Archives for 2005

I don’t think I am being a ‘weak-kneed’ Republican, nor am I simply bending to the demands of my ‘liberal masters’ when I state that it is simply time for Tom DeLay to go. In the past, I have defended him, because I, too, instinctively suspect partisan politics in any ethics violation charge, particularly when characters like Ronnie Earle are involved.

However, it is increasingly apparent that Tom DeLay is as crooked as Forrest Gump’s back. The man, OUR MAJORITY LEADER, was admonished not once, not twice, but THREE times in the past few years for ethics violations. Those violations included:

– During the re-districting in Texas (supposedly a state issue), DeLay asked the FAA to track a plane thought to house the renegae Democratic legislators.

– Accepting what amounts to $56,000 in bribes from Westar Energy.

– Vote buying for the Medicare Prescription Drug Act.

Vote buying in the giveaway to the pharmaceutical industry- this is the type of corporate cronyism that the folks at Media Matters and MoveOn.Org salivate over. And that doesn’t even cover everything he has been accused of- which, granted, may turn out to be inaccurate. But with this kind of track record, you have to wonder. Currently, Ronnie Earle is slicing through DeLay’s inner circle like a hot knife through butter, and it appears there is nothing DeLay does not have his hands in.

Other antics include:

– DeLay obstructed justice for low-paid sweatshop workers on the island of Saipan by taking large campaign contributions from Saipan’s chief lobbyist and blocking any Congressional investigation of the appalling conditions there.

– DeLay obstructed justice by lying to the FBI when he charged that the reporter who broke the Henry Hyde adultery story in the 1990s had been working with the White House to expose Hyde.

– During a deposition for a lawsuit filed by a former business partner in the pest company in 1994, DeLay lied that he had not been an officer of the company for two or three years. On congressional financial disclosure forms filed in 1995, he listed himself as chairman of the company’s board of directors.

– In 1997, DeLay actually shoved Rep. David Obey [D-Wisconsin] and called him a “chicken shit” on the House floor. That same year, DeLay tried to impeach federal judges he didn’t like.

– In 1998, DeLay said that people with “foreign-sounding names” probably aren’t Americans.

You would think that someone who has caused the Republican party so much shame would think it would be wise to maintain a low profile, and would perhaps to work to better his image and change for the better. You would be wrong. Hubris produces more hubris, and DeLay’s response should have been a clear warning sign for everyone in the GOP:

House Republicans proposed changing their rules last night to allow members indicted by state grand juries to remain in a leadership post, a move that would benefit Majority Leader Tom DeLay (R-Tex.) in case he is charged by a Texas grand jury that has indicted three of his political associates, according to GOP leaders.

The proposed rule change, which several leaders predicted would win approval at a closed meeting today, comes as House Republicans return to Washington feeling indebted to DeLay for the slightly enhanced majority they won in this month’s elections. DeLay led an aggressive redistricting effort in Texas last year that resulted in five Democratic House members retiring or losing reelection. It also triggered a grand jury inquiry into fundraising efforts related to the state legislature’s redistricting actions.

Can’t live ethically? Easy- change what is considered ethical. And rather than serving as a warning, DeLay’s infuence is such that the ethical backbone of the party is corroding from the inside out:

House GOP leaders and aides said many rank-and-file Republicans are eager to change the rule to help DeLay, and will do so if given a chance at today’s closed meeting. A handful of them have proposed language for changing the rule, and they will be free to offer amendments, officials said. Some aides said it was conceivable that DeLay and Speaker J. Dennis Hastert (R-Ill.) ultimately could decide the move would be politically damaging and ask their caucus not to do it. But Rep. Jack Kingston (Ga.), another member of the GOP leadership, said he did not think Hastert and DeLay would intervene.

Tom DeLay is crooked, self-serving, hypocritical, unethical, bigoted, unprincipled (unless the principle is power), a loudmouth bully boy and venomous attack dog, incapable of recognizing the separation of powers, and, since that isn’t going to be enough for many of you, let’s put it in a framework of self-preservation:

Tom DeLay is bad for the Republican party.

Even the WSJ is getting in on the act:

Say what you want about The Wall Street Journal editorial page, but they are consistent in their minimum regard for ethical mores in Washington. And ominously for DeLay, the page has begun to view him as an example of what

DeLay Must GoPost + Comments (21)

When the Republicans talk about the ‘sanctity of marriage,’ they must be talking about the new ‘super marriages’ that are sweeping the nation. Well- sweeping Arkansas. At any rate, check out what is next for marriage:

ABRAMS: All right, Dr. Land, I had actually heard you speak about this issue, and it struck me when I heard you speak about this

The Sanctity of MarriagePost + Comments (10)

Judge Stanley Birch, Bush appointee and ‘activist’ judge (really- read this Howard Bashman interview), in yesterday’s ruling against intervention in the Schindler/Schiavo saga:

A popular epithet directed by some members of society, including some members of Congress, toward the judiciary involves the denunciation of “activist judges.” Generally, the definition of an “activist judge” is one who decides the outcome of a controversy before him according to personal conviction, even one sincerely held, as opposed to the dictates of the law as constrained by legal
precedent and, ultimately, our Constitution. In resolving the Schiavo controversy it is my judgment that, despite sincere and altruistic motivation, the legislative and executive branches of our government have acted in a manner demonstrably at odds with our Founding Fathers

Thank Goodness For ‘Activist’ JudgesPost + Comments (1)

For all of you claiming I am ‘falling for a liberal trap’ when I proclaim the religious loonies* have too much control in my party, you should look to this op-ed in the NY Times by ordained Minister and lifelong Republican John Danforth: