Daily Kos

DeLay admits being corrupt

by kos

Thu Apr 14, 2005 at 10:01:11 AM PDT

From Washington Times interview with DeLay:
Mr. Hurt: Have you ever crossed the line of ethical behavior in terms of dealing with lobbyists, your use of government authority or with fundraising?

Mr. DeLay: Ever is a very strong word.

Umm, Tom? The right answer was "no".
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  •  Richard Morrison 2006 (3.80 / 5)

    Further Reading | New Nebraska Network

    by ptmflbcs on Thu Apr 14, 2005 at 09:58:06 AM PDT

  •  The right answer (4.00 / 17)

    Umm, Tom? The right answer was "no".

    No, the intelligent answer is "no".

    The right answer is "yes".

    -- E pur si muove.

    by asdfasdf on Thu Apr 14, 2005 at 09:59:41 AM PDT

  •  He fumbled in the WASHINGTON TIMES (4.00 / 2)

    THis must have been the softball of all softball interviews, the friendiest turf and a question that he would have been given in advance to prepare for. And yet, somehow,he put the ball on the ground and said that he's unethical.  Lock that bastard up  now!

    Right on, Dr. Dean.

    by Mikey on Thu Apr 14, 2005 at 10:00:12 AM PDT

    •  abso-effing-lutely (3.50 / 2)

      When the WaTimes comes off as tough and investigative w/ Delay scrambling for traction, perhaps our days are indeed brightening.

      Mama, could we buy stuff made in China if we moved there? -- My six year-old son.

      by leolabeth on Thu Apr 14, 2005 at 10:19:55 AM PDT

      [ Parent ]

    •  When the Washington Times looks tough, (3.50 / 2)

      maybe it means the Cheneys and Roves have really decided he needs to go now and their friendly media outlet is just wielding the knife for them.  Got to cut that cancer out before it has time to spread, you know.

      Blogging for Alabama at Left In Alabama

      by Mooncat on Thu Apr 14, 2005 at 10:31:29 AM PDT

      [ Parent ]

      •  Hm (none / 1)

        Where is Moonie's loyalty?  It seems like DeLay might be his guy over the administration, even?

        Right on, Dr. Dean.

        by Mikey on Thu Apr 14, 2005 at 10:39:50 AM PDT

        [ Parent ]

        •  Moon is God on Earth (none / 0)

          He has no loyalties. He only cares who can best help him and most of the suckers who have been kissing up to him are Republicans, though there are more Democrats than there should be saying and doing nice things for him.

          Moon may be the only man in Washington who is in it for himself more than Tom DeLay is.

          And, by the way Mr. DeLay, you have been in it for yourself and no one else. The fact that the money didn't land directly in your pocket does not exonerate you. You are on a power trip and the power that you have amassed to yourself comes in part from the way you have misused money. You're just another drunk who got sober, got 'religion' and got mean.

          Single payer universal healthcare coverage saves money and saves lives.

          by freelunch on Thu Apr 14, 2005 at 12:29:56 PM PDT

          [ Parent ]

  •  LOL (none / 1)

    what a weasly bastard.  even in his "apology" yesterday, he couldn't come right out and admit that what he said was wrong.  to tom, he only erred in how he expressed the sentiment - he sees no problem with the sentiment itself.

    "Government, like dress, is the badge of lost innocence; the palaces of kings are built upon the ruins of the bowers of paradise." Thomas Paine, Common Sense

    by Cedwyn on Thu Apr 14, 2005 at 10:00:13 AM PDT

    •  Yes, he has interesting way of apologizing (none / 0)

      I've known people like him before, sort of sociopathic liars.  What you have to do is read them backwards.  So, for example, when they smear you, it means that's what they're secretly doing. An apology like this is just an excuse to say why they were right in the first place.

      So this statement along with the Constitution "Restoration" act that wants to turn us back to the law of 1787 reads backward something like this...I think we should go back to all white, male, landowning suffrage only, slavery, child labor, segregation--you name it!  Let's get rid of these liberal-commie-symps and have a real frontier world. If you disagree with me, if you are a sinner, you die!  Salem witch trials...

      by maebe on Thu Apr 14, 2005 at 01:04:49 PM PDT

      [ Parent ]

  •  What's next? (4.00 / 11)

    Q: "Mr. Delay, have you ever devoured a baby?"
    A: "I object to that question, devoured is a highly perjorative term."

    it fitfully blows, half conceals, half discloses | Buy M.I.A.'s Kala! (No, really. Please!)

    by Addison on Thu Apr 14, 2005 at 10:00:15 AM PDT

  •  One wonders (3.66 / 3)

    if he ever had anything to do with the Texas oilman who was indicted today in the UN oil-for-food scandal...

