News Hounds

Melanie: two things. Why is it that if your a disgraced or convicted whatever your immediately hired by Faux? What is the network? Felons are us.

Second and the one thing you probably don't want to hear is that I live about 15 miles from the Jolly Rancher Plant in Arvada. It's closing.

Posted by: edfromned at January 4, 2006 07:07 PM

edfromned: "Felons are us." I love it.

Re the Jolly Rancher plant closing (oh no!) - is it moving (say, to China) or is Jolly Rancher folding (I can't imagine that)? Also, I didn't know there was a plant in Arvada. Humm.

Posted by: Melanie at January 4, 2006 07:14 PM

Nonsense?!?! Well, this 'nonsense' has Repubs dumping the money that Abramoff gave them. This 'nonsense' is going to have a man begging for his life (he faces a possible 30 year sentence and appears to be in his 50's) and doing an awful lot of 'talking.'

I'd say there are a lot of people in Washington shaking in their boots tonight - and most of them are Republicans.

'Nonsense' - yeah, we'll see how much nonsense this is when careers come crashing down and grown men are crying in court.

And Newt's explanation 'Democrats seem more tolerant of corruption'? Huh? Does anything he says make any sense?

No, Repubs are more tolerant because then they just start crying and asking the almighty for forgiveness. Go listen to country music and cry in your beers - the law is coming for lots of you Repubs.

Scarlet, PbD

Posted by: Scarlet, PbD at January 4, 2006 07:31 PM

See how fast the Repubs are dumping the Abramoff money (= nonsense to Gingrich):

http://news.yahoo.com/fc/US/US_Congress

A snippet:

Bush, Others Dump Abramoff Donations
AP - 1 hour, 33 minutes ago
WASHINGTON - President Bush and numerous House Republicans hastily jettisoned campaign donations from Jack Abramoff on Wednesday as party officials pondered the impact of a spreading scandal on their 2006 election prospects. "I wish it hadn't happened because it's not going to help us keep our majority," conceded Rep. Ralph Regula, R-Ohio. As Abramoff pleaded guilty to a second set of felony charges in as many days, this time in Florida, officials said Bush's 2004 re-election campaign intended to give up $6,000 in donations from the lobbyist, his wife and a client.
-------------------------------------------------
The thing is - I heard Herr Bubble got $100,000 from Abramoff - why is he just giving $6,000 back? Must have been a good Christmas for Laura.

Scarlet, PbD

Posted by: Scarlet, PbD at January 4, 2006 07:40 PM

"While we firmly believe the contributions were legal at the time of receipt, the plea indicates that such contributions may not have been given in the spirit in which they were received."
-- spokesperson for Rep. Roy Blunt (R-MO)

"I wish it hadn't happened because it's not going to help us keep our majority."
-- Rep. Ralph Regula (R-OH)

"You can't have a corrupt lobbyist unless you have a corrupt member (of Congress) or a corrupt staff. This was a team effort."
-- former GOP House Speaker Newt Gingrich

http://www.dfw.com/mld/startelegram/news/state/13550295.htm

Posted by: -R at January 4, 2006 07:43 PM

Melanie,
One must never chew a Jolly Rancher, only suck...if it molds areound your molars, say sayonara to your fillings! (I'm sure you knew that)
I think it's wrong to say that the Democratic base is more tolerant of corruption, especially without first stressing that they are generally more tolerant of everything, and that is generally an advantage and is certainly a more Christian way of living. Gingrich ought to keep his fat head in a small, soundproof box. Also, he contradicted himself badly in the span of two sentences. Yes, Newtie-fruity, every US citizen ought to have easier access to the US capitol, but allowing the richest 1% in each Congressional district the option to buy their preferred candidate into office while also ensuring said candidate will be in their pocket would be a gross abuse of democracy. What idiot can't see that?

Posted by: shane at January 4, 2006 07:53 PM

What I read in a local paper, Abramoff took hundreds of thousands, yet made many many millions... The numbers do not remotely add-up.... My guess is that some zeroes need to be added to dollars that flowed Abramoff's way... Main stream media, is trying to help the crooks out, wherever they can. Unless America holds these bastards accountable, return and repeat will be the theme for our children and grandchildren... Our children, grandchildren, country and the World deserve better... The citizens need to grab the wheel, on this out of control operation.

