Texas Ethics? Uh, No. Commission Allows State Disclosure Laws That "Condone Bribery"

[JABBS]

Click here to read the whole embarrassing story.

<snip>

Travis County District Attorney Ronnie Earle, a Democrat, told the Houston Chronicle the "currency" interpretation would render it "perfectly legal to report the gift of 'a wheelbarrow' without reporting that the wheelbarrow was filled with cash."

Cash gifts to state officials became an issue when Houston homebuilder Bob Perry, who finances Republican campaigns and causes, gave Bill Ceverha a check to help pay legal bills accumulated when he was a GOP operative. Ceverha, by then a member of the state Employee Retirement System board, reported that he was given a check, but not the amount.

It was later learned that Ceverha received two checks totaling $100,000. But the commission says state officials only have to report that they received a gift of more than $250 -- not the exact amount.

[aquart]

1. No, no. Simply an oxymoron: Texas ethics. Military intelligence.

Republican honor.

[JABBS]

3. LOL

I never thought of that, but sure, makes perfect sense. :)

[NOLADEM]

2. Texas and Ethics should never be in the same sentance together

Delay and Captain Goodhair, Bush Sr, Cheney, etc. etc.

[Dora]

4. On behalf of Texas...

Molly Ivins
Ann Richards
Barbara Jordan
Lloyd Doggett

If anyone else would care to add to the list, please do.

[NOLADEM]

5. Sad fact is that all of your examples are dead except for Molly

Don't get me wrong. I used to live in Austin. There are some good folks in Texas. Unfortunately, NONE of them are in charge.

[Dora]

6. Doggett is alive and well, and in office to boot.

And don't forget that Ronnie Earle isn't done with Tom DeLay.

My point is that corruption exists in all our states, and that good politicians can be found in Texas too. Such idiocy on DU when the pots start calling the kettles black.

[NOLADEM]

7. My mistake. I was thinking about Ole Lloyd

Doggett's a good man. Earle too. Venture too far from that wonderful capital city and damn, does it fall off fast, though.

Wonder how Earle is coming with his work.

[martymar64]

8. Allow me . . .

Steve Earle
Willie Nelson
Alex Jones
Jim Hightower
Tommy Lee Jones (Al Gore's college roommate)
Mike Judge
Rick Linklater
James McMurtry
Sheila Jackson Lee
The Quaid brothers
Bill Hicks