporting from Washington -- Rep. Grace F. Napolitano (D-Norwalk) has collected tens of thousands of dollars in personal income by charging double-digit interest on money she lent her campaign 11 years ago and soliciting donations from Washington lobbyists at "debt retirement" fundraisers.

Napolitano, 72, has taken advantage of a 1998 Federal Election Commission ruling that authorized her to lend $150,000 to her campaign at 18% interest, accepting her argument that the money was from a retirement fund subject to an early withdrawal penalty equivalent to that rate. She lowered the interest on the loan to 10% in mid-2006.

FEC rulings have given candidates the latitude to charge a "commercially reasonable rate" of interest for personal loans to campaign committees, said commission spokeswoman Judith Ingram.

Lawmakers aren't allowed to convert campaign funds to personal use, but laws governing the subject are arcane, Ingram said. "You have to look carefully at the regulations and see when and if that's taken place," she said.

Napolitano spokesman Christopher Honey declined to comment on the loan and said that Napolitano would not speak to a reporter about it.

Napolitano's campaign finance forms indicate that she has collected more than $158,000 in interest on the loan since 2001 and has reduced the principal by about $65,000.

The loan was first reported Friday by Bloomberg News, which said the congresswoman had paid herself $221,780 in interest since 1998. Napolitano held at least one fundraiser each in 2007 and 2008 to collect money for the loan, according to campaign records.

Both were hosted by 21st Century Group Inc. a Capitol Hill lobbying firm whose clients include several transportation interests.

Napolitano is a member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and is chairwoman of the water and power subcommittee of the Natural Resources Committee.

Both fundraisers were hosted by 21st Century lobbyist Jocelyn Hong, who could not be reached for comment.

An invitation to an April 30, 2007, fundraiser promised a "Traditional, Home-Style Mexican Breakfast" and invited political action committee checks of $1,500 or personal donations of $500, payable to the "Napolitano for Congress '1998 Primary Debt Retirement.' "


Got to find me a way to loan myself money and make a killing at the same time.

LOL, and on and on and on... US Trade Representative nominee and former Dallas Mayor Ron Kirk has tax problems (http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/washington/tgillman/stories/030209dnwaskirktaxes.1c0fdb2b.html). What a surprise.


The Senate Finance Committee says he underpaid by $9,975 in the last three years.

Senate aides uncovered the shortfall during weeks of vetting, and Kirk – the administration’s designated point person on trade -- has promised to pay the Internal Revenue Service in full.

The problems: Kirk deducted too much for season tickets to the Dallas Mavericks and too much for tax preparation fees, and failed to report as income speaking fees that he donated to his alma mater, Austin College.

The full political implications won’t be clear until at least next week...

The White House shrugged off Kirk's tax problems as a “few minor issues” and said the nomination remains on track.

How are all these people with tax issues getting appointed to positions dealing with money?

I think we've missed the pièce de résistance when talking about Obama and his corrupt appointments.

No time now but I just did a quick read up on his selection of National Intelligence Council ;Chas Freeman . Oh man this guy is a winner!!

No doubt (http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123552619980465801.html), a guy that thought China was too soft on the Tiananmen Square protesters, is oh so cozy with the Saudis and agrees that American Jews have a "stranglehold" on Congress just for starters.

Cozy kind of understates it .He works for the Chinese and is a Saudis pawn . This is the guy who will be responsible for preparing the intelligence briefs for President Obama .

Even Schmucster Schumer has called Rhambo to voice concern over this bone-headed pick.

To date he has not released his financial disclosure forms . The Weekly Standard writes:


Freeman served as a member of the international advisory board of CNOOC, a state-owned Chinese oil company. In 2005, CNOOC attempted to buy Unocal, an American oil and gas firm, for $18.5 billion in cash. The offer was eventually withdrawn after Democrats and Republicans in Congress became concerned about the sale. Freeman was brought on the board just a year earlier, perhaps in an attempt to pave the way for such a transaction. As seems so often to be the case, Freeman was unconcerned about the politics of his paymasters. Just as he continued doing business with the bin Ladens in the wake of 9/11, Freeman continued doing business with CNOOC, presumably right up to his appointment to the Obama White House. The terms of that arrangement will be one of the many interesting revelations in Freeman's financial disclosure forms, along with just how much money the Saudi royals have gifted him over the last decade, and a report from the inspector general into Freeman's ties to the Saudis, requested by Reps. Kirk and Israel, may soon follow.
The Weekly Standard (http://www.weeklystandard.com/weblogs/TWSFP/2009/03/chas_freeman_a_continuing_emba.asp)

Hat tip to Ed Morrisey (http://hotair.com/archives/2009/03/06/house-votes-to-ignore-pma-pay-for-play-scandal/) here, Pelosi's house - the one that Madame Speaker said had jurisdiction over any wrongdoings by Representatives after the raid on William Jefferson's office - has killed attempts to investigate PMA and the millions they've showered on congressmen.


