Gotta love Democrats

[sabotai]

According to boxrec.com, Harry Reid had 1 fight. It was a light welterweight fight in 1992 and he was KOed in the 2nd round.

[Farrah Whitworth-Rahn]

In before lock/deletion.

[Flasch186]

PM sent

[duckman]

Originally Posted by Flasch186

PM sent

PM deleted

[st.cronin]

duckman, you're just being an ass, grow up

[stevew]

Pm...s

[duckman]

Originally Posted by st.cronin

duckman, you're just being an ass, grow up

Tom Brady has smelly feet.

[Raiders Army]

Originally Posted by duckman

Tom Brady has smelly feet.

I guess he's not drunk enough to forget about the st. cronin-Tom Brady connection.

[duckman]

Originally Posted by st.cronin

duckman, you're just being an ass, grow up

[larrymcg421]

Originally Posted by MalcPow

Not to get too much into this (as I don't really feel strongly about this at all) but senators aren't allowed to accept gifts from groups that have vested interests in legislation they're working on.

That's not true, as has been shown before. You're correct in arguing that it's against the spirit of these laws and probably why he said he wouldn't accept any more gifts of this nature.

Still, it is worth noting that he voted against the interests of the group that gave him the gifts.

[MalcPow]

Originally Posted by larrymcg421

That's not true, as has been shown before. You're correct in arguing that it's against the spirit of these laws and probably why he said he wouldn't accept any more gifts of this nature.

Still, it is worth noting that he voted against the interests of the group that gave him the gifts.

If the giver is potentially attempting to influence official action the gift is not permissible. There's also more than one way to kill a bill, although he voted against it, he did force an amendment to the bill and it subsequently failed in the House. These are both pieces of truths that don't necessarily add up to anything nefarious, but Reid should've handled things better. At this point I think his only recourse is to dress up as a watermelon with an erection...

[JW]

Well, for the record, a recent ABC poll says more Americans think Democratic congressmen are honest than think Republican congressmen are honest.

http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/PollV...2025343&page=1

Politically, the Democrats have a small edge in perceived honesty, but there's not much advantage for either party on this issue. Sixteen percent of Americans think Democrats are generally more ethical and honest than Republicans; nine percent think the opposite. But most by far — 72 percent — say there isn't much difference between them.

But I guess this isn't really good news for anyone. Maybe Democratic candidates can run this fall using the slogan:

WE'RE A LITTLE LESS CORRUPT THAN THE OTHER GUYS!

And fwiw, I thought the subject line was kind of funny and that people who got offended have probably had too much mandated sensitivity training. However, it did create the conditions for another wonderful FOFC hissy fight.

[SunDevil]

Just for your reading pleasure.

http://www.tpmmuckraker.com/archives/000797.php#more

[Flasch186]

I wonder what a well funded 3rd party with no hurdles in front of it would do in the upcoming election.

[wade moore]

Originally Posted by Flasch186

I wonder what a well funded 3rd party with no hurdles in front of it would do in the upcoming election.

Were you listening to Penn Jillette today?

[Flasch186]

Originally Posted by wade moore

Were you listening to Penn Jillette today?

unfortuantely no, i dont even know who that is.

[stevew]

Originally Posted by Flasch186

I wonder what a well funded 3rd party with no hurdles in front of it would do in the upcoming election.

Siphon votes would be my guess.

[wade moore]

Originally Posted by Flasch186

unfortuantely no, i dont even know who that is.

You do, you just don't realize it ...

He's the Penn half of Penn and Teller...

Anyway, he has a radio show, and had the creator of West Wing on and they were discussing this question, that's why I asked.. (FWIW, they think it's possible for a billionaire to do it)...

[King of New York]

Not to threadjack, although if ever a thread deserved to be jacked, this one would be it ...

Seriously, periodically throughout the nineteenth century, the existing US political party system would collapse and a new one would emerge. Doesn't the time seem right for something like that to happen now? Both the Republican and the Democratic parties have outlived whatever usefulness they might have once served, at least as they are presently configured.

Third parties have a bad rep because they have either been based on cults of personality (Perot) or have emerged at one end or the other of the political spectrum (socialist, Green.)

