BS: Can't be - she's a Democrat

Subject: BS: Can't be - she's a Democrat
From: pdq
Date: 29 Mar 07 - 11:17 PM

ON CAPITOL HILL

Feinstein quits committee under war-profiteer cloud

Report documents military contracts for firms owned by senator's husband.

Posted: March 28, 2007

Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., has abruptly walked away from her responsibilities with the Senate Military Construction Appropriations Subcommittee after a report linked her votes to the financial well-being of her husband's companies, which received billions of dollars worth of military construction contracts she approved.

As reported in Metroactive, an online report from the Silicon Valley, Feinstein's resignation followed six years of subcommittee work during which time her alleged conflict of interest stemmed from her husband Richard C. Blum's ownership of Perini Corp. and URS Corp.

Feinstein, chairman and ranking member of the subcommittee, regularly reviewed and accepted contracts from her husband's companies for not only construction work for military bases, but also addressing "quality of life" issues for the veterans of the United States military services.

"As MILCON leader, Feinstein relished the details of military construction, even micromanaging one project at the level of its sewer design," wrote Peter Byrne in the report. "She regularly took junkets to military bases around the world to inspect construction projects, some of which were contracted to her husband's companies, Perini Corp. and URS Corp."

He suggested perhaps Feinstein resigned "because she could not take the heat generated by metro's expose of her ethics… Or was her work on the subcommittee finished because Blum divested ownership of his military construction and advanced weapons manufacturing firms in late 2005?"

The writer also noted another reason could be that since that subcommittee is responsible for veterans' "quality of life" issues, perhaps she was trying to distance herself from the military's failure to provide decent medical care for wounded servicemembers.

"Feinstein abandoned MILCON as her ethical problems were surfacing in the media, and as it was becoming clear that her subcommittee left grievously wounded veterans to rot while her family was profiting from the occupations of Iraq and Afghanistan. It turns out that Blum also holds large investments in companies that were selling medical equipment and supplies and real estate leases – often without the benefit of competitive bidding – to the Department of Veterans Affairs, even as the system of medical care for veterans collapsed on his wife's watch," he wrote.

The Metroactive report, based on research partly funded by the Investigative Fund of the Nation Institute, noted that as of the end of 2006, federal documents showed three companies in which Blum's financial entities owned a total of $1 billion in stock got $17.8 million for medical equipment and supplies (Boston Scientific Corp.), $12 million for medical supplies and equipment (Kinetic Concepts Inc.), and additional funding through lease contracts (CB Richard Ellis).

"You would think that, considering all the money Feinstein's family has pocketed by waging global warfare while ignoring the plight of wounded American soldiers, she would show a smidgeon of shame and resign from the entire Senate, not just a subcommittee," Byrne wrote. "Conversely, you'd think she might stick around MILCON to try and fix the medical-care disaster she helped to engineer for the vets who were suckered into fighting her and Bush's panoply of unjust wars."

Byrne earlier had documented the connections between the dollars Feinstein voted on and the revenue for Blum's companies.

From 1997 through 2005 Blum, with Feinstein's knowledge, was a majority owner in both URS Corp. and Perini Corp., both of which were regularly among the companies awarded major military contracts proposed by the Department of Defense.

According to those reports, from 2001 to 2005, URS earned $792 million from military construction and environmental cleanup work approved by MILCON, while Perini collected $759 million for the same.

Feinstein's annual Public Financial Disclosure Reports record sizeable family income from investments in the Framingham, Mass.-based Perini and the San Francisco-located URS. But there was no acknowledgment of any conflict of interest, according to Metroactive, a "Northern California meta-site" that specializes in arts and entertainment information from area publications: Metro, Silicon Valley's Weekly Newspaper; Metro Santa Cruz; and the North Bay Bohemian.

Byrne also reported Michael R. Klein, an adviser to Feinstein and business partner with Blum, said that starting in 1997 he routinely told Feinstein about federal projects coming before her in which Perini had a stake, in order for her to avoid those votes and as such, a conflict of interest.