    "I don't belong to an organized political party. I'm a democrat."--Will Rogers

    by soonergrunt on Thu Apr 14, 2005 at 10:00:20 AM PDT

    •  there is a pattern (none / 0)

      they are all texans, and all oilmen - even the halliburton crowd  (are they really shipping cement from US to Iraq, while the plants in Iraq are available?)  My, my, what a dream way to waste the taxpayers money.  
      There is something unsavory about that term "Texas Oilman"

      On a planetary scale, habitat and life are interchangeable.

      by libbys mom on Thu Apr 14, 2005 at 11:30:33 PM PDT

      [ Parent ]

  •  add one word (4.00 / 2)

    Have you ever crossed the redistricting line of ethical behavior?

    ~ have a powerful day ~

    by moeman on Thu Apr 14, 2005 at 10:00:30 AM PDT

  •  Parsing semantics (3.66 / 3)

    Delay thinks 'ever' is a strong word?  And they jumped all over Clinton for debating the meaning of 'is'.  Sheesh.

    Live in the Bay Area? Join San Francisco Kossacks!

    by Toastman on Thu Apr 14, 2005 at 10:01:06 AM PDT

  •  Corrupt AND dumb!!! (none / 1)

    wow!

    It's a neighborly day in this beautywood. Relentless!

    by ablington on Thu Apr 14, 2005 at 10:01:26 AM PDT

  •  Tom DeLay redefines the term Hubris (4.00 / 2)

    You've gotta love Tom "Total Fucking Scumbag" DeLay. Even when you hate him more than death, taxes, or Bush... you gotta love him.

    Tom DeLay redefines the term Hubris. He not only redefines it, he obliterates it; re-builds it, and makes it even more rank and offensive.

    by batsoup on Thu Apr 14, 2005 at 10:01:41 AM PDT

    •  Hubris? try Chutzpah (none / 1)

      I  think he hit a knew low even for him in the interview
      He blamed the Democrats for shutting down the ethic panel so it couldn't clear him.  No.  Really.   Oh Yes He did:

      House Majority Leader Tom DeLay accused Democrats of shutting down the chamber's ethics committee to prevent him from being exonerated of the ethics accusations against him.
          "The only way I can be cleared is through the ethics committee, so they don't want one," Mr. DeLay said"
       

      If your  jaw didn't hit the floor in shock, I suggest you rush yourself to the emergency room as you are suffer from the end stages of Tetanus.

      The old definition of Chutzpah was:
       "murdering your parents and then throwing yourself on the mercy of the court because you are an orphan"

      The new Definition is simpler : "Tom DeLay"

      Knowledge is power Power Corrupts Study Hard Be Evil

      by Magorn on Thu Apr 14, 2005 at 10:50:25 AM PDT

      [ Parent ]

      •  Oh, man, (none / 1)

        when I read that, my chair just about went over backwards. That was the beginning of the article, rather than the transcript of the interview.
        I also had to glue my eyes back in for

        "I know I have been watched and investigated probably more than even Bill Clinton," he said.

        and

        "That's activist journalism," Mr. DeLay said. "Somebody ought to look at the organizations and ask the New York Times, The Washington Post, the L.A. Times, Time, Newsweek, AP, why they're spending all these resources they are. ... Are they collaborating with all these organizations that are funded by George Soros?"

        Get behind me, activist journalists! Begone, evil Soros! Sheesh.

        Activist journalism. Wow, how wrong can you possibly be.

        The lone and level sands stretch far away. -Shelley

        by justme on Thu Apr 14, 2005 at 11:41:00 AM PDT

        [ Parent ]

        •  gotta love the comments on journalists (none / 0)

          Tommy was apparently so drunk with the rush of threatening the judicairy he decided to lob a veiled warningor two at the press.   I'm sure he's already got a plan to do away with that OTHER pesky part of the first Amendment, at the same time he creates the theocracy

          Knowledge is power Power Corrupts Study Hard Be Evil

          by Magorn on Thu Apr 14, 2005 at 11:54:23 AM PDT

          [ Parent ]

        •  He couldn't figure out a way (none / 0)

          to tie it to activist judges. Journalist starts with j, so he used that instead.