Posted by: EtJ at January 4, 2006 07:55 PM

"Culture of Corruption" says it all.

Posted by: ganesha at January 4, 2006 07:59 PM

is it ok if i say newt gingrich is an ASSHOLE?

lemme know :)

Posted by: Proud Caring Liberal at January 4, 2006 08:24 PM

Scarlet, the $100,000 to Dubya was raised by Abramoff (like those fund-raising lunches, etc.) and earned him "pioneer" status with the Bush clan. He personally gave Bush the legal amount ($2,000), his wife gave $2,000 and the other $2,000 came from the Saginaw Chippewas (I think?).
If it were the dems on the receiving end (yes, I know some are dems, but the majority are repubs) I doubt if it would be considered nonsense. FNC would call it one of the greatest bribery scandals our country ever witnessed and they would be correct. Where's Bill Bennet and his "moral outrage" over this? That's right Bill Bennet, you're an effing hypocrite. It is never easy pointing out the wrongs in friends or people you respect but Bennet put himself in that position when he wrote those books and looked down on others from his imaginary pedestal. These politicians abused their power to enrich themselves personally at the expense of their constituents. Before their day of reckoning begins I suggest they start passing some laws on prison reform, they may find it beneficial in their future.

Posted by: Rob M at January 4, 2006 08:31 PM

Proud Caring Liberal,

Yes, sweetie, you can!

Ganesha,

The Republican Party is rapidly becoming the Culture of Corruption Party - the COC!

This can only get worse - the sh*t has yet to hit the fan. Hey voters, pay attention!

Scarlet, PbD

Posted by: Scarlet, PbD at January 4, 2006 08:33 PM

Scarlet,
Bush isn't giving back the $100K because it's money collected by Abramoff from other people for GW. Here in real America it's called a pyramid scheme, in Bushworld it makes you a jolly Ranger.

Napolitano and Gibson were talking about it on Big Story and AN was quite emphatic that Abramoff has the $25 million he needs to repay as part of the plea. Nice work if you don't mind selling out your country.

Posted by: chrish at January 4, 2006 08:37 PM

Thanks, Chrish,

I get it - and isn't it nice that Abramoff has the 25 million to pay? Probably doesn't make a dent.

He had better serve YEARS in prison, though. He can ask the almighty to forgive him, but I still want to see his butt behind bars.

Scarlet, PbD

Posted by: Scarlet, PbD at January 4, 2006 09:03 PM

"I wish it hadn't happened because it's not going to help us keep our majority."
-- Rep. Ralph Regula (R-OH)

