Hello There, Guest! (LoginRegister)

Post Reply 
Crooked Donald and Company
Author Message
JustAnotherAustinOwl Offline
1st String
*

Posts: 2,441
Joined: Nov 2005
Reputation: 56
I Root For: Rice Owls
Location:
Post: #1
Crooked Donald and Company
I've been thinking Trump/GOP corruption is going to need its own thread, but this action by the house GOP seals the deal:

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/powe...63c1fae6ac

The GOP house caucus has voted to all but eliminate the House Ethics Office. In a secret vote, no less. They'll have to be on record at least to pass it in the full house.

Truly unbelievable.
01-03-2017 10:00 AM
Find all posts by this user Quote this message in a reply
Advertisement


JustAnotherAustinOwl Offline
1st String
*

Posts: 2,441
Joined: Nov 2005
Reputation: 56
I Root For: Rice Owls
Location:
Post: #2
RE: Crooked Donald and Company
And in case you missed it, Gingrich said Trump should just plan on pardoning his family members before he leaves office.

Drain the swamp, indeed.
01-03-2017 10:05 AM
Find all posts by this user Quote this message in a reply
OptimisticOwl Offline
Legend
*

Posts: 58,540
Joined: Apr 2005
Reputation: 854
I Root For: Rice
Location: DFW Metroplex

The Parliament AwardsNew Orleans BowlFootball GeniusCrappiesDonatorsDonators
Post: #3
RE: Crooked Donald and Company
"The 119-to-74 vote during a GOP conference meeting..."

So if the Democrats stand firm, this won't pass the House.

But if it does pass, it will do so with bipartisan support.

I think I will wait to see the vote before cheering or jeering anybody.
01-03-2017 10:48 AM
Find all posts by this user Quote this message in a reply
OptimisticOwl Offline
Legend
*

Posts: 58,540
Joined: Apr 2005
Reputation: 854
I Root For: Rice
Location: DFW Metroplex

The Parliament AwardsNew Orleans BowlFootball GeniusCrappiesDonatorsDonators
Post: #4
RE: Crooked Donald and Company
01-03-2017 11:17 AM
Find all posts by this user Quote this message in a reply
RiceLad15 Online
Hall of Famer
*

Posts: 16,642
Joined: Nov 2009
Reputation: 108
I Root For: Rice Owls
Location: H-town
Post: #5
RE: Crooked Donald and Company
(01-03-2017 11:17 AM)OptimisticOwl Wrote:  Trump criticizes Congress

One of the few Donald tweets I agree with.

Hopefully he continues on this path of advocating for action against corrupt and potentially corruptible activities given that he is in a position with a lot of competing interests, more than any president in recent history. And by that, I am pointedly referring to him: releasing his plan on how he will manage his business holdings; clearly outlining the roles his children will play in his administration; releasing his taxes (but not holding my breath); and holding a frickin' press conference for once.
01-03-2017 11:51 AM
Find all posts by this user Quote this message in a reply
JustAnotherAustinOwl Offline
1st String
*

Posts: 2,441
Joined: Nov 2005
Reputation: 56
I Root For: Rice Owls
Location:
Post: #6
RE: Crooked Donald and Company
(01-03-2017 10:48 AM)OptimisticOwl Wrote:  "The 119-to-74 vote during a GOP conference meeting..."

So if the Democrats stand firm, this won't pass the House.

But if it does pass, it will do so with bipartisan support.

I think I will wait to see the vote before cheering or jeering anybody.

That's not actually how it works - they vote in the caucus and then usually vote en masse.

