Houston Democrats - Tom DeLay

Turns out the story of an Al Qaeda terrorist being caught crossing the Texas border from Mexico and held in a Texas jail was completely wrong. Yet Culberson and his staff stuck to it like stink on a 1 year old during the summer with a full diaper.

Read the article in the Houston Press at http://www.houstonpress.com/issues/2005-12-08/news/hairballs.html

And the original article at David Murff's website. David is running against John Mini-DeLay Culberson. http://murff4congress.blogspot.com/

Posted by John Cobarruvias at 05:16 PM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBack

December 09, 2005

Top 10 Tom Delay Quotes

This is going around in an email, but in case you haven't received it, it's worth a reminder about why it's so important to replace Tom DeLay in District 22.

1) "So many minority youths had volunteered that there was literally no room for patriotic folks like myself." -Tom DeLay, explaining at the 1988 GOP convention why he and vice presidential nominee Dan Quayle did not fight in the Vietnam War

2) "Now tell me the truth boys, is this kind of fun?" -Tom Delay, to three young hurricane evacuees from New Orleans at the Astrodome in Houston, Sept. 9, 2005

3) "I AM the federal government." -Tom DeLay, to the owner of Ruth's Chris Steak House, after being told to put out his cigar because of federal government regulations banning smoking in the building, May 14, 2003

4) "We're no longer a superpower. We're a super-duper power." -Tom DeLay, explaining why America must topple Saddam Hussein in 2002 interview with Fox News

5) "Nothing is more important in the face of a war than cutting taxes." -Tom DeLay, March 12, 2003

6) "Guns have little or nothing to do with juvenile violence. The causes of youth violence are working parents who put their kids into daycare, the teaching of evolution in the schools, and working mothers who take birth control pills." -Tom DeLay, on causes of the Columbine High School massacre, 1999

7) "A woman can take care of the family. It takes a man to provide structure. To provide stability. Not that a woman can't provide stability, I'm not saying that... It does take a father, though." -Tom DeLay, in a radio interview, Feb. 10, 2004

8) "I don't believe there is a separation of church and state. I think the Constitution is very clear. The only separation is that there will not be a government church." -Tom DeLay

9) "Emotional appeals about working families trying to get by on $4.25 an hour are hard to resist. Fortunately, such families do not exist." -Tom DeLay, during a debate in Congress on increasing the minimum wage, April 23, 1996

10) "I am not a federal employee. I am a constitutional officer. My job is the Constitution of the United States, I am not a government employee. I am in the Constitution." -Tom DeLay, in a CNN interview, Dec. 19, 1995

Posted by Lyn Wall at 07:13 PM | Permalink | Comments (6) | TrackBack

December 08, 2005

Paul Begala: DeLay Country...or not

I grew up in Tom DeLay's district. If you want to get a feel for what it was like back then, rent "The Sugar Land Express." It's a prison break movie, made in 1974, based on a true story - the time in 1959 when a woman convinced her husband to break out of the Beauford H. Jester Correctional Institute. The movie was the biggest thing ever to hit Sugar Land. It starred Goldie Hawn and Ben Johnson, and was directed by a young nobody called Spielberg. Don't know whatever became of him, but they let us out of school to watch `em film it.

Back in the 70s I knew people who could recall when Sugar Land was a company town - the company being the Imperial Sugar Company. In the old days, the oldtimers would say, the dry goods store, the grocery store, even the Palms Theater (complete with "COLORED" entrance, which went straight up into the balcony) - all of them were owned by Imperial, a company which traces its roots in the area way back to 1843. ...

Fort Bend County, Texas had one of the largest slave populations in Texas in the 1850s and 60s, with slaves outnumbering whites by two-to-one. Needless to say, it was pro-Confederacy during the War of Northern Aggression. After Reconstruction, local racist Democrats formed the Jaybird Democratic Association - a "private" organization that held white-only elections, pledging itself to the "protection of the white race, "honest and economical government" and opposing the black-white coalition of Reconstruction Republicans. The winner of the Jaybird primary was guaranteed victory both in the Democratic primary and the general election. The Supreme Court outlawed the Jaybird Primary in 1953. More than a half-century later, Fort Bend County gave 57 percent of its vote to Republicans George W. Bush and Dick Cheney.

The schools had already been integrated when I went there, but almost everyone used the N-word. (My parents, who were from New Jersey, were aghast and banned the word from our home and our mouths.) There was a daily, fundamentalist morning devotional, read over the loudspeaker by the principal. The school's only two Jews - the Lavine twins - stood out in the hall. Students who didn't call their teachers "Sir" or "Ma'am" were beaten with paddles (we called the experience "getting pops"). A boy's hair could not extend below the natural hairline on the back of his neck - which may sound harsh, but forbade the adoption of the mullet.

From the County Fair to Friday night football, the attitude was small town and rural. Today, Sugar Land is decidedly suburban. Houston has overwhelmed the area, which is today littered with Chili's and golf courses and strip malls and mega-churches. My brothers and my dad have moved in to Houston; the last time I tried to visit the old hometown, in 2000, I got lost. Except for the prison, all the old landmarks are gone. It's just another soulless suburb. If you ask me, the prisoners have the better of the bargain.

A new CNN-USA TODAY/Gallup poll says that 52 percent of the residents of Tom DeLay's district in Texas have an unfavorable opinion of him. Just 37 percent view him favorably.

My question is: who are the 37 percent?

Continue here.

Posted by Perry Dorrell at 05:09 AM | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBack

December 06, 2005

This game last Monday night was also 42-0

Posted by Perry Dorrell at 05:16 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack

November 29, 2005

"Rally for the Ethically Challenged" a bust for DeLay

Congressman Tom DeLay stooped to yet another low in the mist of indictments and the looming federal investigation linked to Tom Abramoff, and called a self promoting rally of supporters in Bay Area Houston community. The self serving promotion attracted at most 75 people with 25 protesters outside. Some of the ethically challenged included State Representative Larry Taylor an insurance salesman, who by chance, is also on the Insurance Committee in the State House of Representatives. He authored the insurance welfare bill which doubled our rates and provided less coverage to homeowners.

Missing from the event was other elected officials such as State Representative John Davis, State Senator Michael "Missing in Action" Jackson, and City Councilman Addie Wiseman.

Unfortuantely, his self serving promotion of himself was met with enthusiastic protestors from the Bay Area New Democrats with signs that directed attendees "Rally for the Ethically Challenged" and "Save America Without Delay!".

The rally outside of the event was covered by three local TV stations, two local newspapers and the Associated Press.

The highlight of the evening was when in desperation the Delay camp set out the marching elephants (all eight of them) with printed DeLay campaign signs, all dressed up in suits to challenge the protestors. Three minutes later, after being shouted down with facts and figures, they left. Humilitated and unable to defend DeLay in any type of reasonable discussion.