But what if the Gang of Fourteen in the senate decided to establish the foundations for a new centrist party? Because they are all established politicians, they could probably start to attract corporate and individual donors in sufficient numbers to put together a real party structure.

[Glengoyne]

Hey, the last time a Dem started this thread it was titled something like Fuck Fuck the fucking Republicans. By that measure Blade wins the class contest by a good measure.

[MalcPow]

Originally Posted by SunDevil

Just for your reading pleasure.

http://www.tpmmuckraker.com/archives/000797.php#more

Yeah the problem with this is that the Senate ethics rules that apply to this situation regard a gift as within the standards of "a thing of value." Calling the seats credentials and not tickets, and saying there is no cost, doesn't really mean that the ringside seats had no value. I have heard secondhand that Reid tried to dismiss his acceptance of the seats as under the purview of performing his normal "official duties" which is pitifully weak. I agree that this is just partisan nose-tweaking ultimately, but Reid handled and is handling this poorly.

As far as a third party, it's really tough to do with our electoral system. The way things are set up now it's more likely that another party emerges that destroys a current party than the existence of three largely equal parties. A presidential election with three legitimate candidates all capable of winning states is not something that is likely to resolve itself in any orderly or familiar way.

[John Galt]

Originally Posted by Glengoyne

Hey, the last time a Dem started this thread it was titled something like Fuck Fuck the fucking Republicans. By that measure Blade wins the class contest by a good measure.

If there was ever a post that deserved this, this is it:

[NoMyths]

Originally Posted by Glengoyne

Hey, the last time a Dem started this thread it was titled something like Fuck Fuck the fucking Republicans. By that measure Blade wins the class contest by a good measure.

You are flat-out lying. Begone, troll.

[Toddzilla]

Originally Posted by MalcPow

Yeah the problem with this is that the Senate ethics rules that apply to this situation regard a gift as within the standards of "a thing of value." Calling the seats credentials and not tickets, and saying there is no cost, doesn't really mean that the ringside seats had no value. I have heard secondhand that Reid tried to dismiss his acceptance of the seats as under the purview of performing his normal "official duties" which is pitifully weak. I agree that this is just partisan nose-tweaking ultimately, but Reid handled and is handling this poorly.

As far as a third party, it's really tough to do with our electoral system. The way things are set up now it's more likely that another party emerges that destroys a current party than the existence of three largely equal parties. A presidential election with three legitimate candidates all capable of winning states is not something that is likely to resolve itself in any orderly or familiar way.

I see you're from DC - what a better opportunity to discuss this issue over some beer and *free* appetizers than at the FOFC Happy Hour, Friday June 16th at 6PM at TGIFridays in Springfield, VA, next to the Franconia Metro.

/end threadjack

[stevew]

Gotta love werewolf.

[John Galt]

Originally Posted by NoMyths

You are flat-out lying. Begone, troll.

The sad thing is that I think Glen doesn't think he is lying. He probably remembers the thread title being that way.

[stevew]

I think it was something like "Fuck those Fucking Fucks." About school lunches or something.

[wade moore]

Originally Posted by Toddzilla

I see you're from DC - what a better opportunity to discuss this issue over some beer and *free* appetizers than at the FOFC Happy Hour, Friday June 16th at 6PM at TGIFridays in Springfield, VA, next to the Franconia Metro.

/end threadjack

This amused me greatly.

[sovereignstar]

I'll never understand why politics are so black and white to some people.

[John Galt]

Originally Posted by stevew

I think it was something like "Fuck those Fucking Fucks." About school lunches or something.

I just used the forum search and couldn't find anything resembling that thread title.

[stevew]

Originally Posted by John Galt

I just used the forum search and couldn't find anything resembling that thread title.

http://www.operationsports.com/fofc/...cking+fucks%22

[MalcPow]

Originally Posted by Toddzilla

I see you're from DC - what a better opportunity to discuss this issue over some beer and *free* appetizers than at the FOFC Happy Hour, Friday June 16th at 6PM at TGIFridays in Springfield, VA, next to the Franconia Metro.

/end threadjack

I feel like I just got hit on in a political thread...

