Johnson's Half-Baked Deflection

Hat tip to ct progressive at No More Nancy!:

Johnson's Half-Hearted Stand:

"If any leader from either party tried to cover up this information at the expense of the safety of our children, then they should resign their position immediately.

It would be reprehensible if any Republican leader intentionally covered up the full facts of the case, and it would be equally reprehensible if Democrat leaders sat on this information for a year in order to release it 30 days before an election.

I want an investigation to go forward to find out answers to these questions."

It would be reprehensible for Johnson to say that Dems "might have leaked this", which is a complete and total lie designed to deflect from the real issue.

It is already a known fact that it was a republican staffer that leaked this, and that this would not be an "October surprise" in this election year if GOP leadership had dealt with Foley when they FIRST LEARNED OF HIS IMMORAL BEHAVIOR.

The fact is that the GOP leadership has known about this issue for at least 5 years now.

I hate to break this to you, Nancy, BUT America does not give a damn "who leaked what"... They do, however, care that GOP leadrship has shown absolutely no moral fiber, and absolutely no will to take personal resposibility for their inaction.

Your little political game of deny and deflect has already burned you because your party chose to protect one House candidate instead of the children of America.

And you are welcome Nancy!
(For that nice BIG cup of STFU!)

Come back again when you have some moral values...

As a side note: I put some chocolate flavored Exlax in that BIG cup so she should start running off at the mouth any second now...
:)

To Shays: You Already Did...

What Shays says now:

Shays reiterated his views Tuesday and added that he would not vote for any leader who "knew or should have known about Mark Foley's conduct." Shays' stance satisfied American Family Voices. "Our goal was to have Congressman Shays do what he did," said spokeswoman Hayley Zachary.

--- The Hartford Courant

The problem here is that GOP House leadership has known about Foley's immoral behavior for at least 5 years.

FACT: GOP staff, working for Republican Speaker Denny Hastert, warned the page class of 2001-2002 to stay away from Foley - five years ago.

FACT: Former chief of staff to GOP Rep. Tom Reynolds (R-NY), Kirk Fordham, says he warned Hastert's chief of staff of Foley's behavior three years ago. Whether or not you believe Fordham, his testimony is consistent with the other facts showing that the Republicans knew about Foley's behavior long before last week.

FACT: Both Reps. John Boehner, the Republican House Majority Leader, and Tom Reynolds both say they told Dennis Hastert personally about the Foley issue months ago. Hastert says Boehner is lying. So one of the two most powerful Republicans in the House is lying about an investigation into a child sex predator. That deserves a separate investigation right there.

FACT: Hastert's staff was informed of the Foley emails a year ago, but Hastert would like us to believe his staff simply never told him that a member of Congress, a member of his leadership team, was under investigation for preying sexually on young children - children who Hastert was responsible for.

And finally, the Republicans would have us believe, yet again, that a 52 year old man sending emails to a 16 year old boy he doesn't even know, and talking to that boy about how his 16 year old friend has a great body, is somehow simply "overly friendly." That is absurd on its face.

--- John Aravosis at AMERICAblog

And in an effort to distract and dissemble right-wing-nut cheerleaders manage to get some more egg on their face:

I'm shocked, shocked, I tell you. That Drudge bamboozlement about the Foleygate cybersex IMs being a 'prank'. The kid's lawyer says Drudge's piece was "a piece of fiction."

-- Josh Marshall at Talking Point Memo

But the simple fact remains that YOU, Shays, have already voted for GOP House leadership that knew about Foley's transgressions and they have known for at least 5 years.

I am curious Shays...

Were you irresponsibly ignorant of the GOP Leadership you have already voted for?

OR

Were you willfully ignorant of the GOP leadership you have already voted for?

I won't even impugn your supposed "good character" by suggesting that you might, possibly, have known about Foley's problems personally... That would be irresponsible on my part.

BUT

Either fact suggests gross misjudgment on your part and proves beyond a shadow of a doubt that you continue to choose to run with the wrong crowd.

The immoral, corrupt GOP crowd.

So please don't tell me what you plan to do in the future or, more precisely, to cover your political ass because your past record already speaks for itself.

Shays, YOU have already voted for DeLay and Hastert…

Which corrupt and immoral GOP leader would you choose to vote for next?

Does it really matter what you say now?

Hastert Mismanages Foley

Silent Patriot at Crooks & Liars writes:

"Jon Stewart and the Daily Show team really went to town on the scandal-ridden GOP tonight. From the cancellation of the "Annual GOP Barebeque and Nude Cub Scout Wrestle" to the passing of the Foley buck among the House Leadersip, Jon puts a hysterical spin on a truly disastrous scandal that's getting worse by the minute.

Reynolds: I did what most people would do in a work place. I heard something, I took it to my supervisor.