One of the attendees of the rally had to get in the face of the protestors when confronted with the fact that no WMDs were found. He was eventually led off by a fellow wacko when he was about to bust a gasket.

The Nassau Bay police once again attempted to corral us into a small area out side of the area, in a failed attempt to act like they were helping us, but we stood our ground and stayed on public property across the front of the hotel. The poice attempted to force us to a small area "like we agreed" but backed down quickly when we reminded him that we were on public property and he had no right to direct us in any direction. The police was clearly a supporter of Tom DeLay.

All in all , a GREAT event.

Posted by John Cobarruvias at 07:42 AM | Permalink | Comments (7) | TrackBack

October 27, 2005

Cockroach infestation about to be bombed

In 'three'...

42 percent of the Texas 22nd Congressional District think Tom DeLay should resign (including 27 percent of Republicans). Of course, DeLay isn't going to do that anytime soon, so the voters can forcefully resign him in November 2006. DeLay is at 45/51 approve/disapprove. The partisan breakdown of this SUSA poll is 51 Rep, 20 Dem, and 27 Ind.

...'two'...

Rep. Tom DeLay failed to comply with House requirements that he disclose all contributions to a defense fund that pays his legal bills, the Texas Republican acknowledged to House officials.

He wrote officials that $20,850 contributed in 2000 and 2001 was not reported anywhere. Another $17,300 was included in the defense fund's quarterly report but not in DeLay's 2000 annual financial disclosure report -- a separate requirement.

Other donations were understated as totaling $2,800, when the figure should have been $4,450.

...'one'...

ExxonMobil just posted record profits for the third quarter, some $9.92 billion, the largest quarterly profit of any corporation in U.S. history, according to the Associated Press.

DeLay owns at least $50,000 in ExxonMobil stock (pdf) and has taken $589,900 from oil and gas interests over his career. That's why he has passed legislative favors for them.

He's gotta be happy today.

How about you? Do you like paying close to $3 a gallon for gas just so ExxonMobil and its politician-stockholders can get record profits?

**KABOOM**

Posted by Perry Dorrell at 04:31 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack

October 19, 2005

Some things speak for themselves

Tom Delay's arrest warrant is online.

Update 10/20: Thanks to Kris Graham for pointing out that the document has been pulled. Fortunately, there is a screenshot of it at AmericaBlog. The text is not as clear, but the heading is.

Update: The arrest warrant PDF is now available here: DelayArrest.pdf.

And here's the mugshot:

Posted by Lyn Wall at 08:38 PM | Permalink | Comments (13) | TrackBack

October 03, 2005

DeLay "Honored" for his environment record

The Bay Area Transportation Partnership, a public organization in the Bay Area Houston area, honored Majority Leader Tom DeLay for his achievements in education, transportation, NASA, and of all things, the environment. Although it is not quite sure what DeLay has done in any of these fields, it didn't stop those in attendance to kiss up to DeLay as he sat at the head of the table grinning like a Congressman who holds all the purse strings. The kissing up was enough to warm the heart of any Susie Chap-stick salesman.

The BATP has recently been questioned for it's obvious lack of political balance, many times looking like a personal political front group and self proclamaided cheerleading section for Tom DeLay. A look at the front table seemed to have many of the same individuals responsible for the other "honoring" events for DeLay.

Dr. William A. Staples from UHCL arranged an event to honor DeLay for his achievements in education just prior to the election in 2004. This event was attended by less than 50 individuals after 7500 invitations had been sent. Outside over 150 protesters greeted DeLay when he arrived.

General Howell, Director of NASA/JSC was also at the head table never missing a chance to give credit to DeLay for his new found commitment to the Space Program or for single handedly launching, flying, and landing the Shuttle.

And Jim Reinhartsen, President of the Bay Area Economic Partnership, another apparent personal political front group, was also at the head table. The BAEP was responsible for honoring DeLay for his support of the Space Program at NASA/JSC just prior to the election in a district that was not his at the time. The event did not pass the smell test and was an obvious political event by the BAEP using federal buildings and attended by General Howell and his staff. Events like this have since been banned from NASA property.

Clearly the BATP has been feeling the heat on the issue, starting the event with comments about how it
is nonpartisan and does not favor either party or individual, yet they proceeded to honor DeLay in a Republican lovefest.

It is beginning to be obvious that the BATP has become nothing more than a political tool for Tom DeLay and many more of these "honoring" of events will take place especially as the campaign season approaches. Honoring anyone more than 4 times within 6 months is unnecessary especially when it is Tom DeLay for his achievements in protecting the environment, or transportation, or education, or even NASA which DeLay aggressively opposed over his 20 years in Congress. His record is one of complete failure in these area and it is amazing how the members of BATP can praise him with a straight face.

Then again. Money and power can make anyone smile. Or smirk.

Posted by John Cobarruvias at 08:23 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack

Count #2--Money Laundering

Tom DeLay has been indicted on a new charge! The charge is MONEY LAUNDERING!

By APRIL CASTRO Associated Press Writer
AUSTIN — A Texas grand jury on Monday indicted U.S. Rep. Tom DeLay on a new charge of money laundering.

A different grand jury whose term ended last week indicted him on a conspiracy charge, forcing DeLay to temporarily step down as House majority leader.

Both indictments accuse DeLay and two political associates of conspiring to get around a state ban on corporate campaign contributions by funneling the money through the DeLay-founded Texans for a Republican Majority Political Action Committee to the Republican National Committee in Washington. The RNC then sent back like amounts to distribute to Texas candidates in 2002, the indictment alleges.

Description of Charge per Texas Penal Code

Of NOTE:

(e) An offense under this section is:
(1) a felony of the third degree if the value of the funds is $3,000 or more but less than $20,000;
(2) a felony of the second degree if the value of the funds is $20,000 or more but less than $100,000; or
(3) a felony of the first degree if the value of the funds is $100,000 or more.

Wasn't it $190,000? Does that mean he faces LIFE? Actually, if it is a first degree felony, 5 to 99.

Posted by Stace Medellin at 05:19 PM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBack

September 30, 2005

Republican Cauldron of Corruption Coming to a Boil

When I heard Tom DeLay refer to Ronnie Earle's efforts to bring justice to our fair state as "a partisan witch hunt," I just couldn't resist havin' a little fun! To augment our well-deserved schadenfreude, and to help us keep the players straight without a program, there is a concise recap of all the simmering Republican scandals here.

When I visited CNN's "Situation Room" to find the latest news about Monsieur DeLay, I found that a reporter named Levinson did indeed have some fresh details. However, she could not resist calling Nancy Pelosi and Howard Dean "holier than thou" for criticizing the Bugman! Ha! As if 98% of the world's population were not "holier" than DeLay! Fortunately, there was a Comment Box right next to Ms. Levinson's story.

