Culture of Corruption Continues
The William Jefferson case
New: Bush orders docs sealed!
Pols jump to shut freezer door
Where’s the outrage? * NRO
Hastert under investigation...or not
Orin Kerr * RWN
Andy McCarthy * NZ Bear* Riehl * Bob Owens
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Michelle, you need to go grocery shopping. Get some nice frozen veggies and some popsickles to go with those lonely TV dinners in that big freezer of yours!
Nice Vent!
BelchSpeak on May 25, 2006 at 11:08 AM
They all gotta go!
Dread Pirate Roberts VI on May 25, 2006 at 11:08 AM
This is both baffling and enlightening.
It’s baffling in that Hastert would so publicly abandon any appearance of integrity. To take the side of power versus the obvious side of right. As a conservative his position sickens me.
It’s enlightening however to see just how brazen our so-called “representatives” are becoming in acting like royalty! I can’t remember a time when politicians have touted their impotence so loudly. And as long as Americans argue amongst themselves these frauds will continue to look us in the eye and DARE us to do something about it.
Gault on May 25, 2006 at 11:18 AM
Great Vent. Want a job as designated hitter with the Red Sox?
Wade on May 25, 2006 at 11:35 AM
Are Hastert and company asserting that if one of its members commits murder and decides to place the weapon in his office that law enforcement is out of bounds in its desire to search there? Wow. They must have a great collection of kiddie porn and drugs up on the Hill.
pistolero on May 25, 2006 at 11:46 AM
Here we go again. When the Republicans have the chance to “come up smeeling like a rose” they shoot themselves in the foot, time and time again. If it wasn’t so sad I would laugh.
birdman on May 25, 2006 at 11:50 AM
I’m glad to see the props return; very nice vent. The humor aspect took some of the edge off a very worrying issue; and that is, Congress squealing about being investigated in a very obvious case of corruption. It’s one thing if the FBI is on a fishing expedition but they’ve got this a$$clown Jefferson stone cold on tape. Congress should be throwing this guy to the wolves rather than circling the wagons. They’ve been watching too many of these movies where members of government can do whatever they want and stonewall the police. If the report about Hastert had been true, and right now it seems fairly unlikely that it is, I would have cheerfully called for that pudgy SOB to be shown the door with a size 12 footprint on his sizeable backside. Let’s raise standards on who we elect and get the crooks out of there. Thanks for the smile, Michelle!
austinnelly on May 25, 2006 at 11:51 AM
Hey Wade
On behalf of the San Diego Padres, we need more hitters in hte lineup and we’re higher on the waiver wire then the Red Soxs! :-D Wanna sign with San Diego Michelle?
Seriously it stunned me that the Republicans were backing Jefferson as opposed to shoving this down the democrats throats. Its way past time for a massive house and senate cleaning.
Defector01 on May 25, 2006 at 11:58 AM
Wow… are you p***ed off yet???
Dread Pirate Robert VI is spot on… time for a “House” cleaning (and Senate, too!). Hastert must be hiding some deep secrets, too, to be whining against the search of Jefferson. UNBELIEVABLE! These smug, self serving egotists just continue to flaunt their perceived elitism in our constituent faces!
To add more fuel to the aneurism we are all about to have, anybody happen to catch Rhino Frist on Fox News this morning declare that he was “sure” that the immigration reform bill before the Senate today substantially satisfies the basic requirements of all 100 members of the Senate???
The question I emailed to Dictator Frist this morning was short and pointed:
“When did you abandon the understanding that you people were elected to the Congress to REPRESENT US and what OUR VIEWS ARE? We don’t give a rat’s posterior what it takes to satisfy your expectations - you are there to satisfy OURS! November will be ‘Throw out the stinky laundry’ time for you schmucks! ..and you’ve earned it!”
horsepower_1st on May 25, 2006 at 12:24 PM
horsepower-1st Your on fire boy, give it to them.
birdman on May 25, 2006 at 12:31 PM
Dread Pirate Robert VI and horsepower_1st have the right idea. Maybe we should see how many incumbents we can boot at the next election, or even the primaries. Boot them all, start over.
high_desert_wanderer on May 25, 2006 at 12:31 PM
The primaries is the place to start, with strong candidates.
birdman on May 25, 2006 at 12:34 PM
Great VENT.
