CNN Names Dems Only, As Ones Who Won't Return Abramoff Dollars

[Dinger]

Then, following that, have a repug ex-congressman talk about lobbying. You know, Faux is almost looking better, ALMOST. Soon, at the rate CNN is going they will be better.

Saw it on CNN this morning - sorry, no link. Maybe transcripts will be up later.

[redirish28]

1. Democrats never took money from Abramoff

[ChairmanAgnostic]

3. apparently Dick Durbin might have.

some the 11,000 he returned apparently came from Abramof.

[cmd]

7. Durbin's statement about that rumor

http://durbin.senate.gov/record.cfm?id=250249


“The corruption scandal associated with Mr. Abramoff is very serious. His actions threaten to further discredit our government and its leaders. I urge the Attorney General and the Department of Justice to continue to aggressively pursue the trail of corruption.”
“I have no relationship – either personal or professional – with Jack Abramoff. I've never met Jack Abramoff; he's never been in my office; I’ve never had a meal with him or played golf with him. But in light of reports that my campaign received money from organizations associated with Mr. Abramoff, I have asked my staff to review my campaign accounts and my schedule for the entire time that I have served in the Senate.”
“My office records show no meetings, phone calls or conferences with Mr. Abramoff in the eight years I have served in the Senate. In reviewing the financial records from my campaign, my staff found no record of any personal contributions from Mr. Abramoff to any of my campaign accounts.”
“We did find seven contributions totaling $11,000 that came from organizations associated, directly or indirectly, with Mr. Abramoff (see below). None of these contributions were illegal and all were received and reported consistent with federal campaign finance laws. But because Mr. Abramoff’s web of influence was so widespread and so corrosive, I have decided to donate these funds to two Chicago-area organizations serving Native Americans -- the American Indian Center of Chicago and the American Indian Health Service of Chicago.”

[ChairmanAgnostic]

10. GREAT! Thanks for the link. I was surprised that his name came up.

Durbin is famously careful about being "bought". His speech about the things he hates about serving (fund-raising) was great.

[goclark]

17. Great! Give it to the Indians! nt

[txindy]

31. Priceless. Good for Durbin. Giving the money to the tribes.

I am so sick of the tribes, who were Abramoff's victims, being made out by the SCLM as in league with Abramoff. That is so twisted and evil. Blame the victims. How typical. :grr:

[zanne]

2. C-Span's Washington Journal was the same way this morning.

They portrayed Republicans and Democrats as equally responsible in the Abramoff scandal. When one caller said that Democrats didn't take money from Abramoff, the host said something to the effect of "But they took money from the tribes". When the caller tried to explain that he was comparing apples to oranges, the host pretended not to understand.

[TahitiNut]

4. The corporate media spreads the false memes like PR/marketing ...

... for the power elite - fascists. Here are the facts ...

• Jack Abramoff made (individual) contributions to Republicans only.
• Jack Abramoff had many lobbying clients in the last 7 years, predominantly because the "K-Street Project" has been largely successful in excommunicating Democratic and non-partisan lobbyists, requiring that lobbying firms employ Republicans and contribute to Republicans in order to have access to a Congress that's majority Republican. (This is contrary to the First Amendment guarantee of the right to petition government, abridging that right for ideologically dissenting people - the very people for whom such a right is most important!)
• Abramoff's clients included Microsoft and Unisys, as well as Native American tribes.
• Abramoff defrauded the tribes - they're his victims.
• The fraudulently-obtained money extorted from the tribes went to Republicans as quid-pro-quos for favors.
• Abramoff's clients, including the tribes, made other contributions not extorted by Abramoff in return for favors from Republican legislators.

The false memes being spread by corrupt Republicans with the assistance of the media depend upon people with limited mental skills, either unwilling to or incapable of comprehending the extent and nature of the appalling corruption.

[Dinger]

5. Excellent Post - Thank You (nt)

[1932]

6. People should print two copies of this post and tape one copy to the back

of their remote controls and pin the other copy to the outside of their cube at work.

[Dinger]

8. Great Suggestion !

Thanks:)

[TahitiNut]

11. Thanks, guys. DU is definitely a great filtration tool.

DUers are, if nothing else, excellent framers and researchers. The abundance of sources and excellence of many DUers' analyses is like sitting in a daily Current Events seminar in college. Even the devil's advocates and skewed perspectives serve to leaven the discussions.

[nomatrix]

44. Thank you for saying Native Americans instead of Indians.

I have a question about Abramoff's representation. Is this only in regards to casinos?