Posted by: -R at January 4, 2006 07:43 PM
``````````````````````
Note, he is not wishing it had not happened because it is wrong but because it is going to hurt their majority status! Unreal!

Posted by: Ed in Pittsburgh at January 4, 2006 09:14 PM

Interesting that the graft takers are only giving the money back 'cause they got caught. How do you give a trip to Scotland back tho?

Posted by: Keith at January 4, 2006 09:25 PM

Melanie: Iam not sure why their closing. I think they're moving to Canada. The land the factory is sitting on is worth too much and when Hersesy bought them out they of course have to answer to their stockholders.

I would expect the spin to come hard and heavy in the next two weeks After that I would think it will settle down as for Abramoff make this deal he has had to already of given the feds something concrete or they wouldn't of made the deal.

I expect indictment within the month and boy are we going to see a bunch of new faces in congress next year.

Posted by: edfromned at January 4, 2006 09:27 PM

Sorry for the screwed up post. I'm watching USC/Texas. I working on the multi-tasking thing.

Posted by: edfromned at January 4, 2006 09:32 PM

And how many investigations in the House have there been on Abramoff, the missing 9 billion in Iraq, on WMD lies, house member corruptions, on Tom Delay or a real investigation on FEMA/Katrina- No Bid Haliburton Contracts.....NONE... nothing...

Regards

Posted by: Viper at January 4, 2006 09:34 PM

Abramoff plea could bring renewed scrutiny of Hastert letter
Chicago Tribune, January 4, 2006

The guilty plea by lobbyist Jack Abramoff could bring renewed scrutiny of a letter sent by House Speaker Dennis Hastert of Illinois to Interior Secretary Gale Norton urging her to block an Indian casino opposed by rival tribes represented by Abramoff just ONE WEEK AFTER THE LOBBYIST HOSTED A FUNDRAISER FOR HASTERT'S PAC.

...Hastert, who wields considerable influence as the TOP-RANKING REPUBLICAN IN THE HOUSE, was joined in his letter to Norton by three of the most powerful House Republican leaders: former House Majority Leader Tom DeLay, then-Majority Whip Roy Blunt and Chief Deputy House Whip Eric Cantor, all of whom also received campaign contributions from Indian tribes represented by Abramoff...

...ABRAMOFF RECRUITED PROMINENT CHRISTIAN CONSERVATIVES JAMES DOBSON AND RALPH REED to wage a campaign against the Jena Band's casino on the grounds it would expand gambling, even though Abramoff's clients were casinos protecting their business. Dobson and Reed have said they were duped.

At least 33 members of Congress signed letters to Norton opposing the Jena Band casino and received more than $830,000 in contributions from Abramoff and tribes he represented between 2001 and 2004, according to the AP...

http://www.sunherald.com/mld/sunherald/news/politics/13550936.htm

Posted by: -R at January 4, 2006 10:22 PM

According to the WSJ Abramoff can implicate 60 lawmakers.http://thinkprogress.org/2006/01/04/60/

Posted by: brothermark at January 4, 2006 10:35 PM

Crooks, every last one of them. I was watching CNN and they said that a lot of the lobbyists are former congressmen/women. The jumps in pay are astounding.

This is not nonsense - this is the American people saying they're 'mad and they're not gonna take it anymore.'

I'm so sick of them shamelessly cutting benefits for the poor, and shoving these pork projects through because of the LOBBYISTS!

Pass a law - No more lobbyists. Make it against the law to use influence AT ALL for congress and the senate.

The people should demand it!

I can't wait for Abramoff to start singing - and then maybe we can sing -- 'Turn out the lights, the party's over....'

Scarlet, PbD

Posted by: Scarlet, PbD at January 4, 2006 10:37 PM

Scarlet: If things work out the way they should, the Congress could very well be controlled by the Dems this time next year. These

The problem is we need a third party. End of story. If a third party was up and running the lobbyists wouldn't know to shit or go blind on who to influence. If would have the same effect as your Idea, which is one of the best going but would violate the right to free speech.

But if this country is so willing to give up it's forth amendment rights, why wouldn't they agree to do away with these scumfucks?

Posted by: edfromned at January 4, 2006 10:50 PM

"...Hastert, who wields considerable influence as the TOP-RANKING REPUBLICAN IN THE HOUSE, was joined in his letter to Norton by three of the most powerful House Republican leaders: former House Majority Leader Tom DeLay, then-Majority Whip Roy Blunt and Chief Deputy House Whip Eric Cantor, all of whom also received campaign contributions from Indian tribes represented by Abramoff..."

I wonder if it'll work its way down to Gov. Matt Blunt, Roy Blunt's son. I've also heard that Matt's siblings are all professional lobbyists..

