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Republican_Man
STV's Premier Conservative
Joined: 26 Mar 2004
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 Tue May 30, 2006 5:40 pm Did Dem. Sen. Harry Reid Break Ethics Rules? |
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| Quote: | Reid Attended Boxing Matches Paid By Nevada Athletic Commission
WASHINGTON � Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid accepted free ringside tickets from the Nevada Athletic Commission to three professional boxing matches while that state agency was trying to influence him on federal regulation of boxing.
Read the rest of the article here. |
So the jig is up. It looks like there may be even more evidence that the "culture of corruption" is not a Republican thing, but merely a politicians thing. It's pretty clear that Reid knowingly partook in these actions, knowing, that is, that it was a violation of ethics laws. Therefore, for him to charge after the Republicans and talk about a "culture of corruption" surrounding the party is just arrogant, wouldn't you say?
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"Rights are only as good as the willingness of some to exercise responsibility for those rights- Fmr. Colorado Senate Pres. John Andrews
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CJ Cregg
Commodore
Joined: 05 Oct 2002
Posts: 1254
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| Tue May 30, 2006 6:03 pm |
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The party in power is always the one more corrupt. Most politicians are not pure and honest.
Just look at 1994, the democrats in power were corrupt. The republicans ran on a platform to clean up Washington. The same is happening now. Both parties are corrupt. The party in power usually more, due to the power.
I'm not at all surprised that Harry Reid accepted tickets. I wouldn't be surprised is most of the congress has has some "interesting" things hidden away.
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Republican_Man
STV's Premier Conservative
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| Tue May 30, 2006 6:08 pm |
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Well, I disagree with the "party in power" argument you're putting forth. It's just politicians in general that are corrupt. The party in power may be more arrogant than the other party, but it�s not more corrupt. The GOP is only getting more focus because they�re the party in power, the Republicans aren�t doing so hot politically right now, and the media is on the side of the Democrats.
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"Rights are only as good as the willingness of some to exercise responsibility for those rights- Fmr. Colorado Senate Pres. John Andrews
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CJ Cregg
Commodore
Joined: 05 Oct 2002
Posts: 1254
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| Tue May 30, 2006 6:11 pm |
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Thats what i mean, the part in power always seems and may be the most corrupt. Thats why every now and again you have a switch.
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WeAz
Commodore
Joined: 03 Apr 2004
Posts: 1519
Location: Where you aren't
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| Wed May 31, 2006 11:26 pm |
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Politicians will always be corrupt, or many of them, because they are decision makers, and we want to influence them...
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CJ Cregg
Commodore
Joined: 05 Oct 2002
Posts: 1254
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| Thu Jun 01, 2006 11:28 am |
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It would actually be AGAINST the law for him to pay for the tickets.
| Quote: | It would have been against state law for Harry Reid to have reimbursed the Nevada Athletic Commission for credentials.
Clearly, this is pretty far down in the weeds. But the AP actually got a pretty significant fact wrong. So let me run through the details.
Bob Arum, the boxing promoter who gave the credentials to Reid and Sen. John McCain, made that claim to The Las Vegas Review Journal. But I wanted to check up on that, so I called Keith Kizer, the Executive Director of the Nevada Athletic Commission. Kizer should know - he is a lawyer and former Chief Deputy Attorney General for the state of Nevada.
"It would be illegal," Kizer said, explaining that it fell under a state law prohibiting agencies or individuals for charging access to government property. The credentials provide access to the commission's area near the ring. "It would be like charging someone for access to a senator's office," Kizer added with no apparent sense of irony.
He went on to explain that credentials are given out to governmental officials and others in order to observe the commission's activity. Sometimes the credentials are provided in addition to tickets - sometimes officials sit in the commission's area.
Reid's office, meanwhile, confirmed that Reid received a credential, and not a ticket to the bout: "We know it for a fact that he had a credential.�
I have written to the AP asking whether they planned on issuing a correction and was promised a reply "this afternoon." In his piece, John Solomon referred to Reid having received (reimbursable) "tickets" to the fight.
http://www.tpmmuckraker.com/archives/000788.php
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Republican_Man
STV's Premier Conservative
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| Thu Jun 01, 2006 4:17 pm |
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Well, then, he should have realized that it was wrong either way. What's the phrase? �Damned if you do, damned if you don�t.�
He shouldn�t have accepted the free tickets just as much as he shouldn�t have paid them for the tickets. If he wanted to go a boxing match, he should have done it with his own money, on his own dollar.
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"Rights are only as good as the willingness of some to exercise responsibility for those rights- Fmr. Colorado Senate Pres. John Andrews
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TrekkieMage
Office Junkie
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| Fri Jun 02, 2006 4:22 pm |
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Lets weigh out the difference here. A pair of tickets to a boxing match that don't seem to be all that illegal with some digging. Hundreds of thousands of dollars in furnishings, houses, yachts, proms and more. Hm.
