What's the background on John Conyers?

[LoZoccolo]

This is the second time I've heard the name come up and both times have been unfavorable:

House leader: Colbert was an 'embarrassment'
From Associated Press
September 26, 2010 12:49 PM EDT

WASHINGTON (AP) — The House's No. 2 Democratic leader said Sunday that comedian Stephen Colbert's testimony last week on immigration was "inappropriate" and "an embarrassment."

Democratic Rep. Zoe Lofgren of California invited Colbert to appear before the House Judiciary Committee. But other Democrats weren't happy about her decision.

The committee chairman, Rep. John Conyers, D-Mich., asked Colbert to leave the room at the beginning of the hearing because the comedian had no expertise in farm labor issues or immigration policy.

House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer of Maryland told "Fox News Sunday" he thought the episode was more of an embarrassment to Colbert than to the House. But, he added, "I think it was inappropriate" that he testified.

http://enews.earthlink.net/article/top?guid=20100926/46b825a3-4023-4e93-a128-7cb7f63476c2

[Faygo Kid]

1. I'm from Detroit. He's been in Congress forever.

Second only to John Dingell in seniority. He's normally on our side of the issues, but he's old and frankly pretty much out of it now. His wife is in prison for the unbelievably crooked things she did while on the Detroit City Council; she only got elected because her last name is Conyers.

Nothing ever alleged against John Conyers, though. He ran against Coleman Young many years ago for mayor of Detroit, and got smoked. He went back to Congress, and will stay there until he dies.

[hlthe2b]

3. The OP is playing off an identical post re: Hoyer

I can defend Conyers--easily. Hoyer, not so much.

[LoZoccolo]

5. And why is that? n/t

[hlthe2b]

13. Democrats watching the past 8 years would know..

He was one of the very few to stand up to the Bush*, is a living civil rights hero, and genuine populist. Hoyer, by contrast, is a corporatist DEM.

[LoZoccolo]

14. So would you say that this condemnation of Hoyer's criticism of Colbert

is more about other things than what he actually said?

[hlthe2b]

15. I think both were wrong about Colbert... BUT

Steney Hoyer went on National TV to not only criticize Colbert, but to stab a member of his own caucus in the back--publicly embarrass his DEM colleague and subcommittee chairwoman who invited him. That is an ass of immense proportions. By comparison, Conyers' interruption was short-lived and he rapidly dropped the issue upon his Dem colleague's request.

For heavens sakes, Hoyer has to know how often celebs are brought into these committe and subcommittee hearings in order to drum up some media attention. The REtHUGS brought in ELMO for Christ's sake.

[Autumn]

2. I would think any Democrat would know

the background on John Conyers.

[laughingliberal]

4. +1 nt

[proud2BlibKansan]

6. +1,000

[blondeatlast]

17. One would think so, indeed. nt

[COLGATE4]

7. John's getting old and John's getting cranky. But he's still a good

solid Dem. Cut him a little slack on this one. Maybe he thought it was giving free ammo to the RW echo chamber.

[asdjrocky]

8. Rich, old, and in power for far too long.

Like about 90% of them.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

9. Politicians do not like their God-like status ridiculed. However deservedly.

[leveymg]

10. Like Waxman, Conyers did great work until the Democrats took control of Congress. After that, not

so great. But, they're hardly alone. Just ask Sibel about that.

[Bozita]

11. +1 - He got a lot of pressure from above

[leveymg]

12. Just once, I'd like to see someone defy authority on Capitol Hill. But, only the Blue Dogs can

and do get away with it. All the time. But, they have some powerful friends.

Who really has the last word in DC, and define the limits of acceptable debate and what can and can't be investigated and held accountable? Hint: they're taxpayer funded, but never face reelection or serious challenge. No, it isn't the Supreme Court.

[LiberalFighter]

16. Someone on Conyers' staff failed to provide insight about Colbert.

Instead, they created a story that could had been avoided and should had considered that it would be good to hear from a different point of view.

Just like here in Fort Wayne, Indiana, a reporter did a hour's work on an auto assembly line. From that short experience she learned the difficulty in performing the operations within the time requirements. Should her testimony be ignored if she was at a hearing?