I'm usually still in the office at 6, and Franconia is a haul for me, but I'll see how things shape up. Thanks for the invite.

[stevew]

Dola, it wasn't actually called fuck the fucking fucks though, obviously.

[John Galt]

Originally Posted by stevew

http://www.operationsports.com/fofc/...cking+fucks%22

I see - it was not actually the thread title (I did a title search). The thread doesn't have anything to do with this thread, though, unless I'm missing something. And not to mention that it was by a banned user (although it was not the thread that got him banned). Strangely, Glengoyne replies in that thread with "Jesse is actually one of the reasons I'm embarrased to be a Democrat. Then again, I have my own list of reasons of why I'm reluctant to join the Republican party." Maybe he was being self-referential in discussing classless Democrats.

[Glengoyne]

Originally Posted by John Galt

I see - it was not actually the thread title (I did a title search). The thread doesn't have anything to do with this thread, though, unless I'm missing something. And not to mention that it was by a banned user (although it was not the thread that got him banned). Strangely, Glengoyne replies in that thread with "Jesse is actually one of the reasons I'm embarrased to be a Democrat. Then again, I have my own list of reasons of why I'm reluctant to join the Republican party." Maybe he was being self-referential in discussing classless Democrats.

In my memory that was the thread title. Mark it on your Calendar, I was wrong today.

/Duck/

In any case. I wasn't trying to imply that Democrats lacked class...just that Blade had approached titling his thread in a much more respectful manner. I guess since I was wrong about the thread title, there really isn't much to that point. Oh Well, Carry on.

[John Galt]

Originally Posted by Glengoyne

In my memory that was the thread title. Mark it on your Calendar, I was wrong today.

uck:

In any case. I wasn't trying to imply that Democrats lacked class...just that Blade had approached titling his thread in a much more respectful manner. I guess since I was wrong about the thread title, there really isn't much to that point. Oh Well, Carry on.

Fair enough. I don't think either thread title was particularly classy (not that I'm a final judge on that). I just noted the irony of Blade complaining about the growing classlessness at FOFC in the classless thread he started.

[stevew]

definately a fruit from the poisoned tree thing.

[Flasch186]

Originally Posted by wade moore

You do, you just don't realize it ...

He's the Penn half of Penn and Teller...

Anyway, he has a radio show, and had the creator of West Wing on and they were discussing this question, that's why I asked.. (FWIW, they think it's possible for a billionaire to do it)...

is he the silent one or talking one...it'd be kinda neat if the silent one talked like a madman on the radio

[wade moore]

Originally Posted by Flasch186

is he the silent one or talking one...it'd be kinda neat if the silent one talked like a madman on the radio

Hah, it's the talking one (the taller, heavier guy)...

The show is actually a lot better than I thought it would be.. he comes from an interesting viewpoinit as an open Atheist and has some interesting political views... and he's essentially a life-long carny which brings interesting viewpoints..

[sabotai]

The only times I've seen Teller talk have been on the History Channel. Sometimes I'll catch their program on Houdini (he talked in that one, but was in the dark, so you couldn't really see him.). And then there was another program where I'm pretty sure he talked, normal settings, but I forget what that was specifically about.

[WVUFAN]

I have nothing important to add to this thread. Just wanted to say "Howdy!"

[stevew]

What is Sportsdigs?

[WVUFAN]

Originally Posted by stevew

What is Sportsdigs?

Indeed!

[sabotai]

Originally Posted by stevew

What is Sportsdigs?

I heard it was some sort of performance enhancing drug.

[Buccaneer]

You guys know what Reid did way back when? Remember that corrupt Gaming Board chairman that wouldn't give Lefty a fair hearing in the book/movie Casino?

[Chief Rum]

Originally Posted by rkmsuf

harry reid was often erect while boxing

Well, yeah, because if an erect penis gave you a black eye, well, damn, I don't know where to start with the problems there.

[Havok]

Originally Posted by Blade6119

Gotta love Democrats

no i don't... and you can't make me.