          I expect him to complain about activist Jesuits next.

          by mmacdDE on Thu Apr 14, 2005 at 12:08:00 PM PDT

          [ Parent ]

      •  Give me a break! (none / 0)

        Tytpical shit from someone who is going down!!  Blaming someone else for the problem.  Pretty soon its going to the the more transparent, "They're pickling on me!" whining!

        "Those who cannot learn from history are doomed to repeat it." George Santayana

        by Street Kid on Thu Apr 14, 2005 at 04:32:58 PM PDT

        [ Parent ]

  •  Who would be most likely to replace DeLay? (none / 0)

    Would the House Majority Whip, Roy Blunt, be the one to step up?

    Isn't a centrist just someone who doesn't have the balls to be a fanatic? -- Stephen Colbert

    by Muboshgu on Thu Apr 14, 2005 at 10:01:44 AM PDT

    •  pre-post-Delay planning as strategy (4.00 / 2)

      That's a good angle to approach this from. Start getting buzz going as to the horserace to replace Delay, and that will make his ouster seem inevitable and boost the egos of GOP candidates enough that they'll join the frenzy for their shot at power.

      it fitfully blows, half conceals, half discloses | Buy M.I.A.'s Kala! (No, really. Please!)

      by Addison on Thu Apr 14, 2005 at 10:04:32 AM PDT

      [ Parent ]

    •  Replace? (none / 1)

      So sorry, but nobody gets punished for wrongdoing in this world today. He'll have a Medal of Honor wrapped around his neck tomorrow afternoon. Or they'll create a new position for him: National Ethics Czar.

      What, you're laughing?

      by swinginvoter on Thu Apr 14, 2005 at 10:04:51 AM PDT

      [ Parent ]

    •  Is Roy Blunt (none / 0)

      related to the jerk Matt Blunt in Missouri?

      There's no point for democracy when ignorance is celebrated...insensitivity is standard and faith is being fancied over reason.-NoFx

      by SairaLV on Thu Apr 14, 2005 at 10:15:53 AM PDT

      [ Parent ]

    •  We don't want to replace him yet! (none / 0)

      Folks, we need Delay as the majority leader until LOTS closer to the 2006 election.  Regular folks are not paying much attention now and they will have forgotten Tom Delay by Nov. 2006 if he goes now.  He is the albatross around the GOP neck in 2006 and the White House knows it.

      We need him where he is for another 10 months at least, symbolizing all that the modern GOP stands for: greed, hypocrisy, corruption and all the rest.  What we really need is for this thing to spin out slowly, with new scandals every week or so that will get the media whipped up into a frenzy ala Monica.  That would keep the story in the news and give it time to sink into the collective conciousness of the average person.  

      Blogging for Alabama at Left In Alabama

      by Mooncat on Thu Apr 14, 2005 at 10:43:27 AM PDT

      [ Parent ]

      •  I agree... (none / 0)

        He makes a wonderful campaign prop.

        I'm having visions of those darn "They're connected to the French" ads that the Club for Growth ran against Snowe and others during some tax relevant campaign.

        It's playing along the lines of putting up Contract for America quotes about bringing honesty and integrity back to the House...tossing up a picture of DeLay with a R House candidate--"With Tom DeLay and his cronies, Honesty and Integrity have gone out the window"...

        Help bring America's Values back to the House of Representatives...vote <instert candidate name here>

        Mariachi Mama Candidate Bickering Moratorium! Signatory to the Carnacki Petition

        by kredwyn on Thu Apr 14, 2005 at 01:17:25 PM PDT

        [ Parent ]

      •  Understand your point. (none / 1)

        But, I just want to see the bastard go!  There's someone else who is just as bad.  We just have to find out who it is!  

        "Those who cannot learn from history are doomed to repeat it." George Santayana

        by Street Kid on Thu Apr 14, 2005 at 04:35:26 PM PDT

        [ Parent ]

  •  There are certain questions... (none / 1)

    ...wherein if the answer is not "no", then it can only be "yes."  Generally, those questions have to do with drug use in college -- to which the cokehead-in-chief cannot answer "no" -- use of steroids by baseball players, and sexual orientation.

    And now "Have you ever crossed the line of ethical behavior" can be added to the list.

    "Catch-22 says they have a right to do anything we can't stop them from doing." -- Joseph Heller

    by Roddy McCorley on Thu Apr 14, 2005 at 10:02:51 AM PDT

  •  It depneds (none / 1)

    on how you define the word "is"  oops I mean "ever."

    Its amazing, though it shouldn't be by now, how the Republicans defend the very things they screamed about from 92-2000.

    At least, during the Jim Wright scandals, there were some Democrats who pulled away.  The closest this time is Shays, but I think he is being corralled back into line.