[NMDemDist2]

9. here's proof the tribes gave $$$ that Jack-off didn't approve

Then Abramoff turned right around and offered his serv-ices to the Tigua Indians to lobby to get Congress to open the casino back up. "I wish those moronic Tiguas were smarter in their political contributions," Abramoff e-mailed Reed. "I'd love us to get our mitts on that moolah!! Oh well, stupid folks get wiped out."

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/10756433/site/newsweek/page/2/

[G_j]

12. My RWingnut Rep., Charles Taylor (NC) won't return the $$

(he also has plenty of shady bank dealings that he won't address, see below)


http://www.ncdp.org/

NCGOP and Reps. Charles Taylor and Walter Jones Received Thousands from Abramoff
Submitted by NCDP on Wed, 01/04/2006 - 11:35am. Press Releases
NC Democratic Party Chair Demands They Return Tainted Money


UPDATE: Jones and Dole rid themselves of Abramoff money; Taylor defiant and incomprehensible
--------
The Republican culture of corruption involving indicted super-lobbyist Jack Abramoff reaches all the way to North Carolina Republicans:

• The North Carolina Republican Party has taken $5,000 from Abramoff.

• Congressman Charles Taylor has taken $3,000 from Abramoff.

• Congressman Walter Jones, Jr. has taken $1,250 from Abramoff. “The North Carolina Republican Party and Congressmen Taylor and Jones should return Jack Abramoff’s tainted contributions immediately,” said North Carolina Democratic Party Chair Jerry Meek. “The Republican culture of corruption in Washington is out of control and Abramoff is just the latest example. Once again, the Republicans are standing up for power and greed instead of the working people of North Carolina.”

UPDATE:

http://www.citizen-times.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060105/NEWS01/601050332/1001

Taylor camp doesn't say if he'll return contributions

by THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
published January 5, 2006 6:00 am

RALEIGH - At least two Republican members of North Carolina's congressional delegation followed President Bush on Wednesday by shedding themselves of donations from Jack Abramoff, the Washington lobbyist who pleaded guilty to fraud and corruption charges.

But Rep. Charles Taylor, R-Brevard, did not give his donations back.

Spokesmen for Sen. Elizabeth Dole and Rep. Walter Jones said each lawmaker decided to give $1,000 to charity to match the donations their campaigns had received from Abramoff in recent years.

Taylor's campaign has received $2,250 from Abramoff since 1999, according to federal campaign finance reports. The N.C. Republican Party's Executive Committee also reported a $5,000 donation in November 1998.

"That was sent to us almost 10 years ago. It's long since gone," said Bill Peaslee, the state GOP's chief of staff, when asked whether its donation would be given up. "It happened a long time ago."

..more..
++++++++++++++++++++++++
About Rep. Charles Taylor (R-NC)

Rep. Charles H. Taylor (R-NC) is an eighth-term Member of Congress, representing the 11th district of North Carolina. Rep. Taylor sits on the powerful Appropriations Committee. Rep. Taylor's ethics issues arise from his very lucrative outside business interests.

Blue Ridge Savings Bank
One of Rep. Taylor's outside business interests is the Blue Ridge Savings and Loan, an Asheville, North Carolina bank he founded, chairs and holds a majority interest.

In 2001, Hayes C. Martin, the former president of Blue Ridge, pled guilty to bank fraud for making a series of loans to Rep. Taylor's long-time friend and supporter, Charles Cagle. According to news reports based on court testimony and an FBI interview with Mr. Martin, Rep. Taylor had extensive knowledge about, and was involved in the making of, the loans to Mr. Cagle. Mr. Martin testified that when the FBI began to investigate the Cagle loans, Rep. Taylor ordered the removal of an employee who was suspected of cooperating with federal investigators. Mr. Martin further testified that he spent a fair amount of his time "helping Charles Taylor to skirt issues with the Office of Thrift Supervision."

Despite all of the information implicating Rep. Taylor in the issuance of the fraudulent loans and money laundering, he was neither subpoenaed to appear before the grand jury, nor interviewed by the FBI or the federal prosecutors in the case. The weight of evidence suggesting that Rep. Taylor was personally involved in fraud and money laundering warrants further investigation for possible criminal prosecution.

House ethics rule prohibit Members from having fiduciary relationships with outside interests. Given the degree of ownership and control Rep. Taylor exercises over the Blue Ridge Savings Bank, the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct should investigate whether this constitutes a banned fiduciary relationship in violation of House rules.

Business Interests in Russia
Beginning in the mid-1990s, Financial Guaranty Corp., the holding company for Blue Ridge Savings and Loan, and an entity chaired and owned by Rep. Tayor, made a series of loans to Russian companies with interest rates as high as 60%. While active in pushing Congress to support a western-style home mortgage program in Russia, Rep. Taylor bought an 80% stake in a Russian bank in Ivanovo, making it the first American-owned bank in Russia. Rep. Taylor also founded a Russian investment company called Columbus, which appears to work in concert with the Commercial Bank of Ivanovo. Columbus was formed to overcome some of the restrictions of Russian banking law and expand the kind of investments Rep. Taylor could make in Russia.