This may be an exception, though, given the bipartisan backlash.
01-03-2017 11:51 AM
Find all posts by this user Quote this message in a reply
Advertisement


Owl 69/70/75 Offline
Just an old rugby coach
*

Posts: 80,655
Joined: Sep 2005
Reputation: 3192
I Root For: RiceBathChelsea
Location: Montgomery, TX

DonatorsNew Orleans Bowl
Post: #7
RE: Crooked Donald and Company
(01-03-2017 10:00 AM)JustAnotherAustinOwl Wrote:  I've been thinking Trump/GOP corruption is going to need its own thread, but this action by the house GOP seals the deal:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/powe...63c1fae6ac
The GOP house caucus has voted to all but eliminate the House Ethics Office. In a secret vote, no less. They'll have to be on record at least to pass it in the full house.
Truly unbelievable.

Two questions:

1) What did they actually do? I've seen a lot of hyperbole and histrionics, but little or nothing in the way of substantive explanation.

2) How effective has this ethics office been in the past?
01-03-2017 11:57 AM
Find all posts by this user Quote this message in a reply
westsidewolf1989 Offline
Heisman
*

Posts: 6,220
Joined: Dec 2008
Reputation: 74
I Root For: Rice
Location:
Post: #8
RE: Crooked Donald and Company
(01-03-2017 11:51 AM)JustAnotherAustinOwl Wrote:  
(01-03-2017 10:48 AM)OptimisticOwl Wrote:  "The 119-to-74 vote during a GOP conference meeting..."

So if the Democrats stand firm, this won't pass the House.

But if it does pass, it will do so with bipartisan support.

I think I will wait to see the vote before cheering or jeering anybody.

That's not actually how it works - they vote in the caucus and then usually vote en masse.

This may be an exception, though, given the bipartisan backlash.

House Republicans have now pulled the proposal, per CNN.
01-03-2017 12:20 PM
Find all posts by this user Quote this message in a reply
RiceLad15 Online
Hall of Famer
*

Posts: 16,642
Joined: Nov 2009
Reputation: 108
I Root For: Rice Owls
Location: H-town
Post: #9
RE: Crooked Donald and Company
(01-03-2017 12:20 PM)westsidewolf1989 Wrote:  
(01-03-2017 11:51 AM)JustAnotherAustinOwl Wrote:  
(01-03-2017 10:48 AM)OptimisticOwl Wrote:  "The 119-to-74 vote during a GOP conference meeting..."

So if the Democrats stand firm, this won't pass the House.

But if it does pass, it will do so with bipartisan support.

I think I will wait to see the vote before cheering or jeering anybody.

That's not actually how it works - they vote in the caucus and then usually vote en masse.

This may be an exception, though, given the bipartisan backlash.

House Republicans have now pulled the proposal, per CNN.

Good.

Per CNN, this is what the proposed changes looked like:

Quote:The proposal would bar the panel from reviewing any violation of criminal law by members of Congress, requiring that it turn over complaints instead to the House Ethics Committee or refer the matter to an appropriate federal law enforcement agency. The House Ethics Committee would also have the power to stop an investigation at any point and bars the ethics office from making any public statements about any matters or hiring any communications staff.

And the ethics office would no longer be able to accept or investigate any anonymous reports of alleged wrongdoing by members of Congress.
01-03-2017 12:28 PM
Find all posts by this user Quote this message in a reply
OptimisticOwl Offline
Legend
*

Posts: 58,540
Joined: Apr 2005
Reputation: 854
I Root For: Rice
Location: DFW Metroplex

The Parliament AwardsNew Orleans BowlFootball GeniusCrappiesDonatorsDonators
Post: #10
RE: Crooked Donald and Company
"...appropriate federal law enforcement agency...".

Would that be the FBI?
01-03-2017 12:30 PM
Find all posts by this user Quote this message in a reply
JustAnotherAustinOwl Offline
1st String
*

Posts: 2,441
Joined: Nov 2005
Reputation: 56
I Root For: Rice Owls
Location:
Post: #11
RE: Crooked Donald and Company
(01-03-2017 12:28 PM)RiceLad15 Wrote:  
(01-03-2017 12:20 PM)westsidewolf1989 Wrote:  
(01-03-2017 11:51 AM)JustAnotherAustinOwl Wrote:  
(01-03-2017 10:48 AM)OptimisticOwl Wrote:  "The 119-to-74 vote during a GOP conference meeting..."

