I am sorry to have to do this, but I am officially restricting the comments section of this blog to stop getting a bunch of solicitations for mortgages, larger genitalia, etc.
If you have an interest in making a comment, please register with Blogger so that you can do so.
This should not restrict your ability to view my blog, by please e-mail me if you have any difficulties.
Tuesday, October 25, 2005
Monday, October 24, 2005
Speaking of the CIA Leak
This weekend, on one of the Sunday talk shows, Senator Kay Bailey Hutchinson, announced that she hoped the special prosecutor would pursue the case (release of classified information) on its merits and not on some spurious side charge like perjury or obstruction. Further, she attempted to redefine perjury by implying that perjury can include forgetting to disclose information and needing to go back and re-clarify information.
Now I am no lawyer (and I am sure she is), but it seems to me that perjury is lying under oath. Last I checked, lying is willful deception.
If someone in the administration, up to and including the President, can be found guilty of perjury or obstruction, the federal government has every right and need to pursue the toughest remedy possible to prevent the violation from occuring again.
Further, it is somewhat disingenuous that Senator Hutchinson would preclude a charge of perjury or obstruction when those are the precise charges that caused President Clinton's impeachment.
It just goes to show you that you can't trust a politician. Because like you or I, for the most part, politicians strive to keep their jobs.
Now I am no lawyer (and I am sure she is), but it seems to me that perjury is lying under oath. Last I checked, lying is willful deception.
If someone in the administration, up to and including the President, can be found guilty of perjury or obstruction, the federal government has every right and need to pursue the toughest remedy possible to prevent the violation from occuring again.
Further, it is somewhat disingenuous that Senator Hutchinson would preclude a charge of perjury or obstruction when those are the precise charges that caused President Clinton's impeachment.
It just goes to show you that you can't trust a politician. Because like you or I, for the most part, politicians strive to keep their jobs.
Sunday, October 16, 2005
Political Scandal Bigger Than CIA Leak
There is a bigger political scandal floating around out there which dwarfs the Valerie Plam CIA leak case involving the President's closest advisers. This scandal threatens to change how politics is done in Washington.
And for that reason, I fear the story won't get much traction.
Jack Abramoff is a lobbyist on what is called "K Street," or the address of most lobbying firms in Washington, D.C. He has also been friendly with largely conservative causes and has friends high up in the conservative movement. However, he has gotten into some trouble lately. Apparently, he has been soliciting funds from certain Indian Tribes to represent their gambling interests to Congress. So far, this is typical of how this relationship works. A special interest, such as Indian Tribes, pays tens (if not hundreds) of thousands of dollars to lobbyists to pressure Congressmen to vote for their interests. If this sounds like bribing officials, that is because in any other walk of life, it would be. However, this is how politics is done in Washington, D.C. and is perfectly legitimate.
Where Abramoff got into trouble is that he attempted to increase the purview of his interests by laundering the funds to other lobbyists with political influence. This was done to skirt campaign finance rules and increase the scope of support to pressure politicians.
With this money, the lobbyists don't actually write a check to the politicians. Rather, they take the politicians on fancy trips (sometimes out of the country), to pressure the politicians to see their point of view. This is the bribe. These trips can be golf outings or ski trips, cruises or other general vacations, but they are all done for the same reason.
It is tremendously unfortunate this does not receive more press, because these are the people who are influencing votes by politicians. If you thought your $2,000 contribution or your letter does it, you are mistaken. The fact is, Representatives and Senators go on hundreds of these trips each year. This is where power is in politics and all campaign finance legislation is worthless unless it addresses this graft.
Fortunately, all of these trips are required to be reported, so you can see who is buying your Senator or Representative's vote.
And for that reason, I fear the story won't get much traction.
Jack Abramoff is a lobbyist on what is called "K Street," or the address of most lobbying firms in Washington, D.C. He has also been friendly with largely conservative causes and has friends high up in the conservative movement. However, he has gotten into some trouble lately. Apparently, he has been soliciting funds from certain Indian Tribes to represent their gambling interests to Congress. So far, this is typical of how this relationship works. A special interest, such as Indian Tribes, pays tens (if not hundreds) of thousands of dollars to lobbyists to pressure Congressmen to vote for their interests. If this sounds like bribing officials, that is because in any other walk of life, it would be. However, this is how politics is done in Washington, D.C. and is perfectly legitimate.
Where Abramoff got into trouble is that he attempted to increase the purview of his interests by laundering the funds to other lobbyists with political influence. This was done to skirt campaign finance rules and increase the scope of support to pressure politicians.
With this money, the lobbyists don't actually write a check to the politicians. Rather, they take the politicians on fancy trips (sometimes out of the country), to pressure the politicians to see their point of view. This is the bribe. These trips can be golf outings or ski trips, cruises or other general vacations, but they are all done for the same reason.
It is tremendously unfortunate this does not receive more press, because these are the people who are influencing votes by politicians. If you thought your $2,000 contribution or your letter does it, you are mistaken. The fact is, Representatives and Senators go on hundreds of these trips each year. This is where power is in politics and all campaign finance legislation is worthless unless it addresses this graft.
Fortunately, all of these trips are required to be reported, so you can see who is buying your Senator or Representative's vote.
Saturday, October 15, 2005
The Nomination of Harriet Miers
As you probably know, the President recently nominated Harriet Miers, White House Legal Cousel, to become the next associate justice of the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS). As you probably know, I am skeptical of almost all politicians, whom I believe rarely have standard voters interests in mind when making decisions.
Does anyone else find it troubling that one of her main qualities is that she is a good Christian? Of course, there is nothing wrong with being Christian (coming from someone who was born and raised Roman Catholic), but I have never heard a national candidate for any office being qualified because they are a good Christian. But that is exactly what supporters of her justiceship are saying.
I believe that the nomination process of federal judges and justices just goes to show that being a judge is now a political position, and will be until we rightly return political power to the people and remove power from politicians and judges.
Does anyone else find it troubling that one of her main qualities is that she is a good Christian? Of course, there is nothing wrong with being Christian (coming from someone who was born and raised Roman Catholic), but I have never heard a national candidate for any office being qualified because they are a good Christian. But that is exactly what supporters of her justiceship are saying.
I believe that the nomination process of federal judges and justices just goes to show that being a judge is now a political position, and will be until we rightly return political power to the people and remove power from politicians and judges.
Tuesday, October 04, 2005
International Coverage in the Media
For those of you, like myself, who have stopped reading the New York Times to protest their pay service, I suggest that you check out both the Christian Science Monitor and the Washington Post. Both have amazingly in-depth world coverage. Additionally, Yahoo has begun running a series on war zones around the globe called "Hot Zone" with Kevin Sites, which is also excellent and takes you to countries you wouldn't see otherwise.
The Cold Arrived Early This Year
Today's high temperature is expected to be 63 degrees. For Oregon, that is pretty chilly. In fact, last year's warm temperatures lasted into late October. The last time this city saw an 80 degree day was September 8, one of the earliest days on record.
I say this not to make some profound point, but for the sake of posterity. If anyone comes across this blog and wants to know what the temperature was like this year, well now you know!
On a separate note, I am sick for the second time this year. This time is worse than the last for certain. Being that I am never sick, hopefully I am getting this out of my system for a couple of years.
I say this not to make some profound point, but for the sake of posterity. If anyone comes across this blog and wants to know what the temperature was like this year, well now you know!
On a separate note, I am sick for the second time this year. This time is worse than the last for certain. Being that I am never sick, hopefully I am getting this out of my system for a couple of years.
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