“Dollar Bill” Out
posted at 12:24 pm on June 16, 2006 by Bryan
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The Democrats have voted to strip alleged bribe taker Rep. William “Dollar Bill” Jefferson of his seat on the House Ways and Means Committee:
WASHINGTON (CNN) — With members of the Congressional Black Caucus crying double standard, House Democrats met behind closed doors Thursday and voted to strip Rep. William Jefferson of his seat on the Ways and Means Committee.
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Jefferson, 59, an eight-term Louisiana congressman facing a corruption investigation, attended Thursday’s caucus meeting, where he addressed his colleagues, briefly spoke to reporters and left.
To her credit, Minority Leader Rep. Nancy Pelosi had tried to get Jefferson to step down on his own while the investigation proceeds, but he was having none of that. And now the Congressional Black Caucus is having none of his ouster:
Asked if he thought race was a factor in Pelosi’s decision, Jefferson replied before the vote, “It’s not happened before. The first time it’s happening, it’s happening to an African-American.”
The assertion that race is a factor has already been floated by members of the Congressional Black Caucus, including Watt, who question why Rep. Alan Mollohan of West Virginia, a white Democrat who also is under investigation, was allowed to keep his seat on the equally powerful Appropriations Committee.
That is a good question. Nancy, got an answer?
Didn’t think so. She’s too busy trying to pin something on the White House.
The move was led by House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi of California, who already had asked Jefferson to step down voluntarily, a request her embattled counterpart rebuffed.
“This isn’t about proof in a court of law. This is about an ethical standard,” Pelosi said in a brief statement after the vote. “I wish that the White House would take our lead on this.”
And do what, exactly? Rove’s been cleared; Libby is no longer working for the reich.
The Democrats can’t even make a good move with class.
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I can’t beleive that Pelosi is actually being sane on something for a change.
Duty, Honor, Country
(in THAT order)
Rowane
Rowane on June 16, 2006 at 12:53 PM
That is a good question. Nancy, got an answer?
No videotape of Mollohan taking bribes. Jefferson is going to be indicted, and for good cause.
Pablo on June 16, 2006 at 12:55 PM
I’m Black. So gimme preference in education, a job, housing, slave reparations, and if you prosecute me for a crime, you are racist!
I’m Hispanic, so gimme preference in education, a job, housing, and if you prosecute me for crossing the border illegally, you are racist!
I’m a Kennedy, so gimme a ride home when I drive into the drink, assault women, drive drunk or on drugs, and if you prosecute me for any of these things, we will get you!
But we “regular Americans” have had it “up to here” with the Black Caucus, Al Sharpton, Jesse Jackson and all of the race-baiters who never left the 1964 civil rights era. Jefferson was caught with $90,000 of alleged bribe money in his freezer. Why freeze money, unless it’s “too hot?” Now he’s trying desperately to claim the FBI had no jurisdiction or right to raid his office and seize documents. And that was RACIST? Gimme a break!
Jefferson’s claims and those of the Black Caucus belong on the compost heap. It’s time that Washington insiders learned that they really aren’t any more special than are we. Treat them no differently. Demand that they live by the same rules. And ignore groups like the Black Caucus, NAACP, CAIR, and any other that makes special demands and demands special treatment for one group over another.
ForYourEdification on June 16, 2006 at 1:00 PM
The disgusting thing is how LONG it took them to dump this scum-bag, thief!
Does anyone remember how fast Trent Lott got dumped? It was a matter of DAYS. And all HE did was make a purported off color remark, NOT take hundreds of thousands in bribes!
Warner Todd Huston on June 16, 2006 at 1:03 PM
they did a good thing, they made a move that was required by duty and then they take a cheap shot. And by doing such, they lose their good will.
Defector01 on June 16, 2006 at 1:08 PM
The primary goal of the Black Caucus is to play the race/victim card every chance they get. *YAWN*
Boo-freaking-Hoo!
speed647 on June 16, 2006 at 1:15 PM
Maybe there should be a White Caucus. Wonder how long that would last before the screams got too loud?
clyde on June 16, 2006 at 1:20 PM
It just goes to show that underclass voters make really bad political decisions. But wait, we will have 20 million more underclass voters soon. (OOps, I forgot about having the “politically correct” Nazi jack boot on my throat).
Stupid is forever and you can’t fix stupid. My life experience has made that reality crystal clear, and to deal with the problem we must face the cruel facts. America is a tough economy to compete in, and the ones that struggle the most need a different approach than we use now.
