Tuesday, May 23, 2006
Can Someone Please Explain This To Me?
Over the weekend, the FBI raided the office of Representative William J. Jefferson (D) of Louisiana. The reason for the raid was because of video- and audiotaped conversations of Rep. Jefferson referring to several bribes he has taken, specifically a recent $100,000 bribe. This is also the same Rep. Jefferson who used the National Guard--while there were thousands and thousands of stranded people in New Orleans--to take him to his huge house on a Humvee so he could rescue personal belongings from his home during the worst of Katrina.
The FBI found $90,000 (the other $10,000 is unknown) wrapped in tin foil and in Tupperwear in his freezer at his home.
In summary, what we have is a Congressman who--on VIDEO--admitted to taking bribes, and even bragged about writing in code to throw off any kind of Federal investigators on said video.
So why is it, exactly, that members of the Legislative branch (Republican and Democrat alike) are up in arms about this raid? They have referred to it as extending the power of the Executive Branch much too far.
I know that Democrats certainly believe that the Bush Administration has flexed the Executive Branch's muscles far too often during these first 5.5 years. But how does this constitute in an abuse of Executive Power? The FBI had proof of the bribe, video of Rep. Jefferson taking the bribe, a warrant to go into his office and home...what the hell is the problem here?
I do not believe that this is a partisan argument whatsoever--I see this as the Legislative Branch stupidly standing up for "one of their own," in fear that the same could happen to them. There has been an unprecedented level of corruption (on BOTH sides of the isle) in Congress over the past 10 years, and this is a blantant and hole-proof case of it. So why are so many Congressmen up in arms about it?
I think it is because most of those bastards probably have used the same form of "influence" for their personal business ventures.
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/05/24/washington/24cong.html?ei=5094&en=b4f58da213ff8a64&hp=&ex=1148443200&partner=homepage&pagewanted=print
The FBI found $90,000 (the other $10,000 is unknown) wrapped in tin foil and in Tupperwear in his freezer at his home.
In summary, what we have is a Congressman who--on VIDEO--admitted to taking bribes, and even bragged about writing in code to throw off any kind of Federal investigators on said video.
So why is it, exactly, that members of the Legislative branch (Republican and Democrat alike) are up in arms about this raid? They have referred to it as extending the power of the Executive Branch much too far.
I know that Democrats certainly believe that the Bush Administration has flexed the Executive Branch's muscles far too often during these first 5.5 years. But how does this constitute in an abuse of Executive Power? The FBI had proof of the bribe, video of Rep. Jefferson taking the bribe, a warrant to go into his office and home...what the hell is the problem here?
I do not believe that this is a partisan argument whatsoever--I see this as the Legislative Branch stupidly standing up for "one of their own," in fear that the same could happen to them. There has been an unprecedented level of corruption (on BOTH sides of the isle) in Congress over the past 10 years, and this is a blantant and hole-proof case of it. So why are so many Congressmen up in arms about it?
I think it is because most of those bastards probably have used the same form of "influence" for their personal business ventures.
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/05/24/washington/24cong.html?ei=5094&en=b4f58da213ff8a64&hp=&ex=1148443200&partner=homepage&pagewanted=print
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