The House on Thursday night turned back another call to investigate the PMA Group (http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0309/19696.html), a once-powerful lobbying firm whose offices were recently raided by the FBI and which has close ties to Pennsylvania Rep. John P. Murtha (D).

Twenty-one Democrats, including nine freshmen, voted to proceed with debate on the measure offered by Arizona Rep. Jeff Flake (R) calling for an investigation of the lobbying firm. Most of the Democrats represent fiscally conservative districts.

Republican Rep. Don Young of Alaska — the focus of an unrelated federal corruption probe — voted with the Democrats to table Flake's motion. He was joined by Republicans Walter Jones of North Carolina, Dana Rohrabacher of California and Tim Murphy of Pennsylvania, whose district abuts Murtha's and who has been an outspoken supporter of his recently embattled neighbor.

PMA is under investigation for allegedly making improper "straw man" donations to lawmakers. Murtha, who chairs the subcommittee that doles out defense spending, has had close ties to members of the lobbying firm.

Ed had it right, the Dems meant they were "culturing corruption as a majority party when they ran on the “Culture of Corruption” slogan."

Another one bites the dust. Freeman apparently withdrew from consideration (http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalpunch/2009/03/chas-freeman-pu.html).

And it just continues... "Speaker Pelosi treats the Air Force like her personal airline (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/29616975/)."

Didn't she rail about corporate jets ? I think she did.

Obama will soon issue horizontal pin striped suits for his administration

Ben Smith's Blog: FBI raids office of D.C. CTO, Obama appointee - POLITICO.com (http://www.politico.com/blogs/bensmith/0309/FBI_raids_office_of_DC_CTO_Obama_appointee.html)

Maybe Pelosi can purchase the NY Slimes jet

Michael Calderone's Blog: For Sale: The Times corporate jet - POLITICO.com (http://www.politico.com/blogs/michaelcalderone/0309/For_Sale_The_Times_corporate_jet.html?showall)

Obama will soon issue horizontal pin striped suits for his administration

Ben Smith's Blog: FBI raids office of D.C. CTO, Obama appointee - POLITICO.com (http://www.politico.com/blogs/bensmith/0309/FBI_raids_office_of_DC_CTO_Obama_appointee.html)
Have you read the comments on that page? They are part of Tom and Steve crew! LOL!

Obama will soon issue horizontal pin striped suits for his administration

That's the sound of the men
Working on the chain ga-a-ang
That's the sound of the men
Working on the chain gang
http://www.dga.org/news/v25_5/images/coen02.jpg

That's the Obama crew.

That's the sound of the men
working on the chain ga-a-ang
That's the sound of the men
working on the chain gang
http://www.dga.org/news/v25_5/images/coen02.jpg

That's the Obama crew.
You even managed to work in a song sung by negroes. Well done!

You even managed to work in a song sung by negroes. Well done!

Typical, it was you that made it a racial issue not me. I think of Sam Cooke as a singer, not as a black... and definitely not a "negro."

"Chain gangs"? http://hfboards.com/images/smilies/monkey.gif

Only you would take a few lyrics accompanied by a picture of three white guys and think of "negroes." Not me.

More from the most ethical, greatest transition ever, Third Top Treasury Pick Withdraws From Consideration (http://blogs.abcnews.com/george/2009/03/another-top-tre.html)... third in less than a week that is.


Cohen has been a counsel to just about every major player on Wall Street, which perhaps complicated his nomination.

Now, the nomination is off.

Democratic sources said that an issue arose in the final stages of the vetting process.

As one source put it, "it's back to the drawing board."

Cohen had risen to the top after the withdrawal last week of expected deputy treasury secretary pick Annette Nazareth.

Nazareth was forced to withdraw from consideration for the deputy treasury slot because senators made it clear she would face tough questioning over her time at the Securities and Exchange Commission -- tenure that overlapped with the agency's failure to catch Bernie Madoff.

And the candidate for Undersecretary for International Affairs, Caroline Atkinson, was told she had to withdraw after a "tax problem" was revealed early in the vetting process, according to officials.

No wonder no one is answering the phone at Treasury.

Lindsay Graham compared joining Treasury to joining the Marines yesterday .Apparently no one wants to jump into the trenches with Geithner. Maybe that says something about his leadership.
In general the Senators treated Geithner alternately like cats toying with a ball of twine... and like a piñata .Kent Conrad mocked him and at the end noting that the market was surging as they took their turns with the lash.

Meanwhile even the Compost's David Ignatius notes the incompetence of the financial team the President has assembled .


