Thursday, December 29, 2005
Republican Lobbyist Abramoff Taints Everyone Inside the Beltway
Today's Washington Post has a big front-page story on the fast rise and steep fall of Republican lobbyist Jack Abramoff, whom Tom DeLay described as "one of my closest and dearest friends."
The Post chronicles Abramoff's contempt for Members of Congress, and his contempt even for his own clients, and paints a picture of a man obsessed with gaining wealth and power.
The Post's comparisons to the Godfather movies seems apt.
Lobbyists already have a poor image. Many people really do think we pay off Congressmen to vote our way. I have sometimes found it hard to explain to family and friends exactly what I do for a living. The stories about Abramoff don't help. And they will only get worse, as his trial on real estate fraud starts January 9.
There are stories that Abramoff is negotiating a plea bargain under which he will cooperate with prosecutors investigating corruption in Washington. Lots of Abramoff's Republican friends and beneficiaries, like Tom DeLay and Bob Ney, are getting even more nervous.
The Post chronicles Abramoff's contempt for Members of Congress, and his contempt even for his own clients, and paints a picture of a man obsessed with gaining wealth and power.
The Post's comparisons to the Godfather movies seems apt.
Lobbyists already have a poor image. Many people really do think we pay off Congressmen to vote our way. I have sometimes found it hard to explain to family and friends exactly what I do for a living. The stories about Abramoff don't help. And they will only get worse, as his trial on real estate fraud starts January 9.
There are stories that Abramoff is negotiating a plea bargain under which he will cooperate with prosecutors investigating corruption in Washington. Lots of Abramoff's Republican friends and beneficiaries, like Tom DeLay and Bob Ney, are getting even more nervous.
Wednesday, December 28, 2005
In the Office This Week, But I Would Rather Be Riding
I used up all my vacation time on Harley-riding trips, so I am stuck in the office this week. But it is quiet here. Congress is gone, thankfully. And bush is vacationing in Texas, again.
The weather in DC hasn't been as cold as normal for this time of year, so I hope I can get in some riding time this weekend. We haven't had snow or ice lately, so the roads will be fine. I'll throw on my heated vest -- it plugs into a harness connected to the bike's battery and works like an electric blanket with heated coils -- and ride off through the Virginia and Maryland countryside.
Thanks to the heated gear and the big Harley-Davidson Ultra Classic, I can ride 12 months a year. The only time I don't ride is when we have ice and snow on the roads. I can deal with heat, cold and rain, but I am not interested in sliding on ice.
We are already starting to plan motorcycle trips for the coming year. We will do our traditional Southern tour at the end of August and will probably ride to Daytona Bike Week in October. And we have a few other rides already planned, including a weekend ride to Memphis for some bar-b-que and blues.
But I don't want just to think about riding, I want to ride. The extended forecast says we might get some precipitation Saturday afternoon and/or Sunday morning, but then again, the weather folks have been wrong before. Maybe we'll have a good weekend for riding. I can't wait.
The weather in DC hasn't been as cold as normal for this time of year, so I hope I can get in some riding time this weekend. We haven't had snow or ice lately, so the roads will be fine. I'll throw on my heated vest -- it plugs into a harness connected to the bike's battery and works like an electric blanket with heated coils -- and ride off through the Virginia and Maryland countryside.
Thanks to the heated gear and the big Harley-Davidson Ultra Classic, I can ride 12 months a year. The only time I don't ride is when we have ice and snow on the roads. I can deal with heat, cold and rain, but I am not interested in sliding on ice.
We are already starting to plan motorcycle trips for the coming year. We will do our traditional Southern tour at the end of August and will probably ride to Daytona Bike Week in October. And we have a few other rides already planned, including a weekend ride to Memphis for some bar-b-que and blues.
But I don't want just to think about riding, I want to ride. The extended forecast says we might get some precipitation Saturday afternoon and/or Sunday morning, but then again, the weather folks have been wrong before. Maybe we'll have a good weekend for riding. I can't wait.
Friday, December 23, 2005
Time Off to Think, Reflect
Millions of people around the world will celebrate Christmas and Hanukkah this weekend. They will give and receive gifts, and will share the time with family and friends.
