Wednesday, July 26, 2006
Senator Frist Refuses to Confirm or Deny Being Interviewed by Federal Investigators
Senate Republican Leader Bill Frist is still under investigation by the SEC and the Justice Department for selling stock in a company controlled by his family just before a bad earnings report caused it to fall. (He apparently did what Martha Stewart went to jail for.)
Frist's brother is now working with investment firms to buy up all the company stock and make it a private company.
In a CBS News story, Senator Frist refused to confirm or deny that he has been interviewed by the investigators. Here's a snip from the news story:
Fortunately for America, Frist is not running for re-election to the Senate. Let's hope his presidential aspirations fizzle as well.
America deserves better.
Frist's brother is now working with investment firms to buy up all the company stock and make it a private company.
In a CBS News story, Senator Frist refused to confirm or deny that he has been interviewed by the investigators. Here's a snip from the news story:
The senator has been under investigation by the Securities and Exchange Commission and federal prosecutors for nearly a year. Investigators are looking into sales of HCA stock belonging to Frist and his immediate family last year, near the stock's 52-week peak and at a time when insiders were selling off.
Frist denies wrongdoing and says he got rid of the stock to avoid any appearance of a conflict of interest as he eyes a presidential run.
When asked whether he had been interviewed by investigators, Frist neither confirmed nor denied that, saying only, "I participated fully with the inquiry, and things have progressed well."
Fortunately for America, Frist is not running for re-election to the Senate. Let's hope his presidential aspirations fizzle as well.
America deserves better.
Tuesday, July 25, 2006
The Hill: 50 Most Beautiful on Capitol Hill
Since the Republican-controlled Congress isn't doing much of anything except posturing and pandering for votes from their radical right-wing base -- trying to pass anti-gay and anti-flag burning amendments to the Constitution -- The Hill, a widely read Capitol Hill newspaper, has little to report.
Frankly, The Hill's list of the 50 most beautiful people on Capitol Hill is much more interesting than what the Republican majority is doing.
Take a look.
And no, I didn't make the list.
Frankly, The Hill's list of the 50 most beautiful people on Capitol Hill is much more interesting than what the Republican majority is doing.
Take a look.
And no, I didn't make the list.
Friday, July 21, 2006
Bush Cabinet Secretary's Foundation is Questioned
Health and Human Services Secretary Mike Leavitt and his family have received millions in tax breaks from a charitable foundation they created that appears merely to loan or give money back to them.
As the Washington Post points out, standard charitable foundations are required to give away at least 5% of their money every year. Secretary Leavitt's foundation has given away less than 1%. Most of the foundation funds have been used for interest-free loans to Leavitt and his various business ventures.
It seems that something questionable comes out about this administration every day.
America deserves better.
As the Washington Post points out, standard charitable foundations are required to give away at least 5% of their money every year. Secretary Leavitt's foundation has given away less than 1%. Most of the foundation funds have been used for interest-free loans to Leavitt and his various business ventures.
It seems that something questionable comes out about this administration every day.
America deserves better.
Wednesday, July 19, 2006
Ralph Reed Loses Race; Secret Links to Abramoff Doom Campaign
Former Christian Coalition head Ralph Reed lost his bid to become the Republican nominee for Lt. Governor of Georgia because of his secret ties to convicted Republican lobbyist Jack Abramoff.
As documented extensively by the Senate Indian Affairs Committee, Reed was secretly taking money from Abramoff -- laundered primarily by Republican anti-government activist Grover Norquist -- to rile up Reed's conservative Christian base in opposition to gambling interests that were in competition with the gambling interests of Abramoff's clients.
Georgia voters, including conservative Republicans, decided enough was enough and rejected a candidate who has demonstrated corrupt behavior.
America deserves better than the Republicans who are in charge now. Let's work to replace them.
As documented extensively by the Senate Indian Affairs Committee, Reed was secretly taking money from Abramoff -- laundered primarily by Republican anti-government activist Grover Norquist -- to rile up Reed's conservative Christian base in opposition to gambling interests that were in competition with the gambling interests of Abramoff's clients.
Georgia voters, including conservative Republicans, decided enough was enough and rejected a candidate who has demonstrated corrupt behavior.
America deserves better than the Republicans who are in charge now. Let's work to replace them.