Obama has stacked his administration with politicians and former government officials. You might think that with the greatest financial crisis of his lifetime, the president would want a few business leaders with experience managing large organizations in crisis. But no.
Here's the un-businesslike Obama Cabinet: At Treasury, a former government official; at State, a former senator; at Commerce, a former governor; at Defense, a former government official and university president; at Energy, a former professor; at Homeland Security, a former governor; at Health and Human Services, a former governor; at the White House as chief of staff, a former congressman; at the White House as economic czar, a former university president and government official.
All fine people, no doubt. But as thin on business experience as a Hyde Park book club.
washingtonpost.com (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/03/11/AR2009031103214.html)

Then add Megan McArdle of Atlantic ;another Obama supporter in the media who is jumping off the sinking ship .


Having defended Obama's candidacy largely on his economic team, I'm having serious buyer's remorse. Geithner, who is rapidly starting to look like the weakest link, is rattling around by himself in Treasury. Meanwhile, the administration is clearly prioritized a stimulus package that will not work without fixing the banks over, um, fixing the banking system. Unlike most fiscal conservatives, I'm not mad at him for trying to increase the size of the government; that's, after all, what he got elected promising to do. But he also promised to be non-partisan and accountable, and the size and composition stimulus package looks like just one more attempt to ram through his ideological agenda without much scrutiny, with the heaviest focus on programs that will be especially hard to cut.

http://meganmcardle.theatlantic.com/archives/2009/03/obama_too_sunny.php
One thing is clear ;Obama's gurus , are pushing essentially the same formula together that put the “Great” in the Great Depression.

What can I say about all the corruption. We need a revolution!! I am so tired of all the political bull. It also amazes me that people are for socialism. Are people really that dumb?

It also amazes me that people are for socialism. Are people really that dumb? Hello m:

The really dumb people are the ones who believe the emails about socialism.

excon

Who needs an email…just watch and listen to Democrats. And there is no one definition of socialism, but clearly this president and this congress are moving us in that direction. Even Newsweek says, We Are All Socialists Now (http://www.newsweek.com/id/183663).


Socialists mainly share the belief that capitalism unfairly concentrates power and wealth (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Socialism) among a small segment of society that controls capital, creates an unequal society, and does not provide equal opportunities for everyone in society. Therefore socialists advocate the creation of a society in which wealth and power are distributed more evenly…

Gee, how many times have I heard that line over the past 8 years, the rich are getting richer, the poor and middle class are being left behind, blah, blah, blah?

Page 5 of Obama’s omnibus bill smakes it policy:


"While middle-class families have been playing by the rules, living up to their responsibilities as neighbors and citizens, those at the commanding heights of our economy have not."

"Prudent investments in education, clean energy, health care and infrastructure were sacrificed for huge tax cuts for the wealthy and well-connected."

"There's nothing wrong with making money, but there is something wrong when we allow the playing field to be tilted so far in the favor of so few. . . . It's a legacy of irresponsibility, and it is our duty to change it."

What do you think Obama meant when he said it was time to “remake” America. What do you think Geithner meant when he said, “I think capitalism will be different?” How are we going to make capitalism different, by moving toward socialism? Oh that’s right, Obama isn’t a socialist, he’s just for “social justice.” That sounds better doesn't it?

Excon,

I don't receive emails on socialism. I actually listen to what politians say, and a government that is in the process of controlling everything is heading towards socialism. Obama goal is to take over everything, this country is supposed to be about freedom. And our rights are being taken away one by one. Look at the doctor who was giving cheap health care to the poor, the government tried to shut it down, because he was not charging them enough money. He is now allowed to keep going, as long as he charges the poor more money. That is what you call Government control, which is socialism.

I actually listen to what politians say, and a government that is in the process of controlling everything is heading towards socialism. Hello again, michelle:

Everything???? I don't know about that.

If you want to smoke marijuana, who is in control of that? If you want to have an abortion, who is in control of THAT decision? If you want to dance in a bar or sell your body, who is in control of THAT decision? If you're gay, and you want to get married like EVERYBODY else, who is in control of THAT decision? If you want to go to Canada and buy your prescription medication CHEAP, who is telling you that you can't? If you want to send a private email message to your friend, who might be reading it?

The answer to the above questions, is the GOVERNMENT. I'd call THAT tyranny.

You call it socialism when the government regulates business, but it's fine with you that the government regulates your body and your personal life. Okee doakee.

excon

Steve

That political manifesto disguised as a budget is a scary read.

http://graphics8.nytimes.com/packages/pdf/politics/fy10-overview.pdf

It sort of lays it all on the line. When points the finger of blame on those who did not play by the rules I hope he has a special place in his hall of shame for :
Daischle( tax ),Geithner (tax) , Richardson (pay for play) ,Dodd(loan rules cheat)Rangel(tax cheat) ,Evita (campaign financing violations ) and himself (for the corrupt way he obtained his home)... and the list goes on and on.
Does he include himself among those who...
“For the better part of three decades, a disproportionate share of the nation's wealth has been accumulated by the very wealthy,” .
By his own definition he is among the uber-rich of the nation .

