Calif. Congressman Admits Taking Bribes

[Sonart]

Quote by: Isherwood In some ways, yeah. In other ways I would have preferred Donna. I'll be amazed if Jerry can manage to get this city back on track.

Yah... about the same here.

Quote by: RickSp The way I read it, the crook didn't quit so much as it became painfully clear that the prosecuter had the goods. It became smarter to cop a plea. He had denied everything for months now, hadn't he?

My understanding too. Duke did the denial and defiance thing for as long as he could, but the case against him was so massive, and his crimes so blatant, he had no place to wriggle.

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[rmnunez]

I would like to note how this sort of thing does happen in advanced, westernm societies populated by citizens who tend to regard critically similar conduct in Mexico and the third world.

[RickSp]

Quote by: rmnunez I would like to note how this sort of thing does happen in advanced, westernm societies populated by citizens who tend to regard critically similar conduct in Mexico and the third world.

And Mexico is not Nigeria, big deal. Since you mentioned it, the US ranks at 17 in the last Corruption Index by Transparency International . Mexico is tied at 65 with Ghana, Panama, Peru and Turkey. Not a lot to brag about.

[rmnunez]

My point was the log in the United Statian's eye often keeps them from seeing other than the mote in others'.

[bishop]

bullshit.. we pay more attention to our own corrupt politicians than less important politicians in places like nigeria and mexico. you forget that most americans care more about their own country than other peoples' countries..

[RickSp]

Quote by: bishop bullshit.. we pay more attention to our own corrupt politicians than less important politicians in places like nigeria and mexico. you forget that most americans care more about their own country than other peoples' countries..

I agree. Most Americans pay very little attention to foriegn corruption unless they encounter it.

And based on the independent statistics, if Mexico's level of corruption is indeed comparable with Ghana's, I wouldn't be speaking about logs and motes.

[Zeebadee]

Quote by: rmnunez I would like to note how this sort of thing does happen in advanced, westernm societies populated by citizens who tend to regard critically similar conduct in Mexico and the third world.

When U.S. citizens start to flee the corruption in the United States for the utopian regime and economic opportunities in Mexico, we'll know the problem is serious. This guy stole $2.4 million, big deal. He'll have to pay back more than that, and then serve some jail time besides. This kind of crime is routine in Mexico, from their national politicians right down to cops on the beat.

[RickSp]

The Republican misery may be just beginning. I suspect Cunningham will be forgotten in a week or so. The real scandal brewing is named Jack Abramoff. He is going down fast and lots of Republican lawmakers and even their wives are sweating big time.

Guilty plea in Abramoff case must make Capitol Hill a nervous place

Unethical acts by lobbyists are serious concerns, considering that, by definition, their work is to influence legislation and public policy. Two weeks ago, the case took another turn when it was reported that Mr. Abramoff asked an African official for $9 million to arrange a meeting with President Bush in May 2004. Last week, a new development suggested that the case is even bigger. Michael Scanlon, a former aide to U.S. Rep. Tom DeLay, R-Texas, and a partner of Mr. Abramoff, pleaded guilty to bribery conspiracy. He told investigators that they ''provided things of value to public officials in exchange for a series of public acts.'' To whom? Sources in the investigation told the Wall Street Journal they are looking into the pair's relations with Mr. DeLay, Sen. Conrad Burns, R-Mont.; Rep. Bob Ney, R-Ohio; and Rep. John Doolittle, R-Calif.

Jack Abramoff - The friend Tom DeLay can't shake.

[Milton Bradley]

Quote by: Zeebadee Justice hasn't been done yet. He's forfeiting to the government the home he paid $2.55 million for, $1.8 million in cash and his antiques and rugs. Sounds to me like that's more than the $2.4 mil he was bought for. And he's lost his job to boot. Justice will be done when he's sentenced to up to 10 years in jail. In addition, he's forever disgraced himself, undoubtedly a huge penalty to someone generally regarded as a war hero.

Serves me right for replying before reading the souce material. My outrage from the headlines got the better of me.


Thanks for pointing that out.

[Milton Bradley]

Quote by: rmnunez I would like to note how this sort of thing does happen in advanced, westernm societies populated by citizens who tend to regard critically similar conduct in Mexico and the third world.

I would like to point out that you probably have great contempt for those lawbreakers in your midst, yet you cheer on those criminals in our home, and help to cloud the issues with jingoist rantings that don't even seem to benefit you.

[rmnunez]

I don't "cheer on" criminal conduct anywhere, have contempt for corrupt politicians in Mexico too.