Speaking of criticizing - or, in this case, not criticizing, did anyone notice how Bush's comments about DeLay seem greatly akin to the infamous "heckuva job, Brownie" remarks? (See The Hill.) It must be nice, not feeling any obligation to the reality-based community!

Posted by at 04:16 AM | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBack

September 29, 2005

Nail the Hammer to a Billboard.

Don't delay.

Posted by Perry Dorrell at 10:36 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack

September 28, 2005

Tom Delay Indicted!!!!!

http://www.statesman.com/metrostate/content/metro/stories/09/29trmpac.html

A Travis County grand jury today indicted U.S. House Majority Leader Tom DeLay on one count of criminal conspiracy, jeopardizing the Sugar Land Republican's leadership role as the second most powerful Texan in Washington, D.C.

Posted by Lyn Wall at 11:45 AM | Permalink | Comments (7) | TrackBack

August 20, 2005

Report on DeLay townhall meeting

Tom DeLay was the speaker for a townhall meeting held at the Nassau Bay City Hall across from NASA in Houston. The most telling event of the entire evening was the single round of applause he was given......when he left!

Tom DeLay at Nassau Bay Private Public Townhall Meeting.

Tom DeLay was the speaker for a townhall meeting held at the Nassau Bay City Hall across from NASA in Houston. The most telling event of the entire evening was the single round of applause he was given......when he left!

The event was sponsored by State Representative Martha Wong and Clear Lake Friends of Tom Delay, which seems to be a new organization possibly created to have the impression of being bipartisan. Given the list of supporters, the attendance was low with about 5 "of ours" inside as well as a hand full of protestors outside.

Even with a hand picked small audience there was no open discussion. All questions were screened by DeLay's staff and fed to him like fish to a hungry stray cat.

DeLay started by taking credit for solving the San Jacinto Rail problem which would have created a toxic rail through his district. (NOTE: DeLay did nothing for three years while his constituents and the city worked hard to stop the train in its track. Three years later, he took credit for it.)

He continued by taking credit for launching the Space Shuttle and landing it safely, as well as conducting the space walk. (OK. That is a bit of an exaggeration, but he is taking credit for funding the program, not like he did during the other 19 years in Congress)

He talked about cutting 30,000 civil service jobs (while talking to a group of people, many civil service employees) from the TSA (airport security).

When he was finished with his questions, he left, to great applause.

Protestors greeted those in attendance and DeLay waited till they left to enter the building. His security forces took pictures of us for their scrap book. The Nassau Bay police politely asked us to move to the street, but agreed we had the Constitutional right to assemble, as long as we didn't turn over any cars, which we didn't. So we stayed and they were very nice about it.

Reporting from District 22 as if I know what the hell I am doing........
John Cobarruvias

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August 03, 2005

JustUs Sunday II

The GOP God Squad is having their second Meetup this Sunday, and Bill Frist won't be there despite the fact it is being held in Nashville, Tennessee.

It's possible he may have been disinvited because he dared to suddenly figure out this week that stem cell research is actually good science.

Instead, the lownote speaker will be ... *drumroll, please* ... Tom DeLay.

Do you think he'll be talking about his golf game?

Check out this awesome lineup of speakers (that's them, not really standing together, up there):

Senator Zell Miller D-Ga. (HA! Everybody knows crazy ol' Uncle Zell is a Republican who can't find the exit door to the Democratic Party)
Tony Perkins, Family Research Council (I thought that this 'Psycho' actor passed away a few years ago...)
Dr. James Dobson, Focus on the Family (alas, in spirit but not in body -- that means by videotape)
Chuck Colson, Prison Fellowship Ministries (former Watergate criminal and the man who said: "it is not honorable to leak classified information to the press". He was NOT talking about Karl Rove)
Bill Donohue, Catholic League
Phyllis Schlafly, Eagle Forum
Cathy Cleaver Ruse, Family Research Council (OK, who else knew that Wally and The Beaver had a sister?!?)
Dr. Jerry Sutton, Two Rivers Baptist Church
Bishop Harry Jackson, Hope Christian Church
Ted Haggard, National Association of Evangelicals

I found a better portrait of La Cucaracha Grande that they could have used:

Posted by Guest Blogger PDiddie at 04:17 PM | Permalink | Comments (6) | TrackBack

July 28, 2005

$1.5 Billion Giveaway Secretly Slipped into Energy Bill by Tom DeLay

And guess who benefits? A consortium that includes Halliburton, and Marthon Oil among others.

Representative Henry Waxman sent the following letter to Speaker Hastert yesterday:

The Honorable J. Dennis Hastert Speaker U.S. House of Representatives H232 Capitol Washington, DC 20515-6501

Dear Mr. Speaker:

I am writing to draw to your attention a provision in the Energy Conference Report that raises serious procedural and substantive concerns. At its essence, this provision is a $1.5 billion giveaway to the oil industry, Halliburton, and Sugar Land, Texas. The provision was inserted into the energy legislation after the conference was closed, so members of the conference committee had no opportunity to consider or reject this measure. Before the final energy legislation is brought to the House floor, this provision should be deleted.

The provision at issue is a 30-page subtitle called "Ultra-Deepwater and Unconventional Natural Gas and Other Petroleum Resources." This subtitle, which was taken from the House-passed energy bill, was mysteriously inserted in the final energy legislation after the legislation was closed to further amendment. The conferees were told that they would have the opportunity to consider and vote on the provisions in the conference report. But the subtitle was not included in the base text circulated to conferees, and it was never offered as an amendment.

Instead, the new subtitle first appeared in the text of the energy legislation only after Chairman Barton had gaveled the conference over. Obviously, it would be a serious abuse to secretly slip such a costly and controversial provision into the energy legislation.

On the merits, the subtitle is an indefensible giveaway to one of the most profitable industries in America. The provision establishes a $1.5 billion fund, up to $550 million of which would be dedicated direct spending, which is not subject to the normal congressional appropriations process. Although the name of the subtitle refers to "ultra-deepwater and unconventional natural gas," it appears that the $1.5 billion fund created by the subtitle can in fact be used for many oil and gas projects. According to the language of the subtitle, oil and gas companies can apply for funds for a wide variety of activities, including activities involving "innovative exploration and production techniques" or "enhanced recovery techniques." While oil and gas companies could be required to contribute to the costs of their projects, the subtitle expressly provides that the Department has discretion to reduce or eliminate any such contribution.

The subtitle appears to steer the administration of 75% of the $1.5 billion fund to a private consortium located in the district of Majority Leader Tom DeLay. Ordinarily, a large fund like this would be administered directly by the government. The subtitle, however, directs the Department to "contract with a corporation that is constructed as a consortium." The leading contender for this contract appears to be the Research Partnership to Secure Energy for America (RPSEA) consortium, housed in the Texas Energy Center in Sugar Land, Texas. Halliburton is a member of RPSEA and sits on the board, as does Marathon Oil Company. The subtitle provides that the consortium can keep up to 10% of the funds - in this case, over $100 million - in administrative expenses.