Steve

That political manifesto disguised as a budget is a scary read.

http://graphics8.nytimes.com/packages/pdf/politics/fy10-overview.pdf

It sorta lays it all on the line. When points the finger of blame on those who did not play by the rules I hope he has a special place in his hall of shame for :
Daischle( tax ),Geithner (tax) , Richardson (pay for play) ,Dodd(loan rules cheat)Rangel(tax cheat) ,Evita (campaign financing violations ) and himself (for the corrupt way he obtained his home).....and the list goes on and on.
Does he include himself among those who ....
“For the better part of three decades, a disproportionate share of the nation’s wealth has been accumulated by the very wealthy,” .
By his own definition he is among the uber-rich of the nation .

As I pointed out yesterday, Bush was a privileged rich, white guy making $180 grand while Biden was just a working class Joe at a quarter million... and Michelle with her $300 grand salary was a fine example of "self-sacrifice." I personally hope he starts his punishment of the wealthy with George Soros.

I don't think the government has the right to control anything. Everything the government touches turns to disaster. I am not rep or dem. And what right does our government have to take all of our money? Obama claims he wants to help the poor with health care, and yet when one man stands up and does it, they shoot him down. Because 70% of healthcare cost is because of government. Get the government out of all this "business" as you call it, and america will prosper. Take away all the rediculus taxes, and the job wage will skyrocket, the price of everything will go down, and every man and woman will be able to take care of themselves. And as for the other issues, which people are for and against, its called have a vote. But leave the federal government out of it. Obama is backdooring everything he does, our government already has too much control, and he just wants it all. My god the stimulus package has $130,000 for volunteers, that doesn't make any sense. And I'm just tired of the earmarks and pork that is in these bills. And he is a socialist which is on the way to communist. If it keeps going in this direction, there will be full control.

Hey, michelle: greenie

Maxine Waters intervened with regulators to protect personal investment (http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123682571772404053.html)


When Rep. Barney Frank was looking to aid a Boston-based lender last fall, the Massachusetts Democrat urged Maxine Waters, a colleague on the House Financial Services Committee, to "stay out of it," he says.

The reason: Ms. Waters, a longtime congresswoman from California, had close ties to the minority-owned institution, OneUnited Bank.

Ms. Waters and her husband have both held financial stakes in the bank. Until recently, her husband was a director. At the same time, Ms. Waters has publicly boosted OneUnited's executives and criticized its government regulators during congressional hearings. Last fall, she helped secure the bank a meeting with Treasury officials.
[Rep. Maxine Waters] Getty Images

Rep. Maxine Waters, center, with Earvin "Magic" Johnson, left, and Ms. Waters's husband, Sidney Williams, at the 2009 BET Honors Reception in Washington, D.C.

Her involvement isn't new. Ms. Waters has detailed her financial ties in a series of federal disclosure forms and has been vocal in public in support of the bank. Those ties, however, have received little public attention. Nor is it well known how the influential lawmaker has over the years acted to support the bank and its executives.

Such potential conflicts of interest are more serious as the banking system's crisis has led the government to take an increasingly active role in overseeing financial institutions, including OneUnited. The financial-services committee on which Ms. Waters sits oversees banking issues, and the lawmaker is a potential future chairman.

Representatives of the bank and Ms. Waters didn't return calls seeking comment. Ms. Waters's congressional staff didn't respond to written questions about her and her husband's relationship with the bank.

Sheila Krumholz, executive director of the Center for Responsive Politics, a watchdog group, says Ms. Waters should have recused herself from any matters involving the bank. If her support helped OneUnited, "it was a disservice to her constituents," Ms. Krumholz says.

Another day, another Democrat involved in the culture of corruption.

Maybe we should draft the CEO of Wal Mart for pres??

It seems to be about the only thing working right now.

(Hey, can't you take a joke?)

More on the budget manifesto .
Dan Henniger at WSJ has an editorial . He says that the whole thing is a philosophical construct of 2 French Economists ;Thomas Piketty and Emmanuel Saez.

Their specialty is "earnings inequality" and "wealth concentration."
Messrs. Piketty and Saez have produced the most politically potent squiggle along an axis since Arthur Laffer drew his famous curve on a napkin in the mid-1970s. Laffer's was an economic argument for lowering tax rates for everyone. Piketty-Saez is a moral argument for raising taxes on the rich.

The Obama Rosetta Stone - WSJ.com (http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123681860305802821.html)

[Here is a pdf of their collectivist screed . It reads like it was authored by Marx.
http://elsa.berkeley.edu/~saez/pikettyqje.pdf]


The rancorous language used to describe these taxpayers makes it clear that as a matter of public policy they will be made to "pay for" the fact of their wealth -- no matter how many of them worked honestly and honorably to produce it. No Democratic president in 60 years has been this explicit.