Stewart: "I took it to my supervisor?" Tom Reynolds…Congressman? or Assistant Manager at Applebees?"

I didn't know Hastert was a manager at Applebees?

I would hope that Foley isn't the one providing the "service" at the table... I do have kids, ya know?

Go check out the video and read the rest of the post at C&L.

Have a Cup Of Joe...

I am a Veteran of the US Army Infantry. This sort of BS really galls me when I know that my friends and family are STILL serving in Iraq and Afghanistan with substandard equipment.

In three out of the last four Congresses, Joe Lieberman has had one of the top seven worst voting attendance records in the entire U.S. Senate. He has skipped hundreds of votes, often times to travel around the country to fundraisers for himself. He has skipped half of all votes on the Iraq War since the invasion began and skipped all votes to fund the inaugural budget of the Department of Homeland Security. But today, as Ned Lamont is endorsed by a major veterans group, the Cup of Joe asks a simple question: Why did Lieberman skip a close vote on legislation by Senator Chris Dodd to improve body armor for our troops in combat?

DETAILS OF LIEBERMAN’S SKIPPED VOTE ON BODY ARMOR: Senator Lieberman skipped a tight vote on legislation sponsored by Connecticut Sen. Chris Dodd that would have provided additional emergency funding for safety equipment such as body armor for troops serving in Iraq. [Source: Senate Roll Call Vote #376,
10/2/03]

DODD PLEADED FOR SUPPORT ON THE SENATE FLOOR: In trying to corral enough votes for this critical amendment, Connecticut Sen. Chris Dodd explained exactly what his amendment would do. “This amendment was designed specifically to see to it that those U.S. troops coming into Iraq, into a theater of war, would receive important equipment they need to perform their missions effectively,” he said. “This equipment includes important high-tech body armor, bullet-proof helmets, special water packs to keep soldiers hydrated, and other survival gear.” He added: “Let us take care of our men and women in uniform going over to Iraq. I do not think any of us want to read a story where one of our young troops has to go out and buy their own equipment to protect themselves. This is the 21st century. And in this day and age, the sole superpower in the world should not have to tell its military personnel to fend for themselves.” Unfortunately, the bill lost on a close vote, with Lieberman nowhere to be found. [Source: Congressional record page S12352, 10/2/03]

NEWSWEEK SAID TROOPS UNECESSARILY DIED OR WERE INJURED BECAUSE OF POOR BODY ARMOR: A year after Lieberman skipped the vote on Dodd’s amendment and the amendment subsequently went down to defeat, Newsweek reported that a study by one defense consultant circulating throughout the Army noted that up to “one in four of those killed in combat in Iraq might be alive if they had had stronger armor around them” and “thousands more who were unprotected have suffered grievous wounds, such as the loss of limbs.” [Source: Newsweek, 4/25/04]

It is pretty sad that Senator Dodd could not count on his "junior Senator" from Connecticut to help deliver a vote that could have saved many Veterans' lives.

Since you have whole-heartedly supported "Bush's endless war failure", AND you have failed to even try to help adequately equip Connecticut's and other American soldiers' lives, please hang this weight around your neck Lieberman:

Connecticut's War Dead

I hope this weight is at least enough to drag you down on election day.

Connecticut Senate Race Info

So you can be an informed voter:

Info on Ned Lamont:

Ned Lamont - Official Campaign Website

Ned Lamont - Ned Lamont, the Political Entrepreneur

Ned Lamont - "Democrats Back Lamont; Lieberman Files Independent Run" (F0x)

Ned Lamont - Unofficial Ned Lamont Resource

Ned Lamont - Unofficial Lamont Blog

Ned Lamont - "The Democrats Mean Business" (WSJ)

Ned Lamont - "Ned Lamont vs. Joe Lieberman" (The Nation)

Ned Lamont - "Lieberman Loses Debate With Challenger Ned Lamont"

Ned Lamont - "Lamont: Lieberman Sounded Like Cheney"

Ned Lamont - "Lamont Fires Up Naples" (New Haven Independent)

Info on Joe Lieberman:

Joe Lieberman - "Seasonal Memory Lapses" by Paul Bass (Hartford Courant)

Joe Lieberman - "Truth About Joe"

Joe Lieberman - "Lieberman Wins Republican Friends, Democratic Enemies..." (WaPo)

Joe Lieberman - "Joe Lieberman is a Big Oil Republican" (LamontBlog)

Joe Lieberman - "Kerry Calls Lieberman the New Cheney" (ABC)

Joe Lieberman - "Joe Lieberman Doesn't Care About Handicapped People" (Wonkette)

Joe Lieberman - "Joe Lieberman is Running With a Bad Crowd" (Firedoglake)

Joe Lieberman - "116 Reasons Not to Vote for Joe Lieberman"

Joe Lieberman - "How Joe Lieberman Tried to Kill Rock 'N Roll" (Huffington Post)

Info on Alan who?
Nevermind... heh

No More Nancy!

