Molly Ivins: Abramoff Even Misused Charities

[kpete]

Published on Friday, January 6, 2006 by the Boulder Daily Camera (Colorado)
Abramoff Even Misused Charities
by Molly Ivins

We live in a great nation. The police blotter of the Mill Valley Herald in California informs us that the constabulary there had to be called out on account of a citizen "dressed like a penguin" who was "standing on a street corner playing a ukulele." Makes me proud to be an American.

What does not make me proud to be an American is a specific twist in the Jack Abramoff/Tom DeLay scandal — in fact, this makes me want to urp despite the fact that I have a strong stomach when it comes to political corruption. Practice, practice, practice, that's what Texas provides when it comes to sleaze and stink. Who can forget such great explanations as "Well, I'll just make a little bit of money, I won't make a whole lot"? And "There was never a Bible in the room"?

But this is a reach too far, just that little extra that takes normal putrid corruption and moves it to the ranks of "Excuse me, I have to throw up." Both Abramoff and DeLay and many of their web of colleagues have consistently used nonprofit organizations ostensibly formed for charitable purposes to launder money, to move peculiar proceeds and to pay for high-flying perks. Come on, guys, give us a break — if you're going to make a mockery of democracy and show your mastery at flipping money, wiring the system and fixing the odds — please don't use charitable organizations designed to help crippled children to do it.

http://www.commondreams.org/views06/0106-24.htm

[ananda]

1. Molly slam dunks it again!

Those Reeps sure know how to use charities to help themselves.

Urp is right.

Sue

[malaise]

2. I have become a big Molly fan

Great article

[C_U_L8R]

3. Hello.... Charities !!!!

Isn't it convenient that all the Republicans are
"donating" their payola & bribe money to so-called charities....

they can run but they can't hide...
we're onto these crooks like (insert metaphor here)

[Loonman]

4. He better hope "the Almighty" forgives him

America won't. Lock Abramoff up and throw away the key.