Those who do not celebrate these religious holidays still can use the time to reflect on what's really important to them.
I don't particularly like this time of year. I believe there is too much emphasis on shopping, too much pressure to pick the right gift, too much pressure on parents to provide "Santa Claus" for their children, too many children who are sad this time of year when they don't get lots of presents like people they know or see on TV.
But regardless of whether you celebrate these religious holidays, and regardless of whether you are Christian, Jew, Buddhist, Muslim, athiest or whatever, I do hope you will find a way to enjoy this time of the year when many people pause -- even for just a moment -- to think about themselves and where they fit in the world.
Those who do not celebrate these religious holidays still can use the time to reflect on what's really important to them.
I don't particularly like this time of year. I believe there is too much emphasis on shopping, too much pressure to pick the right gift, too much pressure on parents to provide "Santa Claus" for their children, too many children who are sad this time of year when they don't get lots of presents like people they know or see on TV.
But regardless of whether you celebrate these religious holidays, and regardless of whether you are Christian, Jew, Buddhist, Muslim, athiest or whatever, I do hope you will find a way to enjoy this time of the year when many people pause -- even for just a moment -- to think about themselves and where they fit in the world.
Thursday, December 22, 2005
Abramoff's Plea Deal Puts Heat on Rep. Ney
The Cleveland Plain Dealer has a good story about how the expect plea deal by Republican lobbyist Jack Abramoff -- under which Abramoff will agree to testify against Members of Congress -- could hasten the federal indictment of Republican Congressman Bob Ney on bribery charges. Ney already has been told by the Justice Department that he is a possible target.
As I have said before, we are seeing new examples almost every day of unchecked Republican corruption and power grabs, but the general public doesn't seem to care.
Maybe the public will wake up and toss them out of Congess in the November mid-term elections, now just eleven months away.
As I have said before, we are seeing new examples almost every day of unchecked Republican corruption and power grabs, but the general public doesn't seem to care.
Maybe the public will wake up and toss them out of Congess in the November mid-term elections, now just eleven months away.
Wednesday, December 21, 2005
DeLay's Lavish Lifestyle Revealed
Associated Press studied publicly available documents and filings and now reveals that as Tom DeLay became a king of campaign fundraising, he lived like one too.
AP reports that in just the past six years, DeLay has raised over $35 million for his various PACs and organizations. Since he hasn't faced any serious opposition for re-election, he has been able to spend that money on other things.
According to the records AP reviewed, DeLay's various organizations have spent over $1 million in the past six years treating him to visits to at least 48 golf resorts, 200 hotel stays, and over 500 meals.
Why is he still in Congress?
AP reports that in just the past six years, DeLay has raised over $35 million for his various PACs and organizations. Since he hasn't faced any serious opposition for re-election, he has been able to spend that money on other things.
According to the records AP reviewed, DeLay's various organizations have spent over $1 million in the past six years treating him to visits to at least 48 golf resorts, 200 hotel stays, and over 500 meals.
Why is he still in Congress?
Tuesday, December 20, 2005
Another Bush Power Grab
Democratic Underground has a great piece today about The Would-be Dictator outlining how bush clearly violated US law with his domestic spying program.
It sounds to me like this violation of the law is an impeachable offense. The Republicans impeached President Clinton for lying about having sex. bush's offense is certainly more serious.
But the majority of Americans seem to be letting bush slide -- again. Maybe most people think there's only a few more years of his term left so leave him alone. I understand. I think alot of people have bush-fatigue and Republican scandal-fatigue. It's sometimes overwhelming how corrupt they are.
I know this Republican-controlled Congress would never allow bush to be impeached, no matter how great the offense. I guess there really isn't much more we can do besides wait until he's gone.
It's depressing. The country deserves better. So let's work on the 2006 Congressional election to elect more Democrats and eliminate Republican control of at least one branch of our government.
It sounds to me like this violation of the law is an impeachable offense. The Republicans impeached President Clinton for lying about having sex. bush's offense is certainly more serious.