Posted by: Alex Thorpe at January 4, 2006 11:25 PM

Abramoff will be on the faux payroll soon.

Posted by: Dr. Matt at January 4, 2006 11:25 PM

Alex, I don't know if it was Abramoff funds , but Matt Blunt got money from Delay and the RNC. I saw it in a newspaper when visiting my cousin in Springfield.

Posted by: brothermark at January 5, 2006 12:21 AM

"Gingrich's assertion that Democrats are "more tolerant of corruption".

Must be some truth to that because many Republicans have no arrest records!

Posted by: expatUSA_Indonesia at January 5, 2006 01:02 AM

The Newt is actually correct on this one!
Republicans do not tolerate corruption. Mostly because they don't believe corruption exists. Except in Democrats.

Posted by: gabriella at January 5, 2006 01:12 AM

They should have, in accordance wth their "fair and balanced" doctrine asked ol Newt if it is the Democrats that are more tolerant of corruption, why then is his party is the one up to their elbows in corruption charges with nary a Republican (himself included) calling for their fellow Republicans to stand up and be personally accountable for their actions?

Posted by: J Macdonald at January 5, 2006 02:25 AM

Jolly Rancher is closing? Dang, that's where I got the barrels from for my greenhouse thermal mass storage. That's a shame, though I must admit that after cleaning out that barrel of artificial watermellon flavoring on a hot day I've never eaten watermelon again.

Posted by: John West at January 5, 2006 05:30 AM

Please note that Ralph Reed ( Co founder with Pat Robinson... does that not say it all), who took $4.2 million from ABRAMOFF to stir up the religious right in Texas against an Indian Casino here said he did not know the money came from competing Indian Casinos.

BIG LIE as it TURNED OUT!

However, his emails showed that his statements were false and he did know exactly where the money came from. Was hungry for more. And was involved in one of those Phoney ABRAMOFF companies that a lifeguard headed up in Delaware to hide the source of the funds as the money was laundered.

BUSHCO and its supporters all lie!

Pls lets get back to the good ole days when the only lie was " I did not have sexual relations with that woman".

Note that FOX keeps trying to say this will hit both sides of the isle. Maybe, but so far there are 4 indictments and all are Republicans. Also beware that that they try to smear DEMs who did not receive money from ABRAHOFF but his clients only. Sen. Reid does not know ABRAHOFF or his firms members and thus its not likely ABRAMOFF asked for favors from him for those clients, nor did he go like Tom Delay on $80K golfing trips with ABRAMHOFF. Nor did he have fund raisers at ABRAMOFFs restaurants as Haster did!

BUSH only returned money personally from ABRAHOFF, not the $100K he rasied for BUSH.

Note that REED is running for office! Another proud Chritian crook who has not returned the money! Money he earned fraudulently since they were representing/playing both sides against each other.

Regards

Posted by: Viper at January 5, 2006 05:58 AM

"Before their day of reckoning begins I suggest they start passing some laws on prison reform, they may find it beneficial in their future.

Posted by: Rob M at January 4, 2006 08:31 PM"

Laws? What laws? We are the President('s party)!

Posted by: Josh Grant at January 5, 2006 08:47 AM

Wasn't Abramoff implicated in some sort of shaky death involving one of his clients? You know the kind that would suggest that there is no reason whatsoever to claim that the coal miner story should take precedence over this one?

Posted by: Mike at January 5, 2006 09:30 AM

Whether or not one story should take precedence over the other is neither here nor there. Having said that both stories have national implications insofar as they both are reflective of how low the rethugs will go (bottomless pit). For Gingrich (adulturer)to minimize the actions of HIS party is asinine. For starters why does the disgraced Gingrinch have any credibility regarding ethical matters? To say that Democrats are more "tolerant" of corruption is just not based on fact. In reality it's the rethugs who are obviously more tolerant, the fact that Gingrinch is looked to as some sort of moral authority just proves that it is actually the rethugs who are tolerant of corruption. In fact, they embrace corruption.

This is the article regarding Jack Abramoff's link to the murder in Florida. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/09/27/AR2005092700980_pf.html

Posted by: ganesha at January 5, 2006 10:48 AM

"Gingrich said that Washington should... ban "fundraising in Washington, D.C. itself" and say we're "not going to tolerate the passing of money in the US Capitol."

I'm not sure what that would accomplish...

"He said we should make it easier for "people in general" to "have access to the US Capitol" and "lift any limit on the amount of money citizens back home give to candidates back home in their congressional districts."