But I agree with CJ Cregg. The media and the minority party always put the party in power in the spotlight. They in the majority and they're 'safe'. The laws for donations v. bribes are blurry for a reason. They're making the laws. If you were going to make it illegal for you and your 434 co-workers to get free dinners/tickets/gifts/etc. would you do it? The gut instinct is to say no. But when it's sitting on your desk, you'd have second thoughts.
This whole corruption thing is nothing new and nothing special, it's just something that is going to be very difficult to fix but needs to be fixed.
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Founder
Dominion Leader
Joined: 21 Jun 2004
Posts: 12755
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| Fri Jun 02, 2006 4:53 pm |
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Yeah. Corruption is not a Democrat or Republican thing. Its a political thing.
I remember telling my former employer that the career I wanted for myself was to be in politics.
"Oh, thats a shame. Surely there are more respectable things?"
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Republican_Man
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| Fri Jun 02, 2006 5:03 pm |
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Politics is only as respectable as the politician himself. There are some truly respectable politicians, and honest ones at that, but the majority clearly are more power-hungry than anything. I mean, just look at the Republicans. They'll abandon their prinicples in a heartbeat just to get elected, or something.
I would like to be one of the former politicians, one that is respectable, honest, and not corrupt. I want to keep the ideas of what a politician should be in my head when I enter politics in the future. I also believe that it being honest and everything is the best policy to have, in terms of elections. It's a good product to sell, being the one honest politician out there.
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"Rights are only as good as the willingness of some to exercise responsibility for those rights- Fmr. Colorado Senate Pres. John Andrews
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Founder
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| Fri Jun 02, 2006 6:54 pm |
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| Republican_Man wrote: | Politics is only as respectable as the politician himself. There are some truly respectable politicians, and honest ones at that, but the majority clearly are more power-hungry than anything. I mean, just look at the Republicans. They'll abandon their prinicples in a heartbeat just to get elected, or something.
I would like to be one of the former politicians, one that is respectable, honest, and not corrupt. I want to keep the ideas of what a politician should be in my head when I enter politics in the future. I also believe that it being honest and everything is the best policy to have, in terms of elections. It's a good product to sell, being the one honest politician out there. |
Who are you? Michael Moore?
It isn't just Republicans that do that. It is also Democrats. It is anyone who wants to be elected.
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Lord Borg
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Joined: 27 May 2003
Posts: 11214
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| Fri Jun 02, 2006 6:57 pm |
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| Founder wrote: | | Republican_Man wrote: | Politics is only as respectable as the politician himself. There are some truly respectable politicians, and honest ones at that, but the majority clearly are more power-hungry than anything. I mean, just look at the Republicans. They'll abandon their prinicples in a heartbeat just to get elected, or something.
I would like to be one of the former politicians, one that is respectable, honest, and not corrupt. I want to keep the ideas of what a politician should be in my head when I enter politics in the future. I also believe that it being honest and everything is the best policy to have, in terms of elections. It's a good product to sell, being the one honest politician out there. |
Who are you? Michael Moore?
Ouch...
It isn't just Republicans that do that. It is also Democrats. It is anyone who wants to be elected. |
I'll agree, the political alfiliation has nothing to do with it, it's simply the person(s) in power, or with office etc... The Media will pay tons of attention to this, anways, it makes the polititions look bad
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Founder
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| Fri Jun 02, 2006 6:58 pm |
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Michael Moore was just a joke.  
But Chris is right. Is this really a surprise?
Its almost like an unwritten rule to be corrupt. Are all of them? No. Just the majority.
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Lord Borg
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| Fri Jun 02, 2006 7:01 pm |
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Yeah, well they are in the postiion to make something happen, and along someone comes and says "For a free, unreportible 100,000 make this happen..." It would be tempting. Really, it all depends with your Moral values and ethics
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Republican_Man
STV's Premier Conservative
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| Fri Jun 02, 2006 7:02 pm |
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I haven't said that I disagree with that sentiment. As a matter of fact, I've said the contrary, and in this very topic, I do believe.
All I was doing, Founder, was giving an example of politicians. I didn't exclude the Democrats; I only used the Republicans as an example
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"Rights are only as good as the willingness of some to exercise responsibility for those rights- Fmr. Colorado Senate Pres. John Andrews
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Founder
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| Fri Jun 02, 2006 7:06 pm |
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| Republican_Man wrote: | I haven't said that I disagree with that sentiment. As a matter of fact, I've said the contrary, and in this very topic, I do believe.
All I was doing, Founder, was giving an example of politicians. I didn't exclude the Democrats; I only used the Republicans as an example |
Ah ok. How bipartisan of you. 
On the other end, you gotta wonder what it's like to be a politician. You can run the clean campaign and have a BIG chance to lose or you could run the dirty campaign and more often than not, you win. Its sad that its like that. Then when certain people make you win, they expect a favor in return...