Can’t anything be cut and dried?? Jefferson’s a criminal and should be charged with bribery, arrested, thrown out of office in DISGRACE and made to pay for his crime.
Instead, our elected officials are wringing their hands and dragging their feet and taking up for him….
and JEFFERSON HAS THE AUDACITY TO SAY HE WILL NOT RESIGN!!!
LOCK HIM UP AND LET’S MOVE THE HELL ON ALREADY!!!!!!!!!
In the meantime, jihadist around the world are creeping in to kill us all….
*sigh* its.just.so.maddening..
Richard Davis on May 25, 2006 at 12:35 PM
I don’t know if you chose that still frame because it shows the elephant sniffing the donkey’s butt, but that would be sadly appropriate lately.
saint kansas on May 25, 2006 at 12:39 PM
High_Desert_Wanderer:
If we DON’T throw these people out of office in November, we convey to them a mandate of APPROVAL. They will point to it in future complaints and discussions and use it as evidence that we were on their side and they really DID represent us. Furthermore, and sadly if it occurs, they would be CORRECT.
I implore you ALL… DON’T let that happen. It is not reversible if it occurs, anymore than any other history. You great people take the time to post here and see/read the others who feel the same way. You CARE. Apathy is how we got to this deplorable state of affairs. If you have the time to post here, you have the time to e-mail them and/or call. It is your DUTY as REAL patriots.
JUST DO IT…
horsepower_1st on May 25, 2006 at 12:40 PM
Give me two more years and I’ll be a candidate for the House
Only problem is I live in California
I’ll be a real Conservative Candidate; look at my name, I left the Democrats so I’m not a traitor or a quisling
Defector01 on May 25, 2006 at 12:44 PM
Saint Kansas:
LOL… I thought the same thing when I saw that still frame, too (and quietly hoped to myself I would see that trunk raise up and make a sniff sound when the video started! Wow, Michelle… I can’t imagine you passed up that animation opportunity!
BTW, anybody that hasn’t read the MacBeth spoof at Iowahawk yesterday:
http://iowahawk.typepad.com/iowahawk/2006/05/stop_the_lies.html
…do yourself a favor and check it out. It was great!
horsepower_1st on May 25, 2006 at 12:45 PM
A good way to effect change, I belive is to start by joining your local GOP club, where you can talk to, and meet other like minded people
birdman on May 25, 2006 at 12:47 PM
Hastert threatens ABC with lawsuit,something like..libel and defamation by publishing false info after having knowledge of its falsity.
On Fox news 12:38pmEastern
We will take “any and all actions necessary to rectify the harm ABC has caused…”
GO GET EM , (but clean out your desk first.)
shooter on May 25, 2006 at 12:49 PM
These congresscritters need to learn a lesson that was learned the hard way by the PA state legislature.
On July 7, 2005, the PA state legislature, literally in the middle of the night, voted themselves huge pay raises. Not only this, but the pay raise itself was illegal under the PA constitution. The legislator responses?
“I’m not a constitutional expert.”
“I was compelled by the leadership position I hold.”
“Get a life.”
“As a top leader in the Senate, it is difficult to vote no on a bill like that.”
In our recent primary they learned the hard way… many state legislators, including the top two Republicans in the state Senate, lost their bids for relection.
If there’s enough of a groundswell, maybe we can send some of the incumbents packing next election.
see http://www.pacleansweep.com for more details if interested.
dalewalt on May 25, 2006 at 1:02 PM
I was shocked when Hastert did this..what are they thinking??! I think we need a “Nation of Clue Bats” t-shirt!
labwrs on May 25, 2006 at 1:02 PM
The Culture of Czarist Mentality Elitisim continues in Congress, haven’t they noticed the people are getting a bit angry about this kind of thing?