The subtitle further provides that members of the consortium, such as Halliburton and Marathon Oil, can receive awards from the over $1 billion fund administered by the consortium.

In short, the subtitle provides that taxpayers will hire a private consortium controlled by the oil and gas industry to hand out over $1 billion to oil and gas companies. There is no conceivable rationale for this extraordinary largess. The oil and gas industry is reporting record income and profits. According to one analyst, the net income of the top oil companies will total $230 billion in 2005. If Congress has an extra $1.5 billion to give away, the money should be used to help families struggling to pay for soaring gasoline prices - not to further enrich oil and gas companies that are rolling in profits.

In recent years, Congress has been repeatedly embarrassed by the mysterious insertion of provisions in omnibus legislation. Last year, for example, we learned only after House action that the 3,000 page, $388 billion omnibus spending bill allowed members and staff of the Appropriations Committee to examine the tax returns of ordinary Americans. We should not allow this to happen again. The Energy Conference Report should not be brought to the House floor until this objectionable provision is deleted and there is ample opportunity for members to read the legislation and delete any other problematic provisions.

Thank you for your attention to this problem.

Sincerely,

Henry A. Waxman
Ranking Minority Member

cc: The Honorable Nancy Pelosi

Posted by Lyn Wall at 01:47 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack

July 07, 2005

House Committee Requests Wider Investigation of Abramoff

The New York Times published two articles on Wednesday about the ever widening scandal surrounding Jack Abramoff that of course has connections to Tom DeLay. Perhaps one of the most significant moves is that the US House Committee on Resources has requested the Justice Department widening the corruption investigation of former lobbyist Jack Abramoff.

Chairman Richard Pombo (R-CA) and the ranking Democrat Nick Rahall (D-WV) on the Resources Committee submitted a written request to Attorney General Alberto Gonzales. It specifically cited the numerous accusations of wrongdoing concerning Abramoff's multimillion-dollar lobbying for the Northern Mariana Islands, an American commonwealth in the Pacific.

The Resource Committee's action marks "the first known request by a Congressional committee for prosecutors to review accusations of criminal conduct in the lobbying activities of Mr. Abramoff, who was one of the most powerful and best-paid Republican lobbyists in Washington."

Of course we all know that the Democrats have been pushing such investigations, it's just that they have been relegated to non-descript basment rooms. Representative George Miller (D-CA), a member of the Resources Committee, has been particularly vocal on the need to more thoroughly investigate Abramoff's lobbying regarding the islands.

Now for how Abramoff and his Mariana Islands dealings can come back to haunt DeLay:

It all happened on a trip to the Mariana Islands back in 1997...

While attending a meeting of local officials, DeLay proclaimed to the audience that Abramoff was among his "closest and dearest friends." DeLay's constituents will be glad to know that DeLay also promised to defend the islands' interests in Congress, particularly thwarting Congressional efforts to end labor abuses on the islands.

Abramoff's financial records show that he met frequently with DeLay and his aides about the Northern Mariana Islands.

In a 2001 e-mail message to the islands' general counsel, Mr. Abramoff described Mr. DeLay as "our biggest supporter on Capitol Hill."

Of course Abbramoff's business with the Northern Mariana Islands is only part of the matter. He has also mixed business with lobbying at Signatures, his Washington, DC restaurant, events that are increasingly receiving the attention of investigators. As long as you were a lobbying interest of Abbramoff, it was unnecessary to sign any bill. Conspicuously, DeLay is the front runner among those who benefited from Abramoff's special treatment.

On the menu at Signatures was a $74 steak and a $140 tasting menu. The restaurant used to be very popular among Hill staffers and prominent politicians. Abramoff of course would patronize his own business, and he even sometimes had his meals specially prepared in a seperate kosher kitchen. He oftened enetertained DeLay and several other members of Congress at his restaurant.

For example, Mr. Abramoff wrote an e-mail message to three restaurant managers in May 2002, instructing them not to charge Mr. DeLay, his wife, Christine, and four others when they came in a week later.

"Table of 6," Mr. Abramoff wrote, "put it where I sit and remove that other table. Their meal is to be comped."

Apparently, Abramoff even had a list of who was eligible to dine for free. The list included 18 names of lawyers, lobbyists as well as eight current or former lawmakers. In the margins were handwritten notes designating the person as "FOO Comp" -- friend of the owner -- or "A-Comp" -- associate of owner.

Mr. Abramoff was in the restaurant almost daily, often treating a table full of guests to hundreds of dollars worth of food, wine and liquor, financial records show. Over a 17-month period in 2002 and 2003, the restaurant gave away about $180,000 in food and drink, with Mr. Abramoff's tab roughly $65,000 for himself and his guests, the records say. About a dozen former employees and managers, including three who provided records, described Mr. Abramoff's activities at Signatures. Most would speak only on condition of anonymity because of the investigations. Several acknowledged that they had left on poor terms, while most said they simply moved on.

Abramoff's entertataining at Signatures is gaining attention because he clearly used the restaurant to promote his lobbying efforts, such as entertaining lawmakers who could provide assistance to his clients.

Not to be left out are the Indian tribes, which apparently got slapped with some hefty bills for dining at the restaurant. The Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians got charged over $5,600 for meals with public officials and lobbyists in 2002.

Back in the heyday of Signatures, many prominent people dined at the restaurant, including Karl Rove, House Speaker Dennis Hastert, and Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. As Abramoff increasingly became radioactive material, several patrons decided it was time to pay up and make sure their names were cleared. For example, Dennis Hastert and Senator David Vitter (R-LA) made a point to pay the restaurant early this year for fundraisers held in 2003.

Regular Visitors to Signatures:

Representative Dana Rohrabacher (R-CA) had the designation of FOO Comp, and dined at Abramff's expense once or twice a month. He claims his meals fall under friendship exemption in House rules, and that "it was a dinner with a friend and I didn't think it was a gift."

Represenative Bob Ney (R-OH), the Chairman of the House Committee on Administration. PoliticalMoneyLine shows that his campaign and political action committee paid about $1,900 for meals between 2002 and 2004. However, former employees say that Ney often ate and drank without paying during evenings with lobbyists and Congressional staffers.

Perhaps more incriminating is a meal for 18 that Neil Volz organized in April 2002, Ney's former chief of staff who also was working with Abramoff at Greenberg and Taurig. The cost of the event was $70 per person with a $1,500 minimum. Yet, according to PoliticalMoneyLine, there are no campaign records that prove Ney's campaign or political action committee actually paid for the event.

Representative John Doolittle (R-CA) another Foo-Comp had several free meals. His spokeswoman says he didn't do anything wrong.

