Smugly corrupt Texas GOP Congressman Tom DeLay One Time GOP Super Lobbyist and "Dirty" Money Man Jack Abramoff |
Tom DeLay
Thomas Dale "Tom" DeLay (born April 8, 1947) is an American Republican politician from Sugar Land, Texas and current Majority Leader of the U.S. House of Representatives. He is well-known for his conservative stances on foreign and domestic policy issues.
Controversies and accusations
DeLay's defense of Quayle
In 1988, when questions were raised about then-Republican vice-presidential nominee Dan Quayle's apparent use of family connections to get into the Indiana National Guard and thus avoid possible combat service in the Vietnam War, DeLay reportedly defended Quayle by saying that he had tried to enlist himself at the same age, but was told ethnic minorities had already filled most of the available positions and there were none left for him.
No one close to him could say whether he made any other attempt to serve, and later The Washington Post reported that he had received student deferments while at Baylor, gotten a high lottery number in 1969 and then gotten married prior to his 1970 graduation from Houston.
However, he had been asked to withdraw from Baylor for a semester and managed to keep his student deferement during that time, which has never been explained.
Settlement in civil suit
In early 1999, as the House vote on impeaching president Bill Clinton approached (a vote DeLay had worked very hard to ensure would succeed), Anne-Louise Bardach [1] at The New Republic picked up a story first reported by Houston-area alternative weeklies ([2]) alleging that DeLay himself had committed perjury during a civil lawsuit brought against him by a former business partner in 1994.
The plaintiff in that suit, Robert Blankenship, had charged that DeLay and a third partner in Albo Pest Control had breached the partnership agreement by trying to force him out of the business without buying him out, and filed suit against DeLay, charging him and the other partner with breach of fiduciary duty, fraud, wrongful termination, loss of corporate expectancy, and injunctive relief. While being deposed in that suit, DeLay claimed that he didn't think he was an officer or director of Albo and believed he had resigned two or three years ago ([3]). Yet his own congressional disclosure forms, including one filed subsequent to the deposition state that he was either president or chairman of the company between 1985 and 1994. The plaintiff also alleged that Albo money had been spent on DeLay's congressional campaigns, in violation of federal and state law.
DeLay and Blankenship settled for an undisclosed sum, and Blankenship's attorney told Bardach that had he known about the congressional disclosure forms, he would have referred the case to the Harris County district attorney's office for a perjury prosecution. These allegations have never been investigated and DeLay has never been charged.
Accusations of misconduct in Texas fundraising
After the 1990 census, the Texas Democrats drew what some Republicans would argue was the most effective partisan gerrymander in the country. Although Congressional Texas Democrats only received an average of 40 percent of the votes of Congressional Texas Republicans, Democrats consistently had a majority in the state delegation. After the 2000 census, Republicans sought to redraw the district lines to support a GOP majority in the congressional delegation while Democrats desired to retain a plan similar to the existing lines. The two parties reached an impasse in the Texas Legislature, where Republicans controlled the Senate and Democrats controlled the House. As a result the new district lines were drawn by a federal court panel and largely retained the status quo.
In 2001 the Texas Legislative Redistricting Board (a panel composed of the state's Lieutenant Governor, Comptroller, Speaker of the House, Attorney-General, and Land Commissioner) redrew state legislative districts in accordance with the census. The new map that was adopted by the Republican-dominated board gave the GOP an edge in winning the Texas House of Representatives, still controlled at that time by the Democrats. During the 2002 elections under these new maps, DeLay aggressively fundraised for Republican candidates under his Texans for a Republican Majority PAC (TRMPAC). It has since been alleged by Democratic opponents of DeLay that TRMPAC was used to funnel illegal corporate donations into the campaigns of Republican candidates for State Representative. This allegation is currently the subject of an ongoing investigation by Travis County, Texas District Attorney Ronnie Earle.
The GOP victories in 2002 resulted in their control of the Texas House in addition to the Senate. As a result, the Texas Legislature was called into session in 2003 to redistrict the state's congressional lines in favor of the Republican Party. A number of Democrats left the state, going to Oklahoma, and later New Mexico, to deny a quorum for voting. One representative, Helen Giddings, the recognized negotiator was arrested in May of 2003, but later the arrest was called a mistake. Texas House Speaker Craddick apologized to Giddings and then ordered the Sergeant at Arms to incarcerate Giddings in the state capital buildings.
