Cycloptichorn wrote:This witch hunt is going to end with a burning, oralloy.
We'll see.
Cycloptichorn wrote:Haven't you figured out what a scumbag DeLay is yet?
I don't care how much of a scumbag he is.
For me, the fact that the Democrats abuse the ethics process to wage witch hunts overshadows any crimes that DeLay may have committed.
DontTreadOnMe wrote:oralloy wrote:While it is certainly possible that this witch hunt will destroy DeLay, I don't think it's been established yet that any ships are sinking here.
ahhh... denial
I haven't denied that this witch hunt might destroy DeLay.
But let's see how it turns out before we start counting our chickens.
DontTreadOnMe wrote:
King Arthur: Now stand aside, worthy advisary.
Black Knight: 'Tis but a scratch.
King Arthur: A scratch? Your arm's off.
Black Knight: No it isn't.
King Arthur: What's that, then?
Black Knight: [after a pause] I've had worse.
King Arthur: You liar.
Black Knight: Come on ya pansy.
DeLay could end up playing the role of King Arthur there, and House Democrats the role of the Black Knight.
DontTreadOnMe wrote:btw, everybody knows that ol' john bolton is yet another pnac'er, right?
Good man there.
If he's confirmed, he'll keep the UN in their place.
I think it worth pointing out DeLay has not been found to have been in violation of any law or rule, nor has he been sanctioned. The same cannot be said of Texas Democratic Representative Chris Bell, foremost among DeLay's accusers.
House Ethics Committee: [url=http://www.house.gov/ethics/108th_Summary_of_Activities.htm][u][i][b]SUMMARY OF ACTIVITIES[/b][/i][/u][/url] wrote:neither Representative DeLay nor anyone acting on his behalf improperly solicited contributions from Westar, and that Representative DeLay took no action with regard to Westar that would constitute an impermissible special favor . Information obtained by the Committee indicated, however, that Representative DeLay's participation in and facilitation of an energy company fundraiser created the appearance that donors were being provided with improper special access to Representative DeLay regarding pending energy legislation.
In accordance with Committee Rule 16(b)(1), the Committee determined to dispose of Count I by means of a letter of admonition to Representative DeLay. See Appendix III.
Count II: Count II of the complaint alleged that Representative DeLay used TRMPAC to "funnel" corporate funds to Texas state campaigns in 2002 in violation of provisions of the Texas election code. The Committee determined to defer action on this count in accordance with Committee Rule 15(f) pending further action in Texas state court regarding indictments of several individuals in connection with TRMPAC, and pending the continuing investigation by the Travis County District Attorney of TRMPAC activities.
Count III: Count III alleged that the contacts of Representative DeLay's staff with the Federal Aviation Administration and the Justice Department in May 2003 regarding absent Texas state legislators constituted an effort to use federal resources in a political matter and were therefore improper under Committee guidance regarding contacts with federal agencies by Members and their staff.
The Committee determined that this count should be dismissed insofar as it concerned contacts with the Justice Department, and that insofar as it concerned contacts with the Federal Aviation Administration, it should be disposed of by means of a letter of admonition to Representative DeLay.
See Appendix III; Committee Rule 16(b)(1).
The letter of admonition to Representative DeLay was publicly released by the Committee on October 6, 2004, along with a memorandum from the Chairman and Ranking Minority Member of the Committee to the Committee setting out their recommendations to the Committee for disposition of the complaint.
In further action related to this matter, the Committee determined on November 18, 2004, that the complaint filed by Representative Bell against Representative DeLay contained innuendo, speculative assertions, or conclusory statements in violation of Committee Rule 15(a)(4). This matter was resolved by the Committee by a letter transmitted to Representative Bell dated November 18, 2004. The letter was publicly released by the Committee on that same date.
See Appendix IV.
House Ethics Committee in the Matter of Bell Vs DeLay: Case dismissed.
Quote:House Ethics Committee Letter to Rep. DeLay (Excerpt)
October 6, 2004
The Honorable Tom DeLay
Majority Leader
U.S. House of Representatives
Suite H-107, The Capitol
Washington, D.C. 20515
Dear Colleague:
As you are aware, the Committee has made a number of decisions regarding the allegations made in the complaint that was filed against you by Representative Bell on June 15, 2004. This letter implements determinations made by the Committee that you be admonished for your conduct in two respects:
your participation in and facilitation of an energy company golf fundraiser at The Homestead resort for your leadership PACs on June 2-3, 2002. Those actions were objectionable under House standards of conduct because, at a minimum, they
created an appearance that donors were being provided special access to you regarding the then-pending energy legislation ...
... In view of the number of instances to date in which the Committee has found it necessary to comment on conduct in which you have engaged,[2]
it is clearly necessary for you to temper your future actions to assure that you are in full compliance at all times with the applicable House Rules and standards of conduct. We remind you that the House Code of Official Conduct provides the Committee with authority "to deal with any given act or accumulation of acts which, in the judgment of the committee, are severe enough to reflect discredit on the Congress."[3]
Sincerely,
s/ Joel Hefley
Chairman Ranking
s/ Alan B. Mollohan
Minority Member
House Ethics Committe to Tom DeLay:Rep. Bell's charges against you have been dismissed. However, it is the wish of this committee that you be more circumspect of appearances in future, thank you.