Other representatives that were designated FOO-Comps included Roy Blunt (R-MO), and Frank LoBiondo (R-NJ). Former Senators John Breaux (D-LA), Don Nickles (R-OK), and Tim Hutchinson (R-AR) were also regulars, but the list notations stated they did not regularly dine with Abramoff or as receiving free meals.

House Majority Leader Tom DeLay had a FOO-Comp designation. Restaurant employees say that he would often come for drinks but not stay for meals. However, a DeLay event was scheduled by DeLay's political action committee in April 2002 for 16. It was held in a private room, and the cost was $75 per person with a $1,500 minimum. Tony Rudy, who was working with Abramoff at Greenberg and Taurig, and Tom Hammond, a fundraising consultant planned the event. There are no campaign finance records showing payment for the event.

Here's what Richard Cullen, DeLay's lawyer has to say about the matter:

"Mr. DeLay has stated repeatedly that he believes he has at all times conformed with House rules and that he will cooperate fully at the appropriate time with those whose responsibility it is to review these matters," Mr. Cullen said. "But he will not engage the press each time a political opponent feeds reporters often incomplete, irresponsible or inconsistent information. To do so would legitimize these political attacks and would be inappropriate."

Not surprisingly with all the entertaining that Abramoff was doing, even though his restaurant was popular, it was not a big money maker.

Mr. Abramoff and his companies invested more than $3 million in Signatures from January 2002 to May 2003, records show. At the same time, he and his employees gave away tens of thousands of dollars in food, wine and liquor, the records show. That includes menu prices for Mr. Abramoff's own food and drink, as well as employee discounts and free meals given by restaurant managers and staff, according to the records. Nationwide, the median expense for marketing, including free meals and drinks, was about 3.5 percent of sales for expensive restaurants like Signatures that spend the most on such promotions, according to the National Restaurant Association. One national restaurant consultant, Clark Wolf, said the figure can go as high as 5 percent.

At Signatures, free meals and drinks for managers and guests alone were about 7 percent of revenues for the restaurant's first 17 months, according to former employees and financial records. Mr. Blum, the spokesman for Mr. Abramoff, disputed that percentage.

Signatures is no longer the in place to be, and is often deserted while many diners can be found eating outside at other restaurants nearby. Abramoff is apparently attempting to sell his interest in Signatures now (maybe to pay for his legal fees).

At least it proves that what goes up must come down, and that by connecting Abramoff to other powerful Republicans, who participated in under-the-rules dealings they will come down too. Nevertheless, the days of the Grand Old Parties at Signatures have come to an end.

Articles from the New York Times:

Justice Department Is Asked to Widen Inquiry of Lobbyist

For Lobbyist, a Seat of Power Came With a Plate

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June 27, 2005

DeLay's staff a no show for his constituents..

DeLay's staff a no-show at his office in Clear Lake.

Approximately 15 of Tom DeLay's constituents were greeted with a CLOSED sign at his office in Clear Lake along with members of the building security team. They were there to discuss the Iraq war and to request an investigation into the Intelligence Community for the complete intelligence failure that led us to war. Our letter can be viewed at http://www.bayareanewdemocrats.org/files/delay.pdf.

Pictures are at:
http://www.houstondemocrats.com/archives/delay2.jpg
http://www.houstondemocrats.com/archives/delay3.jpg
http://www.houstondemocrats.com/archives/delay4.jpg
http://www.houstondemocrats.com/archives/delay5.jpg

We had sent a letter to DeLay's office via mail and FAX 4 months ago. After being ignored for 2 months, we hand carried the letter to his office. We were ignored again. This time we requested to meet after work to accomodate those who worked in the area. DeLay's office refused, so we decided to send a smaller group at 4:30, 30 minutes before they closed. DeLay's staff instead closed at 3:00. The original letter can be viewed at:
http://www.bayareanewdemocrats.org/files/delay1.pdf.
http://www.bayareanewdemocrats.org/files/delay2.pdf.

A camera man from Fox 26 rode the elevator with us and interviewed some of the members including a lady whose son was severely injured in Iraq. DeLay's staff had left the office locked at 3:00 and we left the building after security hassled us for being there. The Webster police were called. They surveyed the situation and commended us for exercising our rights to assemble and staying within the law, then left.

We continued to protest under the watch of the security task force and was greeted with very positive reactions from those passing by.

An hour after DeLay's office closed, I was called at home to arrange a meeting with DeLay's office. We will report on that meeting soon.

--
John R. Cobarruvias
14646 Cardinal Creek Court
Houston, TX 77062
281-486-5203

Posted by John Cobarruvias at 09:11 PM | Permalink | Comments (6) | TrackBack

June 26, 2005

Eh, Uh, Uh, And, Uh, Eh...

Tom DeLay was just having one of those days I guess. In addressing an audience, he came off as sounding worse than Bush (something normally hard to do). Maybe he's been spending too much time in the Rose Garden with his Good Old Pals. Or possibly, the factfinders are beginning to hit close to home.

DeLay agreed (no surprise) with Rove's recent comment about liberals wanting to "prepare idictments and offer therapy" instead of "preparing for war," and he was attempting to quote it, but had some difficulty with his diction.

Here's the video clip of Tom DeLay's speech via DEM bloggers.

Maybe this is what DeLay was worried about:

From the Houston Chronicle:

AUSTIN - Documents released in a civil lawsuit Friday show that Texas Association of Business officials were trying to influence the outcome of state House races when they ran a $1.7 million "voter education project" paid for with corporate money.

"Of the nine incumbents ... we went after, seven were defeated. This is huge news," a TAB executive said in a 2002 e-mail the day after the group helped Republicans win control of the Texas House for the first time since Reconstruction.

It appears the Texas Association of Business and Texans for a Republican Majority were pretty cozy bedfellows.

Additionally, Daily KOS is reporting that Ralph Reed the former head of the Christian Coalition and current Republican candidate for Lieutenant Governor in Georgia is swirling amid scandal (WXIA-TV Atlanta).

Ralph Reed delivered what was expected as a consultant to two Alabama anti-gambling campaigns: victories over proposals for a state lottery and video poker, and donations totaling $1.15 million.

But Reed didn't tell the campaign organizations -- and, he insists, he didn't know -- that the money came from a Mississippi Indian tribe trying to protect its casinos from competition.

It's amazing to think that so many Republicans are former businessmen, and they all don't seem to know anything about accounting for their money.

I think Representative Randy Hinshaw, a Georgia Democrat has it right:

Republicans blocked last-minute efforts to revive a bill requiring nonprofit groups -- such as the Christian Coalition -- to disclose the sources of money they use to buy advertisements to influence referendums. The sponsor, Rep. Randy Hinshaw, a Democrat from Huntsville, said he was skeptical that such groups don't know where their money comes from.

"You give me $850,000," Hinshaw said Tuesday, "and I'm going to know who gave me that so I can give them a big ol' kiss."