CT Progressive had this to say about Nancy Johnson:

"Chris Murphy's campaign just issued a press release demanding that Nancy Johnson publicly call for Dennis Hastert's resignation as Speaker of the House, saying:

If Nancy Johnson had the courage to stand up to her morally bankrupt colleagues in Washington, she would have done so already in a direct, public manner. The Republican leadership she proudly proclaims herself to be a part of knew what was going on and turned a blind eye. Now the people of Connecticut know without a doubt that Nancy Johnson is more interested in staying in Washington than doing what is right.

Johnson has continued to maintain her silence on the issue."

I guess that if silence is consent...

Johnson must approve of the way the GOP leadership she installed in Washington has, and is, mishandling this tragic situation?

Hastert, Boehner, Reynolds - ALL MUST RESIGN!

What are the self-anointed Grand Ol' Protectors from terrorists around the world actually doing when important security issues are discussed on the floor of the House?

This message was dated April 2003, at approximately 7 p.m., according to the message time stamp.

Maf54: I miss you
Teen: ya me too
Maf54: we are still voting
Maf54: you miss me too

The exchange continues in which Foley and the teen both appear to describe having sexual orgasms.

Maf54: ok..i better go vote..did you know you would have this effect on me
Teen: lol I guessed
Teen: ya go voteÂ…I don't want to keep you from doing our job
Maf54: can I have a good kiss goodnight
Teen: :-*
Teen:

The House voted that evening on HR 1559, Emergency War Time supplemental appropriations.

read more at ABC's The Blotter

Apparently the GOP only protects pedophiles... Not America.

Geriatric Ol' Pedophiles.

How long do you think Foley has been protected by the GOP leadership?

One former page says pages were warned specifically to be careful with Foley five years ago.

"I know people who had been interacting with him like that, so I wasn't surprised. You know it's one of those things you know is going to come out some day," Matthew Loraditch, a page in the 2001-2002 class who is now president of the Page Alumni Association, said.

House Republican leaders were told about possible problems with Foley last year, and now they want an investigation to see how many pages may have been victimized by Foley.

ABC's The Blotter

I am willing to bet that GOP leadership has known about this AT LEAST as long as the pages did.

John at AMERICAblog has proven a pretty solid connection to THE COVERUP:

What's more, The LA Times didn't realize, and no one in the MSM has picked up on yet, that Reynolds sent his chief of staff [to "advise" Foley last week http://americablog.blogspot.com/2006/10/mr-reynolds-why-is-your-chief-of-staff.html] before the predator resigned. What's worse, Reynolds' chief of staff tried to broker a deal with ABC News last Friday in order to get ABC to cover-up
the worst of the evidence against Foley.

There is no doubt that Foley is a internet sexual predator.

There is no doubt that Republican leadership failed to protect the kids.

AND

There is no doubt that there was a concerted effort to cover this up.

All that remains to be seen is who is simply too irresponsible to be a politician, and who is criminally responsible. And how long the GOP leadership has been this irresposible and criminal.

Hastert? Boehner? Reynolds?

AMERICAblog: Reynolds' chief of staff is link between Foley and House GOP leadership in child sex predator scandal

John at AMERICAblog writes:

"Clearly, the House Republicans have decided that Speaker Denny Hastert is going to resign. Hastert has decided, I suspect, to let the other members use him as their scapegoat - blame Hastert, so then when he resigns, the "problem" will be gone, and the other members can no longer be blamed.

But this is absurd. Congressman Reynolds' office had a direct role in covering up this scandal.

...snip...

The mainstream media has now picked up on the fact that Congressman Tom Reynolds (R-NY) is linked to alleged child sex predator Mark Foley through his chief of staff Kirk Fordham. Fordham was Foley's chief of staff and campaign manager. However, they've still missed a key point (read below).

Here's today's LA Times:

Another former staffer said it was an oft-repeated story around Capitol Hill that Foley's former chief of staff, Kirk Fordham, would sometimes accompany the congressman to keep him out of trouble.

Fordham represents a link between Foley and House GOP leaders. Shortly after leaving Foley's office last year, he became chief of staff to Rep. Thomas M. Reynolds (R-N.Y.), chairman of the National Republican Congressional Committee.

Reynolds has said he was told this spring about the e-mails that sparked the initial complaint about Foley.

Fordham has not responded to repeated requests for comment from The Times.

What's more, the LA Times didn't realize, and no one in the MSM has picked up on yet, that Reynolds sent his chief of staff to "advise" Foley last week before the predator resigned. What's worse, Reynolds' chief of staff tried to broker a deal with ABC News last Friday in order to get ABC to cover-up the worst of the evidence against Foley.

