AP :: House Ethics Panel Rebukes DeLay Accuser (WTF!!!)

[jefferson_dem]

WASHINGTON - The House ethics committee Thursday night turned the tables on Majority Leader Tom DeLay's accuser, rebuking Rep. Chris Bell (news, bio, voting record) for exaggerating misconduct allegations against the GOP leader.



While the complaint by Bell, D-Texas, led to an ethics report that admonished DeLay, Bell nonetheless violated a rule barring "innuendo, speculative assertions or conclusory statements," a committee letter said.


The committee's Republican chairman and senior Democrat used the four-page letter to Bell to warn lawmakers that making exaggerated allegations of wrongdoing could result in disciplinary action against the accuser.


Bell was not disciplined. He lost in a primary earlier this year because of a DeLay-engineered redistricting plan, and will leave Congress when the session adjourns.

<SNIP>

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=512&e=1&u=/ap/20041119/ap_on_go_co/ethics_mccarthy

[ogradda]

1. roflmao

well that makes sense...doing it is o.k. just don't talk about it.

[Sparkly]

2. UNbelievable!!!!

Every time I think these people can't get any more audacious, they surprise me.

[ClassWarrior]

3. Doesn't surprise me. Just another example...

...of the new Radical RW permissiveness.

http://www.rockridgeinstitute.org/research/block/permissiveness

NGU.

[BlueCaliDem]

47. Oh, So When a Republican Blatantly Breaks the Law, and...

...does illegal redistricting (if those damn activist RW judges will finally go after him!) he gets "admonished" (translate: tap on the fingertips), but when a Democrat genuinely blows the whistle, all wrath descends on his/her head??!
What's happened to my country??!
It's a nightmare!

[barb162]

73. yes, this is an abomination. Next 4 yrs will be way worse

than last 4 years. Way worse!

[aikanae]

74. I Love That Website

Finally, we have to acknowledge the grave threat to society posed by those deeply religious individuals who “know” that their actions are in accordance with a “higher authority”. Whether they are jihadist terrorists or Christian Fundamentalists, their absolutist certainty is an evasion of moral reasoning and the careful balancing of means and ends on which civilization depends.

http://www.rockridgeinstitute.org/research/block/permis...

[Art_from_Ark]

27. They're lower than a snake's belly

at the bottom of the Grand Canyon

[MockSwede]

65. OR

so low they can crawl under the belly of a pregnant ant crawling under the belly of a snake at the bottom of the Grand Canyon.

[ElectroPrincess]

30. Yes, I wonder if they'll trash the entire Democratic Party

in Texas when Delay is indicted on a state felony charge. You know, when you charge republicans it's always about partisan politics and promptly dismissed as irrelevant. <wink wink>

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

4. Everyone rate this a 5

[WannaJumpMyScooter]

17. 4.13 with 21 votes right now

This will get freeped.

[ComerPerro]

50. When it is freeped, it will go higher

Don't worry. The freepers will keep it highly rated.

This story, to them, illustrates "how corrupt and devicive the Democrats are".

They either fail to see or don't care about hypocracy or the fact that Republicans are trying to bury this by attacking the accuser.

[donheld]

22. Done

You have given the news article House Ethics Panel Rebukes DeLay Accuser a rating of 5.
Its current average rating is 4.27 with 32 vote(s).

[maddezmom]

25. 4.28

You have given the news article House Ethics Panel Rebukes DeLay Accuser a rating of 5.
Its current average rating is 4.28 with 43 vote(s).

[Zorra]

5. Join The Boycott to Stop This Nazi Government!

DU Economic Activism Forum:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topics&forum=255

Campaign To Starve The Beast Thread:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=104&topic_id=2600099&mesg_id=2600099

[w4rma]

6. Wow. I mean, wow. I didn't see that coming. These people are evil.

If you look at them in a sort of detatched way you can learn alot about manipulation and being down right evil.

But, come to think of it, I don't know why I didn't see that coming. I guess it's because I don't have much practice spending time plotting and scheming like Delay and the rest of the Repug leadership does.

[Ilsa]

7. I'm hoping Bell told them to go Cheney themselves. n/t

[Straight Shooter]

8. The radical fringe of the right wing is out of control

Talk about power-mad. They are effin' certifiable.

[ninkasi]

9. Just remember this.

In regards to the Neocons, there is no depth too low for them to sink, no lie too outrageous to tell, and no position too hypocritical for them to take. They will use any lengths to achieve their ends, and to hell with who, or what, they hurt in the process.

They will never have enough wealth, or power, to be satisfied. They are like a rapidly mutating virus, taking any form necessary in order to impose their will. We can not make the mistake of treating them like any other opponent. Where before, we could take different positions, but agree to respect the other guy's right to taking a different position. Those days are no more. We are facing a fascist movement trying to take control of our country.