It's interesting to note that Reed was also a consultant for Enron and a close buddy of Jack Abramoff. Need I say more?

Check out the Daily KOS for the rest of the scandal. It seems to me that powerful Republicans stand for a "culture of corruption and personal gain" rather than a "culture of life," but maybe they meant a "culture of the good life."

Posted by at 12:49 AM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBack

June 22, 2005

Rerouting the Blame

The Coushatta tribe contributed at least $55,000 to Tom DeLay's political groups, including Texans for a Republican Majority (TRMPAC). However, those contributions were never disclosed by the political organizations. According to tribal documents, the tribe was directed by Jack Abramoff, who is at the center of a criminal investigation, to give the money to other Republican-affiliated groups.

The Austin-American Statesman reports that Jack Abramoff, directed the tribe, at the request of a DeLay assistant, to cancel its checks to DeLay's political groups and to give the money to more obscure organizations that were helping Republicans to pass Medicare prescription drug legislation and promoting Christian voter outreach. The aide was concerened about donations from tribal casinos appearing on the financial filings of DeLay's conservative political organizations.

TRMPAC has never reported accepting money from the Coushattas to federal or state regulators. However, the tribe has records of the transactions in its memos and ledgers.

Here's an excerpt from a letter Abramoff wrote to the Coushattas in May 2002:

Enclosed please find a check for $10,000 to the Texans for a Republican Majority. This check needs to be reissued to America 21.

America 21 happens to be a Christian group based in Nashville, Tennessee that focuses on voter turnout. It helped several Republican candidates in the 2002 elections that maintained Republican control of the US House.

This from the Austin-American Statesman:

Several months earlier, the tribe was asked to cancel a $25,000 check to Americans for a Republican Majority and to send that money instead to a group called Sixty Plus that helped Republicans in their two-year effort to get a Medicare prescription drug benefit through Congress.

Kent Cooper, a former federal election regulator, believes the practice of rerouting significant contributions to more obscure groups is an effort to conceal donations. He states:

This shows how easy it is for interest groups, lobbyists or politicians to manipulate or redirect money into whatever avenue is dark and free of roadblocks, and the average person never sees any of it.

Tribal leaders now question why their contributions intended to help DeLay's causes and totaled $32 million ended up disguised and directed elsewhere.

David Sickey, a Coushatta council member said:

There's a pattern of trying to keep high-profile entities out of the picture. To me, it tells me there's some effort at concealment.

There is evidence that Abramoff, lobbyist and fundraiser for Bush, "specifically advised" the Indian tribes when and to whom to send political contributions. A tribal official said that "requests" for political donations were actually "demands" by Abramoff. The tribes hired Abramoff with the goal to promote their interests in the writing of the Indian Gaming Act, and labor provisions that would make it harder to approve new casinos.

DeLay also directly benefited from Abramoff:

Invoices show that among the charges was a $185,000 payment for use of a Washington arena skybox Abramoff had leased. The AP reported earlier this year that DeLay treated some of his donors to a May 2000 performance of the Three Tenors in Abramoff's skybox.

A few weeks later, DeLay took a trip to Europe arranged by Abramoff. The House leader reported that the trip was paid for by an interest group, when in fact it was underwritten in part by Indian tribes.

Of course DeLay still maintains that he was never told that Indian tribes had funded his trip, even though Abramoff was a close friend.

Check out the actual tribal documents at: http://wid.ap.org/inv/050621tribaldonations.html (Documents are in PDF format.)

More at the Stakeholder.

Posted by at 07:06 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack

June 16, 2005

Bill White gets railroaded by Tom DeLay

Surprise! Surprise! What did Mayor Bill White expect from Tom DeLay?

After years of holding up light rail funds for Houston, Bill White praises DeLay for his help in securing funds for metro transportation. Only one problem, Bill!

We got a BUS instead of rail!

I don't know, but in my book if it is long, carries people, and has wheels, it is a BUS!

You would think Bill has had enough of being fooled by Tom DeLay.

Posted by John Cobarruvias at 07:45 PM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBack

June 12, 2005

Just a Figurehead?

Well, we're all accustomed to Tom DeLay's frequent denials that he had anything to do with Texans for a Republican Majority (TRMPAC), even though he was the political action committee's founder. His representatives still insist he only served as a "figurehead," and played no role in its day-to-day operations. DeLay's lawyer has dismissed any allegations of a deeper connection as "outlandish."

However, the evidence certainly describes a different picture. It seems the question shouldn't be whether DeLay was a figurehead, but just how much of a role did he figure in heading TRMPAC, if not the figure heading it?

The Los Angeles Times reports today about the new documents that tie DeLay much more closely with TRMPAC than he claims.

For example:

But in summer 2002, a crucial period of fundraising and activism for the committee, DeLay stepped off an airplane in Austin and received a list of people who were to attend a fundraiser billed as "a private meeting with Tom DeLay." Three days earlier, a Texans for a Republican Majority staffer had e-mailed three other DeLay associates to ask for the list.

"Have that on the ground in Austin for T.D.," he wrote.

And here's another example:

In one August 2002 e-mail, for instance, a DeLay fundraiser asked a fellow aide for a "top 10 list" of potential donors to Texans for a Republican Majority. The e-mail said DeLay would personally contact certain prospects. Another exchange suggested that two donor checks would be delivered to DeLay himself.

That sounds like a central fundraising role to me, or at least a very significant role as an accessory to TRMPAC. Additionally, the 11 lobbyists on the list mentioned in the quote had a wish list of objectives in Austin and Washington.

A database analysis shows that between 2000 and 2004, the groups represented that day gave at least $323,000 to DeLay's campaigns or political committees, including $77,500 to Texans for a Republican Majority.

Of course DeLay is somewhat protected by the fact that no contributions were made during the special meeting for the lobbyists, so he could claim it was just a regular meeting with certain lobbyists. However, the list of lobbyists and the organizations they represented during the meeting, and the subsequent donations provide an insight into the private lair (or maybe 'liar') of the exterminator.

The meeting between DeLay and the 11 lobbyists was discovered along with many similar events detailed in Republican activist's files, subpoenaed in a lawsuit brought by five Democratic candidates.

DeLay founded TRMPAC back in 2001 using $50,000 from Americans for a Republican Majority (ARMPAC), the national committee that DeLay founded and has run for many years. When has a founder of an active political organization just sat on the sidelines?

Craig McDonald, Director of Texans for Public Justice, a non-partisan group fighting the influence of money in politics, said:

DeLay was "substantially" involved in Texans for a Republican Majority, "from its founding to the raising of money to figuring out how it would be spent."

Let's take a look at some of those 11 lobbyists who met with DeLay back in July of 2002 with the "uninvolved figurehead" of TRMPAC.