However, instead of withholding a vote, she did act on those pieces of legislation, Byrne reported. Ultimately, "the Congressional Record shows that as chairperson and ranking member of MILCON, Feinstein was often involved in supervising the legislative details of military construction projects that directly affected Blum's defense-contracting firms," Byrne's report said.

"Sen. Feinstein has had a serious conflict of interest, a serious insensitivity to ethical considerations," Wendell Rawls, of the Center for Public Integrity in Washington, told Metroactive. "The very least she should have done is to recuse herself from having conversations, debates, voting or any other kind of legislative activity that involved either Perini Corp. or URS Corp. or any other business activity where her husband's financial were involved."

One example was that in 2005, MILCON approved a Pentagon plan to fund "overhead coverage force protection" for Iraq to reinforce the roofs of U.S. Army barracks. About three months later, Perini announced an award of a $185 million contract to provide "overhead coverage force protection to the Army in Iraq."

Byrne noted when Blum divested ownership of URS and Perini in 2005, the conflict of interest was resolved. "But Feinstein's ethical dilemma arose from the fact that, for five years, the interests of Perini and URS and CB Richard Ellis were inextricably entwined with her leadership of MILCON ... ."

The investigation examined thousands of pages of documents, including transcripts of hearings in Congress, filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and reports and government audits as well as corporate press releases.

The result? "The paper trails showing Sen. Feinstein's conflict of interest is irrefutable," according to Danielle Brian, of the Project on Government Oversight.

"Because of the amount of money involved," said Melanie Sloan, of the Citizens for Responsible Ethics in Washington, "Feinstein's conflict of interest is an order of magnitude greater than [other] conflicts [involving U.S. Rep. John T. Doolittle, former Speaker Dennis Hastert and others]."

In 2005, Roll Call calculated Feinstein's wealth at $40 million, up $10 million from just a year earlier. Reports show her family earned between $500,000 and $5 million from capital gains on URS and Perini stock. From CB Richard Ellis, her husband earned from $1.3 million to $4 million.

Public records show Blum's company paid $4 a share for controlling interest in Perini, and later sold about three million shares for $23.75 each.

The report also showed URS' military construction work in 2000 was only $24 million, but the next year, when Feinstein took over as MILCON chair, military construction earned URS $185 million. Additionally, its military construction architectural and engineering revenue rose from $108,000 in 2000 to $142 million in 2001, a thousand-fold increase.

In late 2005, Blum sold 5.5 million URS shares, worth $220 million, the report said.

               
        (BTW, Metroactive is a very liberal web site)

Subject: RE: BS: Can't be - she's a Democrat
From: Peace
Date: 29 Mar 07 - 11:33 PM

The same thing that happens to Dick Cheney should happen to her. Couldn't agree more.

Subject: RE: BS: Can't be - she's a Democrat
From: Barry Finn
Date: 30 Mar 07 - 12:21 AM

The difference I think would be that she & her family haven't waged global warfare as stated but Dick has.
I also agree, if she is guilty, she & Dick should walk out hand & hand, together.

Barry

Subject: RE: BS: Can't be - she's a Democrat
From: dianavan
Date: 30 Mar 07 - 12:22 AM

People who make profit from war are evil (and I do not use that word lightly).

If we could hold them accountable for all of the misery they cause, it wouldn't be such an attractive business. Whats really sick is that it is respected business people and politicians who are making vast fortunes. I think it could be said that the U.S. and Britain are morally bankrupt.

Subject: RE: BS: Can't be - she's a Democrat
From: Don Firth
Date: 30 Mar 07 - 12:46 AM

What's sauce for the gander is sauce for the goose. Sorry, pdq, no double standard.

Don Firth

Subject: RE: BS: Can't be - she's a Democrat
From: michaelr
Date: 30 Mar 07 - 01:23 AM

Hear hear, dianavan.

Feinstein should resign, er, retire. With Democrats like that, who needs Republicans?