In other words he plans to punish the rich for being rich... no matter how their wealth was obtained;no matter how many jobs they create. It's the "moral " thing to do . Of course there was a time when the left denounced the legislating of morality.

Exactly, I linked to his column a couple of days ago. That is Obama's moral imperative, to punish the rich in the name of "social justice." And not only that, in the effort to "level the playing field" and force more reliance on the nanny state, he's removing incentives to give to charity (http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=31050). I guess that's one way to cover for all those rich liberals who are rather miserly when it comes to digging in their own pockets.

But as Bertrand Russell said about giving to charity, "I'm afraid you've got it wrong. (We) are socialists. We don't pretend to be Christians."

The problem with socialism is that you eventually run out of other people's money.

... Margaret Thatcher

The problem with socialism is that you eventually run out of other people's money.

...Margaret Thatcher

I love it, God bless Maggie.

Can you believe this? "Lawmaker Wants Community Reinvestment Act Expanded to ...
Mar. 13--WASHINGTON -- U.S. Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson introduced legislation Thursday that would apply the Community Reinvestment Act to all nonbank financial institutions, including credit unions and mortgage ...Johnson, D-Dallas, said that extending the CRA's reach to nonbank lenders would improve the quality of loans."
BLACK ENTERPRISE » News Article (http://www.blackenterprise.com/news-article/127549326/)

Hello again,

Boy, if Ida known that you guys weren't going to give Obama any slack at ALL, I would have been on the dufus even harder.

But I, as opposed to you, gave the dufus a shot. Pity, you're not as nice as me.

excon

Hello again,

Boy, if Ida known that you guys weren't going to give Obama any slack at ALL, I would have been on the dufus even harder.

But I, as opposed to you, gave the dufus a shot. Pity, you're not as nice as me.

Bush didn't come out and try to drastically "remake" the country in his first 50 days. It might help Obama if he hadn't made such lofty promises about "fiscal responsibility," "transparency," "bipartisanship" and "ethics" only to have done a complete about face and nominate a bunch of ethically challenged people in the first month.

Bush didn't come out and try to drastically "remake" the country in his first 50 days. Hello Steve:

I don't subscribe to the go slow policy you're advocating. When the country is as broken as it is, going SLOW ain't going to do it.

Besides, he's DOING what the American electorate put him in office to DO - as opposed to what the dufus did.

excon

Besides, he's DOING what the American electorate put him in office to DO - as opposed to what the dufus did.
excon

My view is that, as Americans see what Obama is up to, even moderates (dupes) within his own party, he will get 'thumbs down'. I mean, how many days are we into Obamanation, and the tea parties are starting every where? The new president and his political toadies are already calling-out Americans for their public opposition? If you enjoy dissent, get ready.

Hello again, George:

I'm sorry. I've been hearing for weeks how much the country is turning against him, how his "dupes" are getting fed up, how the public opposition to him is rampant...

Then I look at his approval ratings, and wonder what you guys been smoking.

excon

... and the tea parties are starting every where? .These "tea parties" couldn't be any faker. Funded and organized by "Freedom Works," which is run by Armey.
Southern Beale: There's Astroturf At The Tea Party (http://sobeale.blogspot.com/2009/03/theres-astroturf-at-tea-party.html)
(or Google some keywords if that particular link isn't good enough for you)

Then I look at his approval ratings...

excon

You keep clinging to 'em; we're moving on. So, where was the jackass-in-chief last night? Leno?? Another page out of "Lincoln'?

These "tea parties" couldn't be any faker. Funded and organized by "Freedom Works," which is run by Armey.
Southern Beale: There's Astroturf At The Tea Party (http://sobeale.blogspot.com/2009/03/theres-astroturf-at-tea-party.html)
(or google some keywords if that particular link isn't good enough for you)

I see, the left can organize the grassroots by whatever means necessary (https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/current-events/organizing-brown-shirts-330956.html) under whatever pretense while the right should sit back and take it.

Hello again, George:

I'm sorry. I've been hearing for weeks how much the country is turning against him, how his "dupes" are getting fed up, how the public opposition to him is rampant....

Then I look at his approval ratings, and wonder what you guys been smoking.

excon

Looks to me like the approval ratings and the disapproval ratings are moving closer to a convergence (http://www.pollster.com/polls/us/jobapproval-obama.php?xml=/flashcharts/content/xml/Obama44JobApproval.xml&choices=Approve,Disapprove&phone=&ivr=&internet=&mail=&smoothing=&from_date=&to_date=&min_pct=&max_pct=&grid=&points=&trends=&lines=).

And you thought we were done with this post...


Former Bronx Borough President Adolfo Carrion spent more than $50,000 in campaign contributions (http://www.nypost.com/seven/04052009/news/regionalnews/carrion_spent_campaign__for_parting_part_162971.ht m) on a party for supporters and to enrich the Bronx Democratic Party soon after he was named President Obama's urban-affairs chief six weeks ago, according to filings at the Campaign Finance Board.

