NYT: From Big-Time Lobbyist to Object of Derision >>>

[Stephanie]

Oh Poor Baby.

From Big-Time Lobbyist to Object of Derision



By KATE ZERNIKE and ANNE E. KORNBLUT
Published: January 10, 2006

WASHINGTON, Jan. 9 - Jack Abramoff, former superlobbyist and newly convicted felon, is learning how unpleasant disgrace can be.

***

And, of course, he is dangerous. As part of his plea, Mr. Abramoff agreed to become the star witness in what many say could be the most explosive corruption investigation in Congressional history.

Mr. Abramoff's ties to the Republican Party stretch into the executive branch, and he could implicate up to 12 members of Congress, people involved in the case said.

Representative Tom DeLay, the Texas Republican who once boasted of his close friendship with Mr. Abramoff and whose dealings with him are under scrutiny, announced over the weekend that he would not seek to regain his post as House majority leader.

In addition to the elected officials, 12 or so former Congressional staff-members-turned-lobbyists may also be vulnerable.


http://www.nytimes.com/2006/01/10/politics/10lobbyist.html?oref=login

[lovuian]

1. Paranoia has hit Washington...

Look over your shoulder folks...

[Raster]

2. I wouldn't be surprised if abramoff doesn't have a fatal heart attack, or

a fatal stroke or decides to commit suicide unexpectedly.

[Stephanie]

3. he will at least know better -

than to fly in small planes.

[daleo]

4. If suicide, the gun will have rat shot

Just like the Enron case. "Suicidal people" can be so thoughtful that way.

[Raster]

5. No, the bushco* way is two shots to the back of the head. We call that

Texas suicide.

[Stephanie]

7. That was Cliff Baxter

Rat shot to the head.

[daleo]

8. That's the one

It was convenient of him to use a weapon that couldn't be traced with ballistics.

[Hekate]

6. So a friend who says you shouldn't dump a friend -- has?

"What else can you do when the forces of destruction rain down?" What a line.

If someone is *really* a friend, you stick by him. Unless you've re-evaluated his character in the light of this new information and decided that no, this man is not your friend after all.

Or, unless you were never friends to begin with and have decided your association now puts you at distinct social or legal risk.

Ye gods -- swim with sharks, sleep with fishes. He's gone from being everybody's best chum, to just being chum. :evilgrin: Too bad.

Hekate

[Clyde39]

9. Weren't he and Tom the best of friends?

I think he said something about wishing he could BE Tom DeLay.