Cheers,
Michael

Subject: RE: BS: Can't be - she's a Democrat
From: Little Hawk
Date: 30 Mar 07 - 01:36 AM

You expect people to be surprised that rich Democrats also profit from war, pdq???? Well, only in the USA, I guess, would anyone be surprised by such a stunning revelation.

It's like telling us that hey!... orange tabby cats eat mice too...not just the black cats do it.

Subject: RE: BS: Can't be - she's a Democrat
From: Peace
Date: 30 Mar 07 - 02:14 AM

"Rep. Randy "Duke" Cunningham (R-Calif.) pleaded guilty today to fraud, conspiracy to commit bribery and tax evasion. Shortly after entering his plea, Cunningham announced that he is immediately resigning his seat, though he had already announced that he would not seek reelection next year.

According to The Associated Press, Cunningham admitted "he took $2.4 million in bribes to steer defense contracts to conspirators." He is scheduled to be sentenced on Feb. 27. FindLaw.com has copies of the charges filed against Cunningham and his plea agreement."

and in the interest of balance:

"Democrats don't have a clean ethical slate either, a fact Republicans are quick to point out. Rep. William Jefferson (D-La.) is the target of a federal probe regarding an alleged telecommunications deal in Nigeria he attempted to broker. And former Rep. Frank Ballance (D-N.C.) was recently sentenced to four years in prison for misusing state monies as a state senator."

As Little Hawk pointed out, why would anyone be surprised at corruption in government?

Subject: RE: BS: Can't be - she's a Democrat
From: kendall
Date: 30 Mar 07 - 07:54 AM

They are all tarred with the same brush. The Attorney General has been caught lying in the case of firing all those US Attorneys. Accoreding to the news, most of them are republicans. They really shouldn't have gone after one of their own, Scooter Libby.Pay back time.

Subject: RE: BS: Can't be - she's a Democrat
From: Rapparee
Date: 30 Mar 07 - 08:58 AM

Don't forget Henry Reid of Nevada.

Ya gotta excuse me, but I remember Congress-related scandals that go back to Billie Sol Estes. Before that I didn't really pay any attention.

Throw the rascals out, I say! Let's get new rascals in office!

Subject: RE: BS: Can't be - she's a Democrat
From: GUEST,meself
Date: 30 Mar 07 - 09:04 AM

Good one, Rap!

Subject: RE: BS: Can't be - she's a Democrat
From: Greg F.
Date: 30 Mar 07 - 09:41 AM

But Bruce - absolutely nothing is going to happen to Dick Cheney.......

Subject: RE: BS: Can't be - she's a Democrat
From: Amos
Date: 30 Mar 07 - 10:05 AM

I am actually sorry to hear this about Feinstein. Business as usual on both sides of the street. Pfui. I spit.

A

Subject: RE: BS: Can't be - she's a Democrat
From: heric
Date: 30 Mar 07 - 11:24 AM

Something fishy about this story. No one but Rush Limbaugh has chosen to pick it up in the three months or so since the little local rag took up the cause. Her marriage wasn't much of a secret.

Subject: RE: BS: Can't be - she's a Democrat
From: beardedbruce
Date: 30 Mar 07 - 11:34 AM

http://www.netscape.com/viewstory/2007/03/28/feinstein-resigns/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.metroactive.com%2Fmetro%2F03.21.07%2Fdianne

Subject: RE: BS: Can't be - she's a Democrat
From: heric
Date: 30 Mar 07 - 11:39 AM

Yes, that is the same little rag trying to connect Feinstein's resignation as "perhaps" related to their January article/expose. Good on them. I hope they expose fraud and corruption and help to bring down the sword of justice. Someday.

Subject: RE: BS: Can't be - she's a Democrat
From: Bill D
Date: 30 Mar 07 - 11:57 AM

for a story that big, I find almost nothing about it, and BBs link is a mess....

I wonder what the source is?

Subject: RE: BS: Can't be - she's a Democrat
From: Bill D
Date: 30 Mar 07 - 12:01 PM

ok, here's the link

Why is this just in a movie & restaurant review blog?

Gotta do some reading before I comment.