House Rules prohibit Members from receiving any compensation, the receipt of which is due to their official position. By taking taxpayer-funded trips to Russia to explore and advance his personal business interests, Rep. Taylor may have violated this rule, as well as rules prohibiting conflicts of interest.

Legislative Assistance in Exchange for Campaign Funding
Rep. Taylor has come to the aid of campaign contributor General Electric, which contributed $8,250 to his 2004 re-election. Subsequently, at the company's request, Rep. Taylor inserted language in a spending bill that would have benefitted the company by calling for further study of PCB dredging projects. If approved, General Electric could have used the bill to justify further delay in its clean-up of the Hudson River.

Members cannot receive reimbursement for the performance of an official act. If, as it appears, Rep. Taylor accepted over $8,000 from General Electric in exchange for supporting legislation that would benefit General Electric, Rep. Taylor would be in violation of 18 U.S.C. §sect;201(b)(2)(A). In addition, Rep. Taylor may also be in violation of Rule 23, clause 3 which prohibits Members from receiving compensation for the improper exercise of the Member's position in Congress. If Rep. Taylor accepted money from General Electric in exchange for supporting legislation that would aid General Electric, he likely violated Rule 23.

http://www.beyonddelay.org/summaries/taylor.php

[Dinger]

20. Cornyn (Sp?) Said He Won't return $ This A.M. On MTP

Of course, they didn't mention that. This spin BS is a goddamn joke.

[reichstag911]

13. My LTTE on point

from Friday's Chicago Sun-Times (via the AP): http://www.suntimes.com/output/news/cst-nws-lobby06.html

...and my LTTE in response (as yet unpublished):

Dear Sirs:

I found it odd that the only legislators whose names were shown in this article were those of Democrats. Perhaps they are keeping the money because they did nothing wrong in exchange for the contributions. Perhaps since there was no illegal quid pro quo involving official acts, they have clear consciences.

One prominent Republican name you've chosen to exclude from this piece -- who also opted to keep money from Abramoff-linked contributors -- was George W. Bush. Never forget that Abramoff was one of GW's "Rangers," or "Pioneers," or whatever juvenile playground name the Bush/Cheney campaign bestowed upon its biggest organizers and solicitors. Of the $100,000 (and more, no doubt) he raised (presumably, these can be considered Abramoff-linked), Bush/Cheney has chosen to relinquish exactly $6,000, which I suspect to be the amount of Abramoff and his wife's personal contributions only.

It should also be noted that Abramoff personally gave exactly zero money to Democrats in the last couple election cycles, at least. Remember, back in the '80s, he was a big cheese in the College Republicans, so, pragmatically and philosophically, "Casino Jack" had no reason to help finance Democratic campaigns by suborning their corruption; they weren't in control, and had minimal power to get legislation through the Congress.
Best,
xxxxxx

[Dinger]

21. Excellent, and With Your Permission I'd Like To Paraphrase And Use In

my local paper. Wow, all of your points are right on target!:yourock:

[reichstag911]

33. Permission granted...

...to anyone who'd care to use (except in Chicago, that is).

[Dinger]

34. Thanks, I'll Let You Know If It Gets Punlished

and no, it's not Chicago.

[reichstag911]

43. Had a different one published yesterday...

...see http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=364&topic_id=89691&mesg_id=89691

[DeepModem Mom]

14. Names, with pictures. I saw it, too. A viewer would think it's a Dem...

scandal.

[DeepModem Mom]

15. CNN phone number: 404-827-1500. Link to feedback page:

http://www.cnn.com/feedback/

[Dinger]

23. Thanks, I Sent Tihs:

not that it's all that eloquent:


Your show this morning portrayed the Abramoff scandal as a Democratic scandal, showing Democratic politicians, with pictures, and stating that they weren't giving money "from Abramoff" back. Not one Republican, anywhere, and then you followed up with an ex-Republican congressman commenting on lobbying? Maybe, just maybe, the reason they are not giving money back is because they did not get it illegally, like many, no, mostly, Republicans did. Please, if you give a $h_t at all, try to present a reasonably balanced view of this scandal. Fox News is doing a better job than you, and that's saying something from me.

[DeepModem Mom]

24. Dinger, that is from the heart, and, IMO, right on! nt

[truth2power]

16. We have no real media anymore, just propaganda arms of the BFEE.

This "Dems took Abramoff money" thing is being explained quite clearly in this thread and others this morning.