Tuesday, July 18, 2006
House Republicans Continue to Waste Time on "Values" Issues
The Middle East is exploding -- literally -- and oil prices are continuing to rise. But House Republicans a devoting their time to pandering to their base.
Instead of focusing on the nation's business, House Republicans are promoting what they call their "American Values Agenda." Here's what they are up to this week:
Last week, House Republicans rammed through the "Freedom to Display the American Flag Act," as if someone is trying to prevent people from flying flags, and passed the bill to ban Internet gambling that Tom DeLay and his staff derailed at the request of convicted Republican lobbyist Jack Abramoff, aided by Georgia Lt. Governor candidate Ralph Reed, that benefited Abramoff's casino clients. (It's funny how the Republicans think that by reversing that vote they can distance themselves from Abramoff.)
And coming soon from the House Republicans:
All the major polls show that Americans want change in Washington. Faced with the very real prospect of losing in November, and desperate to hold on to power, House Republicans are doing everything they can to make sure their base is happy with them.
But it seems to me their strategy may backfire, as Americans see through the charade and hold them accountable for doing nothing to help our nation.
Instead of focusing on the nation's business, House Republicans are promoting what they call their "American Values Agenda." Here's what they are up to this week:
- a vote on a constitutional amendment to prohibit same-sex marriage, even though the Senate already defeated the measure and their amendment has no chance of advancing, even if passed.
- legislation to bar federal courts from hearing challenges to the wording of the Pledge of Allegiance to make sure no body tries to remove "under God."
Last week, House Republicans rammed through the "Freedom to Display the American Flag Act," as if someone is trying to prevent people from flying flags, and passed the bill to ban Internet gambling that Tom DeLay and his staff derailed at the request of convicted Republican lobbyist Jack Abramoff, aided by Georgia Lt. Governor candidate Ralph Reed, that benefited Abramoff's casino clients. (It's funny how the Republicans think that by reversing that vote they can distance themselves from Abramoff.)
And coming soon from the House Republicans:
- a bill to protect public officials from lawsuits resulting from courthouse displays of the Ten Commandments or other religious symbols;
- a requirement that doctors erforming abortions tell patients that fetuses feel pain;
- protection for gun dealers from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms; and
- legislation to prohibit use of federal funds to impound guns in the wake of a disaster.
All the major polls show that Americans want change in Washington. Faced with the very real prospect of losing in November, and desperate to hold on to power, House Republicans are doing everything they can to make sure their base is happy with them.
But it seems to me their strategy may backfire, as Americans see through the charade and hold them accountable for doing nothing to help our nation.
Friday, July 14, 2006
Bush Makes Fool of Himself in Germany
Not surprisingly, our swaggering commander-in-chief again made a fool of himself on a foreign trip.
On his way to the G8 Summit in Russia, where he will meet with world leaders to discuss truly important issues, he stopped in Germany for a visit with the new Prime Minister.
Faced with questions about the issues -- his war in Iraq, Iran's nuclear ambitions, Korea's missle tests, Israel's attack on Lebanon, Russia, energy, etc. -- he tried to duck everything and focus on a wild pig that was being prepared for his dinner.
What an embarrassment he is.
As Bugs Bunny says, "What a moroon!"
On his way to the G8 Summit in Russia, where he will meet with world leaders to discuss truly important issues, he stopped in Germany for a visit with the new Prime Minister.
Faced with questions about the issues -- his war in Iraq, Iran's nuclear ambitions, Korea's missle tests, Israel's attack on Lebanon, Russia, energy, etc. -- he tried to duck everything and focus on a wild pig that was being prepared for his dinner.
What an embarrassment he is.
As Bugs Bunny says, "What a moroon!"
Wednesday, July 12, 2006
Brazil? It's Different Down There? Oh, I Get it Now
Is People Magazine's Piece About Bad Lobbyist Boss Fake?
The Washington Post's Reliable Source column is raising questions about a People magazine article on evil bosses in which a "high profile Washington, DC lobbyist" is portrayed as a boss from hell.
Trouble is, the Post hasn't been able to verify any of the details.
The young person who wrote the piece won't give the lobbyist's name, and what the Post has uncovered about this person doesn't indicate any jobs with lobbyists.
Could it be that People is jumping on the current anti-lobbyist bandwagon?
