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Foj
Citizen
Username: Foger
Post Number: 1440
Registered: 9-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 24, 2006 - 11:18 pm: | 
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WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives,
Dennis Hastert, is under investigation by the FBI, which is probing corruption in Congress, ABC News reported on Wednesday.
ABC, citing high level Justice Department sources, said information implicating Hastert was developed from convicted lobbyists who are now cooperating with the government.
Part of the investigation involves a letter Hastert wrote three years ago, urging the Secretary of the Interior to block a casino on an Indian reservation that would have competed with those of other tribes.
Hastert's Press Secretary told ABC in a statement: "We are not aware of this." Hastert's spokespeople were not immediately available for comment.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20060524/pl_nm/congress_ethics_hastert_dc |
tom
Citizen
Username: Tom
Post Number: 4982
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 24, 2006 - 11:19 pm: |
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Is Hastert being intimidated after his harsh criticism of the administration yesterday? Or is the fact that this was pending behind his criticism? |
cjc
Citizen
Username: Cjc
Post Number: 5650
Registered: 8-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, May 25, 2006 - 11:42 am: |
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That's not entirely true, at least as it's being presented. The DoJ is looking and getting records from anyone touched by Abramoff and his clients. Hastert was the #1 recipient of those funds, with Dem Byron Dorgan pulling in a close second. Everyone is getting a look, and the DoJ denied the ABC report in that it insinuates that Hastert is a 'target.'
If Hastert blocked one tribe over another, he's guilty of doing the same thing Harry Reid did. |
tom
Citizen
Username: Tom
Post Number: 4986
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, May 25, 2006 - 12:21 pm: |
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Blocking one tribe over another isn't a crime, unless you're doing it for money. |
themp
Supporter
Username: Themp
Post Number: 2945
Registered: 12-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, May 25, 2006 - 12:34 pm: |
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"If Hastert blocked one tribe over another, he's guilty of doing the same thing Harry Reid did."
CJC - Let's let the criminal justice system do its work. Those investigators deserve your respect, and be it the Abramoff investigation, Safavian trial, or Fitzgerald's inquiry, you would be best served by not second guessing every prosecutoria/investigative move and foolishly repeating talking points when you really haven't seen any of the evidence yourself.
I know it is hard to see conservative heros like Ken Lay jailed, but it is for the best. You will get over it. |
tom
Citizen
Username: Tom
Post Number: 4990
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, May 25, 2006 - 12:50 pm: |
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From UPI
Quote:Hastert aide: Probe rumor is retaliation
WASHINGTON, May 25 (UPI) -- An aide to U.S. House Speaker Dennis Hastert, R-Ill., claims news reports Hastert is being probed in a lobbying scandal is payback by the Justice Department.
Wednesday night, ABC News reported sources at the Justice Department said Hastert was among those involved in a probe of disgraced lobbyist Jack Abramoff. In an unusual move, the department very quickly issued a denial.
Speaking to The Chicago Sun-Times, Hastert's deputy chief of staff Mike Stokke said he didn't blame ABC News for bad reporting but rather questioned the timing of the "leak." He referred to a stinging challenge Hastert and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., made on Sunday that the FBI surrender documents it seized during an unprecedented weekend raid on the office of Rep. William Jefferson, D-La.
"We've been in discussion with them since Sunday, with the Department of Justice, on this other matter of unconstitutional search and seizure." Stokke told the newspaper. "I don't recall any threats being made, but this is what is called in baseball a brushback pitch. ABC News got this from somewhere. I don't think they made this up."
Sharklike Republicans feeding upon each other. I'm so happy I could cry. |
Southerner
Citizen
Username: Southerner
Post Number: 1087
Registered: 2-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, May 25, 2006 - 6:37 pm: |
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Are we to believe Foj's posts anymore? And if it is true, who cares. Isn't everyone being investigated? |
cjc
Citizen
Username: Cjc
Post Number: 5652
Registered: 8-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, May 25, 2006 - 9:20 pm: |
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themp -- your offbase percentage is improving every day.
I'm not second guessing any prosecutor, nor could you accurately say I was. I simply said the report is wrong as it's being characterized and YOUR talking point is nothing more than one. The prosecutor rightly is looking into everyone that has contact with Abramoff -- republican and democrat.
And if voting for money is the crime, Reid is guilty for accepting money from one tribe -- a new contributor directed by Abramoff being the Coushattas -- and voting against another Indian tribe's casino efforts in a state outside of Nevada.
Ken Lay is no conservative hero of mine. And for your information, he made more money during the Clinton Administration in addition to getting Robert Rubin to try to play footsie with the Treasury to save his ••• than he ever did with Bush. Flies in the face of your talking point "Culture of Corruption" and your beloved Reid, doesn't it? |
John Caffrey
Citizen
Username: Jerseyjack
Post Number: 254
Registered: 11-2005
| | Posted on Thursday, May 25, 2006 - 9:29 pm: |
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Foj. What the hell is wrong with you. Didn't you read Southerner's posts responding to your post about the Rove indictment? After reading his posts on that topic, I hae concluded that you should not post any further about indictments until/unless you personally go to D.C. and source the information with Fitzgerald.
I also advise you to not even post about Kenny Boy and Skilling unless you go to Texas and interview each juror.
And don't make any snide comments about our Decider-in-Chief either. What are you, French or something? |
The Notorious S.L.K.