Quote:House Ethics Committee Letter to Rep. Bell (Excerpt)
November 18, 2004
The Honorable Chris Bell
U.S. House of Representatives
216 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515
Dear Colleague:
As you know, last month the Committee made a number of decisions regarding the complaint you filed against Representative Tom DeLay on June 15, 2004, but the Committee deferred decision on the issue of whether your complaint violated Committee Rule 15(a)(4). That provision states that a complaint "shall not contain innuendo, speculative assertions, or conclusory statements."
As detailed in this letter,
the Committee finds that your complaint violated Committee Rule 15(a)(4) in a number of respects. Because you personally signed and this complaint and transmitted it directly to the Committee under Committee Rule 14(a)(1), you are responsible for the contents of the complaint in their entirety, and thus you are responsible for these violations.
This is a serious matter. The House Code of Official Conduct provides that a House Member, officer or employee "shall adhere to the spirit and the letter of the Rules of the House and to the rules of duly constituted committees thereof." House Rule 23, cl. 2. In addition, the Committee Rule implicated here is an important one, the purposes of which, quite clearly, are to maintain a level of decorum in Committee proceedings and to discourage use of the Committee for political purposes. Indeed, it appears there is no purpose for including excessive or inflammatory language or exaggerated charges in a complaint except in an attempt to attract publicity and, hence, a political advantage.
This improper political purpose was highlighted in this instance by the various efforts you undertook to promote your complaint publicly, by including such excessive or inflammatory language or exaggerated charges in press releases and other public statements ...
At the time that we, in our capacities as Chairman and Ranking Minority Member, performed our initial review of your complaint under Committee Rule 16(a), we had the option to determine, on the basis of the above considerations, that your complaint did not satisfy "the requirements of the Committee's rules for what constitutes a complaint" and to return the complaint to you under Committee Rule 16(e). We elected not to do so for essentially two reasons. First, while your complaint contained innuendo, speculative assertions and conclusory statements, it also contained allegations that warranted Committee consideration. In addition, while this Committee rule has been in force for over 10 years, the Committee had not previously rejected any complaint for violating this rule, and the Committee had not previously issued any interpretations of the rule.
This letter is being released publicly, and by its issuance, the Committee is putting all Members on notice of the need to comply with Committee Rule 15(a)(4), as well as all of the other provisions of Committee Rule 15, when submitting a complaint to the Committee. All Members are also now on notice that violation of any of those rules is a basis for summarily rejecting a complaint under Committee Rule 16(e) and depending on the circumstances, may also be the basis for initiating disciplinary action against the Member who makes the filing.
* * *
We also wish to bring to your attention a separate matter regarding the Committee's consideration of your complaint against Representative DeLay. In a newspaper article that appeared on September 15, 2004, a member of your staff, Eric Burns, was quoted as follows:
The Republicans on the committee know DeLay would not survive a full investigation, so they're trying to protect their party boss. The committee faces a very clear choice: They can stand up for the integrity of the House, or they can protect politics as usual.[5]
We have not inquired of your staff member whether he was quoted accurately, and we do not assume that he was. Nevertheless, we also wish to make the point to you - and, by public release of this letter, to all House Members and staff - that it is highly improper, and a basis for the initiation of disciplinary action, for any House Member or staff person to attack the integrity of this Committee or any of its members.
Sincerely,
s/ Joel Hefley
Chairman Ranking
s/ Alan B. Mollohan
Minority Member
House Ethics Committee to Rep. Bell: This committee finds you in violation of Committee Rule 15(a)(4), and further that a member of your staff has acted improperly in the matter at question. Further such violation, on the part of yourself or your staff, is subject to disciplinary action.
House GOP Calls for DeLay Replacement
House GOP Calls for DeLay Replacement
By DAVID ESPO, AP Special Correspondent
Sat Jan 7, 2:06 AM ET
Buffeted by scandal, House Republicans are clamoring for new election-year leadership, and indicted Rep. Tom DeLay's hopes of returning to power as floor leader are dwindling.
"I do not want Tom DeLay to return," Rep. Heather Wilson of New Mexico, a perennial election-year target of Democrats, said Friday.
"It's clear that we need to elect a new majority leader to restore the trust and confidence of the American people," said Rep. Jim Ramstad of Minnesota, as two fellow Republicans circulated a petition calling for new elections.
DeLay, a Texan whose fierce devotion to conservative causes has helped nurture the Republican majority, gave no public indication he was willing to abandon his quest to return to his powerful post.
But his longtime friend, Speaker Dennis Hastert of Illinois, signaled he would not try to block the rank-and-file from acting.