Ohhh... that's what he thinks it would accomplish.The *unlimited* buying of politicians is OK just as long as you don't do it within the boundaries of Washington D.C.? It's not the corruption, it's the location.

Posted by: Robrob at January 5, 2006 02:50 PM

By now we should all know what Democrats think about us niggers. They promote the use of the word in their version of “pop” culture. White liberal screenwriters in Hollywood add the word to “keep it real” in movies, television programs and music videos. They get all bent out of shape when a conservative has a mild Rush Limbaugh-Donovan McNabb or Trent Lott moment, but the sentiment that blacks truly are niggers has always been reserved for liberals.

When a black conservative is nominated for any kind of prominent position, the liberal response is that they are not the “right kind of black.” In other words, they’ve escaped the plantation and aren’t their kind of nigger. In order to place them within that category, people like Gloria Allred call them “Uncle Tom types.”

With that, the nomination of Dr. Condoleeza Rice by President Bush for the position of Secretary of State has elicited the usual response of racist caricature.

Democrats, who make it a point of reminding us how much they love us niggers, have never placed black people in positions of real importance. Sure city mayors here and there, but in previous liberal administrations have made it only as high as Secretary of Commerce and Deputy Attorney General. And when Commerce Secretary Ron Brown was killed in a plane crash while on duty, he wasn’t even given the courtesy of an autopsy, something of a given considering his position. Niggers aren’t worth that kind of attention or expense.

Now available on important publications like the New York Times, liberal cartoonists go where photos cannot.

Please note how the depiction of Dr. Rice is a parrot for a dumb Republican president, complete with the big lips and buckteeth. One can only imagine the screech if a conservative created a portrayal like that of a Democrat black.

Can any of us remember Mr. Oliphant creating a racist caricature of such esteemed dignitaries like Jesse Jackson of Al Sharpton? Where are the racist cartoons of Yassir Arafat, Osama bin Laden, or any of the terrorists that kill civilians as a military tactic? While Al-Jazeera is overplaying the shooting of a supposed unarmed terrorist by a U.S. marine while choosing not to air the execution of CARE President Margaret Hassan by Iraqi militants, where are the cartoons of those animals?

True, Arafat and his ilk was only bent on killing Jews, which is something the heralded United Nations consider a moot point. Hassan is just a woman, so her killers get a pass. But let a conservative black woman turn her back on her designated massah and watch her incur the wrath of the liberal press.

For those of you who missed the reference, Danzinger’s cartoon is a parody of Butterfly McQueen’s famous lines about “birthin’ babies” from “Gone With The Wind.” Note Dr. Rice and the bare feet. Despite her upbringing and making it to highly respectable positions in life, she is reduced to a barefooted, Ebonics-speaking nigger bitch. No mention of her rise despite “adversity.”

Brown Sugar….

Word is, according to certain former Arkansas state troopers, the Clintons used the nigger word fairly recently, so Gary Trudeau’s depiction of a conversation in the White House between President Bush and Dr. Rice is exactly where a liberal would go given the opportunity.

Back to what should be taught in schools….

If not for the Republican Senate in 1964, there would be no Civil Rights Act, thanks to Dixiecrats like J. William Fulbright, Sam Irvin, Lester Maddox, and Albert Gore, Jr. If not for Senate Republicans blacks wouldn’t be allowed to vote, and better yet, if not for a Republican President, blacks might still be slaves if certain Democrats had any say.

So those niggers who stray are fair game.

The recent Monday Night Football flack between Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Terrell Owens and actress Nicollette Sheridan illustrates how liberals look at the black man and white woman. In the spot, Owens had no loyalty to his team and was ready to go do whatever was implied by the “cross promotion” with Sheridan, while his team took the field without him.

Despite the shallow apology, there was no wardrobe malfunction here. This was tawdry, racist, and meant to be so.

So the next time liberals attempt to tell us how to be tolerant, I’m happy to know that in their eyes as a black conservative, I am a nigger and I’ve need to have my mind made right. Good thing for me they can’t take me out back for a whuppin’.