Citizen
Username: Scrotisloknows
Post Number: 1500
Registered: 10-2005
| | Posted on Thursday, May 25, 2006 - 9:56 pm: |
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tom-
oh, the UPI? So it must be true...
-SLK |
tom
Citizen
Username: Tom
Post Number: 4994
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, May 25, 2006 - 10:01 pm: |
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if you'd like a right-wing source, the Washington Times has picked it up as well.
Either way you care to look at it -- the Bush justice department is going after Hastert, or Hastert is accusing the Bush justice department of retaliation -- it's a beautiful thing. |
anon
Supporter
Username: Anon
Post Number: 2709
Registered: 6-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, May 25, 2006 - 10:02 pm: |
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Isn't everyone being investigated?
I'm not! I absolutely deny it. |
tom
Citizen
Username: Tom
Post Number: 4995
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, May 25, 2006 - 10:40 pm: |
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"everyone" here translates as "four hundred Republicans and one Democrat." |
tom
Citizen
Username: Tom
Post Number: 4997
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, May 25, 2006 - 11:45 pm: |
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'course one big difference between dems and repubs right now is, dems are calling out for the resignations of the corrupt guys in their midst. The Republicans, on the other hand, change rules to protect theirs. |
Strawberry
Supporter
Username: Strawberry
Post Number: 7268
Registered: 10-2001
| | Posted on Friday, May 26, 2006 - 6:21 am: |
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"'course one big difference between dems and repubs right now is, dems are calling out for the resignations of the corrupt guys in their midst."
So what Tom is saying is that the Democrats rather than assume a man is innocent until proven guilty, instead sell him down the river to impress the media.
I'll stick with the grand ole party since that's the party that at least respects our Judicial system. |
cjc
Citizen
Username: Cjc
Post Number: 5653
Registered: 8-2003
| | Posted on Friday, May 26, 2006 - 8:51 am: |
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tom -- here's a question for you. Do Democrats have a rule where their commmittee heads have to step down if they're indicted? Have they ever? |
tom
Citizen
Username: Tom
Post Number: 4999
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Friday, May 26, 2006 - 10:19 am: |
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Good question. It's been a moot point for 12 years, and I don't know. |
Rastro
Citizen
Username: Rastro
Post Number: 3244
Registered: 5-2004
| | Posted on Friday, May 26, 2006 - 10:53 am: |
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Straw, you make me laugh. Really you do. It's nice to have a chuckle in the middle of the day. |
cjc
Citizen
Username: Cjc
Post Number: 5656
Registered: 8-2003
| | Posted on Friday, May 26, 2006 - 12:01 pm: |
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tom -- the answer is no. Why is that? They expect a William Jefferson or Rostenkowski type on a regular basis? |
Rastro
Citizen
Username: Rastro
Post Number: 3245
Registered: 5-2004
| | Posted on Friday, May 26, 2006 - 12:33 pm: |
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cjc, maybe just the opposite. They don't expect it frequently, and therefore don't feel the need. But I do believe that there should be a LAW, not a RULE, that any indicted Congresscritter should be suspended from all committee activity while under investigation.
Plus, what committee is William Jefferson the head of?
As for Rostenkowski,
Quote:Rostenkowski's downfall in 1994 was portrayed by Republicans as emblematic of Democratic corruption. The scandal helped fuel the Republican victory in the House, led by Newt Gingrich and his Contract with America. "The rise and fall of Dan Rostenkowski tracks the rise and fall of Democrats in the House," concludes Richard E. Cohen in his book on Rostenkowski [2] . "It is a story of power, accomplishments and, ultimately, failure and humiliation."
Perhaps Delay, Cunningham, and Co. will do the same for Democrats in 2006. That is, if the Democrats can put together a cohesive, interesting, and appealing platform. |
themp
Supporter
Username: Themp
Post Number: 2954
Registered: 12-2001
| | Posted on Friday, May 26, 2006 - 1:09 pm: |
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http://www.cleveland.com/news/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/news/1148632821130040. xml&coll=2 |
tom
Citizen
Username: Tom
Post Number: 5002
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Friday, May 26, 2006 - 1:51 pm: |
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on the other hand, the Republicans rode in on the "Contract With America," vowing to clean things up. But it wasn't long before their reforms and promises became inconvenient. Remember term limits? Remember this?
Quote:Like Lincoln, our first Republican president, we intend to act "with firmness in the right, as God gives us to see the right." To restore accountability to Congress. To end its cycle of scandal and disgrace. To make us all proud again of the way free people govern themselves.
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cjc
Citizen
Username: Cjc
Post Number: 5657
Registered: 8-2003
| | Posted on Friday, May 26, 2006 - 2:07 pm: |
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I'm glad the term limits push folded. It takes the voter out of the equation. However, if you vote for limiting free political speech, you do the same thing and make it harder to unseat an incumbant.
As for scandal, the Bush Administration has managed to climb above the admittedly low bar of the Clinton Administration. If you're angling for "Culture of Corruption" as a way to drive out Republicans only, it's a loser. It's nothing like the House Bank or the House Post Office back in the early 90s. |
tom
Citizen
Username: Tom
Post Number: 5004
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Friday, May 26, 2006 - 2:30 pm: |
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Term limits was a bogus issue, and I too am glad it didn't happen. Voters should get to vote for whomever they like. |
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