On May 26, 2005, a Texas judge ruled that a committee formed by DeLay had violated state law by not disclosing over $600,000 worth of fundraising money mostly form the credit card industry, $25,000 came from Sears, Roebuck & Co.[4] and Diversified Collections Services of San Leandrowas contribution $50,000. [5] Some of the money was spent on manning phone banks and posting wanted posters on Federal Highways calling for the arrest of Democratic legislators with an 800 number to call if seen after the Democratic caucus left to Oklahoma in order to prevent redistricting legislation from passage. The Federal Highway Administration offered to cooperate in arresting the Democrats, forcing the Democrats to travel to Oklahoma by plane instead of by automobile.
On August 11, 2005 a federal audit of a political fundraising committee founded by House Majority Leader Tom DeLay found that it failed to report more than $300,000 in debts owed to vendors and incorrectly paid for some committee activities with money from another DeLay-connected political committee.
The FEC found that “Americans for a Republican Majority Political Action Committee” (ARMPAC) misreported receipts and the ending cash balance for 2001 activities and the beginning cash-on-hand, receipts, disbursements and ending cash-on-hand for 2002. ARMPAC also failed to report $322,306 owed to 25 vendors. ARMPAC disclosed the debts in amended reports, the FEC said.
ARMPAC's state, non-federal arm paid some expenses and costs for events and activities that should have been paid by ARMPAC, the report said. ARMPAC representatives are reviewing that portion of the audit and understand "a payment from the federal account to the non-federal account may be required," the FEC said.
There were no details given to indicate if the Federal Election Commission would pursue enforcement action.
On September 8, 2005 a federal grand jury indicted Texans for a Republican Majority which illegally accepted a political contribution of $100,000 from the Alliance for Quality Nursing Home Care and the grand jury also indicted the Texas Association of Business on four indictments which include charges of unlawful political advertising, unlawful contributions to a political committee and unlawful expenditures such as those to a graphics company and political candidates. [6]
On September 13, 2005 a federal grand jury indicted Jim Ellis, who heads Americans for a Republican Majority, and John Colyandro, former executive director of Texans for a Republican Majority who already faced charges of money laundering in the case. Colyandro also faces 13 counts of unlawful acceptance of a corporate political contribution. [7]
Accusations of misuse of federal investigative agencies
During the above Texas redistricting warrant controversy, several members of the Texas State House of Representatives who were members of the Democratic Party left the state in order to prevent the House from having a quorum of members, and therefore preventing the House from acting on any legislation. Although not a member of the Texas legislature, DeLay became involved, contacting:
- Three Federal Aviation Administration offices (in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Fort Worth, Texas and Washington, D.C)
- Four Federal Bureau of Investigation offices (in Dallas, Texas, Corpus Christi, Texas, Austin, Texas and Ardmore, Oklahoma)
- Two United States Marshal offices (in the Western and Northern Districts of Texas)
- The United States Attorney's office in San Antonio, Texas
- The Office of Legislative Affairs at the United States Department of Justice
- The Air and Marine Interdiction Coordination Center (in Riverside, California)
DeLay apparently intended to find out where the Democratic legislators were located, and to force them to return to Texas in order to create a quorum in the House of Representatives.
Senator Joseph Lieberman requested an investigation into the Congressman's involvement in the requests, and asked that any White House involvement be reported. Neither was forthcoming.
The K Street Project
DeLay's involvement with the lobbying industry also includes a pointed effort on the part of the Republican Party to parlay the Congressional majority into a dominance of K Street, the famed lobbying district of Washington, D.C.. DeLay, Senator Rick Santorum, and Grover Norquist of Americans for Tax Reform launched a campaign in 1995 encouraging lobbying firms to retain Republican officials in top positions. Firms that had Democrats in positions of authority, DeLay suggested, would not be granted the ear of Majority Party members. Firms initially responded to this campaign but it has waned since 2004, when the possibility of Senator John Kerry winning the presidency gave ample incentive for hiring Democrats.