But the majority of Americans seem to be letting bush slide -- again. Maybe most people think there's only a few more years of his term left so leave him alone. I understand. I think alot of people have bush-fatigue and Republican scandal-fatigue. It's sometimes overwhelming how corrupt they are.
I know this Republican-controlled Congress would never allow bush to be impeached, no matter how great the offense. I guess there really isn't much more we can do besides wait until he's gone.
It's depressing. The country deserves better. So let's work on the 2006 Congressional election to elect more Democrats and eliminate Republican control of at least one branch of our government.
Monday, December 19, 2005
Back Home Inside the Beltway
Asia was great. I love that part of the world. Someone told me I must have lived there in a past life.
But now I am back inside the Beltway, and back at work with Congress and the Administration. Nothing much has changed -- nothing is getting done in Congress and Republicans are pointing fingers at everyomeone but themselves.
One thing I noticed in Asia was the contempt many people around the world have for president bush. I watched local Asian TV as well as BBC. The coverage of the story about bush signing authorization for secret spying on U.S. citizens and how that story helped kill reauthorization of the Patriot Act was facinating.
Bush is seen by many in Europe and Asia as a bullying cowboy. He reinforced that message last night in the Oval Office address trying to shore up support for his failed war in Iraq when he said the only two choices are victory or defeat. To him, if we withdraw our troops before crushing all of the insurgents, we will have been defeated. In the meantime, many more of our troops will die.
But now I am back inside the Beltway, and back at work with Congress and the Administration. Nothing much has changed -- nothing is getting done in Congress and Republicans are pointing fingers at everyomeone but themselves.
One thing I noticed in Asia was the contempt many people around the world have for president bush. I watched local Asian TV as well as BBC. The coverage of the story about bush signing authorization for secret spying on U.S. citizens and how that story helped kill reauthorization of the Patriot Act was facinating.
Bush is seen by many in Europe and Asia as a bullying cowboy. He reinforced that message last night in the Oval Office address trying to shore up support for his failed war in Iraq when he said the only two choices are victory or defeat. To him, if we withdraw our troops before crushing all of the insurgents, we will have been defeated. In the meantime, many more of our troops will die.
Tuesday, December 13, 2005
No Republican Junk in Asia
I am sitting in a high rise office building overlooking a very scenic and very busy Asian harbor. Lots of modern ships, but also lots of small Chinese junks, some of which seem barely seaworthy.
I love Asia. It's very busy, which is stimulating, but it also is very calm. My Buddha nature seems to come through better in Asia.
Asia has politics, of course, but it does not have the thuggish tactics of Tom DeLay, Karl Rove and their ilk inside the Beltway. Politics in Asia is often emotional, but people fight it out and then move on. They don't brood about how they are going to pay back their enemies.
I love Asia. I miss my family and friends, but I don't miss my daily dose of Republican junk. Sometimes life is better outside the Beltway.
I love Asia. It's very busy, which is stimulating, but it also is very calm. My Buddha nature seems to come through better in Asia.
Asia has politics, of course, but it does not have the thuggish tactics of Tom DeLay, Karl Rove and their ilk inside the Beltway. Politics in Asia is often emotional, but people fight it out and then move on. They don't brood about how they are going to pay back their enemies.
I love Asia. I miss my family and friends, but I don't miss my daily dose of Republican junk. Sometimes life is better outside the Beltway.
Friday, December 09, 2005
Way Outside the Beltway For The Week
I haven't traveled outside the United States in some six years now, but I am leaving tomorrow for a week in Asia.
I used to travel there on business regularly, but I have been inside the Beltway for quite a while now. I am looking forward to the trip.
In the meantime, I guess the Republicans who control all branches of the U.S. government will continue to point at others, huff and puff, and generally get little done. The Senate will be back in town Tuesday, but both bodies plan to leave before the end of the week. They want to pass more tax cuts for the wealthy, but are badly losing the battle of public opinion with that move.
I'll still get the news on what is happening inside the Beltway, but I really don't think I'll miss not being here. (Of course I will miss my family and friends, but not the Congressional and Administration junk.)