So if the Democrats stand firm, this won't pass the House.

But if it does pass, it will do so with bipartisan support.

I think I will wait to see the vote before cheering or jeering anybody.

That's not actually how it works - they vote in the caucus and then usually vote en masse.

This may be an exception, though, given the bipartisan backlash.

House Republicans have now pulled the proposal, per CNN.

Good.

Per CNN, this is what the proposed changes looked like:

Quote:The proposal would bar the panel from reviewing any violation of criminal law by members of Congress, requiring that it turn over complaints instead to the House Ethics Committee or refer the matter to an appropriate federal law enforcement agency. The House Ethics Committee would also have the power to stop an investigation at any point and bars the ethics office from making any public statements about any matters or hiring any communications staff.

And the ethics office would no longer be able to accept or investigate any anonymous reports of alleged wrongdoing by members of Congress.

I'll give Trump credit for being on the right side of this one, though politically it didn't exactly take a lot of courage.

Addendum: If he wants to impress me about draining the swamp, he'd withdraw all the Goldman Sachs nominees, put his business interests in a blind trust (or better yet, sell them off, since his business is as much a "Brand" as anything), release his tax returns as he promised he would after the election, and probably a bunch of other stuff I can't think of right now.
(This post was last modified: 01-03-2017 12:34 PM by JustAnotherAustinOwl.)
01-03-2017 12:32 PM
Find all posts by this user Quote this message in a reply
Advertisement


JustAnotherAustinOwl Offline
1st String
*

Posts: 2,441
Joined: Nov 2005
Reputation: 56
I Root For: Rice Owls
Location:
Post: #12
RE: Crooked Donald and Company
BTW, I called my congressman for the first time in years, so I take full credit for stopping this thing.
01-03-2017 12:45 PM
Find all posts by this user Quote this message in a reply
Baconator Offline
Moderator
*

Posts: 2,437
Joined: Jun 2005
Reputation: 68
I Root For: My Kids
Location:

New Orleans BowlDonatorsPWNER of Scout/Rivals
Post: #13
RE: Crooked Donald and Company
Jim Bridenstine, Lovett '98, in line to be the next head of NASA.

http://www.wsj.com/articles/gop-rep-jim-...1483213187
01-03-2017 12:46 PM
Find all posts by this user Quote this message in a reply
JustAnotherAustinOwl Offline
1st String
*

Posts: 2,441
Joined: Nov 2005
Reputation: 56
I Root For: Rice Owls
Location:
Post: #14
RE: Crooked Donald and Company
A bipartisan group of officials and others calls on Trump to divest:

http://www.democracy21.org/money-in-poli...-problems/
01-03-2017 02:18 PM
Find all posts by this user Quote this message in a reply
OptimisticOwl Offline
Legend
*

Posts: 58,540
Joined: Apr 2005
Reputation: 854
I Root For: Rice
Location: DFW Metroplex

The Parliament AwardsNew Orleans BowlFootball GeniusCrappiesDonatorsDonators
Post: #15
RE: Crooked Donald and Company
(01-03-2017 12:32 PM)JustAnotherAustinOwl Wrote:  
(01-03-2017 12:28 PM)RiceLad15 Wrote:  
(01-03-2017 12:20 PM)westsidewolf1989 Wrote:  
(01-03-2017 11:51 AM)JustAnotherAustinOwl Wrote:  
(01-03-2017 10:48 AM)OptimisticOwl Wrote:  "The 119-to-74 vote during a GOP conference meeting..."

So if the Democrats stand firm, this won't pass the House.

But if it does pass, it will do so with bipartisan support.

I think I will wait to see the vote before cheering or jeering anybody.

That's not actually how it works - they vote in the caucus and then usually vote en masse.

This may be an exception, though, given the bipartisan backlash.

House Republicans have now pulled the proposal, per CNN.

Good.