    Bush, so incompetent, he can't even do the wrong things right.

    by JAPA21 on Thu Apr 14, 2005 at 10:03:25 AM PDT

  •  The House that Jack (Abramoff) bought (none / 0)

    Check it out here.  I always knew JD Hayworth was a scumbag.

    ;]

    by lapin on Thu Apr 14, 2005 at 10:03:53 AM PDT

  •  Ever is a strong word? (none / 0)

    Q: ummm, ok.  Like how, Tom.
    A: Well, the word "Ever" once tried to pull the plug on always, so I'm a bit timid around those "Evers" these days...<mutters to self> damn liberal media...

    by NeverSummer on Thu Apr 14, 2005 at 10:05:37 AM PDT

  •  It doesnt matter to the RIGHT (none / 0)

    because:


    • Bill Clinton had oral sex and lied about it.

    • DeLay's ethics violations are in the past. Can't we just look to the future and MOVE ON (er...not the one with the .org in its name...)

    • Democrats did it too...and of course the Family Friendly Culture of Life dictates that if little Jimmy Jones jumps off the Empire State building, your kid should be able to do it as well.


    I could probably come up with a real Top Ten list, but I am already feeling nauseous...

    by Recluse on Thu Apr 14, 2005 at 10:05:53 AM PDT

  •  How can we possibly want to get rid (none / 0)

    of this guy!

    I mean, everytime we show his ugly mug on TV, millions of Democrats are fumbling for their checkbooks.

    Nope, sorry, Tom...you can't leave until we are back charge of the house and senate...and you are fodder for some Ann Coulter of the future writing a book which rehabitates you...

    So keep fighting Tom, keep talking, Tom.  We are behind you 1000%

    by nanorich on Thu Apr 14, 2005 at 10:06:43 AM PDT

  •  Stupid liberal media (none / 0)

    I hate how the liberal news media like the Washington Times is just out on a witchhunt to drag DeLay down!

    </sarcasm>

    by JayhawkMax on Thu Apr 14, 2005 at 10:06:53 AM PDT

  •  'Ever' is a very strong word? (none / 0)

    This from the guy who lambasted former President Clinton for his famous 'it depends on what the definition of "is" is'.

    Does he know the definition of hypocrite?

    "If you think you can, you can. If you think you can't, you're right." - Mary Kay Ash

    by WildRice on Thu Apr 14, 2005 at 10:07:34 AM PDT

  •  Is DeLay going to go "Nixon" on us? (none / 1)

    "People have got to know whether or not their president is a crook. Well, I'm not a crook. I've earned everything I've got." (Orlando, Florida, November 17, 1973)

    "People have got to know whether or not the House Majority Leader is a crook.  Well...none of your damned business!" (Tom DeLay, sometime in the middle of next week)

    Then, of course, there's this bit Tom might want to borrow:

    "... As we are a nation under God, so I am sworn to uphold our laws with the help of God. And I have sought such guidance and searched my own conscience with special diligence to determine the right thing for me to do with respect to my predecessor in this place, Richard Nixon, and his loyal wife and family.

    "Theirs is an American tragedy in which we all have played a part. It can go on and on, or someone must write `The End' to it. I have concluded that only I can do that. And if I can, I must. ...

    "My conscience tells me clearly and certainly that I cannot prolong the bad dreams that continue to reopen a chapter that is closed. My conscience tells me that only I, as president, have the constitutional power to firmly shut and seal this book. ...

    "Now, therefore, I, Gerald R. Ford, president of the United States, pursuant to the pardon power conferred upon me by Article II, Section 2, of the Constitution, have granted and by these presents do grant a full, free, and absolute pardon unto Richard Nixon ..."

    (Note: Change "Gerald Ford" to "George W. Bush" and "Richard Nixon" to "Tom DeLay")

    There are three kinds of people: Those who see; those who see when they are shown; those who do not see.

    by Shadowthief on Thu Apr 14, 2005 at 10:08:43 AM PDT

  •  Oh My God (none / 1)

    Stupidest man on the face of the earth if he thought that that was the right answer to that question. I love it. Now if we can only get him to answer a question about his being a criminal the same way. ("Criminal is a... stronger... term than I would personally use.")  

    The answer for the non-guilty non-brainless Texas bug slayer, obviously not you Tommy boy, was 'no'. But then, nobody is happier than I am that you answered the question in a slippery way. If Tom DeLay is still around in 2006 there isn't a Democrat in the nation who won't be able to run against him. The man is a cancer on the body of Republican politics, and amazingly the GOP is still dithering about giving it a hug rather than removing it.

