Just the tip of a corrupt iceberg

[struggle4progress]

Bill Press
Tribune Media Services

<snip> And this is hardly DeLay's first run-in with the law. He is, in fact, a walking moral stinkpot. Since 1997, he has been slapped down five times for unethical behavior, more than any other member of Congress. It happened three times last year, by the Republican-controlled House Ethics Committee: for attempting to bribe a Republican member into voting for the Medicare bill; for offering energy companies a ''seat at the table'' in drafting energy legislation in return for campaign contributions; and for dispatching the FAA to chase down a planeload of Texas Democrats trying to escape a Republican reapportionment trap. And DeLay is also under investigation this year for taking three foreign trips paid for by top Republican lobbyist Jack Abramoff, who has also been indicted for money-laundering.

As serious as the charges against DeLay may be, they are only the tip of the iceberg. Add 'em up: Bill Frist, the number one power in the Senate, is under investigation for insider trading. Karl Rove, the top power in the White House, is under investigation for breaking national security. David Safavian, head of the White House procurement office, was arrested for illegal dealings with to Republican lobbyist Jack Abramoff, who also is under indictment for money-laundering. And powerful Congressman Duke Cunningham is in trouble for trading contracts for cash. The Republican party is suddenly mired in a culture of corruption.

Tom DeLay, Bill Frist, Karl Rove, Jack Abramoff, David Safavian, Duke Cunningham. This gang of crooks makes Bill Clinton look like an altar boy.

http://www.ocala.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051002/OPINION/51001008/1030/news08

[Old and In the Way]

1. "a walking moral stinkpot"

"a stench of corruption"......I'm loving the turn of phrases being used to explain 21st century Republicanism.

[Carolab]

2. "Culture of Corruption"--that's Howard Dean's reframing.

http://www.mydd.com/story/2005/9/29/102357/873

Howard Dean on Nightline (Transcript)

From the diaries--Chris
Crossposted at Howard-Empowered People: An online community of Dean-inspired activists

Last night on Nightline, Howard Dean was interviewed by Ted Koppel in response to Tom DeLay's indictment by a Texas Grand Jury. I recorded the interview, and you can find my transcript below.

Koppel: A little over four months ago Governor Dean, you were prepared to see Tom DeLay in jail without benefit of an indictment or a trial. Uhh...I mean, you already had him there. So, what's your reaction now that there is at least an indictment? (Editor's note: Not only is that a bratty question, but it was executed badly. If you're going to go the asshat route, you really need to finesse it better than that.)

Diaries :: Renee in Ohio's diary :: Fri Sep 30th, 2005 at 11:43:14 AM EDT


Dean: Well, I think that this is endemic, both in the White House and in the government. It's a culture of corruption; the Republicans have bought Washington. A couple of weeks ago, the chief procurement officer in the White House was arrested on corruption charges, Tom DeLay is now indicted, but he has been convicted three times in the ethics committee of the House for ethical violations. Karl Rove, the Deputy Chief of Staff in the White House is now under investigation along with a senior person on Vice President Cheney's staff, and now of course the majority leader of the Senate Bill Frist is being looked at for insider stock trading. So the Tom DeLay issue is an issue that's been at the forefront, but it's not just about Tom DeLay. It's a thorough culture of corruption which has permeated the Bush administration, which has been brought to Washington by them, and we need to change it, and we can do better in this country.

Koppel: Governor, you were careful enough in each case to indicate that there are charges, there are suggestions--in no case has anybody been convicted of anything. So, to speak about a culture of corruption before any legal procedure has confirmed that seems a little premature, doesn't it?


(more at the link)

[pacalo]

5. Ha! I love it, too.

(Look down below at #3 -- GMTA) :hi:

[pacalo]

3. "A walking moral stinkpot"...

mired in a culture of corruption, which is not "sudden" -- it's been going on since * manuevered himself in a job that's over his head.

[buzzsaw_23]

4. Don't forget Mr. Norquist

If the Congress had spine we would see that this bunch of organized hoodlums makes Watergate look like a child's board game.

[NightOwwl]

6. We need Bill Press back on the air.

I am sick and tired of MSM shutting out the liberal voices. Enough is enough!

[klyon]

9. plug for Bill . ..... He is on Sirius radio week days at 6:00 a.m. est

He still gets on TV also

KL

[driver8]

7. Why this witch hunt against Republicans??

They are just trying to get along with everyone and do their jobs. Why do you all hate America?

[cassiepriam]

8. The corruption is far reaching and much worse than we can imagine.

But I doubt that we will ever know the full extent of it.