If this allegation is true, then Reynolds' chief of staff knew that Foley had issues. But we're to believe that the chief of staff didn't mention this to his boss, Reynolds, when the Foley emails came to light months ago?

...snip...

Why won't Tom Reynolds explain why he sent his chief of staff to help a sex predator cover-up the evidence?(emphasis mine) No one has reported on this story yet - come on media, it's a freebie."

Good question John. Go read the whole post here...

Nancy Johnson's Junk in the Trunk Revisited

BrandfordBoy at My Left Nutmeg writes:

Good grief! Nancy Johnson's response to Chris Murphy telling the truth about how her drug-industry-funded health care policies are screwing Connecticut's seniors is to launch a full-scale Rovian Big
Lie campaign.

A crowd of about 15 Nancy Johnson supporters briefly gathe ed outside Chris Murphy's campaign headquarters Friday afternoon holding signs a d accusing Murphy of "scarin
A number of those protesting at the West Main Street site were senior citizens themselves who expressed concern over losing Medicare.

"These seniors here support Medicare," said Ken Hiscoe, campaign director for Nancy Johnson. "Chris Murphy wants to destroy Medicare Part D."

The protesters chanted phrases such as "Shame on Murphy," "Stop scaring seniors" and "Stop the attacks," prompting passing motorists to honk their horns in support.

"He has been scaring seniors for the past year and a half and it's reprehensible that he would use senior citizens for his own political gain," said Hiscoe.

Louis Salvio, Republican minority leader of the Common Council, also held up a sign and took part in the protest.

"I'm just here supporting Mrs. Johnson," he said.

We already knew about Nancy Johnson's fault when it came to the Medicare D(isaster) plan from one of my previous posts:

It seems that Nancy Johnson's political career has a lot of junk in the trunk...

Deroy Murdock on Medicare on National Review Online:

"This fiscal malpractice has not bought the White House even political dividends. An August 25-26, 2003 Gallup poll found 40 percent of adults approved of the president's handling of Medicare while 48 percent disapproved. After the benefit's adoption, a March 26-28, 2004 Gallup survey saw 35 percent approve of Bush on Medicare, while disapproval climbed to 55 percent. What a bargain: Each one-point drop in Bush's Medicare approval rating cost Americans $44.5 billion.
The GOP Congress should dump the drug benefit. They should spare taxpayers this absurdly expensive new project whose true costs were concealed by an administration that sacrificed integrity and fiscal responsibility on an altar of blind ambition.

Instead, Republicans should develop a modest plan for poor seniors who lack coverage, rather than any American over 65, including multimillionaires and those who already have drug insurance.

The Medicare drug benefit has metastasized from bad policy to bad politics and now to scandal and possible criminality. This law begs to be euthanized. The GOP should pulls its plug. As for the perpetrators of this colossal public fraud, the Justice Department should fit them for orange jumpsuits."

And this is the legislation she was was so proud of and pinning her 2006 re-election hopes on? Well now... If that ain't an elephant passing some serious gas on to the voters?

Chris Murphy flushes Johnson's crap below...

Careful now!

Never stand behind an elephant that is full of it... You never know when it is going to take its next dump on YOU!

So... What does Democrat hopeful Chris Murphy have to say about all of this?

Drug Benefit will be a problem for Johnson in 2006

Nancy Johnson's biggest legislative effort in years - the drug benefit bill - seems to be falling drastically short of doing what it promised - helping seniors afford their perscriptions. The NY Times explains why this bill will be an albatross around the necks of Republicans in 2006, Johnson in particular.

Already, many Democratic strategists argue that the new program - because of its complicated structure and gaps in coverage - could be much more of a problem than an asset for Republicans next year. Some Democratic challengers are already using the issue on the campaign trail, like Christopher S. Murphy, who hopes to unseat Representative Nancy L. Johnson of Connecticut, a senior Republican who played an important role in writing the law.
"Seniors, frustrated with the complexity of the drug benefit, are realizing that it was constructed to help the insurance industry and the drug industry," said Mr. Murphy, a state senator, in a common Democratic refrain. "It's more helpful to those industries than to a lot of seniors."

Read the rest of the story here.

Anyone that has tried to wade through Johnson's "signature legislation", either for themselves or a relative in need of medication, understands what a pile of hooey it is, and they are also begining to realize just how much more it is going to cost the people in need as well as all other taxpayers more than Johnson lied, err, said it would.

Johnson's rolling in it...
Dirty money that is!

Not only does she take drug industry money out the ying-yang in order to finance her campaign efforts, but Johnson also takes dirty money from Tom Delay.

You can feel free to stand behind Johnson if you want to... But don't say I didn't warn you.

Funny there Nancy!

We Bloggers were only ready for this smear attack about 10 months ago... (Almost as long as the GOP leadership has known that Republican rep. Mark Foley was a pedophile!)