Subject: RE: BS: Can't be - she's a Democrat
From: heric
Date: 30 Mar 07 - 12:11 PM

I have a better story here:
Peregrine Systems

Subject: RE: BS: Can't be - she's a Democrat
From: Peace
Date: 30 Mar 07 - 12:31 PM

Link to Feinstein story.

**********************************************

"Senator Feinstein's Iraq Conflict
As a member of the Military Construction Appropriations subcommittee, Sen. Feinstein voted for appropriations worth billions to her husband's firms

By Peter Byrne



In the November 2006 election, the voters demanded congressional ethics reform. And so, the newly appointed chairman of the Senate Rules Committee, Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., is now duly in charge of regulating the ethical behavior of her colleagues. But for many years, Feinstein has been beset by her own ethical conflict of interest, say congressional ethics experts.

As chairperson and ranking member of the Military Construction Appropriations subcommittee (MILCON) from 2001 through the end of 2005, Feinstein supervised the appropriation of billions of dollars a year for specific military construction projects. Two defense contractors whose interests were largely controlled by her husband, financier Richard C. Blum, benefited from decisions made by Feinstein as leader of this powerful subcommittee."

from http://www.metroactive.com/feinstein/index.html

Subject: RE: BS: Can't be - she's a Democrat
From: Rapparee
Date: 30 Mar 07 - 12:49 PM

To paraphrase my good friend Mercutio, "A plague on BOTH their houses!"

Subject: RE: BS: Can't be - she's a Democrat
From: Amos
Date: 30 Mar 07 - 12:59 PM

Mercutio: An' they head sir? How is't with thy head, pray?

Rapaire: Ah well...'tis not so deep as a well, nor so wide as a church door, but 'tis enough, 'twill serve.

Mercutio: Oh, well said, an' you with such a lump. A finely turned line, well-formed, well-timed, and neat in image. An' thou permit I shall borrow it anon. Thy block shall never miss the taking of it.

Rapaire: For thy head, my foolish friend?

Mercutio: Oh, my head, or anything else most sore. I am to be wounded, I am told, in the next but one scene...

Subject: RE: BS: Can't be - she's a Democrat
From: Peace
Date: 30 Mar 07 - 01:08 PM

I am still surprised that anyone would find the topic of 'corruption in government' to be a revelation, regardless the political affiliation. I can't recall a time when there wasn't. Not at the municipal, provincial or federal level.

Subject: RE: BS: Can't be - she's a Democrat
From: Rapparee
Date: 30 Mar 07 - 01:27 PM

Surprised? No. Shocked? Not really. Disappointed? You can't be disappointed unless you believed they weren't crooks in the first place.

Subject: RE: BS: Can't be - she's a Democrat
From: Rapparee
Date: 30 Mar 07 - 01:28 PM

And that goes for "both sides of the aisle."

Subject: RE: BS: Can't be - she's a Democrat
From: Donuel
Date: 30 Mar 07 - 01:41 PM

If the blood on the hands of the folks in DC were visible, no one would shake hands in this town.



my bumper stickers

United we stand
to exterminate diversity

SUPPORT OUR Torture

JEB
CHENEY 08

George Bush is a Genius
the check is in the mail

Subject: RE: BS: Can't be - she's a Democrat
From: pdq
Date: 30 Mar 07 - 02:10 PM

What makes this different from the average corruption case is the size of the pay-off: billions instead of millions.

Where Di Fi and Hubby really made a killing was in the value of company stock. The two Blum-Feinstein companies the article mentions were funneled billion of dollars in defense contracts. Stocks doubled or better. Blum-Feinstein sell stocks at a profit of around 1/2 billion.

Another issue is the awful Third World health care provided to our wounded vets (from the Iraq conflict) by one of the two companies. This really does not play well in Middle America.

About the source of the news, the reasearch was done by Nation Institute, as in Nation Magazine. Far Left types.

(apologies to Phil Ochs)

"I read New Republic and Nation
I've learned to take every view
You know, I've memorized Lerner and Golden
I feel like I'm almost a Jew
But when it comes to times like korea
There's no one more red, white and blue
So love me, love me, love me, I'm a liberal."