Records show that Carrion's campaign dropped $26,525 in February at Bayard's, a restaurant in the Financial District, for what was described as a "thank-you reception" for more than 500 people who backed his run for city comptroller.

Not long afterward, on March 5, Carrion wrote a $25,000 check to the Bronx Democratic Party, which forms the base of his political support.

Carrion spent the last three years raising $2.3 million for a citywide run, only to drop out on Feb. 19 when he was named to the White House post.

He had $1.1 million left in his war chest as of March 11, the last filing.

When The Post first inquired if Carrion would return his contributors' cash, officials said no one had asked.

Last week, however, the campaign acknowledged that "less than 10" people wanted their money back.

So a letter was drafted offering refunds. The campaign said in a statement that the refunds follow "practices used by other campaigns that have suspended operations and in compliance with New York state election law."

Carrion is under no legal obligation to pay back his contributors.

He also faces a much more serious issue: an investigation by the Bronx DA into whether he got a deal on the renovation of his City Island house in return for government favors.

The most ethical administration ever lets yet another one fall through the vetting net.

Yet another Obama nominee with tax issues, HHS nominee Kathy Sebelius (http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalpunch/2009/03/another-obama-c.html). At least they're now asking someone to review their situation before heading up for their hearings.

Time for an update... turns out "friends of Angelo" Kent Conrad and Chris Dodd lied about what they knew according to testimony to Congress.


Despite their denials, influential Democratic Sens. Kent Conrad and Chris Dodd were told from the start (http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=D99N143G3&show_article=1) they were getting VIP mortgage discounts from one of the nation's largest lenders, the official who handled their loans has told Congress in secret testimony.

Both senators have said that at the time the mortgages were being written they didn't know they were getting unique deals from Countrywide Financial Corp. the company that went on to lose billions of dollars on home loans to credit-strapped borrowers. Dodd still maintains he got no preferential treatment.

Dodd got two Countrywide mortgages in 2003, refinancing his home in Connecticut and another residence in Washington. Conrad's two Countrywide mortgages in 2004 were for a beach house in Delaware and an eight-unit apartment building in Bismarck in his home state of North Dakota.

Robert Feinberg, who worked in the Countrywide's VIP section, told congressional investigators last month that the two senators were made aware that "who you know is basically how you're coming in here."

"You don't say 'no' to the VIP," Feinberg told Republican investigators for the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, according to a transcript obtained by The Associated Press.

The next day, Feinberg testified before the Senate Ethics Committee, an indication the panel is actively investigating two of the chamber's more powerful members:

—Dodd heads the Banking Committee and is a major player in two big areas: solving the housing foreclosure and financial crises and putting together an overhaul of the U.S. health care system. A five-term senator, he is in a tough fight for re-election in 2010, partly because of the controversy over his mortgages.

_Conrad chairs the Budget Committee. He, too, shares an important role in the health care debate, as well as on legislation to curb global warming.

Both senators were VIP borrowers in the program known as "friends" of Angelo. Angelo Mozilo was chief executive of Countrywide, which played a big part in the foreclosure crisis triggered by defaults on subprime loans. The Calabasas, Calif.-based company was bought last July by Bank of America Corp. for about $2.5 billion.

Liar, liar, and these guys had oversight responsibility during Countrywide's collapse. It will be interesting to see if Congress takes any action against these two seeing as how they have an affinity to coddling their corruptocrats.

Old news Steve (or at least that will be the defense.) State Sen. Sam Caligiuri ;a psssible Republican opponent to Dodd's seat (although the Republicans will probably nominate RINO Rob Simmons to challenge) is calling on Dodd to resign . The sound of the press reaction is cricket chirps.

old news Steve (or at least that will be the defense.) State Sen. Sam Caligiuri ;a psssible Republican opponent to Dodd's seat (although the Republicans will probably nominate RINO Rob Simmons to challenge) is calling on Dodd to resign . The sound of the press reaction is cricket chirps.

What's shocking to me is it actually made the front page of our paper today. That will probably be all we hear though.

Elliot mentioned a whooper that happened in NJ this week . It took out about 40 politicians ;at least 3 mayors and a hand full of rabbis .

Read the details and just imagine the reaction had this been Republicans .
FBI Nabs over 40 N.J. Politicians, Rabbis - CBS News (http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/07/23/national/main5182072.shtml)

Yep... not a good week for my co-religionists.

Money laundering through Yeshivas and Shuls? Bribery? Selling influence?

Let them all rot.

They weren't even SMART about it. One guy I know commented that the reason that these Rabbis got caught is because they don't watch TV. If they watched any of a million crime shows on TV, they'd have known to pat down the guy approaching them with an offer for a criminal deal like this for a wire. Any idiot who watches CSI or Law & Order knows to do that much.