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Republican_Man
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| Fri Jun 02, 2006 7:12 pm |
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So you just skimmed over the whole thing before that sentence you bolded about "Politics [being] only as respectable as the politician himself. There are some truly respectable politicians, and honest ones at that, but the majority clearly are more power-hungry than anything," did you?
And yes, it's both sides. Just look at the Democrats. They're willing to undermine the military, our effort, our president, and our national security just for political gain. How sick is that? Just look at this Haditha story, for instance. Who gives a damn about the investigation being completed, or what could happen to our troops, so long as political gain can be achieved?
And look at this Congressman Jefferson story that's out there right now. The Congress thinks they're all above the law, and I'm sorry, but being in the government doesn't make you above the law, regardless of your party.
NO ONE is above the law, even those who make the laws.
And it is sad that way, Founder, but I really look at this from a business-like standpoint. If you can provide a product--and a great one at that--that has all the credentials to back it up, you have more chances of succeeding. If, say, I'm able to get out there and prove that I am honest, have integrity, and can run a clean campaign and market that idea, and stick with it, then I'd have, I would think, a better chance at success.
Naive? Maybe. But if you go about it the right way, it could really work. I mean, just look at Reagan. One of the few truly honest politicians, a great man, and a great leader. He was really able to "sell himself," so to speak, and part of that, I would argue, was his honesty and everything like that.
As I said, if you can go about it the right way (and I do mean can) and market that product well enough, it should definitely be able to give you higher chances in being elected. Just look at the American people right now. We're all fed up with the corruption of the government. Bring in a truly thoughtful, honest, convincing guy into the field and things will be better off.
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"Rights are only as good as the willingness of some to exercise responsibility for those rights- Fmr. Colorado Senate Pres. John Andrews
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Founder
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| Fri Jun 02, 2006 7:32 pm |
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| Republican_Man wrote: | So you just skimmed over the whole thing before that sentence you bolded about "Politics [being] only as respectable as the politician himself. There are some truly respectable politicians, and honest ones at that, but the majority clearly are more power-hungry than anything," did you?
What? Just because you said that, doesn't mean anything. I know you were making a random example, but I get annoyed that people think it's only Republicans.
And yes, it's both sides. Just look at the Democrats. They're willing to undermine the military, our effort, our president, and our national security just for political gain. How sick is that? Just look at this Haditha story, for instance. Who gives a damn about the investigation being completed, or what could happen to our troops, so long as political gain can be achieved?
And look at this Congressman Jefferson story that's out there right now. The Congress thinks they're all above the law, and I'm sorry, but being in the government doesn't make you above the law, regardless of your party.
NO ONE is above the law, even those who make the laws.
And it is sad that way, Founder, but I really look at this from a business-like standpoint. If you can provide a product--and a great one at that--that has all the credentials to back it up, you have more chances of succeeding. If, say, I'm able to get out there and prove that I am honest, have integrity, and can run a clean campaign and market that idea, and stick with it, then I'd have, I would think, a better chance at success.
Naive? Maybe. But if you go about it the right way, it could really work. I mean, just look at Reagan. One of the few truly honest politicians, a great man, and a great leader. He was really able to "sell himself," so to speak, and part of that, I would argue, was his honesty and everything like that.
As I said, if you can go about it the right way (and I do mean can) and market that product well enough, it should definitely be able to give you higher chances in being elected. Just look at the American people right now. We're all fed up with the corruption of the government. Bring in a truly thoughtful, honest, convincing guy into the field and things will be better off. |
True true. It is all about bussiness in the end I suppose....
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Republican_Man
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| Fri Jun 02, 2006 7:38 pm |
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| Quote: | | What? Just because you said that, doesn't mean anything. I know you were making a random example, but I get annoyed that people think it's only Republicans. |
I was joking with you. I said it and meant it, and was only using the Republicans as an example. I've one who's been in WN talking about how it's not just Republicans. How can you even think that I would be saying Republicans are the only ones? Didn't I start this topic, after all?
But yes, I agree. I get annoyed just as well when people think it's all Republicans, because it's not. This "culture of corruption" argument doesn't just apply to the Republicans, but rather politics in general, and it's sad, it really is, how politicians can put their own political interests ahead of the good of the people.
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La Forge
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| Fri Jun 02, 2006 7:48 pm |
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Sad, yes...Although, it will never end. Politicians have always been corrupt and they always will be. That's just how it works. I am not a big fan of this country's government. Never have, never will. There all corrupt, the whole lot of them...Well...there are a FEW good ones, here and there, but, that's it...For the most part, politicians, on both sides (and, I'm a Democrat) are corrupt.
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You'll never hear me say this again in my life, but...
Go Red Sox!
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WeAz
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| Sat Jun 03, 2006 2:18 pm |
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The attraction of power will make someone do anything...
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