This from MSNBC's First Read

 

For now, at least, there are few signs that such foxhole conversions on partisanship or ethics will stick, all the while new hotspots keep boiling up. Democrats' big push to cast the Abramoff scandal as evidence of GOP corruption may be undercut by a new plea deal in an unrelated case on their own side. NBC's Pete Williams reports that according to the plea agreement filed in federal court yesterday for Brett Pfeffer, a former aide to Rep. William Jefferson (D), Pfeffer gave financial favors to Jefferson in return for Jefferson's help in getting contracts for Pfeffer's company to do business with Nigeria. Court documents say that Jefferson "corruptly demanded" the favors, including putting members of his family on the company's payroll, Williams notes.

 

Roll Call says of the Pfeffer plea that "it is clear from the court documents and media reports that [Democratic Rep. Bill] Jefferson is the target of an ongoing federal investigation." Jefferson "allegedly demanded an ownership stake of 5 percent to 7 percent in telecommunications firm that Pfeffer was helping to start up in Nigeria. Pfeffer believed that Jefferson sought a similar arrangement for a start-up telecom company in Ghana. Those ownership stakes would be doled out to members of Jefferson’s family... Jefferson also asked that a family member be placed on the payroll of the Nigerian company and be paid a salary of between $2,500 and $5,000 per month... In return, Jefferson agreed to lobby top Nigerian and Ghanaian officials to promote deals between the two start-up companies and the respective African governments... The eight-term lawmaker has denied any wrongdoing in the case, although his homes in Washington, D.C., and New Orleans were searched by FBI agents last year."

 

I'm sure this is some misunderstanding though.

I'm sure this is some misunderstanding though. 

Nope. Right now it seems like the guy's probably done something pretty bad, although the details haven't leaked out yet.

 

It might be worth noting however, that the guy who plea-bargained out was at one point President of a company that has done a large amount of work for DOD and the White House, including the IT Infrastructure for Bush's 2nd inaugural and the G8 summit last year.

 

As Josh Marshall says though, if this guy didn't exist, the Republicans would have to invent him.

If he's corrupt (and it sure seems like he is), hopefully he gets nailed on it.

The business of politics breeds the same kinds of mis-deeds from both sides of the aisle. If we are trying somehow to place one party on higher moral ground based on the ethical lapses of their members, we will never resolve it. For every low life Dem there is a equally low life Rep. All we have to do is have a memory long enough to look back past the current scandel de jour.

The business of politics breeds the same kinds of mis-deeds from both sides of the aisle. If we are trying somehow to place one party on higher moral ground based on the ethical lapses of their members, we will never resolve it. For every low life Dem there is a equally low life Rep. All we have to do is have a memory long enough to look back past the current scandel de jour.

 

That's Blasphemy!

That's Blasphemy!

 

I place more faith in our system of checks and balances and the over good of the American people. That is why I yawn when the Dems are complaining that Bush would nominate someone who is "too conservative". He's got the chair and office, our system says he gets to pick. Of course the founding fathers would have realized he would have picked someone whose ideals match his own.

 

And they were also wise enough, or lucky enough, to allow for minority opinions in the process. So I equally yawn when the GOP complains that the Dems are too rough on him, or challenging him too much. That's how the system works.

 

The people be damned. The system will work. And of all the government employees, we have such a small number that commit this stuff, it is almost silly to even discuss it. When was the last time your postal carrier demanded a bribe to deliver your mail?

The business of politics breeds the same kinds of mis-deeds from both sides of the aisle. If we are trying somehow to place one party on higher moral ground based on the ethical lapses of their members, we will never resolve it. For every low life Dem there is a equally low life Rep. All we have to do is have a memory long enough to look back past the current scandel de jour.

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAMMMMMMMMMMMMMEEEEEEEEEEEEEEENNNNNNNNNNNNN!

 

Someone finally gets it. Tex, next beer's on me.

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAMMMMMMMMMMMMMEEEEEEEEEEEEEEENNNNNNNNNNNNN!

 

Someone finally gets it.  Tex, next beer's on me. 

I'd rather have it in a glass but thanks.

Nope.  Right now it seems like the guy's probably done something pretty bad, although the details haven't leaked out yet. 

 

It might be worth noting however, that the guy who plea-bargained out was at one point President of a company that has done a large amount of work for DOD and the White House, including the IT Infrastructure for Bush's 2nd inaugural and the G8 summit last year.

 

As Josh Marshall says though, if this guy didn't exist, the Republicans would have to invent him.

Unf***ing real. Of COURSE BUSH IS BEHIND THIS TOO!!!

 

You are so f***ing jaded, it's pathetic.

Nail his ass. If "they" all do it, "they" all should go.

Nail his ass. If "they" all do it, "they" all should go.

 

I agree 10000000%

democrats are dirty. republicans are dirtier.

I wish I could tell you if that was true, but I've only slept with Democrats.

I wish I could tell you if that was true, but I've only slept with Democrats.

 

Wow, that's will power. I slept with a French socialist, but it didn't rub off.

Wow, she must have used soap then.

Wow, she must have used soap then.

 

the hairy armpits took me a little to get use to. Not to be confused with Harry's armpits, which is different.

You don't have to tell me twice!