"This is consistent with the speaker's announcement ... that House Republicans would revisit this matter at the beginning of this year," said Hastert spokesman Ron Bonjean, referring to the petition drive.
Other officials said an announcement on new elections could come within a few days, before Hastert is scheduled to leave on an overseas trip.
The speaker's hold on power appears secure. Several officials said he has been involved in discussions in recent days on a package of ethics reform measures to be announced next week, part of a broader GOP attempt to minimize any election-year taint of scandal.
Rep. Roy Blunt of Missouri, who took over as majority leader temporarily when DeLay stepped aside following his indictment on political money-laundering charges in Texas, is certain to run for the post in his own right if new elections are held.
Rep. John Boehner of Ohio, a former member of the leadership, is his likeliest rival, and there may be other contenders as well.
The maneuvering occurred near the end of a week in which lobbyist Jack Abramoff, the central figure in a growing public corruption investigation and a man with close ties to Republicans, pleaded guilty to conspiracy and several other charges in two federal courtrooms.
At the same time, an Associated Press-Ipsos poll found that 49 percent of those surveyed said they would prefer to see Democrats in control of Congress, and 36 percent said Republicans.
DeLay insists he is innocent of wrongdoing in the Texas case and says he intends to reclaim his leadership post once he is cleared.
Hastert and other Republicans accepted that arrangement temporarily last year, and DeLay maneuvered to win the dismissal of charges or gain an acquittal by early February.
But Abramoff's guilty pleas appear to have changed the political environment for Republicans 11 months before the midterm elections.
"The situation is that Tom's legal situation doesn't seem to be reaching clarity," Rep. John Kline of Minnesota said in an interview. "There are stories of more indictments or questions associated with Jack Abramoff. And I think that Tom DeLay is going to have to concentrate on that."
DeLay spokesman Kevin Madden said his boss "appreciates that a majority of his colleagues recognizes that he remains committed to fulfilling his responsibilities as majority leader and that he'll be quickly exonerated in Texas."
Republican rules permit an election to fill the vacancy, and aides to Reps. Jeff Flake of Arizona and Charles Bass of New Hampshire said the two men were circulating a petition that would allow the rank and file to pick new leadership quickly.
"The developments with Abramoff have "brought home the fact that we need not just new leaders but a course correction," Flake said.
While Flake is a conservative in a safe congressional district, others calling for a change were more moderate Republicans who could face difficult re-election campaigns this fall.
New Mexico's Wilson was among them.
She said three of DeLay's "former senior staff members have admitted or have been implicated in corrupt and illegal activities to get money for themselves by influencing legislation. Whether or not Mr. DeLay was involved himself or knew this was going on, he is responsible for his office."
--------------------------------------
Associated Press writers Fred Frommer, Sam Hananel, Andrew Miga and Kimberly Hefling contributed to this report.
DeLay's campaign to eradicate all government regulations
What most of the public forgets or did not know is that Tom DeLay's expressed agenda for getting into politics was to rid the U.S. of all government regulations.
DeLay has expressed his deeply held views that there should be no impediments to the business world, including the elite. He would end all protections of the American people's health and welfare. He would end all entitlements, such as social security and medicare.
Tom DeLay not only is a Social Darwinist, he is a bullying con-man scoundrel who belongs in prison.
BBB
Officials: DeLay to Quit Leadership Post By DAVID ESPO, AP Special Correspondent
6 minutes ago
WASHINGTON - Embattled Rep. Tom DeLay decided Saturday to give up his post as House majority leader, clearing the way for new leadership elections among Republicans eager to shed the taint of scandal, two officials said.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060107/ap_on_go_co/delay
Republicans to DeLay "you're fired"
DeLay to Republicans "you can't fire me, I quit"
Text of Letter From DeLay to Hastert By The Associated Press
Text of Letter From DeLay to Hastert By The Associated Press
2 hours, 8 minutes ago
1/7/06
Text of a letter Saturday from Rep. Tom DeLay, R-Texas, to House Speaker Dennis Hastert, R-Ill., about his decision not to seek to return to his post as majority leader:
Dear Mr. Speaker:
I am writing to inform you of my decision to permanently step aside as majority leader, and of my belief that the best interests of the conference would be served by the election of a new leader as soon as possible.
The job of majority leader and the mandate of the Republican majority are too important to be hamstrung, even for a few months, by personal distractions.
I will continue to serve my constituents and seek re-election to a 12th term representing Texas' 22nd district while I work to clear my name of the baseless charges leveled against me. I will also be reclaiming my seat on the Appropriations Committee when the second session of the 109th Congress convenes later this month.
Sincerely,
Tom DeLay
And a Texas size halelujah!
Re: Text of Letter From DeLay to Hastert By The Associated P
Quote:Text of a letter Saturday from Rep. Tom DeLay, R-Texas, to House Speaker Dennis Hastert, R-Ill., about his decision not to seek to return to his post as majority leader:
I hope he really was corrupt. I continue to worry that he could just be another innocent victim of DNC demagogy.
