New documents disclosed in a complaint from the watchdog group Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) appear to show Caliphornia Democrat Rep. Laura Richardson and her staff clearly violating congressional ethics rules and potentially federal law.
The documents show Richardson using official taxpayer resources for political events, including fundraisers. "Rep. Richardson didn't just violate House rules, she likely committed crimes," said Melanie Sloan, CREW's executive director.
In one instance, Richardson's chief of staff, Shirley Cooks, told all of Richardson's aides in an email from her official House account, "All staff are required to attend" a fundraiser held Sept. 29, 2010, adding, "Bring spouses and tell interns they have to be there as well. Thanks."
Posted by: Fred ||
06/30/2011 00:00 ||
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Link ||
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#1
I wonder if that carries over to campaign sessions in the white House?
Paul Burstow, the UK health minister, urged the public to accept "the nasty truth" that all but the poorest will have to pay for their own care. The issue involves who is to pay for residential care for the elderly / disabled. Burstow warned that care for the elderly would "never" be free, describing the idea of a fully state-funded system as "a fantasy". "It is not free. It never has been and it never, ever will be free," he said. "That the boat has sailed on a wholly tax-funded social care system." Under the expected plan to cap the costs, individuals could take out new insurance schemes to protect themselves, or be given incentives to save through their pensions, or downsize to a smaller home to fund their share of the bill.
As dear Rudyard Kipling once wrote,
"And the Gods of the Copybook Headings, I notice, outlast them all."
Congressman Ted Poe (TX-02) on Wednesday, June 29, sent a letter to the Department of Veterans Affairs in Washington, DC, and issued the following statement in response to recent allegations regarding religious discrimination by the Director of the Houston National Cemetery:
"I am deeply troubled by the allegations that were brought to my attention when I met with members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) in Houston," said Poe. The director of the Houston National Cemetery, Arleen Ocasio, allegedly has engaged in aggressive hostile censorship of religion at the second largest cemetery for veterans in the United States.
"The First Amendment is a sacred right of all Americans, especially those who have honorably served -- and given their lives -- in the name of protecting the United States. Denying their families their constitutional right to the free exercise of religious freedom is disgraceful and shows blatant disrespect for America's veterans.
If these allegations are true, I formally call for the termination of Arleen Ocasio as the director the Houston National Cemetery. This display of authoritarian behavior and religious discrimination should not be tolerated."
#3
It's how the Nomenklatura Government works, OS.
First, you go to indoctrination training by The Covey Corporation well-connected parasites who teach you the secret codes buzzwords (see also Bullshit Bingo). Next, you go to your audition job interview where you regurgitate the proper words in their proper order. Note that each proper word in its proper place will be met with silent nods and hasty scribbling by the Party Faithful interviewers arrayed before you.
And remember, if you have any thoughts, opinions or residual personality of your very own -- do NOT share them.
The United States will resume limited contacts with Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton confirmed on Thursday, saying it was in Washington's interests to deal with parties committed to non-violent politics.
While Clinton portrayed the administration's decision as a continuation of an earlier policy, it reflects a subtle shift in that U.S. officials will be able to deal directly with officials of the Islamist movement who are not members of parliament.
The move, first reported by Reuters on Wednesday, is likely to upset Israel and its U.S. supporters who have deep misgivings about the Brotherhood, a group founded in 1928 that seeks to promote its conservative vision of Islam in society.
Under president Hosni Mubarak, a key U.S. ally, the Brotherhood was formally banned, but since the ousting of the secular former general by a popular uprising in February, the Islamists are seen as a major force in forthcoming elections.
"We believe, given the changing political landscape in Egypt, that it is in the interests of the United States to engage with all parties that are peaceful, and committed to non-violence, that intend to compete for the parliament and the presidency," Clinton told reporters at a news conference.
"Now in any of those contacts, prior or future, we will continue to emphasize the importance of and support for democratic principles and especially a commitment to non-violence, respect for minority rights, and the full inclusion of women in any democracy," she added.
Clinton would not say whether the Obama administration had already begun such contacts or at what level it planned to deal with the group.
"The Ikhwan [Muslim Brotherhood] must understand that their work in America is a kind of grand Jihad in eliminating and destroying the Western civilization from within and sabotaging its miserable house"
(KUNA) -- U.S. President Barack B.O. Obama affirmed here Wednesday that there are "more steps" that have to be taken immediately to help the U.S. economy grow and create jobs, urging Congress to act on these ideas "now." Obama told news hounds during a presser that "the truth is our economic challenges are not going to be solved overnight," but that "there are more steps that we can take right now that would help businesses create jobs here in America." More shovel-ready projects on the way, are there?
"Many of these ideas have been tied up in Congress for some time, but as I said, all of them enjoy bipartisan support, and all of them could help grow the economy. So I urge Congress to act on these ideas now," he stressed. If they enjoy bipartisan support how are they tied up in Congress? Obama affirmed that "one of the most important and urgent things we can do for the economy is something that both parties are working on right now, and that's reducing our nation's deficit." He acknowledged that there some "tough choices" have to be made to reduce deficit. And who knows more about making tough choices than B.O.?