    "Arguments are extremely vulgar, for everyone in good society holds exactly the same opinion." - Oscar Wilde

    by LeftHandedMan on Thu Apr 14, 2005 at 10:10:59 AM PDT

  •  Could be the beginning (none / 0)

    of DeLay starting to walk the scandal back.

    I have made some mistakes in my past, for which I am deeply sorry. . .

    by Don in NYC on Thu Apr 14, 2005 at 10:15:24 AM PDT

  •  Delay should be on tv (none / 0)

    and giving interviews nonstop.  He's a walking joke, and the more he opens his mouth, the better. I want an all Delay channel, I'd never turn it off. Except to vomit every once in a while.

    There's no point for democracy when ignorance is celebrated...insensitivity is standard and faith is being fancied over reason.-NoFx

    by SairaLV on Thu Apr 14, 2005 at 10:17:52 AM PDT

  •  Further along in that quote... (4.00 / 2)

    is this bit of bullsh*t:


    "...because I know I have been watched and investigated probably more than even Bill Clinton."

    Really, Tom? Who gave the Democrats a $70 million slush fund to investigate you? Or am I missing something?

    "I was so easy to defeat, I was so easy to control, I didn't even know there was a war." -9.75, -8.41

    by RonV on Thu Apr 14, 2005 at 10:19:07 AM PDT

    •  not to mention (none / 0)

      the subpoena power of the Federal government, the cooperation of the subject, and the threat of jail to "witnesses" who refused to perjure themselves...

      It's still upsetting for some people to know that the hippies were the ones telling the truth about Vietnam and trying to help America. - Anonymous

      by eunichorn on Thu Apr 14, 2005 at 10:41:58 AM PDT

      [ Parent ]

  •  We should be able to make big House gains... (none / 0)

    With this clown running things.

    Maybe even take the thing back if things play out right.

    by Fro on Thu Apr 14, 2005 at 10:24:50 AM PDT

  •  Whoa whoa whoa (none / 0)

    Keep reading down in that transcript:

    Mr. Dinan: You've been talking about going after activist judges since at least 1997. The Terri Schiavo case gives you a chance to do that, but you've recently said you blame Congress for not being zealous in oversight.
        Mr. DeLay: Not zealous. I blame Congress over the last 50 to 100 years for not standing up and taking its responsibility given to it by the Constitution. The reason the judiciary has been able to impose a separation of church and state that's nowhere in the Constitution is that Congress didn't stop them. The reason we had judicial review is because Congress didn't stop them. The reason we had a right to privacy is because Congress didn't stop them.

    Scary chit.

    by swinginvoter on Thu Apr 14, 2005 at 10:27:49 AM PDT

    •  nowhere in the Constitution? (none / 0)

      Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.

      Congress isn't ALLOWED to make laws about religion. They are EXPRESSLY FORBIDDEN to do so.

      It's pretty cut and dried.

      by mmacdDE on Thu Apr 14, 2005 at 12:43:21 PM PDT

      [ Parent ]

    •  Delayhas read Men In Black Robes... (none / 0)

      Or whatever that piece of crap book was.

      And what he's talking about is Marbury v. Madison, which was 1803.  What a friggin' moron.  It was 200 years ago, not 50-100 years ago.

      See what happens when exterminators try to practice law.

      He should just stick to eating babies.

      Moron.

      by jibsail on Thu Apr 14, 2005 at 03:19:10 PM PDT

      [ Parent ]

  •  He seems to think it's all a joke (none / 0)

    as long as he is insulated among his "friends."

    That bodes quite well for us, because getting DeLay could be huge. He has the goods on a lot of people, or he wouldn't be able to run the reign of terror that he has. Think of it. He is de facto the Speaker of the House. Hastert is a tool, consenting through gentlemen's agreement to run things as long as he doesn't get in DeLay's way. If DeLay goes down, there could be subsequent investigations of Texas politicians sitting and retired, from Graham, Armey etc. on down. Sick 'em!

    Intelligent Designer Laments Lapse in Intelligence

    by mrblifil on Thu Apr 14, 2005 at 10:29:56 AM PDT

  •  If we changed the question... (none / 0)

    Mr. Hunt: Are you at this very moment alive or dead?
    Mr. Delay: I believe this is a personal matter.

    Mr. Hunt: Have you ever woken up and appreciated the dew on morning flowers?
    Mr. Delay: Stomping is appreciating I do believe.

