This is what the Brits are getting--

[spindrifter]

The cover-up that kills

Sidney Blumenthal
Thursday October 5, 2006
The Guardian

<snip>

As Republican control of Congress in the mid-term elections teeters on the precipice, party leaders suddenly find themselves rediscovering the harsh reality of Richard Nixon's commentary on the Watergate scandal - that it's not the crime that kills you, but the cover-up.

<snip>

From the moment he arrived on the scene, it was well known to people in the press and politics that Foley was gay, part of a gay network that honeycombs the Republican party. As the Republicans demonised gays for partisan advantage, the party became the largest walk-in closet in Washington. After the scandal broke, one gay Republican described Foley to me as incredibly indiscreet. Almost everyone on Capitol Hill knew that Foley spent an inordinate amount of time hanging out with pages.

<snip>

One Republican congressman said anyone in the leadership who knew should resign. Another returned contributions from the campaign committee as tainted. The conservative Washington Times editorialised: "Resign, Mr Speaker".

In 2004, the Republicans galvanised their voters through referendums against gay marriage in swing states. Last June, Hastert unveiled the Republican platform for the 2006 campaign, the "American Values Agenda". Now the Republican leaders' blame-casting resembles the last scene of The Treasure of Sierra Madre , where the varmints battle each other as their gold dust blows away.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/story/0,,1887756,00.html

[madame defarge]

1. Speaking of Blumenthal...

For anyone in the Chicago area, there's a Dan Seals for Congress fundraising event tomorrow night with Sydney Blumenthal as the guest. Here's the scoop:

Dessert and Book Talk with Sidney Blumenthal
Thursday, October 5th, 7:00pm
Former Clinton advisor and political author Sidney Blumenthal will join us to discuss his newest book, "How Bush Rules: Chronicles of a Radical Regime." Catered with dessert and wine at the home of Marcia Blumenthal Fields in Winnetka. Hosts: Lori and Brian Andre, Marcia Blumenthal Fields, Vicki Darmstadter and Doug Roth, Roberta Goldberg and Mark Shapiro, Merrilee Clark Redmond, Susan and Steve Sholl.
Please call Emily at [phone] for more information and to RSVP.

http://www.dansealsforcongress.com/events.php

Help us kick Kirk out of Congress!!!

[spindrifter]

2. Cool--he should have some interesting comments, maybe

even a rehash of the day Hastert quit!

[Greeby]

3. Of course, what do you expect from the paper that gives us Steve Bell?

While most Britons don't spend anywhere near the time on US politics as I do. If we wake up on November 8th to find the Repukes out of power, it'll put a smile on our faces. Same as we got majorly depressed when Shrub won in 04