Subject: RE: BS: Can't be - she's a Democrat
From: Ebbie
Date: 30 Mar 07 - 02:20 PM

ALL of links that speak of Feinstein's resigning from the Committee that I can find come from the same source, cited above. Why is that?

Subject: RE: BS: Can't be - she's a Democrat
From: Ebbie
Date: 30 Mar 07 - 02:24 PM

Incidentally, the same source has bloggers talking kuje tgusL

"We have "Osama" Obama engaging in a shady land deal with a fellow,reputedly with ties to organized crime, who is under federal investigation. We have Harry Reid engaging in a shady land deal and then proposing legislation that would build a bridge close to his shady land. We have John Edwards creating a tax shelter to avoid paying millions in Medicare taxes. we have the family of Maxine waters raking in millions due to the influence of Ms. Waters. We have Alcee Hastings, impeached federal judge, as a leader of the house democrats. And then we have William Jefferson. 'Nuff said! "

??

Subject: RE: BS: Can't be - she's a Democrat
From: beardedbruce
Date: 30 Mar 07 - 02:28 PM

http://www.citizensforethics.org/node/19923

Subject: RE: BS: Can't be - she's a Democrat
From: Bill D
Date: 30 Mar 07 - 02:37 PM

That's why I was curious, Ebbie...I have no idea who "Peter Byrne" is, but if this were a real scandal, why are not more news agencies on it?

If this just an attempted smear by connecting irrelevant data, we need to know. I don't approve of ANY cheating or illegal/immoral crap from anyone, no matter what their party.

I'm aware that greed and conflict of interest can afflict people of ANY party...but the examples we have seen the last 10 years seem to have been a wee bit one sided. Trying to trump up a case just to even the score is bad form.

Lets see some clear evidence that this charge against Feinstein has some merit.

Subject: RE: BS: Can't be - she's a Democrat
From: Bill D
Date: 30 Mar 07 - 02:40 PM

yeah, Bruce...and "Peter Byrne" is STILL the only source listed...

Subject: RE: BS: Can't be - she's a Democrat
From: Bill D
Date: 30 Mar 07 - 02:42 PM

ove 2 months, and a serious charge like that not followed up by anyone of consequence? Mabe a couple billion in bribes, huh? Do you suppose?

Subject: RE: BS: Can't be - she's a Democrat
From: GUEST,heric
Date: 30 Mar 07 - 02:59 PM

Peter Byrne is pretty easy to find at his website: Peter Byrne

Subject: RE: BS: Can't be - she's a Democrat
From: Peace
Date: 30 Mar 07 - 03:05 PM

I have e-mailed the link to the Peter Byrne article to Sen Dianne Feinstein.

Subject: RE: BS: Can't be - she's a Democrat
From: beardedbruce
Date: 30 Mar 07 - 03:10 PM

BillD,

so, if the NY Times does not report it, it cannot be true?

I think it deserves at least looking at the facts as presented. Perhaps we could judge on the truth rather than how much the biased media plays it up.

If I remember correctly, Watergate had only one source, initially. So I guess we should have ignored that, as well.

Subject: RE: BS: Can't be - she's a Democrat
From: beardedbruce
Date: 30 Mar 07 - 03:29 PM

"She previously served as the Ranking Member of the Military Construction and Veteran Affairs Subcommittee. "

http://feinstein.senate.gov/biography.html

"Spouse (1) Judge Jack Berman, div.
(2) Bertram Feinstein, deceased
(3) Richard C. Blum "

"Feinstein has received scrutiny for husband Richard Blum's extensive business dealings with China and her past votes on trade issues with the country. As a result, her financial disclosure statement[1] -- nearly the size of a phonebook -- draws clear lines between her assets and those of her husband. Many of her assets are in blind trusts. On March 29, 2007, she resigned from the Senate Military Construction Appropriations subcommittee. Feinstein was chairperson and ranking member of MILCON for six years, during which time she had a conflict of interest due to her husband Richard C. Blum's ownership of two major defense contractors, who were awarded billions of dollars for military construction projects approved by Feinstein.

