The random political thoughts thread (Part Deux)

[Moonliner]

Originally Posted by scaeagles

Agreed there. However, I wish politicians would see (and they most likely do, but they fail to address it) the immense risk to national security by importing so much of our energy (which is oil at this point). What happens if Iran decides to detonate a nuke in the Persian Gulf? Or Chevez of Venezuela pulls out of OPEC and decides to only sell oil to China?

The safest thing is to increase what we can produce domestically of the current market choice of fuel, which is oil. Barring off shore drilling, ANWR (and the estimates vary immensely on how much is there), and other such projects is just remarkably short sighted and risky.

The goverment should not, will not and most of all cannot effect this type of change. At least not in this country. Just look at what the Bush administration is doing with their "Freedom Car" initiative announced in the state of the union speech. All of the research dollars are going to major oil companies to research ways to create hydrogen using fossil fuels. Doh! Zippy is being spent to further development of clean alternatives such as solar and wind.

[scaeagles]

A congressman is under investigation by the FBI. He was on tape accepting 100K in bribes. He had 90K in his office in the fridge. There was a search warrant for the office signed by the judge.

The house leadership is upset about separation of powers.

What????????

[Ghoulish Delight]

Originally Posted by scaeagles

A congressman is under investigation by the FBI. He was on tape accepting 100K in bribes. He had 90K in his office in the fridge. There was a search warrant for the office signed by the judge.

The house leadership is upset about separation of powers.

What????????

Yeah, good one eh? Here's the Republicans' chance to get out from under the corruption label. A Dem pulling shady parkinglot briefcase handoffs. But all they're worried about is, "Oh sh*t, the Feds can search my office?!" (not saying the 'pubs are worse than the 'crats, just finding it ammusing to see where all congress's priorities lie)

[JWBear]

Originally Posted by scaeagles

A congressman is under investigation by the FBI. He was on tape accepting 100K in bribes. He had 90K in his office in the fridge. There was a search warrant for the office signed by the judge.

The house leadership is upset about separation of powers.

What????????

A point of clarification.... The $90K was found in a freezer in his home, not in his office.

[Moonliner]

I'm sure that Hastert righteous indignation at this event is purely due to a love and respect for the constitution and is in no way motivated by the fact that he is also under investigation.

I'll bet if was to listen real hard I could hear the sound of the paper shredders on overdrive from here...

[Scrooge McSam]

Originally Posted by Moonliner

I'm sure that Hastert righteous indignation at this event is purely due to a love and respect for the constitution and is in no way motivated by the fact that he is also under investigation.

Why, Moon, I'm astonished at you for suggesting such a thing.

We must have drinks sometime

[Alex]

Depends on the papers I guess. They served William Jefferson with subpoenas for the documents they were after several times before deciding to go in and get it themselves. Apparently he still hadn't destroyed them even.

If the Speaker of the House is part of the investigation then I think that would be an obvious exception situation. Though in this case I'm pretty sure it is a different investigation.

Just to be clear, I am not at all suggesting this search was inappropriatein scope or motive but it is a tool that could be easily misused by the executive to exert leverage over the legislature and it should, I think, go through cooperative channels in almost every situation (as the DOJ rules themselves say).

[Scrooge McSam]

That discussion needs to be had.

I am gratified to see Democratic leadership calling for his resignation.

[Alex]

It's a valid complaint, I think, even if the congressman is dirty as all hell. With a president using, in my opinion, too strong a definition of executive power the penetration of the executive into the legislative area should be strongly scrutinized.

I'm not saying that a Congressman should be able to avoid discovery by simply keeping all of the evidence in his office. But there should be a process by which the Department of Justice works with the Congressional leadership (with appropriate exceptions and ways allowing investigation of corrupt leadership) to ensure that such investigations are appropriately targetted and giving Congress the chance to seek judicial remedy if they feel there is a valid separation of powers issue (much like the White House first goes to court when arguing a documents subpoena from Congress.

[scaeagles]

I think the republicans don't want him to be punished at all so he can be the poster boy for them when hammered on corruption, and the dems do so that they can continue on their "culture of corruption", regardless of the fact that both parties have members that are corrupt.