"The bottom line is this: Any agreement to reduce our deficit is going to require tough decisions and balanced solutions," he remarked.
Obama said he believes that "there's a conceptual framework that would allow us to make huge progress on our debt and deficit, and do so in a way that does not hurt our economy right here and right now." "Nobody wants to see the United States default. So we've got to seize this moment, and we have to seize it soon," he noted.
Obama continued saying that he and the Vice President Joe Foreign Policy Whiz Kid Biden The former Senator-for-Life from Delaware, an example of the kind of top-notch Washington intellect to be found in the World's Greatest Deliberative Body... "will continue these negotiations with both parties in Congress for as long as it takes, and we will reach a deal that will require our government to live within its means and give our businesses confidence and get this economy moving."
Posted by: Fred ||
06/30/2011 00:00 ||
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#1
This President doubled the budget and never cared about it with the last congress. When Dems were in the house they did not pass a budget.
* WAFF > [NineMSN = Australia] US DEBT IS UNSUSTAINABLE | IMF SAYS US DEBT IS [perilously]UNSUSTAINABLE.
POSTWER = CNBC repor that US Total Public Debt is over US$50.0Trilyuhn, a figure which has not yet made the major news + may be being intentionally hidden ALAP???
versus
* PEOPLE'S DAILY FORUM > ITS TIME FOR BRITAIN TO MERGE ITS ARMY, NAVY, + AIR FORCE. UK Defence spending reduced from 5.0% of GDP at end of Cold War to 2.0% in 2011 - the UK's Armed Forces is pressed or unable to meet even basic military tasks or requirements.
* RELATED SAME > TOP UK GENERALS, ADMIRALS, + AIR MARSHALS TO FACE AX.
* CHINESE MILITARY FORUM > [Corrupt = 16-18,000] CHINESE OFFICIALS HAVE STOLEN OVER US$120.0BILYUHN [Y$800.0BILYUHN] + FLED ABROAD SINCE THE 1990's.
* IIRC STARS-N-STRIPES > NEW/NEWER US MILITARY OFFICERS TO FACE FORCED RETIREMENT.
#7
The 'tough' choice is whether living within one's means or placing their children and grandchildren into servitude so they, the pols, can continue spending on bread and games today to buy favors.
#9
Even if the US cut its defense expenditures to ZERO, the deficit / debt would STILL be impossible. Cuts need to be much larger than that.
BO's choice to help businesses create jobs - raise taxes!
#10
Tidbit: "I've met with the leaders multiple times," he continued. "At a certain point, they need to do their job."
The president then added;
Give me a break I'm busy. Oh, and BTW, if you need to get ahold of me I'll be in Philly tommorrow for a couple more fundraisers. The minimum ticket is only $10K per person - so lets talk.
#11
"At a certain point, they need to do their job."
You first, jackass.
Posted by: Barbara ||
06/30/2011 12:40 Comments ||
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#12
"Present!"
Posted by: Frank G ||
06/30/2011 12:57 Comments ||
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#13
There's one thing for sure - neither "President" O'bumble or "Slow Joe" Biden will make any of those tough decisions. This president's motto is "I don't do decisions."
Posted by: Old Patriot ||
06/30/2011 13:22 Comments ||
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#14
I've said it before. The only real shovel ready jobs that would help would be to pay construction folks to build new base housing for America's military bases. Something that is a Federal responsibility anyway, and that would get these construction workers working without adding new suburbs to the areas still screwed by the housing bust.
Fixing roads, bridges and building dams are not so shovel ready but there has been time to do the prep-work on that sort of thing by now.
Yet the stimulous money is used in ways that don't create jobs or stimulate anything but a few choice bank accounts.
#19
So, this guy is going to go on vacation while telling Congress to do their job. He wants to raise taxes no matter what and really does not care if we bankrupt as a nation.
So as President, you will offer nothing to fix this mess you doubled during your term?
Really President Obama?
He is a traitor and he broke his oath. If the country goes down - it is all on HIM.
I will not be forgiving of these people if they purposefully make US live like animals over their political ambitions. In fact, that's pitchfork time right there.
What needs to happen is the Ryan plan but good luck with that.
#21
I believe I said at the time that there were no "shovel ready projects". I'd accept applause if it weren't so freaking obvious to anyone outside the Obama/Biden Administration and their academic toadies.
Posted by: Frank G ||
06/30/2011 20:34 Comments ||
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Veterans in Houston say the Department of Veterans Affairs is consistently censoring their prayers by banning them from saying the words "God" and "Jesus" during funeral services at Houston National Cemetery.
Three organizations -- the Veterans of Foreign Wars, The American Legion and the National Memorial Ladies -- allege that the cemetery's director and other government officials have created "religious hostility" at the cemetery and are violating the First Amendment.
According to court documents filed this week in federal court, the cemetery's director, Arleen Ocasio, has banned saying "God" at funerals and requires prayers be submitted in advance for government approval, MyFoxHouston.com reports.