    Mr. Hunt: Do you exist within the same species as homo sapiens, homo erectus, or homo habilis?
    Mr. Delay: Do I question your existence?

    Every time I hear his name I wanna grab a few pitchforks, torches and buddies for a long, angry walk...

    "I'm not an actor, but I play one on TV."

    by zeitshabba on Thu Apr 14, 2005 at 10:36:51 AM PDT

    •  do you have a sign-up sheet? (none / 0)

      It's still upsetting for some people to know that the hippies were the ones telling the truth about Vietnam and trying to help America. - Anonymous

      by eunichorn on Thu Apr 14, 2005 at 10:43:40 AM PDT

      [ Parent ]

      •  I thought I did. (none / 0)

        But come Nov. 3rd last year, I found that the sheet was missing, the names were erased, and alone I stood.

        Shall we try again?

        "I'm not an actor, but I play one on TV."

        by zeitshabba on Thu Apr 14, 2005 at 11:32:04 AM PDT

        [ Parent ]

        •  you bring the torches (none / 0)

          I'll bring the pitchforks.  

          (I can hear them scurrying through the halls Congress now, "The peasants are coming! the peasants are coming!  And they're pissed!")

          It's still upsetting for some people to know that the hippies were the ones telling the truth about Vietnam and trying to help America. - Anonymous

          by eunichorn on Thu Apr 14, 2005 at 11:50:34 AM PDT

          [ Parent ]

          •  Ya know... (none / 0)

            I'd march 450 miles or so just to hear them say that.

            Thankfully, Boston to DC is only about 444 miles, so I could take my deMARCHcracy to Arlington without exceeding my personal limits...

            "I'm not an actor, but I play one on TV."

            by zeitshabba on Thu Apr 14, 2005 at 12:05:13 PM PDT

            [ Parent ]

            •  Great! (none / 0)

              You come south from Boston, I'll come north from Atlanta and we'll crush them between us in a clissic pincer maneuver.

              check out the definition of "pincer movement" in the Wikipedia! LOL

              A pincer movement whereby the blue force doubly envelops the red force.

              It's still upsetting for some people to know that the hippies were the ones telling the truth about Vietnam and trying to help America. - Anonymous

              by eunichorn on Thu Apr 14, 2005 at 12:41:28 PM PDT

              [ Parent ]

  •  Conservative talk radio.... (none / 0)

    you should listen.  They really are painting this as a total assualt on him from the left... It really is crazy.  It almost sounds like they are kidding but they arent!  The problem is a lot of people listen to that kind of stuff and dont take in the full view... dangerous stuff.

    The comment above about him taking it as a joke is so true.  I honeslty think that nothing will happen to him.  I hope I am wrong....

    Question:  What do we do if he escapes any real punishment or backlash?  If he is ahead in the election year and gets re-elected?  Would this prove that a new party that people would listen to needs to form?--these are questions... please dont yell at me ;)

    by Sausalito on Thu Apr 14, 2005 at 10:36:52 AM PDT

  •  "ever" is a strong word... (none / 0)

    ...because it's meaning is plain and clear. Only a person who believes that words like "ethical," "honest," and "legal" can be qualified would try to hedge by questioning the use of "ever."

    It takes a village to raise a special child.

    by roses on Thu Apr 14, 2005 at 10:39:57 AM PDT

  •  oops---"its" (not "it's") n/t (none / 0)

    It takes a village to raise a special child.

    by roses on Thu Apr 14, 2005 at 10:41:01 AM PDT

  •  Nobody's made a HMS Pinafore reference yet? (none / 1)

    All:  What, never?
    Captain Corcoran: No, never!
    All:  What, never?
    Captain Corcoran:  Hardly ever!

    Why am I not suprised that certain elements of the conservative right wing are confused by the definition of "brain dead"? -- CFCinDC at BigSoccer.com

    by Pizza Driver on Thu Apr 14, 2005 at 10:44:00 AM PDT

    •  Bob (none / 0)

      I can just hear Sideshow Bob singing it.

      Those who ignore the future are condemned to repeat it.

      by enigmamf on Thu Apr 14, 2005 at 11:29:43 AM PDT

      [ Parent ]

    •  Dang (none / 1)

      Saw yours right after I posted mine. Yes, I immediately thought of the same thing and was surprised nobody'd posted it yet.

      by rppa on Thu Apr 14, 2005 at 11:34:06 AM PDT

      [ Parent ]

    •  Only didn't make it because I wasn't home... (4.00 / 2)

      I know it's late and the thread's dead, but I can't help but post this.  Wrote it myself based on your comment.