Snake307 on May 25, 2006 at 1:09 PM
Horsepower_1st read my mind too regarding Bill Frist. How about some legislation that meets OUR expectations? You work for US, baby.
We put them in Congress and we can certainly take them out.
I’m from PA and we’ve started the ball rolling here.
However, I’ve sent so many eMails to Santorum, Spector et al. and all I get is a “Thank you for expressing your views”
reply.
Yeah, will they thank me for “expressing my views” at the ballot box….??
dbdiva on May 25, 2006 at 1:17 PM
I agree, Birdman… It is important for us to spend time around others of the same mindset. It might surprise you who your allies are (and who they aren’t as well). I try hard to reject feelings of helplessness (God… just SAYING that makes me crawly and liberal-like), though it is certainly justifiable. Still, don’t allow yourself to anguish and use that as an excuse not to act.
The other huge opportunity in local GOP club membership is for people of same goals to put their heads together to bring more into the fold as well as identify how best to organize to affect change.
My dear father had so many ’sayings’ he loved and lived by… Two that come to mind are:
“It’s a long road that has no turns”
and, his all time favorite…
“Often disliked, seldom misunderstood”
horsepower_1st on May 25, 2006 at 1:17 PM
horsepower-1st Very well spoken, I to, like you sometimes “bang my head against the wall”. Your dad sounds like a great guy. I had a great mom and dad to.
birdman on May 25, 2006 at 1:22 PM
dbviva - what part of PA? (me too - philly)
We need Santorum, but Spector has to go (regret I voted for him….)
Richard Davis on May 25, 2006 at 1:22 PM
Bullseye, Snake 307!
A perfect observation… Please send it to Frist and his cronies.
horsepower_1st on May 25, 2006 at 1:23 PM
“There is a rebellion among Republicans taking place, ladies and gentlemen. The Republican Party itself is missing it. Of couse, The Drive-By Media is missing it.” Rush Limbaugh 5/17/06
birdman on May 25, 2006 at 1:26 PM
Thanks, Birdman… I loved and respected my dad dearly, he was truly my BEST FRIEND.
…and I already knew you had great parents - Everybody here did! That’s why we care, because THEY CARED. That’s why we try to make a difference. We were taught to.
“Parenting… it’s not such a popular sport anymore.”
horsepower_1st on May 25, 2006 at 1:26 PM
You know, those Congresspeople are renting their offices for the taxpayers; in the same fashion that my son and other students are renting their lockers in their school. Considering that arrangement leaves the students open to random searches of the lockers and unannounced visits by drug-sniffing dogs, I wonder if our Congress could stand up to the same treatment (particularly the dogs)?
Mike O on May 25, 2006 at 1:28 PM
dbdiva:
I know, here’s my form letter reply for today:
Dear Mr. Blah Blah Blah:
Thank you for your e-mail, and I look forward to reviewing and responding as soon as I can. Unfortunately, due to the high volume of mail I receive daily and the press of Senate business, your response may be regrettably delayed.
In the meanwhile, you may find my website at http://frist.senate.gov to be helpful, as I endeavor to post my positions on most major policy issues there regularly along with other information of interest.
To subscribe to one of my email newsletters, click here!
Again, thank you for contacting me and know that I always appreciate hearing from you!
Sincerely,
William H. Frist, M.D.
Majority Leader
United States Senate
horsepower_1st on May 25, 2006 at 1:36 PM
horsepower-1st Thank you, you put a smile on my face.
birdman on May 25, 2006 at 1:39 PM
Let’s use the Eminent Domain laws to replace Capital Hill with a Wal-Mart.
speed647 on May 25, 2006 at 1:54 PM
Richard Davis: I’m from Northwest Lancaster County - not too far from Harrisburg and Hershey….
dbdiva on May 25, 2006 at 1:58 PM
Speed647
Big Box Mart
http://www.jibjab.com/JokeBox/JokeBox_JJOrig.aspx?movieid=122
NRA4Freedom on May 25, 2006 at 2:04 PM
Instead of a speech about how under his leadership, The House will not condone nor allow itself to be used as a safehouse, we get…………? Are Rebublicans crazy?
pat on May 25, 2006 at 2:06 PM
Nice vent, Michelle.