The old rules will simply not work anymore. We need to develop a backbone, and never surrender an inch. They don't, so why should we? I don't give a fuck about what they say about us opposing them, either. They don't back down in the face of opposition, why should we?

[Cornjob]

10. Unfortunately I agree with you...

There is a growing fervor for authoritarian rule among these people.
There is also a growing pool of young warriors to send to war.

This is a deadly combination.

[amber dog democrat]

13. These Neocons remind me of the Alien in Ridly Scotts movie.

Unstoppable unless you just blasted them to pieces. .
No WAY you could reason with them.
I agree. They declared war on us a long long time ago.
We're just now finding this out.

[Gman]

75. There has to be a "night of the long knives" in our future

at some point. I don't know if it will be against moderate Republicans or Democrats. Bush has already taken Hitler's position on not having to wait on the courts for trials against people deemed threats to the country (enemy combatants). I think now its just a matter of when he'll expand on it.

[The Zanti Regent]

11. It's time for secession.

I'm in California and I am tired of having these welfare queens fleece my wallet.

I WANT OUT!

It's time to secede!

[BlueCaliDem]

46. I Second the Motion Zanti Regent!

I'm in California too, and I'm tired of those anti-people, pro-corporations welfare that's draining all our tax dollars to fund business ventures so they can turn around, and put their boot in our necks, and look down at us!

[Not_Giving_Up]

12. I voted for Richard Morrison

I voted for Richard Morrison

I voted for Richard Morrison

On election day, there were signs everywhre that said "Don't DeLay, vote today! Richard Morrison for Congress"

People admitted that they voted for DeLay out of habit. I'll bet they wish soon that they had kicked that habit.

[amber dog democrat]

15. DeLay is going to be indicted before Chistmas

That was the most likely out come discussed on NPR this afternoon.
I think we have him, and Toomey, and Tom Craddock on toast.
Must not get too carried away yet. DeLay is dangerous - especially so when cornered.
Ronnie Earle has been carefully building a case for 2 years now.

[rodeodance]

29. thanks ffor the comment--yes, he is dangerous!!

[Not_Giving_Up]

33. But.....

Even if he's indicted, he keeps his job....so what does it matter? I mean, DUH, the judge will be so in his pocket that the robe will have pocket fuzz on it. No one (except Bell) seems willing to really do anything about this goober.

[amber dog democrat]

72. There is a good chance he and a number of Texas Repugs

will get prison sentences. It would not be the first time Texas politicians ended up like that

[Mist]

49. That's my take on it

They can fulminate all they want, but if there's evidence of felony or crime being committed, he can still be brought to court in Texas, right? I mean, I hope this isn't over. Bugman needs to go down.

[CBHagman]

53. Tell them,from me, that they've hurt the rest of the country.

I used to get that "Vote for the devil you know" nonsense in South Carolina. People feared change much more than they feared corruption, racism or incompetence, and in some cases they got all three in one congressman.

And if anyone you know claims to be a Christian and votes for DeLay, or regards DeLay as a Christian (which I know he's fond of proclaiming), tell them nothing DeLay does really fits in with the Gospel. The Jesus who said "Turn the other cheek" and cleared the temple of money-changers would have known just what to do at DeLay's press appearance this morning.

[American liberal]

59. I had been wondering about that

I mean the stories of impending indictment were out well before the general election. I didn't get how he could get reelected...oh, wait...I just remembered Marion Barry. Nevermind.

[CitySky]

60. Thanks for that vote.

I spent election day morning standing in the rain with a Morrison sign. sigh...

[GarySeven]

14. Why does Chris Bell HATE AMERICA?

He is interfering with God's plan for America. Stone him!!!

[amber dog democrat]

16. right - this will interfer with the raptor.

can't let that happen or Jesus won't show up and save his peeps.

[vanboggie]

48. LOL - I like Raptor instead of Rapture

Evil Raptors are going to fly the fundies into the sky, not God.

[TahitiNut]

18. A Democratic member of the Ethics Committee had to vote 'Yea'

The House Ethics Committee is composed of an equal number of D's and R's. A Letter of Reproval requires a majority vote of the committee. Thus, a Democratic member had to vote 'Yea.'



Republicans

Joel Hefley, Colorado, Chairman
Doc Hastings, Washington
Judy Biggert, Illinois
Kenny Hulshof, Missouri
Steven LaTourette, Ohio


Democrats

Alan B. Mollohan, West Virginia, Ranking Minority Member
Stephanie Tubbs Jones, Ohio
Gene Green, Texas
Lucille Roybal-Allard, California
Michael F. Doyle, Pennsylvania

[cornermouse]

20. I wish we all knew which democrat voted for it....

[bvar22]

45. And the wish is granted!

senior Democrat Alan Mollohan of West Virginia. The panel they lead is formally called the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct.

