Mariana Island story 10/18/06

[photogirl12]

would like to read the article published in my local paper, the Times Union. It is about my (unfortunately) Congressman, John E. Sweeney and the Mariana Islands.

http://timesunion.com/AspStories/story.asp?storyID=526600&category=REGIONOTHER&BCCode=HOME&newsdate=10/18/2006

...and it looks like he is doing his usual "cover his butt" thing!

Sweeney, a Clifton Park Republican, initially refused to answer questions for this story, speaking only through an aide. His deputy chief of staff, Melissa Carlson, said the congressman believed the Marianas government had paid for the trip.

Under House rules, U.S. government-paid travel, including travel financed by the island commonwealth, does not need to be disclosed. However, this week the Marianas government disputed Sweeney's assertion, saying it did not pay for the trip.

Tuesday, Sweeney said he will do whatever is necessary to comply with House ethics rules.

"It was our understanding that this was paid for by the Marianas government," the congressman said. "If it was based on misinformation that may have been given to us by a guy who's now an admitted felon, I will go to the Ethics Committee and ask what I should do."

[cally]

1. congrats

You will get more attention if you edit your subject line indicating that your article was published.

[photogirl12]

13. Thanks for the advice

[swag]

2. Let me guess: the name Jack Abramoff appears at least once.

[photogirl12]

4. Just glancing through

his name appears over 5 times and there is a photo of him in the article. Full page story.

[BrotherBuzz]

14. And Doolittle's name appears, too

Which assures this story will be picked up by the Sacramento Bee. Doolittle is being hammered on the Mariana Islands story, and the Bee is leading the charge. HOOT!

[photogirl12]

15. Congrats

on the story getting out in your area too!:hi:

[bryant69]

3. Those Islands are big trouble

and probably easy to invade - why are we wasting time with Iran and NK when we have these islands that are a lot closer.

Congrats, by the way

Bryant
Check it out --> http://politicalcomment.blogspot.com

[havocmom]

5. we already control them. Or, is it they that control us?

Did ya read the one about Mehlman being the likely power behind the firing (at Jack's request, and for the payoff of concert tickets) a State Dept negotiator who was working to stop the sex slave business? Seems them unsavory, but powerful Island bosses do a fair bit or profiting by that sort of enterprise

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=364&topic_id=2404308

LA Times actually carried the story!
http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-mehlman15oct15,0,1634103.story?coll=la-home-headlines

[DinahMoeHum]

6. Wanna send Kirsten Gillibrand some love and $$$ ?

Here:
http://www.gillibrand2006.com/About

:kick:

[photogirl12]

9. Or better yet...

If you live in the 20th Congressional District, her campaign is always looking for help.

[photogirl12]

16. For those of you who would like to help

Kirsten Gillibrand kick Sweeney's butt out of Congress, here is the link to the contribution page on her website...

https://services.myngp.com/ngponlineservices/contribution.aspx?X=yEvSsqeBpDPsOTgPrro9jQ%3d%3d

[hippiechick]

7. another thread here ...

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=364x2422204


:hi:

[bluerum]

8. And nowhere does it mention that he is a repug. Is the Times Union

blatantly covering for these guys now? I used to live in Rochester area (years ago) and saw the editorial policies between the Times Union and the D&C growing farther apart daily. I see that the Bush and his evil minion Dick have been visiting the area on a regular basis the last year or so as well.

The bitter truth.

[photogirl12]

10. Yes it did.

4th paragraph

[bluerum]

11. Missed it!

[photogirl12]

12. That's ok

We all get so fired up about this that we miss the minor details!

[photogirl12]

17. Kick