So all the years of these Rabbis trying to get their constituents to forego TV because it isn't "godly" finally bit them in the butt.

Of course, the fact that the crimes themselves weren't "godly" didn't seem to stop them from committing them.

I have a feeling that this guy Dwek who was the informer isn't going to make it to trial. Syrian Jews in particular have a very nasty streak about that sort of thing, and when the head Rabbi of the Syrian Jewish community in the USA is taken down in this kind of sting, you know somebody is having basement meetings to figure out what to do about it.

Makes me sick.

On the other hand, there are going to be some Brooklyn "mansions" on sale cheap in the Syrian Jewish neighborhoods real soon. A real steal if you can afford the downpayment.

Elliot

I noticed CBS/AP played "Guess that Party" while reporting the roundup.

Yep... not a good week for my co-religionists
Not as bad as Evita buying the votes of a whole village in return of a Presidential pardon . But this one is high on the infamy list.

And now we have instances of Dems censoring what the Pubs send out to their constituents.

No corruption here!!

CBS actually investigated this Friends of Angelo scandal (http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/07/31/eveningnews/main5202115.shtml?tag=contentBody;featuredPost-PE) last week, but notice what they inserted in the last paragraph:


Democrats are blocking a Republican effort to subpoena Countrywide documents. For now, it's not clear whether there was anything illegal about the loan arrangements or whether Countrywide was able to fend off regulations by currying favor with the right people.

Why oh why would the Dems block efforts to subpoena Countrywide documents? Didn't Obama and the rest of the party demonize Countrywide over their role in the housing collapse?

Time for an update...

"Transparency and the rule of law will be the touchstones of this presidency." -Barack Obama

"I have been fighting alongside ACORN on issues you care about my entire career." -Barack Obama

"Frankly, it's not something I've followed closely. This is not the biggest issue facing the country. It's not something I'm paying a lot of attention to." -Barack Obama on ACORN scandals

Barack "the big ACORN" Obama has distanced himself from both ACORN and transparency. Shortly after his "transparency" promise, Obama's Dept. of Labor began rolling back financial disclosure requirements (http://www.nlpc.org/stories/2009/04/30/labor-department-rescinds-revised-lm-2-and-lm-30-rules-invites-potential-corrupti) - transparency established by the Bush administration - that required unions to report their political activities with groups like ACORN. Previously, unions could hide these activities from the feds and from the workers they claim to represent and whose dues were used for such.

That's right, big unions gave bid money to big corrupt organizations like ACORN (http://www.nrtw.org/en/blog/compulsory-union-dues-linked-to-acorn-09172009) - including the very NY office involved in the recent scandal - and one of the Obama administration's first items of business was to help them cover up such activities.

Ethics and transparency, just words.

Time for an update...

Ethics and transparency, just words.Hello Steve:

It's WORSE than that...

Obama said "my Administration will work with Congress to develop an appropriate legal regime (for preventative detention) so that our efforts are consistent with our values and our Constitution".

Instead he decided to just go with the Bush doctrine. He KNOWS he can't get a law making unconstitutional stuff, constitutional. So, his words, ARE just words.

excon

PS> By the way, the charges against ACORN and the two perps are going to be thrown out. I guess the little prostitute and her pimp didn't check the state law about recording someone WITHOUT their permission.. Guess what?

PS> By the way, the charges against ACORN and the two perps are gonna be thrown out. I guess the little prostitute and her pimp didn't check the state law about recording someone WITHOUT their permission.. Guess what?

Nah... all it means is that they can't use those videos as evidence.

There's plenty of other evidence of ACORN's corruption from within their own books and records. A trial will take place... several of them in fact... and ACORN will not survive in its current form.

But the point of the videos wasn't to nail ACORN in court. It was to make the public aware of what ACORN really is... a criminal enterprise. And in that sense, the makers of the videos succeeded perfectly in their goal.

ACORN as a major organizing arm of the DNC is done. No candidate or sitting politician will ever allow their names to be associated with ACORN again. No politician will sign a bill granting ACORN federal or state money. The DNC won't want to be associated with ACORN. Even if ACORN is not found culpable in court, they are finished as a major player in national politics.

Elliot

Hello again:

How about that old non tax paying Charlie Rangel, and the Dems who love him?

excon

Charlie Ragel... corrupt ? Who'da thunk it.
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_orkXxp0bhEA/SNRcTA1la_I/AAAAAAAAJQc/pQ2ldjNiUd0/s400/080919-rangel-sleeping-beach.jpg

His best defense is that he doesn't understand the tax laws his committee writes.

Time for an update on both the "Demcrat culture of corruption" and "the name that party" game.