I seriously believe that when (if) we ever get the cockroaches now in power to the Hague, some members of the media should be there right along with them, charged with complicity to commit treason. :mad:

[bpilgrim]

18. weTHEpeople need to start targeting the M$M for our protest

let them and the rest of america know that we are on to their BS cartoon world view!


more...
http://GlobalFreePress.com

peace

[w8liftinglady]

22. Hey-I'm with you!

I've tried in my little corner of the world.

[sandnsea]

41. It's more important than WH protests

Sit-ins, jam the phone lines, round the clock protests with someone reading the real news, we've got to do something about them. It won't matter if we throw a few Republicans out now, they'll just crawl right back in with this complicit media.

[Bigmack]

19. The Dems...

are doing NOTHING to make sure this is seen as a Repub scandal.

Individual Dems are explaining, but where are the short soundbites where Dems lay it all out?

Maybe they're waiting for a more appropriate time... just like the opposition to the war.

The 2020 election maybe?

[Touchdown]

28. They're criticizing it and framing it all over the place...

...Just not on TV. Is it the Dems' fault that CNN ignores their words?

[alfredo]

25. Ann Northrup ( R) Ky will not, Ernie Fletcher Ky gov (R) won't either.

both said "The money's gone." Why did both say the exact thing?

[Dinger]

26. Hey, Where Can I Get A List Of Pugs Who Won't/Refuse To Return Abramoff $?

I'd love to send that in to CNN and everywhere else.

[alfredo]

29. I guess you could go to the state forums and ask. It appears Jack gave

to republican governors too.

[Dinger]

27. Dean s Kicking Ass On This On CNN Right Now - (Wolfie's Tryin')

Shhesh! I love how Dean said this is a repug scandal, and that it is not a Dem scandal. Wolfie was trying, but Dean stopped him in his tracks! Excellent job Dr. Dean!!!:patriot:

[alfredo]

30. Notice the sigh that came out of Wolfie at the end.

Dean shut him down.

[DemExpat]

35. Dean's smackdown too good not to post here....

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=364x82871#82908

:kick:

DemEx

[bklyncowgirl]

32. If a politician took legal contributions why should he return the money?

Returning the money--especially right now makes it look as though you did something wrong.

This avalanch of charitable contributions now that Abramoff copped a plea and is ready to turn rat--even though everyone knew he was dirty for months--looks as phony as it is.

[Gregorian]

36. Thanks. They got an earful of me

Ted Turner had a great idea when he started CNN. I rarely watch televised news anymore. But recently I have been forced to take notice. And what I have noticed is that CNN is trying very hard to make it look like Democrats are involved in the Abramoff scandal. It should be a crime to do what you are doing. I saw Blitzer talking with Dean about this. It is utterly unpatriotic to mislead the American public. An you are doing just that, when you frame the argument as though the Democrats were doing anything remotely like the Republicans with respect to the Abramoff scandal. Do I need to site all of the sources in order to show you that you are completely incorrect in what you have been implying? You should know better. And to think that you used to be a paper with journalistic integrity.

[Harper_is_Bush]

37. Was it Lou Dobbs?

Saw that dumb endlessly outraged fuckwad Dobbs doing that.

[EvolveOrConvolve]

38. My not so nice letter to the Conservative News Network

"Watching CNN today, I had to wander which arm of the Republican propoganda machine is paying Wolf Blitzer to promote the Abramoff corruption scandal as a Democratic problem. Over the last two election cycles, Abramoff made ZERO ($0.00) donations to Democratic candidates, and to portray it as so is disgraceful. Because of the fact that CNN hasn't run a real news story since the 80's, instead relying on "commentators" such as the aforementioned conservative shill, Mr. Blitzer, I have turned CNN off in my household. The channel is blocked along with the porn shows and the 700 club, and I've password protected it so that no one living in or visiting my home is forced to view your filth. Good day."

[Herman47]

39. By Dems returning money from tribes, it may take the focus off...

of Republicans receiving money DIRECTLY FROM ABRAMOFF. I wonder if the Dems should instead all act like they've done nothing wrong (because they haven't).

[glitch]

40. Agreed and welcome to DU! nt

[insane_cratic_gal]

42. That's it .. Spam CNN's email boxes

correct them and remind them you are correcting them again and again. Stop following RW talking points and do the research themselves!

Fucking Liberal media .. bullshit, they are nothing more then Rove's lap dog

[Nikki Stone 1]

45. LYING BASTARDS! CNN you should be ashamed.

This takes the damned cake.

[Festivito]

46. No response? Saying: because no Dems offered service for A's money.

This NEED be and SHOULD be bumper sticker clear.

Long statements are fine. But, you cannot get by a whining RepubliCON at a water cooler with a 100 word essay.