They do have Internet connections where I am going, so if I get the chance to post anything interesting, I will. But otherwise, I'll catch up when I get back inside the Beltway.
I used to travel there on business regularly, but I have been inside the Beltway for quite a while now. I am looking forward to the trip.
In the meantime, I guess the Republicans who control all branches of the U.S. government will continue to point at others, huff and puff, and generally get little done. The Senate will be back in town Tuesday, but both bodies plan to leave before the end of the week. They want to pass more tax cuts for the wealthy, but are badly losing the battle of public opinion with that move.
I'll still get the news on what is happening inside the Beltway, but I really don't think I'll miss not being here. (Of course I will miss my family and friends, but not the Congressional and Administration junk.)
They do have Internet connections where I am going, so if I get the chance to post anything interesting, I will. But otherwise, I'll catch up when I get back inside the Beltway.
Thursday, December 08, 2005
Congress Is Getting Nothing Done
Paralized by indictments and investigations of House and Senate leaders, the growing Jack Abramoff investigations into bribery of Members of Congress, including Rep. Bob Ney of Ohio, the resignation of Republican Congressman Duke Cunningham, admitting he took $2.4 million, a yacht and a Rolls Royce as bribes, Bush's record low approval rating, the growing public pushback on Bush's war in Iraq, etc., Congress is doing virtually nothing.
I was at a meeting yesterday at which a Republican Member of Congress crowed about how much the House was doing, saying they were passing bills every day. Someone asked how many of those bills he expected actually to make it to the president's desk for signing into law, given the Senate is not even in town this week, he flashed that classic deer-in-the-headlights stare.
To this Republican Member of Congress, all he and his fellow House Republicans had to do was pass bills out of the House. He didn't seem to realize much more had to happen before anything actually became law.
I was at a meeting yesterday at which a Republican Member of Congress crowed about how much the House was doing, saying they were passing bills every day. Someone asked how many of those bills he expected actually to make it to the president's desk for signing into law, given the Senate is not even in town this week, he flashed that classic deer-in-the-headlights stare.
To this Republican Member of Congress, all he and his fellow House Republicans had to do was pass bills out of the House. He didn't seem to realize much more had to happen before anything actually became law.
Friday, December 02, 2005
Lobbyist Abramoff Investigation Involving Even More Republicans
Prosecutors are increasing their pressure on Republican lobbyist Jack Abramoff, holding out the possibility of many more charges, hoping to get him to turn and give evidence against Members of Congress.
The new twist is that Abramoff may have been helping Republican Congressional staffers get jobs in lobbying firms while they were still in positions where they could do favors for him. (It's illegal to offer a government employee a job as in inducement to do you a favor.)
The Republican scandals just keep growing, and Republicans are beginning to get worried about the 2006 elections, where all of the House and 1/3 of the Senate and 36 governors are up for election.
But I can't help wonder if the regular folks out in the hinterland are paying attention. I heard a Republican wag talking about the Congressional scandals say that no Member of Congress ever lost his job because of something another Member of Congress did. That may be true, but I can't help but be reminded of the 1994 sweep when so many Republicans won seats because of the perception of Democratic scandals (which pale in comparison).
I don't want to get too excited yet, because the elections are a year away, but I do hope for the country's sake that the voters sweep out the corrupt Republicans.
The new twist is that Abramoff may have been helping Republican Congressional staffers get jobs in lobbying firms while they were still in positions where they could do favors for him. (It's illegal to offer a government employee a job as in inducement to do you a favor.)
The Republican scandals just keep growing, and Republicans are beginning to get worried about the 2006 elections, where all of the House and 1/3 of the Senate and 36 governors are up for election.
But I can't help wonder if the regular folks out in the hinterland are paying attention. I heard a Republican wag talking about the Congressional scandals say that no Member of Congress ever lost his job because of something another Member of Congress did. That may be true, but I can't help but be reminded of the 1994 sweep when so many Republicans won seats because of the perception of Democratic scandals (which pale in comparison).
I don't want to get too excited yet, because the elections are a year away, but I do hope for the country's sake that the voters sweep out the corrupt Republicans.