DeLay and Terri Schiavo
DeLay also made headlines for his role in the Terri Schiavo controversy. On Palm Sunday weekend in March 2005, several days after the brain-damaged Florida woman's feeding tube was disconnected for the third time, DeLay and other House Republicans met in emergency session to pass a bill allowing Schiavo's parents to petition the removal of the feeding tube to a federal judge. DeLay called the removal of the feeding tube "an act of barbarism." He also said, in reference to the Supreme Court judges who had refused to hear the case when Schiavo's parents appealed the tube removal, that "there will come a time for the men responsible for this to answer for their behavior." DeLay publicly apologized for the remark after being accused of threatening the Supreme Court. DeLay also faced charges of hypocrisy from his critics when the Los Angeles Times revealed that he had consented to ending the life support for his own father, who was in a comatose state because of a debilitating accident in 1988. [8]
DeLay and Jack Abramoff
- Main article: Abramoff-Reed Indian Gambling Scandal
Tom DeLay allegedly received numerous gifts and other favors from indicted Washington lobbyist Jack Abramoff, including concert tickets and the use of a private skybox.
The Associated Press reported on April 7, 2005:
DeLay's political action committee did not reimburse lobbyist Jack Abramoff for the May 2000 use of the skybox, instead treating it as a type of donation that didn't have to be disclosed to election regulators at the time.
The skybox donation, valued at thousands of dollars, came just three weeks before DeLay accepted a trip to Europe including golf with Abramoff at the world-famous St. Andrews course for himself, his wife and aides that was underwritten by some of the lobbyist's clients.
Two months after the concert and trip, DeLay voted against gambling legislation opposed by some of Abramoff's Indian tribe clients. [9]
Court violence controversy
DeLay produced controversy in the wake of a series of high-profile violent crimes and death threats against judges when he said that "the men responsible [for Terri Schiavo's death] will have to answer to their behavior." DeLay's comments came soon after the February 28, 2005 homicide of the mother and husband of Chicago Judge Joan Lefkow, and the March 11, 2005 killing of Atlanta Judge Rowland Barnes. DeLay's opponents argued that this amounted to rationalizing violence against judges if their decisions were unpopular with the public. Ralph Neas, President of the liberal People for the American Way, said that DeLay's comments were "irresponsible and could be seen by some as justifying inexcusable conduct against our courts." [10]
Law & Order TV Series
In May of 2005, the hit NBC television drama Law & Order: Criminal Intent used DeLay's name in a negative way. On the show, a police detective, investigating homicides of several judges, said, "Maybe we should put out an APB for somebody in a Tom DeLay T-Shirt." The show was apparently referring to the threatening comments DeLay made about Supreme Court justices during the Terri Schiavo controversy. DeLay responded by writing to Jeff Zucker, president of Universal Television Group: "This manipulation of my name and trivialization of the sensitive issue of judicial security represents a reckless disregard for the suffering initiated by recent tragedies and a great disservice to public discourse." The producer of the show, Dick Wolf, replied that "these shows are works of fiction". Wolf also commented, "But I do congratulate Congressman DeLay for switching the spotlight from his own problems to an episode of a television show."
—————————————————————————Jack Abramoff
Jack Abramoff (born February 28, 1958) is an influential Washington "super"- lobbyist and conservative activist.
Abramoff is a central figure in a series of high-profile political scandals linked to the Republican Party. In the course of the scheme, the lobbyists are accused of illegally giving gifts and making campaign donations in return for political favors to several senior Republican politicians, in particular Tom DeLay, Conrad Burns and Bob Ney. He is currently under investigation by grand juries in Washington, D.C., for his involvement in the Abramoff-Reed Indian Gambling Scandal, and by a grand jury in Guam over a separate matter. He was indicted on August 11, 2005, by a third grand jury in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, for bank fraud arising out of an unrelated business deal.
The investigations and indictments of Abramoff have taken on significant national importance because of the lobbyist's close political connections with leading national Republicans, including President of the United States George W. Bush, Congressional Republicans and various influential conservatives.
Congressman Tom DeLay, Majority Leader of the U.S. House of Representatives, has called Abramoff one of his “closest and dearest friends.” Abramoff also has been a leading George W. Bush political fundraiser.
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Which leads to the good Nancy's pleas
With the crucial end-of-quarter deadline approaching, Karl Rove, Tom DeLay, and dozens of other Republicans are scheduled to attend fundraisers to preserve their Republican Congress, desperately hoping to build an insurmountable fundraising lead. America sees how out of touch the Republicans are, and their only hope is to overwhelm us with their well-funded propaganda machine.