In 2003, Feinstein was ranked the fifth wealthiest senator, with an estimated net worth of $26 million. [3] By 2005 her net worth had increased to between $43 million and $99 million dollars [2]."

"The Center for Public Integrity has reported that Feinstein and her husband, Richard Blum, are making millions of dollars from Iraq and Afghanistan contracts through his company, Perini[7]. In late March 2007, she resigned from the Military Construction Appropriations subcommittee [8]. While on the United States Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Military Construction Feinstein voted for appropriations worth billions to her husband's firms[9]. "
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dianne_Feinstein

Subject: RE: BS: Can't be - she's a Democrat
From: beardedbruce
Date: 30 Mar 07 - 03:36 PM

Report appears to be from less than two days ago- so how many other reporters will have even seen it, much less tried to investigate a high-ranking Democratic senator?


"Feinstein quits committee under war-profiteer cloud
Report documents military contracts for firms owned by senator's husband

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Posted: March 28, 2007
10:05 p.m. Eastern



© 2007 WorldNetDaily.com "


Feinstein quits committee under war-profiteer cloud

Subject: RE: BS: Can't be - she's a Democrat
From: beardedbruce
Date: 30 Mar 07 - 03:40 PM

BillD,

"ove 2 months, and a serious charge like that not followed up by anyone of consequence? "

"In late March 2007, she resigned from the Military Construction Appropriations subcommittee [8]. "

almost 2 days, more like.

Subject: RE: BS: Can't be - she's a Democrat
From: beardedbruce
Date: 30 Mar 07 - 03:56 PM

"Lets see some clear evidence that this charge against Feinstein has some merit"

Agreed, I just hope you apply the same standard to Republicans...

Subject: RE: BS: Can't be - she's a Democrat
From: Rapparee
Date: 30 Mar 07 - 04:33 PM

I try to apply that standard to everyone.

But I still think that they're all crooks....

Subject: RE: BS: Can't be - she's a Democrat
From: beardedbruce
Date: 30 Mar 07 - 04:36 PM

Rapaire,

One can but try.

And I would not argue with you- ANYONE who wants a political job must be looked at with suspician.

Subject: RE: BS: Can't be - she's a Democrat
From: GUEST, Ebbie
Date: 30 Mar 07 - 04:41 PM

Le'ts be clear about it: She resigned yesterday. "As a result, her financial disclosure statement[1] -- nearly the size of a phonebook -- draws clear lines between her assets and those of her husband. Many of her assets are in blind trusts."

I don't understand it- it appears that she tried to avoid conflicts of interest. ("As a result, her financial disclosure statement[1] -- nearly the size of a phonebook -- draws clear lines between her assets and those of her husband. Many of her assets are in blind trusts"

Is it your contention that she should never have accepted the top position? That, I could understand.

Subject: RE: BS: Can't be - she's a Democrat
From: beardedbruce
Date: 30 Mar 07 - 04:45 PM

The claim presented is that she steered business to her husband's companies. Not much sense in a blind trust if your spouse benefits from your political position.

Sort of " You can't give me money, but you can give it to my husband- we don't share anything... " ( question- how much did he contribute to her last election campaign?)

If this were a Republican, the cries here would befor immediate resignation from the Senate, not just that committee. On less than has been presented in this article.

Subject: RE: BS: Can't be - she's a Democrat
From: GUEST, Ebbie
Date: 30 Mar 07 - 04:56 PM

"...question- how much did he contribute to her last election campaign?" bb

Why do I feel that your implication is only your guess?

The difference here, I think, is that we non-Republicans want an investigation of it.

Have you been listening to the hearings on the firings of the US attorneys? I have been. Are you aware that the Republicans officially don't want the investigation?

Subject: RE: BS: Can't be - she's a Democrat
From: katlaughing
Date: 30 Mar 07 - 04:56 PM

I couldn't find anything relating to this on her website, among her press releases, nor in the listings of committees of which she is a member. I would think they would have some kind of press release for damage control if nothing else.

