Thursday, January 19, 2006

Trent Lott believes in free lunch

"Now we're going to say you can't have a meal for more than 20 bucks," said Senator Trent Lott, Republican of Mississippi. "Where are you going, to McDonald's?"


http://www.nytimes.com/2006/01/19/politics/19cong.html?ex=1295326800&en=d02648232b366277&ei=5090&partner=rssuserland&emc=rss
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/01/19/AR2006011902527.html

No, Senator Lott, you can pay for your own meal like everyone else in America.

GOP "reforms" are formalities for more of the same

Congressional Democrats yesterday laid out a plan to change what they called a GOP "culture of corruption" in Washington, even as Republicans pointed to ethics lapses on their antagonists' side of the aisle...
Rather than limiting the value of a gift to $20, as House Republicans are considering, Democrats would prohibit all gifts from lobbyists. Democrats also take direct aim at some of the legislative practices that have become established in the past 10 years of Republican rule in Congress. They vowed to end the K Street Project, under which Republicans in Congress pressure lobbying organizations to hire only Republican staff members and contribute only to Republican candidates.


from Washington Post. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/01/18/AR2006011801760_pf.html

The GOP's answer is limiting the value of a gift to $20? That doesn't even make sense, what is the significance of $20 when compared to the tens and hundred of thousands of dollars that Jack Abramoff fundraised and directly donated to the Republican party? The answer almost seems too obvious.

They've created a system of "accountability" that is filled with even more loopholes, but loopholes that can prove to be legal. Have you ever looked at grocery coupons?



Notice how they say that the value of the coupon is either "no cash value" or something really small like a fraction of a cent.

Lobbyists could continue to give Tom DeLay millions in gifts but say that they have a cash value of less than $20. Sneaky. Why wouldn't I be suprised that something like that would happen if Republican lobbying "reforms" were passed?


Sunday, January 08, 2006

Wait for it... wait for it...

Mr. DeLay said he had "always acted in an ethical manner within the rules of our body and the laws of our land."

Right.
Tom Delay gets about a month and a half on my watch before he cries and apologizes. Remember his statement above, and then wait for that quote to turn into...

"I'm so sorry, I didn't mean for anyone to get hurt, I acted unlawfully, sniffle, ::cry:: I have dishonored my family, the people I represent, and my nation. sniff. I only hope that I will be redeemed by the Lord almighty. Again I want to apologize to my fellow Americans, ::break down in tears some more:: and... I hope that one day you will be able to forgive me. ::sob sob:: May God Bless America, Oh god I wished it would never have turned out like this, I got carried away I'm so sorry".

You just wait. It WILL happen. The sad part is nobody feels bad or unethical about the things they apologize for, until they get caught.

EXHIBIT A: RANDY "DUKE" CUNNINGHAM

"Duke Cunningham strongly denies these allegations and we will contest them in court as soon as the judge permits us to do so."

The truth is -- I broke the law, concealed my conduct, and disgraced my high office. I know that I will forfeit my freedom, my reputation, my worldly possessions, and most importantly, the trust of my friends and family.


EXHIBIT B: JACK ABRAMOFF

"Abramoff insists he is innocent of any wrongdoing concerning millions of dollars in funding he received for helping Indian tribes set up casinos in their tribal homelands."

"Words will not ever be able to express my sorrow and my profound regret for all my actions and mistakes," he said. "I hope I can merit forgiveness from the Almighty and those I've wronged or caused to suffer."