[MrBigglesworth]

Originally Posted by Flasch186

I believe I called this one in another thread wherein I was hammered by lefties as simply pandering to the right to earn some sort of credibility. Man when that other shoe drops you gotta move quick like, cat like I say, like A cheetah!! Woo Zoom zow!! im over here now, standing in the "I was right" corner. There I go, zip, over here!!

ignore me

This is sarcastic, right? I mean, you can't be crowing as an example of corruption Reid following Senate guidelines and voting against the interests of the boxing commission. This is a quid with no quo. It's kind of embaressing for you if this post is serious.

How about this: the GOP is in charge of pretty much everything right now. I will bet you whatever you want that Reid is not convicted of anything having to do with these tickets. Money, sig bet, whatever. I'll even give you 5-1 odds. That's how crazy this post is of yours.

I mean really, this is your logical process:

1) Reid accepts free tickets to a boxing match
2) Reid votes against those that gave him the tickets

Conclusion:
1) Reid was bribed by the ticket givers to vote against them!

That's just silly.

[MrBigglesworth]

Originally Posted by Buccaneer

You guys know what Reid did way back when? Remember that corrupt Gaming Board chairman that wouldn't give Lefty a fair hearing in the book/movie Casino?

http://www.newyorker.com/fact/conten.../050808fa_fact

In 1977, O’Callaghan appointed him to the chairmanship of the Nevada Gaming Commission, which oversees casinos, and that was an experience that made his other work look easy. Before Reid took the job, O’Callaghan introduced him to the outgoing chairman, Peter Echeverria. “Pete was telling us, ‘I’ve had people out here watching me, these gangsters,’ and he said, ‘I think they’ve tapped my phone,’ ” Reid recalled. “I thought he was making all this stuff up. It just didn’t make sense. I had no concept of the Mob. It meant nothing to me.” There had been a decrease in Mob activity, but organized crime was again investing in Las Vegas, and for four years Reid confronted wiseguys like Tony (the Ant) Spilotro, who had been sent to Las Vegas by a Chicago branch of La Cosa Nostra, “the Outfit,” and was known for killing his victims by squeezing their heads in a vise. In 1979, Reid barred Spilotro from all casinos.

In July of 1978, a man named Jack Gordon, who was later married to LaToya Jackson, offered Reid twelve thousand dollars to approve two new, carnival-like gaming devices for casino use. Reid reported the attempted bribe to the F.B.I. and arranged a meeting with Gordon in his office. By agreement, F.B.I. agents burst in to arrest Gordon at the point where Reid asked, “Is this the money?” Although he was taking part in a sting, Reid was unable to control his temper; the videotape shows him getting up from his chair and saying, “You son of a bitch, you tried to bribe me!” and attempting to choke Gordon, before startled agents pulled him off. “I was so angry with him for thinking he could bribe me,” Reid said, explaining his theatrical outburst. Gordon was convicted in federal court in 1979 and sentenced to six months in prison.

Flasch, any comment?

[Flasch186]

Originally Posted by MrBigglesworth

This is sarcastic, right? I mean, you can't be crowing as an example of corruption Reid following Senate guidelines and voting against the interests of the boxing commission. This is a quid with no quo. It's kind of embaressing for you if this post is serious.

How about this: the GOP is in charge of pretty much everything right now. I will bet you whatever you want that Reid is not convicted of anything having to do with these tickets. Money, sig bet, whatever. I'll even give you 5-1 odds. That's how crazy this post is of yours.

I mean really, this is your logical process:

1) Reid accepts free tickets to a boxing match
2) Reid votes against those that gave him the tickets

Conclusion:
1) Reid was bribed by the ticket givers to vote against them!

That's just silly.

First off I was joking, although I was talking about the forboding shadows. I was NOT making light of the fact that I still think I was and am right about Harry Reid and his relationship with lobbyists including Abramoff's group.

Secondly, As ive said before, I do NOT need a conviction to know when something is wrong. I know when something is wrong, in my opinion, when the right does it, even if there isnt a conviction (there are many things that you and I shouldnt do even if it isnt specifically against the law), and I know when something is wrong, in my opinion, when the left does it. He shouldnt have taken the tix.

Thirdly, accepting gifts does not have anything to do with the resulting actions by the politician...Effect is not defined by whether or not the cause was wrong.