      DeLay: I am the Leader of the Majority!

      Reps: And a right wing leader too!

      DeLay:  You're as docile as deer and so it would appear I command a right wing crew!

      Reps:  We're as docile as deer and so it would appear he commands a right wing crew!

      DeLay:  Though witchhunters may lie I hold my head up high however they may torment me!  I have no wild past, though the liberals may lambast, and I'm never unethical you see!

      Reps:  What, never?

      DeLay:  No, never!

      Reps:  What, never?

      DeLay:  Well, hardly ever.

      Reps:  Hardly ever unethical you see!  Then give a cheer and more cheers three for the saintly Leader of the Majority!  Then give a cheer and more cheers three for the Leader of the Majority!

      by teenagedallasdeaniac on Thu Apr 14, 2005 at 02:45:18 PM PDT

      [ Parent ]

  •  From The Onion's "What Do You Think?" (none / 0)

    Embattled Tom DeLay

    In recent weeks, House Majority Leader Tom DeLay has come under increasing fire from a number of important media and political figures. What do you think?

    "There's a big difference between the letter of the law and the spirit of the law. Sure, he broke both, but there's a big difference." Don Figueroa, Tile Setter

    "Oh, come on. Like nobody in Congress has ever built a career out of borderline-illegal financial impropriety before. Grow up." Zachary Hardin, Therapist

    "I'm telling you, if Tom DeLay would come out and say, 'Screw it, I'm just in it for the cash and the bitches,' his popularity would skyrocket. At the very least, he'd be in a Kid Rock video." Tanya Wilkinson, Lab Assistant

    "Tom DeLay is an inspiration. His example has given me hope that my ethics violations will go ignored for years, as well." James Henson, Graphic Designer (not that Jim Henson, right? cause that would be pretty freaky)

    "Enough is enough. DeLay should do the honorable thing: take all the money he's cheated out of the American people, buy himself a nice mansion, and retire." Andre Carson, Teller

    "I heard Tom DeLay's blood was in the water and the sharks were circling him, but unfortunately, it turned out to be a metaphor." Colleen Bowers, Systems Analyst


    The Onion: We piss away more snark every Tuesday than most people use all week.

    i am jack's complete lack of surprise -- fight club

    by bustacap on Thu Apr 14, 2005 at 11:05:21 AM PDT

  •  Corrupt Fucking Asshole (none / 0)

    Any more adjectives please insert

    by TexasLiberal on Thu Apr 14, 2005 at 11:19:12 AM PDT

  •  Must...resist... (none / 1)

    Must... resist... inevitable... Gilbert and Sullivan parody...

    Chorus: What, never?
    TD: No, never.
    Chorus: What, NEVER????
    TD: Well, hardly ever.
    Chorus: He hardly ever breaks the law...

    by rppa on Thu Apr 14, 2005 at 11:32:54 AM PDT

    •  Continued... (4.00 / 2)

      'I am the monarch of the fee
      The ruler of the G O P...'

      And I'm sure there's something we can do with The Mikado; we've got a little list, they'll be none of them be missed...

      -dms

      Having trouble finding stuff on Daily Kos? This page has some handy hints and tricks.

      by dmsilev on Thu Apr 14, 2005 at 12:09:15 PM PDT

      [ Parent ]

  •  Has he read the goddamn thing? (none / 0)

    I keep hearing all about the US Constitution and it's position on the Judiciary. DeeLay keeps refering to passages that are pretty clear about an independent judiciary. Does bugman have a degree in anything? I also hear Dopeman Limbaugh has become quite the Constitutional scholar. Again I hate to seem like an overeducated liberal pinhead, but does he even have a college degree?
    Suggestion to both: read the goddamn thing, I mean take a real good look at the US Constitution, not some interpreters bullshit guide that glosses over unpopular themes like separation of church and state, etc...And while your at it read the Federalist Papers as well.

    by amcmurrey on Thu Apr 14, 2005 at 12:00:39 PM PDT

  •  Let's look at it in context, shall we? (none / 1)

    I don't want to look at the first line of his answer out of context, so let's look at the whole thing and give him the benefit of the doubt for a second:

    Mr. Hurt: Have you ever crossed the line of ethical behavior in terms of dealing with lobbyists, your use of government authority or with fundraising?