Next week, both the DCCC and our Republican counterpart, the NRCC, will have to report our fundraising totals, which will become public. Tom DeLay and President Bush don't believe our grassroots donations can match their pay-for-play empire. I'm asking you to prove them wrong by contributing $35, $50 or more to our matching campaign today:
Contribute $35, $50, or more to the DCCC today and your contribution will be doubled!
That's right - the Democratic Members feel so strongly about the need for change in America that they've offered a challenge to donors. They will MATCH all contributions up to $250,000 that are given online through September 30th.
Every time the President wanted a new law passed, Tom DeLay and the Republicans in Congress have been there to do his bidding. Democrats can change the direction of our country and stop the divisive, harmful agenda of President Bush.
After almost five years of George W. Bush's leadership, I can honestly say that our country is not better off. While George W. Bush is not on the ballot next year, we can stop his misguided agenda by electing a Democratic majority in the House in the 2006 elections. A majority that will stand up to President Bush and his divisive vision for America. But we can't do it without your support.
Contribute $35, $50, or more to the DCCC today and it will be DOUBLED!
With your help, we will run radio, newspaper and TV ads exposing the Republicans deceit and we will expand our grassroots mobilization plan that will make all the difference come Election Day.
We must elect Democrats who are committed to actually making our country safer and a better place to live for all citizens. And we must start that effort today. Not tomorrow. Not next year.
Make a secure, online contribution to the DCCC. Your contribution will be DOUBLED and have twice the impact on the 2006 elections.
The tide has turned and the American people are calling for change. In a recent Zogby poll, 53% of Americans said they believe this country is headed in the wrong direction and 59% don't approve of the way President Bush is doing his job.
Under President Bush's leadership:
- The Administration has spent nearly $300 billion on the war in Iraq while failing to provide a strategy for success and no exit plan as the body count continues at an alarming rate.
- 45.8 million Americans lived without health insurance in 2004, and the number continues to increase.
- Republicans passed an energy bill that hands out $8 billion of American tax dollars to the oil and gas industry, as their profits are skyrocketing and Americans continue to suffer at the pump from high prices for gas and home heating oil.
Sincerely,
Nancy Pelosi, Democratic Leader
P.S. Remember all online contributions made by September 30th up to $250,000 will be matched by Democratic Members! To make change happen, we need the support of all Democrats. Please give as generously as you can.
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Lastly - Xemu does not approve of the below link!
SciTOMogy, Celebrity Scientology Morons
Xenu in a Nutshell:
“In the late 1940s, pulp writer L. Ron Hubbard declared:————————————————————————————
"Writing for a penny a word is ridiculous. If a man really wants to make a million dollars, the best way would be to start his own religion"
Reader's Digest reprint, May 1980, p.1
Hubbard later created the Church of Scientology...
Based on a text by ex-Scientologist Roland Rashleigh-Berry. Roland wrote: "This is my personal opinion. I grant permission to anyone to reproduce this material. This description has been tailored to people who have never been Scientologists and seek a simple and short explanation as to what it is and why it is surrounded by controversy."
In a Nutshell - A Second Opinion!
The Church of Scientology is a vicious and dangerous cult that masquerades as a religion. Its purpose is to make money. It practices a variety of mind-control techniques on people lured into its midst to gain control over their money and their lives. Its aim is to take from them every penny that they have and can ever borrow and to also enslave them to further its wicked ends.
It was started in the 1950s by a science fiction writer named L. Ron Hubbard in fulfilment to his declared aim to start a religion to make money. It is an offshoot to a method of psychotherapy he concocted from various sources which he named "Dianetics". Dianetics is a form of regression therapy. It was then further expanded to appear more like a religion in order to enjoy tax benefits. He called it "Scientology".
Scientology is a confused concoction of crackpot, dangerously applied psychotherapy, oversimplified, idiotic and inapplicable rules and ideas and science-fiction drivel that is presented to its members (at the "advanced" levels) as profound spiritual truth.”
Please ponder - Sparky
2 Comments:
At 4:38 PM , Coat said...
I miss the days when the now defunct LA New Times would come up with a different expose on these assclowns every other week.
~
Coat
At 12:32 PM , Coat said...
Rikki -
Please - don't tell me you've dabbled into the supernatural forces of El Ron's Scientology boot camp training.
No, I won't let you submit! I WON'T! I WON'T!!
There will be no brainwashing on my watch!
I'd rather chow down a mouthful of Tom Cruise toejam cud than read another passage of Battlefield Earth or the Invader's Plan.
~
Coat
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