The sleazy details that keep coming out about Republican lobbyist Jack Abramoff and his dealings with Tom DeLay and his staffers, Ralph Reed and others has made all lobbyists easy targets.
Trouble is, the Post hasn't been able to verify any of the details.
The young person who wrote the piece won't give the lobbyist's name, and what the Post has uncovered about this person doesn't indicate any jobs with lobbyists.
Could it be that People is jumping on the current anti-lobbyist bandwagon?
The sleazy details that keep coming out about Republican lobbyist Jack Abramoff and his dealings with Tom DeLay and his staffers, Ralph Reed and others has made all lobbyists easy targets.
Monday, July 10, 2006
Republican Strategist Grover Norquist's Status Diminishing
Republican activist Grover Norquist laundered money from Republican lobbyist Jack Abramoff through his organization to Republican Ralph Reed's lobbying firm so Reed's religious conservative base would not know he was working for Abramoff's casino clients. Along the way, Norquist extracted a fee for each money transfer, and apparently saw this as a money-making sideline.
Norquist's, Abramoff's and Reed's activities are well documented in the report of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs.
The result of all this is that Norquist's influence is waning. Although he is spinning like crazy, the truth is that Republicans are distancing themselves from him.
And Reed's candidacy for Lt. Governor of Georgia is not going as smoothly as he had hoped.
Let's hope Norquist, Reed and the rest of the corrupt Republican regime go away. America deserves better.
Norquist's, Abramoff's and Reed's activities are well documented in the report of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs.
The result of all this is that Norquist's influence is waning. Although he is spinning like crazy, the truth is that Republicans are distancing themselves from him.
And Reed's candidacy for Lt. Governor of Georgia is not going as smoothly as he had hoped.
Let's hope Norquist, Reed and the rest of the corrupt Republican regime go away. America deserves better.
Friday, July 07, 2006
Harley Riding Weekend -- Forget Politics, Just Ride
I am so looking forward to this weekend. I am setting aside politics for a while -- something I strongly recommend to everyone involved in this business -- and riding the Harley Ultra Classic.
The weather should be very nice -- not quite as hot as it has been, and certainly not as wet.
I am heading north to the hills of Pennsylvania for a weekend around Gettysburg. Their bike week won't exactly compare to Daytona or Myrtle Beach, but I am sure it will be fun.
If you are riding in Virginia, check out the events page at RideVA.
But whether you ride or not, I think it's a good idea just to get away for a bit every now and then. Put aside whatever you do during the week and just relax and enjoy. I know, many of us are on call 24/7 and never out of touch with Blackberrys and Treos. But I will put it aside as much as possible, and focus on having some fun.
Enjoy your weekend.
The weather should be very nice -- not quite as hot as it has been, and certainly not as wet.
I am heading north to the hills of Pennsylvania for a weekend around Gettysburg. Their bike week won't exactly compare to Daytona or Myrtle Beach, but I am sure it will be fun.
If you are riding in Virginia, check out the events page at RideVA.
But whether you ride or not, I think it's a good idea just to get away for a bit every now and then. Put aside whatever you do during the week and just relax and enjoy. I know, many of us are on call 24/7 and never out of touch with Blackberrys and Treos. But I will put it aside as much as possible, and focus on having some fun.
Enjoy your weekend.
Wednesday, July 05, 2006
Vanity Fair: Duke Cunningham's World of Bribery, Booze and Broads
In a long (and, unfortunately, sometimes meandering) piece, Vanity Fair lays out what it was like in Republican Rep. Duke Cunningham's world -- demanding and accepting bribes, and partying with a Republican lobbyists, defense contractors, and, oddly enough, the former #3 at the CIA.
The piece also details of some of Republican Rep. Katherine Harris' dealings with the folks who gave Cunningham all the cash and other goodies.
It also points out that Republican Rep. Jerry Lewis, head of the House Appropriations Committee, which approves special earmarks for contractors and others, remains under investigation.
It's a sad story. America deserves better than the Congress it has now.
The piece also details of some of Republican Rep. Katherine Harris' dealings with the folks who gave Cunningham all the cash and other goodies.
It also points out that Republican Rep. Jerry Lewis, head of the House Appropriations Committee, which approves special earmarks for contractors and others, remains under investigation.
It's a sad story. America deserves better than the Congress it has now.