Eight Dems Arrested in Bell, CA 'Corruption on Steroids' - Not a Single Mention of Party Affiliation From Media (http://newsbusters.org/blogs/lachlan-markay/2010/09/21/eight-dems-arrested-bell-ca-corruption-steroids-not-single-mention-p)

Today, eight city council members were arrested in Bell, California for what Los Angeles County District Attorney labeled "corruption on steroids." Thus far, every major news outlet that has reported on the story has omitted the fact that all eight individuals arrested are Democrats.

These glaring omissions come only weeks after NewsBusters reported that of the 351 stories on the then-brewing controversy, 350 had omitted party affiliations, and one had mentioned they were Democrats only in apologizing for not doing so sooner.

ABC, CBS, the Los Angeles Times, the Associated Press, Bloomberg, USA Today, CNN, MSNBC, NPR, and the San Francisco Chronicle all reported on the arrests today without mentioning party affiliations.

Wasn't it just yesterday that someone said Fox News was so biased and negligent they should have their license suspended? ONLY 350 out of 351 stories failed to mention party affiliation? Good thing for MSNBC that they don't claim to be a news organization (https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/current-events/teach-us-constitution-but-not-human-sexuality-508898-2.html#post2533027), huh?

Charlie Ragel ....corrupt ? Who'da thunk it.
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_orkXxp0bhEA/SNRcTA1la_I/AAAAAAAAJQc/pQ2ldjNiUd0/s400/080919-rangel-sleeping-beach.jpg

His best defense is that he doesn't understand the tax laws his committee writes.

2002 James Traficant was expelled from Congress for tax evasion . Yesterday the Ethics Committee recommended censure for Rangel .They could've requested the Dept of Justice to bring charges.Traficant went to jail for his corruption.But this Congress needs Charlie around to pontificate about taxing the rich.
I guess they were convinced by Charlie's wrangling defense that whatever his misdeeds, he was not corrupt.

2002 James Traficant was expelled from Congress for tax evasion . Yesterday the Ethics Committee recommended censure for Rangel .They could've requested the Dept of Justice to bring charges.Traficant went to jail for his corruption.But this Congress needs Charlie around to pontificate about taxing the rich.
I guess they were convinced by Charlie's wrangling defense that whatever his misdeeds, he was not corrupt.

Well it was a bad year for minorities and women so they can't pile on a black man now.

Wesley Snipes didn't fare as well today .

AP - A federal judge ordered actor Wesley Snipes to surrender to authorities Friday so he can begin serving a three-year prison sentence for tax-related crimes.

Wesley Snipes ordered to surrender in tax case - Yahoo! News (http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20101119/ap_en_mo/us_snipes_tax_trial)

You see... the problem was that Snipes didn't think of the 'Turbo Tax' or 'sloppy book keeping ' defense .

Wesley Snipes didn't fare as well today .Hello again, tom:

Yeah, it was a much better day for corrupt Republicans, like David Vitter... He can screw whores, cheat on his wife, and get re-elected to the Senate. So much for family values...

excon

Or Maxine Waters... after the Ethics committee exhausted themselves giving Rangel's wrists a slap they decided to cancel their trial of Waters..

But Ragel let the opportunity to do some good go to waste. He should've made a statement to the effect that he now understands how complex and convoluted the tax system he helped construct all these years truly is... He should've vowed to devote his remaining time in the House to simplfy the codes.

But nah... too many rent subsidized apartments to appropriate yet to be bothered actually acting like a public servant .

Hello again,

Yeah, Tom DeLay, the ex house majority leader is facing a life sentence for money laundering... Ooops, he's a Republican... Bummer.

excon

If Delay is guilty, he should pay the price .But he is old news ; the Republican party is purging themselves of the Delays of the party . He's gone . Democrats on the other hand celebrate their crooks.

I am not big on Texas court system .But as I understand it the process in Travis County is dominated by vindictive Democrats . From what I hear Ronnie Earl will have a very Happy Thanksgiving.

Hello again, tom:

Oh, I understand... When a Republican get's exposed, it's the Democrats doing it TO him.. But, when it's a Democrat, he's dirty... Right...

excon

Guess we'll find out in the appeal.

I have not followed the Delay case closely... but as I understand it, he basically was found guilty of committing ex post facto law violation of a state law that SCOTUS already decided at the Federal level is a violation of the 1st amendment right to free speech.

Hello again, tom:

Then you understand more than me. Texas has had a law on the books since 1903 that corporations CANNOT give money to political candidates. He was found guilty of violating that proposition, cause he DID.

Now, I agree that the prosecution was novel, and so is his defense on appeal. We'll see how it turns out.

excon

See ;I haven't really been following it . Now I read the prosecutor searched hard for a law violation he could pin on Delay ;and when he did paraded a small army of witnesses introducing vague circumstantial evidence.
Are you sure this has nothing to do with vindictiveness because Delay was instrumental in the redistricing in Texas ? Nahh !
He'll beat in on appeal because the money was obtained legally and it can be proved that the money given to the Texas candidates did not come from corporate sources because the RNC kept a firewall between corporate and private donations.