I agree with BillD and Ebbie...there needs to be secondary, credible sources. In every case where I find the story, it is all sourced from Byrne and Metro Newspapers.

Subject: RE: BS: Can't be - she's a Democrat
From: Bill D
Date: 30 Mar 07 - 05:22 PM

"...if the NY Times does not report it, it cannot be true?"

"If this were a Republican, the cries here would befor immediate resignation from the Senate,..."

"....Watergate had only one source, initially. So I guess we should have ignored that, as well."

can you not EVER conduct a discussion of facts without erecting a straw man? I never SAID something should be ignored!!!! And I certainly would NOT demand the resignation of a Republican on that sort of reporting! I said it was strange that so little had been said, except by Byrne!

   In the final analysis, it is not whether she is rich, her husband is rich, or whether he made money while she was in office....it is whether she made decisions and used influence in order to help him make money. If she did, there should be reckoning , as with ANY manipulation of that sort.

Now...let's see if those who formally investigate these things find any grounds to look deeper.

Subject: RE: BS: Can't be - she's a Democrat
From: beardedbruce
Date: 30 Mar 07 - 05:26 PM

And all the stories on Watergate quoted the Washington Post.

There is more questionable actions here, in the quotes from her web site that I posted than there is about Cheney and Halburton- and look at how that is treated.

Subject: RE: BS: Can't be - she's a Democrat
From: Bill D
Date: 30 Mar 07 - 05:36 PM

I don't give a flying **** how Watergate started. That is **IRRELEVANT**. It WAS investigated, despite myriad attempts to cover it up, and things were proved.

And Cheney...not his wife...CHENEY...was the principal player with Halliburton. As you may note, Cheney has NOT been officially accused of anything...certainly not by ME!

The is much evidence, as noted, that Feinstein DID keep her interests carefully separate from her husband's.

If there is anything TO investigate, I have no doubt it will be....so do me a big favor and stop comparing a matter you just heard about today to other issues, hmmmm?

Subject: RE: BS: Can't be - she's a Democrat
From: Bill D
Date: 30 Mar 07 - 05:41 PM

...and just as a side comment, I'd prefer what the Wash Post says, with its pretty careful fact checking, to a guy in Cal. who makes it a hobby to 'investigate' rumors.

Subject: RE: BS: Can't be - she's a Democrat
From: beardedbruce
Date: 30 Mar 07 - 05:44 PM

"so do me a big favor and stop comparing a matter you just heard about today to other issues, hmmmm? "


In other words, I should have no opinion on the blatent partisanship represented hereabout potential corruption- 'If a Dem. did it, we will investigate- if a Republican does it, we will convict.'

Subject: RE: BS: Can't be - she's a Democrat
From: beardedbruce
Date: 30 Mar 07 - 05:50 PM

"'investigate' rumors."

He presents facts about her actions in regards to contracts with her husband's company- yet you call it rumours.

Points to verify-

1. The person named is her husband- I went to her web site

2. the husband owns the companies in question- still checking

3. The contracts were given to those companies - getting verification

4. The increase in wealth is as described- looking for additional source, as Wikipedia is not always right.

5. She was in the position on the committee as claimed- from her web site.

6. She did resign her position on the committee in question

What rumours were you talking about??????

Subject: RE: BS: Can't be - she's a Democrat
From: Bill D
Date: 30 Mar 07 - 05:53 PM

You are once again making broad generalizations.
If Mudcat were 84% Republican, would you be making points about 'blatant partisanship'...or merely admiring how sensible everone was?


"If a Dem. did it, we will investigate- if a Republican does it, we will convict.'"...NO ONE said that. That is YOUR artificial characterization.

Subject: RE: BS: Can't be - she's a Democrat
From: dick greenhaus
Date: 30 Mar 07 - 06:06 PM

The main reason that Repubs have been demonstrably more corrupt than Dems over the past couple of decades is that they've been in power for a greater part of thet time. Which doesn't excuse crooks of whatever stripe.
   Now, when it comes to destroying the Constitution...