R. Kinnan Golemon
• Lobbyist for oil and chemical companies.
• General counsel of the Texas Chemical Council.
• At the time he represented Koch Industries, a private Kansas firm that owns petroleum, chemical, energy, and finance companies.
• Koch Industries produces MTBE, a gasoline additive that has been found in drinking water.

Hmmm, who was instrumental in getting chemical companies MTBE immunity from liability for drinking water contamination in the latest version of the energy bill? I believe DeLay was the figurehead leading that push. (More about DeLay and MTBE here.)

Consider this:

Koch and one of its executives, according to financial disclosure forms, have donated $17,500 to DeLay's last two campaigns and, since 2001, $63,500 to Americans for a Republican Majority.

Terral Smith
• Former Texas legislator.
• Former legislative to Governor George W. Bush.
• At the time he was a lobbyist for the Texas law firm Locke, Liddell & Sapp that has donated $14,000 to DeLay's campaigns and committees since 2001.
• Advised TRMPAC and the affiliated group, the Texas Association of Business during the 2002 campaign.
• Hired by Texas Attorney General Gregg Abott to defend the Republican redistricting of Texas, and paid $772,399.

So Tom DeLay's attorney is asked to whip out his carving knife and to slice and dice Texas to favor Republicans, and we're supposed to somehow believe this was merely a coincidence? (Here's a map of the current Congressional districts.)

I thought it was religious conservatives who shied away from the "reckless" and "careless" ideas espoused by evolution in favor of "intelligent design" where some higher being is supposed to have given direction and purpose to everything. If anything, Democrats have learned since this administration came to power is that Republicans never act according to coincidence, but instead according to their higher powers, the more supreme beings, embodied by Karl Rove, Tom DeLay et al.

Bobby Burchfield, DeLay's lawyer, denies critics' allegations of the multitude of connections to DeLay as aburd and naive.

I think it's only logical to suspect the "figurehead" had a much more prominent and fundamental role in TRMPAC's achievements. Really, if DeLay was so uninvolved in TRMPAC's business then let's hear the reasoning for his being so boneheadedly stubborn to release information that could clear him of the allegations?

Posted by at 12:11 PM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBack

June 02, 2005

Abramoff Charges $25,000 Each for Bush Meetings

The Texas Observer reports today that Jack Abramoff, the infamous lobbyist to House Majority Leader Tom DeLay, has intimate ties with George W. Bush and the White House. He has apparently used his closeness with the administration to charge two clients, the chiefs of two Indian tribes, $25,000 each for a White House lunch date and meeting with Bush.

From the Texas Observer:

Four months after he took the oath of office in 2001, President George W. Bush was the attraction, and the White House the venue, for a fundraiser organized by the alleged perpetrator of the largest billing fraud in the history of corporate lobbying. In May 2001, Jack Abramoff's lobbying client book was worth $4.1 million in annual billing for the Greenberg Traurig law firm. He was a friend of Bush advisor Karl Rove. He was a Bush "Pioneer," delivering at least $100,000 in bundled contributions to the 2000 campaign. He had just concluded his work on the Bush Transition Team as an advisor to the Department of the Interior. He had sent his personal assistant Susan Ralston to the White House to work as Rove's personal assistant. He was a close friend, advisor, and high-dollar fundraiser for the most powerful man in Congress, Tom DeLay. Abramoff was so closely tied to the Bush Administration that he could, and did, charge two of his clients $25,000 for a White House lunch date and a meeting with the President. From the same two clients he took to the White House in May 2001, Abramoff also obtained $2.5 million in contributions for a non-profit foundation he and his wife operated.

The web just keeps getting wider and wider, and maybe will even ensnare the White House. I think the article really says it best, and lays the facts out clearly. There isn't much I can think to add about the article, except that it shows the rot goes straight to the foundation of the White House, and these are the people that want to legislate what is "wrong" and "right."

One thing I would like to know is why aren't the tribal members getting some of the money that the tribal leaders are frittering away on legislation to benefit their casinos? I have seen programs on PBS documenting the hardships and poor education available to Indians that live on reservations. However, if tribes have $82 million to pay people like Jack Abramoff and Mike Scanlon, why aren't they spending it on providing services to their tribes? It appears that the tribal leaderships are corrupt and abusing their funds for personal gain.

Update: Check out the Stakeholder, which has more about this issue, including the involvement of Secretary of the Interior Gale Norton and the Council of Republicans for Environmental Advocacy.

Posted by at 09:40 AM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBack

Locals Show Pride for DeLay

I saw this headline yesterday (June 1) in the Houston Chronicle. I thought it was just about another Republican stunt to stay close with their "hammer," which it was, but there was one name I noticed in the article that I did not expect to see.

Area supporters display their pride for embattled DeLay Lunch praises majority leader; critics show up to call for an inquiry

By THOM MARSHALL

Controversy over ethics questions may dog U.S. House Majority Leader Tom DeLay most everywhere else these days, but Tuesday in Houston he was treated to accolades at a lunch with about 400 friends and supporters.

"Tom, we're proud to be here for you today," said Harris County Judge Robert Eckels, one of several community leaders to sing the Sugar Land Republican's praises in the Westin Galleria Hotel.

Other speakers at the Greater Houston Partnership event — representing Houston's medical industry, the University of Houston, the Port of Houston, Metro and the Johnson Space Center — all thanked DeLay for his past support in getting government funding and said they look forward to working with him in the future.

In a videotaped message, Ed Young of Second Baptist Church called DeLay "a man who stands straight and tall for God and for good" and encouraged him to "stay in the battle."

Other taped messages from Houston Mayor Bill White and Texas Gov. Rick Perry were played. Again, as at a recent DeLay appreciation dinner in Washington, D.C., there was no message from President Bush or Vice President Dick Cheney, although the White House is on record backing DeLay during the ethics controversy.

"It is incredibly humbling that you are here today," DeLay told the crowd, which included many city and area politicians. "There are so many heroes in this room. Heroes of mine."

Across the hall, a group of critics held a news conference.

Carmencita Abad, a former garment worker in the Northern Mariana Islands, said she was in Houston "to challenge Mr. DeLay" about conditions in the factories in the islands that produce goods with "Made in the USA" labels.

Abad and the sponsors of the news conference — Houston Interfaith Committee for Worker Justice and the Harris County AFL-CIO Council — joined others across the country in calling for an investigation of DeLay.

Minutes later at a podium only a few feet away, DeLay didn't mention the controversies surrounding him. He talked with pride of his accomplishments and said, "I'm looking forward to all the other issues we have to work on."

So, I thought Mayor Bill White was a Democrat. I understand the usual support from Republicans like Judge Eckels, the Governor, certain conservative religious leaders, etc., but Bill White? What is he doing praising Tom DeLay? Or maybe more to the point, what does he stand to gain from praising DeLay? I guess there must be something there that I don't know about. I'm sure DeLay has brought in a lot of road money for the area and some funding for NASA. I guess since the event was taking place in Houston there is a sort of a protocol to show up and represent the city. I would like to see a copy of White's message to see what he had to say about DeLay.