Shmo on June 16, 2006 at 1:37 PM
I attribute no nobility to Pelosi’s move at all. It’s hard to sqwack ‘Kulture of Kurruption’, ‘Kulture of Kurruption’ with the likes of Jefferson under the glare of the media. It’s politics, plain and simple.
pistolero on June 16, 2006 at 1:40 PM
Oh my gosh! The democrats treat whites different than blacks! Somebody quick call the NAACP. Or better yet call the first black President (Clinton).
Blacks will always be taken for granted in the Democratic party until the voters choose for themselves, who shall represent them. American blacks need to wake up and smell what’s cooking. They have no voice really representing them.
robman27 on June 16, 2006 at 1:52 PM
You aren’t suppose to get points for simply doing the right thing. That is like someone giving me an award for going 30 years without committing murder; or giving me extra money just to show up to work on time. What kind of half baked BS is that? Don’t enable these freakin’ people please. She HAD TO call for removal. Don’t forget that these were the same people wanting to give back all the evidence the FBI seized; and seized LAWFULLY I might add.
The Dems get no kudos from me on this one. They get: It’s about damn time you did something right!
Cary on June 16, 2006 at 2:00 PM
Pelosi only wants him stripped from the committee position. When a Republican does it (like Cunningham), they have to resigh their seat!
dman on June 16, 2006 at 2:28 PM
The dems keep the blacks in the freezer until election time when they thaw them out long enough to vote. Then, it’s back in the fridge.
Shmo on June 16, 2006 at 2:33 PM
Do I hear some one whisper….”culture of corruption….”?
Of course not. In past twenty years, the majority of lawmakers convicted for corruption is still….Democrats…but…there is no culture of corruption in the Democratic Party.
easy87us on June 16, 2006 at 2:46 PM
I wonder what he spent his 2000 dollar FEMA card on ??
gary on June 16, 2006 at 2:59 PM
Hello Black America! Now let me ask you, Who’s ya daddy? The good ol’e Democrat party? NOT!!!
And while I’m on the subject,
Happy Fathers Day to all you Dads out there.
Dread Pirate Roberts VI on June 16, 2006 at 3:10 PM
Ouch Gary on June 16, 2006 at 2:59 PM, funny too. … He should’ve put his dough in his extra FEMA hotel room fridge as well. Anyway…… bcak to poker.
How many race cards are in that deck? Is it a Vegas 6 deck shoe? Damm too many for sure.
I agree with Cary above also, no kudos for doing the right thing. It is what we EXPECT from our leaders. Everyday. You can’t tell me they dont know of that going in either. Every politician is aware of ,and should stand beside, higher standards HONOR. Or get out.
shooter on June 16, 2006 at 3:18 PM
So Pelosi should be lauded all of a sudden for doing her job???? Democratic housecleaning? Isn’t that truly the proverbial deck chair off the Titanic?
Kid from Brooklyn on June 16, 2006 at 3:23 PM
Pelosi acted in no small part because of the corner she and the rest of the democrats have painted themselves into. They’ve hammered the ‘culture of corruption’ theme so much that to take no action would have really undermined their position even more so than Jefferson has already done.
Of course, taking action undermines democrats position with the CBC and possibly some of their voters.
Tough break, Nancy.
thirteen28 on June 16, 2006 at 3:48 PM
“Pelosi only wants him stripped from the committee position. When a Republican does it (like Cunningham), they have to resigh their seat!” -dman
Don’t forget jail. How much was it again? 90k in the freezer all wrapped up nice and neat with foil and all; ready to be thawed. And that is most likely just the start of it. I truly hope this guy joins Cunningham as one of the MANY, THE STUPID, THE JAILED!
Cary on June 16, 2006 at 4:49 PM
Asked if he thought race was a factor in Pelosi’s decision, Jefferson replied before the vote, “It’s not happened before. The first time it’s happening, it’s happening to an African-American.”
I didn’t know he was born in Africa and emigrated to America. On second thought, maybe it’s another ruse.
http://hyperdictionary.com/search.aspx?define=ruse
RolandHall on June 17, 2006 at 2:18 AM
What’s wrong with you people! Has your outrage replaced reason? Jefferson should have stayed right where he was.
Don’t you see Pelosi and the Dem leadership moved him out because he was a complete embarrassment. Had he remainted the GOP could have plastered his face all over the web and in political ads that would have made them and their “culture of corruption” mantra the laughing stock of the electorate!
To remove him took away a HUGE club the GOP could have used to beat them over the head from now until November!
People, watch what you pray for?
Dread Pirate Roberts VI on June 17, 2006 at 9:12 AM