        Mr. DeLay: Ever is a very strong word. Let me start out by saying, you can never find anything that I have done for personal gain. Period. What I'm doing is what I believe in, I'm doing it the way I believe in it. Yes, I'm aggressive. I'm passionate about what I believe in, and I'm passionate about winning and accomplishing our agenda. I know since 1995 that everything that we have done has been checked by lawyers, double-checked by lawyers, triple-checked by lawyers, because I know I have been watched and investigated probably more than even Bill Clinton. They can't find anything, so they're going back to my childhood, going to my family, going to things that happened eight years ago. There's nothing there. And they can keep looking. There's nothing there. I have tried to act ethically, I have tried to act honestly. I have tried to keep my reputation - to fight for my reputation - while it's been besmirched, and I have tried to do it in a way that brings honor to the House.

    OK - so the crux of it is that he hasn't ever done anything for the money.  He wasn't interested in personal gain.  So what was he interested in?  Forwarding his agenda.  Doing the things that he wanted to do, however he wanted to do it.

    Sounds to me like he is saying that if he broke the law, and he isn't saying he hasn't, it was for a good (his) cause.  Not for (his) gain.  Except that I would say that acquisition of power is a personal gain.

    And then that begs the question.  If it is motive that is important, than how can impeaching Clinton be justified?  I don't think that he lied for personal gain.  Well, I guess what he did was kind of for personal gain.  But only the most personal (sex).  It only screwed over one person.  As opposed to DeLay...

    I think I MAY NEED A BATHroom break?

    by marchmoon on Thu Apr 14, 2005 at 12:18:29 PM PDT

  •  Depends what the meaning of is is. (n/t) (none / 0)

    by Black Maned Pensator on Thu Apr 14, 2005 at 12:32:30 PM PDT

  •  Delay to facts: Drop dead! (none / 0)

    "The only way I can be cleared is through the ethics committee, so they [the Democrats] don't want one," Mr. DeLay said yesterday in an interview with editors and reporters of The Washington Times in his office at the Capitol. He also offered a second reason why Democrats want the ethics committee to be hobbled. [...] For weeks, Democrats have hammered Mr. DeLay, arguing that he has caused a shutdown of the ethics committee by trying to unilaterally change the committee's rules. (Washington Times 04/14/05)

    Yeah, the Dems are just picking on the crushed magnolia because they're ethics-hatin' meanies.

    A legal defense fund established by Tom DeLay, the House majority leader, has [taken in] more than $250,000 since the indictment last fall of two his closest political operatives in Texas, according to DeLay's latest financial disclosure statements.

    The list of recent donors includes dozens of DeLay's House Republican colleagues, including two lawmakers who were placed on the House ethics committee this year [...]

    Lamar Smith of Texas, who has given $10,000 to DeLay, and Tom Cole of Oklahoma, who gave $5,000, were placed on the House ethics committee this year, a move that drew criticism from House Democrats given the possibility that it might investigate the majority leader. (03/13/05, Shenon & Pear, NYT via SF Chronicle)

    Demand that Smith & Cole recuse themselves from all DeLay-related matters. Contact list, including district office numbers for the bought & paid for GOP members on DeLay's personal "ethics" committee. (Locals and travelers to their areas, save $$$ when phoning. Use the district office zips to access emails or find local media.) Bookmark if not using list immediately and/or pass around to people interested in having a whack at the Bag Man.

    by Peanut on Thu Apr 14, 2005 at 12:55:17 PM PDT

  •  I can't help myself (none / 0)

    I keep looking at freepercreep and over there they are in arms about the 'fake picture' of DeLay in those ads (the mugshot one). Of course, obviously it is a graphic design and it was immediately obvious to me that it was intended as an advertising device and not to be taken literally.

    Oh, and I think they need to be reminded of the faked pictures of John Kerry on stage with Jane Fonda. Those were passed off as real.

    by rprehn on Thu Apr 14, 2005 at 01:30:59 PM PDT

  •  I Can't Help But Think... (none / 0)

    Of the recruitment office scene in 'Stripes' when the recruiter asks Murray and Landis if they've "Ever been convicted of a felony or a misdemeanor before".

    Their response: "Convicted?...(pause)....No.  Never convicted."

    At least they were honest about it.

    I have always thought in the back of my mind, Cheese and Onions -- Ron Nasty

    by paulitics on Thu Apr 14, 2005 at 04:02:38 PM PDT

  •  There really are Internets! (none / 0)

    DeLay has one of his own.

    From the paragraph where he talks about abusing the FAA to track down the plane that took the Dems out of Austin:

    "There's nothing illegal about it. It's on the internet. What I should have done is turned around to my internet and looked it up."

    by Barry on Fri Apr 15, 2005 at 02:30:52 AM PDT

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