"People are doing things out there that I feel like they shouldn't be," Vietnam veteran Jim Rodgers told the website.
The Department of Veterans Affairs said in a statement that it "respects every veteran and their family's right to burial service that honors their faith tradition." The department employs nearly 1,000 chaplains who preside over religious burials, according to the statement.
However, the new allegations come one month after a controversy surrounding Pastor Scott Rainey's prayer in Jesus' name at a Memorial Day service in the cemetery. U.S. District Judge Lynn Hughes ruled May 26 that the government couldn't stop Rainey from using the words "Jesus Christ" in his invocation. Hughes issued a temporary restraining order to prevent the Department of Veterans Affairs from censoring Rainey's prayer.
"The hostile and discriminatory actions by the Veterans Affairs officials in Houston are outrageous, unconstitutional and must stop," said Jeff Mateer, an attorney with Liberty Institute, which filed the original lawsuit on behalf of the veterans groups. "Government officials who engage in religious discrimination against citizens are breaking the law. Sadly, this seems to be a pattern of behavior at the Houston VA National Cemetery."
Judge Hughes gave the government until July 15 to respond to the new allegations and set a status hearing for July 21, Mateer said.
Ocasio couldn't be reached for comment on Tuesday, MyFoxHouston.com reports.
"We were told we could no longer say 'God bless you' and 'God bless your family,'" Marilyn Koepp, a volunteer with the National Memorial Ladies, told the website. "How did I feel? I probably shouldn't say how I felt because it was absolutely appalling that this woman would come aboard and tell us we cannot say 'God bless you.'" Arleen Ocasio is bitterly anti-religious, doing such things as defiling chapels and renaming them "meeting centers", ordering clergy and visitors to not use the words "God" or "Jesus" on the grounds of the cemeteries, and even prohibiting pleasantries like "God bless you".
Honestly, I doubt she has the authority to do this and if someone is letting her from the DVA, there is a serious 1st amendment suit waiting to happen against the government.
Honestly lady, during a moment of grief, let people have whatever religion or lack there of they want. Have some fucking common curtsey or we will have none dealing with you, you fucking bitch.
#2
Maybe the clergy have to follow her directions, but the families and friends of the deceased do NOT.
I hope some of them very loudly say God, Jesus, or whatever they want to at their loved one's funeral.
I'd also suggest submitting a prayer for approval, getting her e-mail, letter, or notes deleting the God parts, then (a) taking it to the local papers/TV stations and (b) sending it to their Senators and Representatives. Make a HUGE stink. Get ReCongress involved.
I wonder if she has any objections to "Allah"? If so, that would be fun to send to CAIR, et al. If not, make that a bone of contention, too.
Darth, I know you're upset - and rightly so - but I must object to your language. You have no business calling this loser a lady.
Please apologize to ladies everywhere for this egregious insult.
Posted by: Barbara ||
06/30/2011 11:31 Comments ||
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#3
Sorry ladies.
Didn't mean to compare you wonderful people with a craven douche.
#4
I am surprised it took this long to get posted to the 'Burg, or that there wasn't a big local stink at about the time of the judge's restraining order.
#5
As I understand the rules, any kind of prayers etc. may be said at funerals & such, as long as they are requested by the next-of-kin (hence the requirement of submitting the text in writing for approval.) They allege to be protecting the rights of atheist or non-Christian next-of-kin etc. to not be offended by religious speech (including simple greetings by the volunteers) at funerals and of any atheist attendees at open memorials from such offenses.
#6
I will pray any way I choose - and dare that sanctimonious asshole to arrest me. I have a right to freely practice my religion - 1st amendment. To be "free from" anything is nowhere in the constitution, and any claims of that sort are bullshit.
#8
Anyone who believes that there isn't a deeply entrenched institutional anti-Christian bigotry in the Democratic party needs to read this article over and over until they get it.
Posted by: no mo uro ||
06/30/2011 20:56 Comments ||
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#9
"Atheist Veterans Cemetery Director"
English can be annoyingly unprecise at times
Who is atheist, the director or the veterans?
(no way to know without reading the whole thing)
Posted by: European Conservative ||
06/30/2011 23:47 Comments ||
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A multi-volume chronology and reference guide set detailing three years of the Mexican Drug War between 2010 and 2012.
Rantburg.com and borderlandbeat.com correspondent and author Chris Covert presents his first non-fiction work detailing
the drug and gang related violence in Mexico.
Chris gives us Mexican press dispatches of drug and gang war violence
over three years, presented in a multi volume set intended to chronicle the death, violence and mayhem which has
dominated Mexico for six years.
Rantburg was assembled from recycled algorithms in the United States of America. No
trees were destroyed in the production of this weblog. We did hurt some, though. Sorry.
(KUNA) -- U.S. President 
Obama affirmed that "one of the most important and urgent things we can do for the economy is something that both parties are working on right now, and that's reducing our nation's deficit." He acknowledged that there some "tough choices" have to be made to reduce deficit.
