DeLay’s been a busy boy

April 4, 2006

It’s a relatively minor point, but I’ve seen several news outlets note today that [tag]Tom DeLay[/tag] has been rebuked “three times” by the House Ethics Committee for improper conduct. That’s just not so.

Tom [tag]DeLay[/tag] has been [tag]admonish[/tag]ed by the House [tag]Ethics[/tag] Committee five times, not including other instances in which he was investigated but not punished.

* In 1997, the [tag]Ethics Committee[/tag] [tag]rebuke[/tag]d DeLay, warning him that his fundraising pitches created the impression that campaign contributions would bring “official action or access.”

* In 1999, the Ethics Committee [tag]chastise[/tag]d DeLay for threatening a Washington trade association, the Electronic Industries Alliance, with retaliation for hiring a Democrat as its president. The House was poised to consider implementation of an international treaty the trade association had requested, but DeLay used his influence to scuttle the treaty — just to show the EIA who’s boss.

* In 2004, the Ethics Committee admonished DeLay for offering a political favor to then-Rep. Nick Smith (R-Mich.) in exchange for his vote on Bush’s Medicare bill. It’s a violation of House rules for a member to “offer or link support for the personal interests of another member as part of a quid pro quo to achieve a legislative goal.”

* A week later, the Ethics Committee rebuked DeLay twice in one day, one for his role in misusing the FAA for partisan purposes and another for staging a fundraising event in a way that appeared to link access to him with political donations.

This not only fails to include the investigations that didn’t pursue due to lack of evidence, it also doesn’t include the ongoing investigation into DeLay’s Abramoff-financed golf trip, which may end now that DeLay is going to resign in disgrace.

And these, of course, are just the ethics violations, unrelated to DeLay’s criminal indictments in Texas and the corruption probe that is still underway on Capitol Hill.

In this case, DeLay’s reputation is bad, but his actual record is worse. He won’t be missed.

I wonder: now that DeLay has been stripped of his merciless power — remember when he claimed to BE Congress? — how many of those in and out of Congress will come forward, finally fearless enough to be willing to make or corroborate still further charges against him?

  • “In this case, DeLay’s reputation is bad, but his actual record is worse. He won’t be missed.” – CB

    Only as an example of just how corrupt a party becomes when it:

    1) Controls all branches of government,

    2) Thinks rules are for suckers, whimps and wussies,

    3) Places party before country,

    4) Is cobbled together from various factions who share only a hatred of the dominant culture of the country,

    5) and lets someone like DeLay in their leadership.

  • Delays has the support of the most ethical people there is, the born again, (reformed acid head) set. Ethics has never been a problem with them since they see fit to make them up as the go. Oh, but they have the perfect place to find ethics, a proved hoax, the Bible. Yes, the Bible is now unmasked for what it is, a hoax. DeLay has it all riding on his evangelical support and they have it all riding on the Bible.

    http://www.hoax-buster.org has proof the Bible is a hoax from the previously unread historical record. In spite of a media boycot of the news it’s managing to become public knowledge through the internet – word of mouth and is becoming widely known all over the world. Over 42 million Americans now agree and the number is growing at an alarming pace for the ministry as a set. That’s what the “war on Christians” contention is all about no doubt. Their ears must be burning.

  • Delays legacy. The most corrupt US Representative in the most corrupt government in US history.

  • Delay may have given up his seat in the House, but anyone who think he’ll go away forever is mistaken.

    He’ll be back, either as a lobbyist or a consultant. He just can’t handle not having any power.

  • Delay on ethics and religion: (from Time interview)
    “I made a speech last week, and that pretty much cinched it for me. A good friend of mine, Dr. Rick Scarborough, who started—and I urged him, and we’ve worked together over the years—an organization called Vision America, which is out recruiting pastors to get involved in the political arena. He asked me to come speak. He was having a conference on the war on Christianity….
    “The reaction was incredible—just an outpouring of love and support from the audience. It was probably the one single event that convinced me: I can DO this. I could keep fighting for the things I believe in, outside of Congress.”
    “My main point was that this country was built on morals and religion. Our greatest leaders were very strong believers. There is a connection between religion and politics, and religion and government. There has to be for this country to have accomplished all it’s accomplished and for its future. How many times have the great leaders—Ronald Reagan, Roosevelt, Lincoln, George Washington—have said there is a connection between morals and religion. And there has to be. The people that go to church understand that a country has to be based on some sort of religion and fear of God because they understand that. ”
    ****
    The fascinating workings of the mind with a cumulative effect of toxic poisonous chemicals of the former pest control specialist.

  • It’s easy to see why Delay makes the essential connection between religion and government. It allows him, and his ilk, to help themselves at the public trough all week and then be forgiven on Sunday. After all, he thinks, we’re all sinners. Some are just better at it than others.

  • He’ll be back, either as a lobbyist or a consultant. He just can’t handle not having any power.
    Comment by Unholy Moses

    He may be back in the same way that Chuck Colson came back, as a “prison minister” after a substantial stint in the pokey. At least that is my prayer. If anyone deserves to go to jail it is Delay. His crimes are closer to treason than corruption. The difference between Delay and Colson is that at least Colson showed some remorse.

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