Once again, this is another case of….DOUBLE STANDARDS. The law only applies only to the population, not to elected officials. Indeed, would any of us be allowed to hold out when the FBI requests information?
Very interesting how William Jefferson had that money wrapped up in foil and stored in the freezer. Perhaps that currency is a rare type. Perhaps the bills have a watermark image of the legendary Betty Paige in a leopard skin jungle bikini? Or maybe of Senator Clinton? You never know….
The FBI evidently (no pun intended) obtained a search warrant and went to work. Now, some agents do what is called “Judge shopping” where they look for a judge that might not strictly question them, who will easily grant a search warrant, and who might not be familiar with what is going on. But, the point here is they indeed got the search warrant. If the warrant was obtained falsely on the part of the FBI, then they need to be brought up on charges. But, it looks like they did the correct thing and followed the rules of procedure.
As for why the Republicans are also voicing a complaint, I think that they want to make nice with the Dems for future negotiations concerning legislation. And/or many of them fear that the same can happen to them.
Michelle, you asked what part of the Constitution they do not understand. Well, it seems to me that they do not understand the parts that are written in ink.
The False Dervish on May 25, 2006 at 2:06 PM
Here’s my form letter reply for today:
Dear Mr. Kansas:
Thank you for your e-mail, and my secretary looks forward to deleting it so she can go home for the long weekend. Unfortunately, due to my lack of a spine, my response would likely be regrettable.
In the meanwhile, you may find my website at http://frist.senate.gov to be helpful. Please be sure to click the Amazon links.
To join my list of friends on MySpace, click here!
Again, thank you for contacting me and know that your email address has been added to my bounce list!
Sincerely,
William H. Frist, M.D.
Majority Leader
United States Senate
saint kansas on May 25, 2006 at 2:27 PM
I LAUGHED—I CRIED—I BARFED Dennie and his clueless band of DUNGBATS must be shoveled out of office before we’re all up to our clavicles in guano . Attend all of political rallies you can stand and question each aspiring politico regarding their stance on TERM LIMITS . Assure them that you only support those who agree to a two term tenure . If they develope terminus amnesia during their 2nd term and decide to opt for a 3rd , start interviewing their REPLACEMENTS . PS MICHELLE , YOU’RE GONNA NEED A BIGGER BAT !! –KEEP SWINGING
PAPA BEAR on May 25, 2006 at 3:10 PM
I agree Richard; Santorum does an okay job… I too (like dbdiva) have sent multiple emails/phone calls to Spectors office… all for naught.
dalewalt on May 25, 2006 at 3:10 PM
A good vent, I guess, but I honestly don’t remember what Michelle said. Does anyone else have trouble concentrating when that lovely creature is talking, or is it just me?
Jaibones on May 25, 2006 at 3:18 PM
Yeah, yeah…I’m a pig. “W”
Still laughing at the IowaHawk laughathon on Jesse the Moonbat MacBeth, as if…
Jaibones on May 25, 2006 at 3:19 PM
Thanks Michele, for another great report. You are a luminary in your field! (Refdesk word of the day)
Ann on May 25, 2006 at 3:22 PM
The Main Media railed rampent on Tom Delay yet Jefferson walks? I have yet to hear a lucid account of the simple Constitutional language by the highly overpaid Main Media heads. Michelle you need a raise as Vent is much more informative and to the point.