At least the Houston Interfaith Committee for Worker Justice and the Harris County AFL-CIO Council, among others had it right. They at least showed up to promote justice and democracy by calling for an investigation of DeLay. I wish the mayor would have done the same.

Given what DeLay is alleged to have done, and the constant flow of new revelations about his dealings, as mayor I wouldn't want to associate myself DeLay, especially if I was reaching the end of my term. It's political roulette.

Posted by at 12:07 AM | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBack

June 01, 2005

Call for an Independent Counsel to Investigate DeLay

The Public Campaign Action Fund is circulating a petition calling on Ethics Chairman Doc Hastings and Ranking Member Alan Mollohan to name an independent counsel to investigate DeLay.

Recent news coverage, historical precedent, and the fact that DeLay's PAC has made donations to 226 or the 232 Republican members of the House all call for an outside counsel to be appointed in a matter such as this. There is no impartial jury pool of members of Congress from which to launch an investigation. Period.

On Friday, we joined three other watchdog groups in faxing a letter to Ethics Committee Chairman Doc Hastings (R-WA) and Rep. Alan Mollohan (D-WV), the ranking Democratic member of the committee, demanding that they appoint an outside counsel to investigate House Majority Leader Tom DeLay (R-TX).

We urged them to act within two weeks. We need you to put pressure on them today.

Please take a minute and make two telephone calls today to these members to respectfully request that they act without delay.

Recent news coverage and historical precedent call for an outside counsel to be appointed in a matter such as this.

Call Ethics Chairman Doc Hastings in his district office in Pasco, Washington at 509-543-9396, or his Washington, DC office at 202-225-5816.

Call Ranking Democratic Rep. Alan Mollohan at his district office in Wheeling, WV at 304-232-5390, or his Washington, DC office at 202-225-4172.

When you call, be firm and respectful. Tell the person who answers the phone that you want the Ethics Committee to appoint a highly-qualified, independent-minded outside counsel to investigate Tom DeLay.

Let us know how the calls went!

Please share your experience below as well.

Then sign the petition to put pressure on House Speaker Dennis Hastert for appointing an outside counsel in the DeLay scandals. While the Ethics Committee must make this decision, political pressure on Hastert makes a difference.

Posted by at 07:30 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack

May 31, 2005

Let's send Tom DeLay a sympathy card

We are all aware that he's been so unmercifully tormented by demons -- within and without -- that perhaps it's a nice idea, on this calendar-says-it's-Tuesday-but-it-feels-like-a-Monday-to-me to acknowledge the stress we sometimes place on our Dear Leaders to, you know, do the right thing.

Julia at Sisyphus Shrugged (with a hat tip to Kuff) has it all ready for you to sign and print.

Go.

Posted by Guest Blogger PDiddie at 07:42 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack

May 27, 2005

Harris County Republican Party Approves Resolution Praising DeLay

I went behind enemy lines to take a look at what the Harris County Republican Party (HCRP) has been up to. If you have some Republican friends who aren't too happy with what DeLay has been doing, or are concerned about corruption and domination of one party rule, it might be good to point them to the following resolution honoring DeLay.

RESOLUTION OF THE HARRIS COUNTY REPUBLICAN PARTY EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE TO SUPPORT AND RECOGNIZE THE LEADERSHIP OF CONGRESSMAN TOM DELAY, CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT 22

Download this Resolution as Word document

On this the 9th day of May, 2005, the Harris County Republican Party Executive Committee has convened in a regular meeting and adopted the following resolution formally recognizing and honoring the strong conservative leadership and effectiveness of Congressman Tom DeLay:

A RESOLUTION OF THE HARRIS COUNTY REPUBLICAN PARTY EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR THE LEADERSHIP OF CONGRESSMAN TOM DELAY.

WHEREAS Congressman Tom DeLay from Congressional District 22 has been a strong and effective leader in the United States Congress, and

WHEREAS Congressman Tom DeLay has been a tireless worker who has shown strength and courage in supporting conservative causes, and

WHEREAS Congressman Tom DeLay has played a key part for many years in implementing responsible government policy, and

WHEREAS Congressman Tom DeLay has played an important role in addressing critical local issues in Congressional District 22 and the State of Texas, and

WHEREAS Congressman Tom DeLay continues to lead the efforts in Congress for strong Homeland Security, a sound economy, jobs creation, family rights, an effective energy policy, strong national defense and a position of leadership, honor and integrity in the world for the United States, and

WHEREAS President George W. Bush has publicly acknowledged Congressman DeLay's importance as a Congressional leader to help the President pass critical legislation,

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY the Harris County Republican Party Executive Committee that we affirm our support for Congressman Tom DeLay in his role as a Congressional leader, and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that we call on all Republican leaders to stand by and work with Congressman DeLay in his leadership role in Congress, and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that we consider it an honor to have a representative with the courage, leadership skills and integrity of Congressman Tom DeLay to represent us in Washington.

INTRODUCED on this, the 9th Day of May 2005.

Adopted by the HCRP Executive Committee on May 9, 2005

Integrity?!?!?! Did I really just see that word in the same sentence with Congressman Tom DeLay in the above resolution?

Definition of integrity:

Steadfast adherence to a strict ethical code. Syn. honesty

Apparently, May 9th was "opposite day."

The following is the HCRP's press release:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - Tuesday May 10, 2005

Contact: Lonnie McBee - 713-838-7900

REPUBLICAN PARTY STANDS WITH TOM DELAY
Harris County Republican Party supports Majority Leader

HOUSTON - The Harris County Republican Party, in a solid display of unity, voted unanimously to support House Majority Leader Tom DeLay. The action took place during the 2nd Quarter Executive Committee Meeting of the Harris County Republican Party.

"While our support of Congressman DeLay was never in question, Monday night's action sent a clear message to anyone who might consider challenging Tom," remarked Chairman Jared Woodfill. "They better be ready for battle. Tom has told us he will fight to defend his district and we will be there to back him up," Chairman Woodfill added.

The resolution to support Congressman Delay came after members of the Executive Committee heard from Congressmen Michael McCaul and Ted Poe.

"Congressman Delay works hard to advance common sense conservative ideals, and that makes him a target of Howard Dean and Nancy Pelosi. We want Tom to know that while the Democrats are attacking him in Washington, back home we are supporting him 100%," Chairman Woodfill concluded.

Well, the HCRP may be standing behind DeLay 100%, but DeLay's district certainly isn't standing behind him 100%. However, I have no problem with the HCRP standing in lockstep with DeLay. Doing so only serves to make the HCRP complicit in DeLay's doings. Support DeLay as long as you want. He is perhaps the best thing that has happened to the Democratic Party in the way of generating interest and energy in the upcomming elections.

The following is the