[davidinalameda]

58. probably Mollahan

he represents my parents' district--never liked the man

[mazzarro]

24. And we are supposed to believe that the Demos will stand up to the

reThugs on issues that matter? Hah - give a F**KING BREAK!

[Democat]

56. The Democratic Party is almost gone

Getting very close to being nothing more than the Republicans assistants.

[Technowitch]

19. It's simple: THEY HAVE NO SHAME

[radfringe]

21. The Party of Moral and Ethical Values *

*standards may not apply to Republicans. Republicans who commit fraud and other illegal doings which reflect a lapse of values are not to be held accountable or responsible. Instead these "lapses" will be blamed on "liberals" - who will be held accountable and responsible

it's all Clinton's fault anyways... <end sarcasm>

[donheld]

23. We now live in Absurd times

this is just horrendous.

[Massachusetts]

26. Damned

Damned Tories the whole lot of them!:grr:

[SillyGoose]

28. Unbelievable

Just when I think it can't get any worse, along comes something like this. Where were these jerks when they were gleefully making exaggerated allegations against Bill & Hillary Clinton?

:argh:

[Name removed]

31. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[RaleighNCDUer]

34. A slight difference here,

Clinton was the target of a series of investigations spawned by a right wing conspiracy determined to undermine his presidency and make it dysfunctional. In eight years, and after millions of dollars, they were able come come up with a single charge of lying, and as it was not a lie that concerned his governance or the state, he was found not guilty.

Delay was at the heart of that conspiracy. The man is a crook and a bully, and the charges that he will face will only be the tip of the iceberg, those things so blatant that even he could not hide them.

BTW, innocent until proved guilty? That only applies to the law. To the courts and juries. The courts must presume someone to be innocent, to allow them equal justice, but if someone is guilty, he's guilty. Whether the courts prove it or not. Was Al Capone guilty only of tax evasion, just because that was all they could convict him for?

I'm not going to presume any of these bastards innocent. Whatever they do, I will assume cheating. Whatever they say, I will assume lying. And hope there are those who are more connected, more powerful, and smarter than I who can prove it.

[Name removed]

35. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[RaleighNCDUer]

36. They may be people like you, if you identify with them,

but I don't see rigging elections, illegal redistricting, bribery and thuggery as being part of my core democratic values.

I am 100% opposed to the death penalty, but would consider a waiver for people convicted of election fraud. It is treason, worse than spying. It attacks the fundamentals of our constitution.

These people belong in prison, and their twisted ideology needs to be discredited, for once and for all. There is no place in our govenrment for fascists.

[Q]

32. These are the very same group of GOPers...

...that were the innuendo kings in the 90s. I hope The People can see that they judge themselves by different standards.

[yellowcanine]

37. Messenger - Consider yourself attacked!

[VTHoosierPatriot]

38. Unexpected???

After the retaliations against Richard Clarke, Joseph Wilson, Paul O'Neil, you had to see this coming. They always smear anyone who challenges their "morality" or at least their image. This will be old news once we get on the fast track to war against Iran or possibly France.

[The_Urge]

39. I don't see the issue.

Bell did violate the "rule". they are not even going to discipline him, whatever that means (Thank you sir-may I have another).

DeLay is not off of the hook.

Am I missing something here?

[Cats Against Frist]

40. Yeah you're missing "the chilling effect"

Don't stand up to the reich, or you will be punished. You have been warned.

[The_Urge]

76. Huh?!

What is going on here? The people are standing up against what the think is wrong and I don't think that anyone here is being punished for their ideas.

Is there really a "chilling effect" or are people just saying that?

Delay will be ruined if he did (and I think that he did) what the allegations said that he did. Bell just went to far.
DeLay breaking the law is not a justification for what Bell did. Bell could have done it right and still brought Delay down. Bell shot himself in the foot, he would have probably been elected if Delay lost his position, now he will have an uphill battle because people know that he is not a very "truthful" candidate (sounds funny, truthful candidate).

[Cocoa]

41. how about when GOP lawmakers were accusing the president of murder?

Dan Burton, Vince Foster, melons?

Was Burton rebuked by the ethics panel for making irresponsible accusations?

[Redleg]

42. Typical fucking bullshit. Crucify the messenger.

Jeebus. Delay is such a pure innocent son-of-a-beyotch, isn't he?

[Greylyn58]

43. My Biggest Hope

and the one I hold on to, is that if we give these necons enough rope they will hang themselves. Absolute power corrupts, absolutely

I want to believe that this country isn't so far gone that the regular people will see what is happening, when the necons actions cut into their wallets, home lives, health insurance, and other things, the people will rise up and vote some of these blood suckers out in 2006.