Akweth on May 25, 2006 at 3:51 PM
Now what is Bush doing? Sealing the records of Congressman Jefferson (D-LA) for 45 days. What on earth for? He should be saying that nobody is above the law. Is there absolutely no backbone or focus left in Washington?
pistolero on May 25, 2006 at 4:04 PM
Michelle,
Those last few seconds of today’s Vent changed the frown on my face to a big grin. I loved the cluebat and the sound effects! Next time could you drop a cartoon anvil on Hastert, too?
Dave Shay on May 25, 2006 at 5:06 PM
Great minds think alike!
I have chicken wrapped in foil in my freezer too!
;-)
speed647 on May 25, 2006 at 5:14 PM
I just saw a GOP Rep. (Lou Gomer?) defending the House’s speech and debate privilege on John Gibson’s “Big Story.” His entire point was that he wanted a House counsel (lawyer) to cull through any evidence seized by the FBI to ensure that privileged communication was not taken. He wanted assurances that anything a constituent (you and me) wrote in confidence, stayed out of the clutches of prosecutors.
This is an eminently reasonable position.
If the FBI were to object to a finding by a House counsel, they would be free to go to a judge and fight for said evidence. In the meantime, the evidence would be preserved.
Michelle - Hastert and company have done an abysmal job explaining their objection, but given what I have written, do you have any second thoughts?
Ed on May 25, 2006 at 5:20 PM
The reason why the assphants are defending Jefferson is pretty simple. Most of the politicians are corrupt. If you arrest the right one, and seize the right documents you will uncover more.
Wyrd on May 25, 2006 at 5:42 PM
michelle- thanks,again you found a way to brighting a bad situation.
republican party drops the ball “again”.
i will say it again:the country is a run-a-way train
we are seeing the end of america as we know it.
soon,the illegals will control most western states “by the vote” (didnt hitler start this way?)the socialist control the democratic party,most media outlets and the education system.neither party care’s whats best for america
and the republican’s have sold out their core supportes
and are only choices during elections: bad and worse.
our founding fathers gave us the right to change the govt
when they no longer represents the will of the people.
this can only be done by having a viable third party
and making our voices heard.
mike hale on May 25, 2006 at 6:05 PM
Bush is a bought-man and I voted for him. I, meanwhile, am an idiot! Did I miss something in college? Was there a course in Corruption? Or How To Be A Political Wuss and Still Be President 101?
Majnun on May 25, 2006 at 6:13 PM
Follow the money and you will find the crimes of these Corrupt
Congressmen/women and Senators (men & women)…
If Hastert and (pillhead)Pelosi are hand and hand then
someone is up to something.
We all know they (Hastert/Pelosi) can’t stand each others guts.
Keep up the Gr8 job Michelle…
alyce on May 25, 2006 at 6:26 PM
sorry for the poor grammar on my blog
i wrote “are” instead of “ours” and “supportes” instead of “supporters” but i hope i made my point anyway.
our country is under attack!!!
mike hale on May 25, 2006 at 6:36 PM
dbdiva -
Hershey is the sweetest place on earth.
Richard Davis on May 25, 2006 at 9:03 PM
You scratch my back, I’ll scratch yours.
-SIMON CAMERON, attributed, c. 1850
[Cameron, the Republican boss of Pennsylvania, was Lincoln’s first Secretary of War, acquitting himself so scandalously that Lincoln had to ease him out of office - by naming him ambassador to Russia. Another famous Cameron saying was “An honest politician is one who when he’s bought stays bought.”]
Ghost on May 25, 2006 at 9:14 PM
Awesome vent! Finally, someone is standing up for us! Yea for the FBI!
JDAZE on May 25, 2006 at 9:16 PM
Of course Congress is above the law!!!
I’m surprised people didn’t know that!!
It’s one of the basics for being a politician in Washington D.C.: “You are above the Law. You ARE the LAW.”
If the Senate, supported by the White House, is breaking the laws by granting amnesty to law-breakers, that should tell you enough about Congress and the White House.
It is not a surprise for me.
