Now I am sure this in NOT influence peddling ( ) and there is no expectation of payback ( ) but it does smell a bit when a tabaccy company provides a jet to get a congressman to court where he is charged with money laundering, no? http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/10/21/AR2005102100777.html Now he says the 'rules' weren't broken, which says more about the rules than about Tom's conduct. I really feel that for the good of America these guys really need to go to jail.
The whole of the USA agree, but keep re-electing these guys. It is always seen as a problem, but not their guy.
I mean, goddamn, he's not even trying to appear un-scummy. Seriously, if I was going down for (or at least defending myself against) some shady money-taking business I'd probably be a little more, uhhh, prudent in how I presented myself. I just don't understand how he and probably a bunch of other otherwise intelligent people sat down and said, "man, this is a GREAT idea!". For once I'm extremely interested in hearing a conservative counterpoint to all this... honestly, I'll listen respectfully and not be a dick about it - I just want someone to present some rationale for this because, 100% honest here, I can't figure the angle out on this one.
Reminds me of when Michael Irvin showed up in court after the hotel room/hooker/cocaine business. IIR, it was mink coat all the way, waltzing in like he owned the place. Which I guess he did.