Just put me in one of those housing projects where I belong. Encourage me to have sex and impregnate as many women as possible so the Democrats can assume the role of father and consider my seed their property. Produce more rap videos so people around the world can embrace black people as the thugs and whores the liberals consider us, while white Hollywood liberals can buy homes in Beverly Hills from the cash such trash brings in.

Keep making those comics for the New York Times. That’s keeping it real, because that’s what happens when we make massah mad.

Posted by: Jigaboo Jones at January 5, 2006 03:20 PM

Jigaboo Jones

racism isn't confined to just liberals or just conservatives. it is confined to just assholes, however.
your entire post was pure garbage. it seems to me that what you've done there is to use mean spirited bigotry as a tool to promote your sad little agenda. you've got nuthin.

Posted by: middleman at January 5, 2006 03:59 PM

Hey, Jigaboo, here's what your REPUBLIPUKES think of you . .
-------------------------------------------------

NIXON: But there are [unclear] -- Hiss was not a Jew. Very interesting thing. So few of those who engage in espionage -- are Negroes. ... In fact, very few of them become Communists. If they do, they like, they get into Angela Davis -- they're more the capitalist type. And they throw bombs and this and that. But the Negroes. -- have you ever noticed? ... Any Negro spies?

HALDEMAN: Not intellectual enough, not smart enough... not smart enough to be spies.

Posted by: Liz PbD at January 5, 2006 04:42 PM

From what I've seen so far all of the $money$ that Abramoff gave...and the double dippin' amounts that his wife(under various names) also gave was all to Republicorns. Some of the PAC's that he set-up gave some money to independents and/ or Dems. But the proportions like overwhelmingly 90% plus to the G O P. The miserable mainstream press seems to this point to always include a line that this scandal affects BOTH Dems and Republicans.
Anyone?
Seems the Christian right has made a boo-boo hooking up with the criminal right Republican-ers, who clearly are the bunch of thieving corrupt scumbags to hold Congressional offices.

Posted by: fishnuts at January 5, 2006 04:49 PM

Jigabo, what the hell was that about? I think you should stick with the rethugs since you feel they've done so much for your people. You might want to question why they have sought the endorsement of historically anti-black organizations. You may also want to ask yourself why you would want to endorse those same organizations.

The Voting Rights Act comes up for renewal in 2007 and Chief Justice Roberts in one of his early writings questioned the need for the Act.

You might want to check into this also if you plan to vote in '08.

P.S. The Democrats were responsible for the Civil Rights Act you ass.

Posted by: ganesha at January 5, 2006 04:53 PM

Second and the one thing you probably don't want to hear is that I live about 15 miles from the Jolly Rancher Plant in Arvada. It's closing.

Posted by: edfromned at January 4, 2006 07:07 PM
-------------------------------------------------

I heard they were donating heavily to the misguided far left cut and run cowards, so their funds dried up.

Posted by: ObieTrice at January 6, 2006 01:25 PM

P.S. The Democrats were responsible for the Civil Rights Act you ass.

Posted by: ganesha at January 5, 2006 04:53 PM

and right now the Republicans are responsible for keeping your ass safe behind a keyboard and not roadkill from a home-made bomb.

your entire post was pure garbage. it seems to me that what you've done there is to use mean spirited bigotry as a tool to promote your sad little agenda. you've got nuthin.

Posted by: middleman at January 5, 2006 03:59 PM
-------------------------------------------------

Sounds like a typical day at the office for NYT and Newshounds.

Posted by: ObieTrice at January 6, 2006 01:32 PM

I've been lurking these pages for a while and I like what is being said here.
I come from New Zealand and when Rummy was here recently and told our Government that we'd better "get into line as far as International administrations would like us to do", I thought Sod off sonny.
We will not support the war in Iraq or anything that this Bush administration does.
We still like the US people, but not thier leader.
The last elections must have been rigged.
I personally hope that these investigations of corruption go right to the top of the Senate.
I wouldn't be holding my breath though.

Mike. :)

Posted by: Kiwi at January 7, 2006 08:02 AM

Look at Jan 8 , Sunday, Front page of LA TIMES, and Congressmen Doolittle, Delay, Hurwitz... FDIC... how it got scammed. How, people on commission ... Went to work for Abramovih. Republican Congressmen know AIPAC people being charged for ESPIONAGE, and still they , Condi, go speak at AIPAC conference. Abramovich , AIPAC, Robertson, & FOX TV ... part of same group .

Posted by: James at January 9, 2006 12:57 PM