CatholicConservative on May 25, 2006 at 10:41 PM
As voters, we hold the ultimate check and balance with pols who have forgotten they are to represent us…not their own special interest. It makes you wonder what Hastert may have in his office. Certainly, if the FBI obtained a search warrant to search for some of these folks sanity, they could not dig up enough evidence for a conviction!
Acts20:24 on May 25, 2006 at 11:14 PM
Why now the indignation from Pelosi over Jefferson. This has been ongoing for 2 years!
Could have it been that others as well as herself have ethical laspes, Mollohan, Schambolwski’s husband in jail for running her pac (IL-6)McDermitt facing more wiretaping warrants? Cynthia McKinney
Jefferson’s outrageous behavior during Katrina, his dodging and weaving led the FBI to take an unprecedented step in raiding an sitting congressman’s office
Now she “ASKS” for an investigation and resignation
To buy casting stones at one lone Republican who deserves jail time not minding a 1/2 dozen of her own.
Hmmmmmmmmm
EricPWJohnson on May 26, 2006 at 1:04 AM
Republicans are so punchy from an onslaught of Democratic attacks that they are terrified of being accused of racism against a felon from Levee Land. They scream foul and then hide their heads in the sand.
Meanwhile, the Dems get off with everything from DUI to treason.
Hening on May 26, 2006 at 8:19 AM
Right now when we need to be strong, Bush is APOLOGISING for talking so tough? The NY Slimes has convicted the Marines on its front page? Millions of illegals are comiong to be fed, housed, medicated, educated at our expense? No bureaucracy extant even to deal with them? Mexico has veto power over whether we build a fence? Hastert, who is being maligned by the same forces that produced this Jefferson character, speaks out AGAINST the FBI’s nailing Jefferson? English speaking culture, Western values trashed everywhere?
The world is turned upside down.
Truly disgusted with Bush and the Senate Republicans.
John McCauley on May 26, 2006 at 8:22 AM
And by the way…
Why is Jefferson not in jail? You can be sure that if you or I were caught on tape commiting a felony, we’d be cooling our heels while the system figured out how much the bail would be. Meanwhile, this venal slimeball hasn’t even been charged yet. It looks as if warrants aren’t the only thing that’s not good enough for congress.
student on May 26, 2006 at 8:36 AM
Agreed, Hastert is a b**tard. However, we need to keep a Republican House this year, or all is lost on immigration, etc. Once we spank the Senate, we can chastise the House.
As p*ss*d off as we are, we have to be smart about it. It’s OUR country, not theirs.
God, please send us a viable third party!
dman on May 26, 2006 at 9:04 AM
“Darn! Just chicken!” LOL! GREAT Vent, Michelle!
SpartRan on May 26, 2006 at 9:47 AM
i sure would like to open up MY freezer and find a 100 grand. i could use it right about now.
pullingmyhairout on May 26, 2006 at 10:08 AM
!. I am kicking myself for not realizing the Vent is a video. Kick! Kick! Kick!
2. Now I feel better. What a great presentation. Michelle throws the Constitution in the face of the Congressional mutants! The real Constitution, not the mutated document Hastert and others are flinging around. I notice their version was created in this century.
3. Message to Hastert: Who died and made you King?
4. What is more dangerous - a Congress that lies about the Constitution, or a Congress who doesn’t know what the Constitution really says?
5. If the foil-wrapped stuff in the freezer isn’t a bribe, let the politician prove it by eating it.
entagor on May 26, 2006 at 1:31 PM
“Darn, just chicken.” That’s classic.
Seriously though, it’s time to kick out the incumbents. Let’s start at the primaries. The sad part is that I can’t even pretend to be shocked. As members of a free democracy we’ve done a pretty good job of installing nobles.
I’ve been a long time fan of the phrase “people get the government they earn.”
It’s long past time that we stopped earning this one. We’ll start by kicking these a$$hats out.
kaseiryu on May 26, 2006 at 6:42 PM
“Darn, just chicken”… priceless…
RobertCSampson on May 27, 2006 at 10:16 AM