Subject: RE: BS: Can't be - she's a Democrat
From: Bill D
Date: 30 Mar 07 - 08:07 PM

Bruce...This type of rumors...(from Byrne's website)

"Northern California-based journalist Peter Byrne has an uncanny ability to mine reportable nuggets of graft and corruption out of mountains of government and corporate records — not to mention human sources. He knows how to get inside the soul of self-serving systems — be they created by left-wingers, neocons, or non-ideologically-inspired criminals — and find the facts."

I SAID it was his hobby to look for rumors ....I did NOT say anything specific about purported facts. And IF your collection of facts is ALL true, we are still not anywhere near being able to accuse Feinstein of anything.....As I said...let those who have the authority to DO serious corruption investigations do their job! It is not MY job...or yours...to conduct an 'investigation' and make insinuations of wrong-doing using Google! If someone does find reason to make direct accusations, I will read and comment...

Subject: RE: BS: Can't be - she's a Democrat
From: Ref
Date: 30 Mar 07 - 08:58 PM

Good to know where the Republican (and Naderite) whackjobs hang out at Mudcat.

Subject: RE: BS: Can't be - she's a Democrat
From: Donuel
Date: 30 Mar 07 - 09:09 PM

Who among us, in this folksong army (the ones who care about war, poverty, truth and injustice) are invested in any defense industries???

Perhaps we need a list of the war corporations too.
Vee need lists I tell you Achtung ve need der lists !!

Subject: RE: BS: Can't be - she's a Democrat
From: Donuel
Date: 30 Mar 07 - 09:34 PM

I am going to need an investment list of your spouse, life partner, significant other, siblings, parents and inlaws investment portfolios to weed out all those who have invested in firms like Kellog Brown and Root, GE, Boeing, Mc Doug, Raytheon, Wendys, Halliburton, Blackwater USA, etc.


XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Truth is, there are certain companies, because of my wife's profession, that I can not invest in without getting my wife in big trouble for insider trading or conflict of interest clauses.

Subject: RE: BS: Can't be - she's a Democrat
From: Deckman
Date: 30 Mar 07 - 10:31 PM

I think this saga needs some background music. May I suggest:

"VEN DER DOWNTRODDEN MASSES ARISE,
VEN DER DOWNTRODDEN MASSES ARISE,
VEB DER DOWNRODEEN MASSES, GET UP OFF THEIR ASSES,
DEN DER DOWNTRODDEN MASSES ARISE!

Subject: RE: BS: Can't be - she's a Democrat
From: Amos
Date: 30 Mar 07 - 10:34 PM

Der Kvestion before dis court isch dis: WHO did you know, UND VEN did you know dem?


A

Subject: RE: BS: Can't be - she's a Democrat
From: Peace
Date: 30 Mar 07 - 10:40 PM

Ve haff good news und ve haff bad news. Zuh good news is that haff of you are going to Iraq und zee oxer haff is going to Iran. Zuh bad news is zat zuh top half is going to Iraq und . . . .

Subject: RE: BS: Can't be - she's a Democrat
From: Little Hawk
Date: 30 Mar 07 - 10:41 PM

Und VAT vass it zat made you deCIDE zey vere vorse KNOWINK in ze First place? VELL?

Subject: RE: BS: Can't be - she's a Democrat
From: heric
Date: 30 Mar 07 - 10:49 PM

>>I agree with BillD and Ebbie...there needs to be secondary, credible sources. In every case where I find the story, it is all sourced from Byrne and Metro Newspapers. <<

You don't agree with me, kat? That just hurts my feelings.

Subject: RE: BS: Can't be - she's a Democrat
From: katlaughing
Date: 31 Mar 07 - 02:28 AM

Oops, heric, didn't mean to slight you! I agree, I agree.:-)

Subject: RE: BS: Can't be - she's a Democrat
From: Rapparee
Date: 31 Mar 07 - 09:52 AM

As Aaron Burr said in a totally different context, "Despicable, if true."