My hope may be a false hope, but it's all I can cling to at the moment.

:eyes:

[juliagoolia]

44. LAME DUCK Bell GETS BOOT WHILE PACKING UP

These assholes ruined my area in the redistricting gerrymandering they pulled off, and in the process vacated Bell from a district.
So now that he has no district lets just kick his butt on his way home after we gerrymandered him out of an office.

Assholes.. like Henry Bonilla are running their mouth way too much..lets let them know

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[imenja]

51. the Mafia

OK, it's official now. The House of Representatives has been taken over by organized crime. The absurdity has only just begun.

[Joyce78]

55. Organized Crime?

The House of Representatives IS organized crime!

[imenja]

69. that was my point.

[CBHagman]

52. DeLay, Doolittle, Linder, Blackburn, and others...

...lined up to crow about this before the cameras. Given that they tried to spin the repeated admonishments of DeLay as some sort of exoneration, it's not surprising, but it shows incredible vindictiveness, as well as an ethical tin ear.

Granted, none of these clowns could produce a budget on time, or at all, in some cases, but they can masturbate before the press corps before leaving town to eat turkey.

Fortunately, someone in the press asked about DeLay's repeated ethics violations.

Isn't karma about to pay a call on DeLay, or am I very much mistaken?

[Joyce78]

54. DeLay

Shouldn't Kay Bailey Hutchison have included an interview with DeLay in her new "book" American Heroines?

[fishwax]

57. outraged at the outrage

the right wing has mastered the art of postmodern politics.

[jefferson_dem]

64. It's a total "rabbit hole" political world in which we're now living.

Bad is good. Good is bad.

They demonize the media (the coduits of information), the whisteblowers, and those who uphold the rule of law (the judges).

This shit is really starting to make me truly sick, literally!

[fishwax]

68. I feel your pain, jefferson dem

i feel physically ill sometimes too.

Democrats may win the debate here and there (after all, the facts are biased against the right), but until we learn to control the debate, and not just win it, then i'm afraid things will just get worse.

[UL_Approved]

78. The dichotomy boggles the mind

If you think about it, how did the myth that the "liberal media" is destroying this country come about? After all, if the media is to blame for all our troubles, shouldn't we tune out and do something else besides listen to the garbage?

But where do we get such lies and hate? Well, ummm, oh yeah, THE MEDIA!
When an organization is in opposition to itself in its very principle, we have a problem. Socrates had as one of his definitions of truth which said no argument can contradict itself. This is the failure of the Neo-con existence. My only question is how they have managed to break down the human mind until it cannot form complete thoughts. But more importantly, how do we reverse the process?

[CitySky]

61. Bell is a hero.

Somebody who has the energy please call Mullohan (the Dem who voted against BELL) and ask him if he even read the dang complaint. It's on Bell's website, exhibits and all. Or if he's read the Texas Observer article that got Bell curious to being with. Not to mention DuBose's book "The Hammer." This stuff is nothing new for the Bug Man.

The complaint was not inflamatory. it stated some pretty outrageous things because Ole Tom actually DID those outrageous things.

grrr....

[TexNExile]

62. Tom Delay

It is typical that Delay would go on the attack. His gestapo styled tactics are by design to take the focus off of his illegal activities and then blame the people who admonish him. The GOP has been co-opted by the Evangelical Christo-Fascist (ECF) in order to bring our democracy to a halt and bring the government into a Christian Taliban Theocracy.

The dumbing down of the American public over the past 3 decades now allows these fascists to move their agenda forward unchecked.

TexNExile

[CitySky]

63. Welcome to DU, TexNExile

We musta switched places. I grew up in Cali.

:hi:

[eowyn_of_rohan]

66. GOP foaming at the mouth on CSPAN

Rep John Doolittle (R-CA) (couldn't make up a better name) backed up by a boys' choir of fidgety little Repubes with their hands in their pants, yammering on about how POOR DeLie was slandered during his campaign by the sinful, Godless dems, and how by the grace of the almighty (my words) he miraculously won the election, in SPITE of the EVIL ones conspiring against him. Classless idiots...:puke:

[steely]

67. "...exaggerating..."?? Delay was the one who was asked

to step down not so long ago, not Bell.

[Mr_Spock]

70. Hmm, Delay, meet God, God, Delay.

Um, what do you think you're doing Mr. Delay? Wait!! I already know - come with me. Um, this isn't voluntary!

[jefferson_dem]

71. Oh that's fate. But do WE have to wait till then for "JUSTICE"?

I would rather see justice served, and see him dangle, here than to be content with the mere knowledge that he'll have hell to pay when he meets his maker.

[Supersedeas]

77. turning tables on ethical reality...good is bad, admonishments are golden