Per CNN, this is what the proposed changes looked like:

Quote:The proposal would bar the panel from reviewing any violation of criminal law by members of Congress, requiring that it turn over complaints instead to the House Ethics Committee or refer the matter to an appropriate federal law enforcement agency. The House Ethics Committee would also have the power to stop an investigation at any point and bars the ethics office from making any public statements about any matters or hiring any communications staff.

And the ethics office would no longer be able to accept or investigate any anonymous reports of alleged wrongdoing by members of Congress.

I'll give Trump credit for being on the right side of this one, though politically it didn't exactly take a lot of courage.

Addendum: If he wants to impress me about draining the swamp, he'd withdraw all the Goldman Sachs nominees, put his business interests in a blind trust (or better yet, sell them off, since his business is as much a "Brand" as anything), release his tax returns as he promised he would after the election, and probably a bunch of other stuff I can't think of right now.

Everything in the addendum is about Trump, who is not yet in the swamp and has not been a part of the swamp. In my mind, the swamp is Congress and the Washington establishment around them- lobbyists, regulators, bureaucrats.

I thought Nancy Pelosi was supposed to drain the swamp. How come we still have a swamp to drain?

and{ just for laughs), if this were an actual swamp I bet the environmentalists would oppose the draining and somebody would want to make it a national park.

DC National Swamp, open for business.
(This post was last modified: 01-03-2017 03:17 PM by OptimisticOwl.)
01-03-2017 03:16 PM
Find all posts by this user Quote this message in a reply
RiceLad15 Online
Hall of Famer
*

Posts: 16,642
Joined: Nov 2009
Reputation: 108
I Root For: Rice Owls
Location: H-town
Post: #16
RE: Crooked Donald and Company
(01-03-2017 03:16 PM)OptimisticOwl Wrote:  
(01-03-2017 12:32 PM)JustAnotherAustinOwl Wrote:  
(01-03-2017 12:28 PM)RiceLad15 Wrote:  
(01-03-2017 12:20 PM)westsidewolf1989 Wrote:  
(01-03-2017 11:51 AM)JustAnotherAustinOwl Wrote:  That's not actually how it works - they vote in the caucus and then usually vote en masse.

This may be an exception, though, given the bipartisan backlash.

House Republicans have now pulled the proposal, per CNN.

Good.

Per CNN, this is what the proposed changes looked like:

Quote:The proposal would bar the panel from reviewing any violation of criminal law by members of Congress, requiring that it turn over complaints instead to the House Ethics Committee or refer the matter to an appropriate federal law enforcement agency. The House Ethics Committee would also have the power to stop an investigation at any point and bars the ethics office from making any public statements about any matters or hiring any communications staff.

And the ethics office would no longer be able to accept or investigate any anonymous reports of alleged wrongdoing by members of Congress.

I'll give Trump credit for being on the right side of this one, though politically it didn't exactly take a lot of courage.

Addendum: If he wants to impress me about draining the swamp, he'd withdraw all the Goldman Sachs nominees, put his business interests in a blind trust (or better yet, sell them off, since his business is as much a "Brand" as anything), release his tax returns as he promised he would after the election, and probably a bunch of other stuff I can't think of right now.

Everything in the addendum is about Trump, who is not yet in the swamp and has not been a part of the swamp. In my mind, the swamp is Congress and the Washington establishment around them- lobbyists, regulators, bureaucrats.

I thought Nancy Pelosi was supposed to drain the swamp. How come we still have a swamp to drain?

and{ just for laughs), if this were an actual swamp I bet the environmentalists would oppose the draining and somebody would want to make it a national park.

DC National Swamp, open for business.

Funny you say that. A friend of my girlfriend posted this on Facebook this morning:

Quote:All this talk about "draining the swamp" in Washington calls for a friendly reminder that in the non-political world, draining a swamp destroys valuable habitat/natural flood protection and releases huge amounts of greenhouses gases into the atmosphere. Really we should #floodtheswamp!

The friend is a coastal engineer who has done a lot of work at TU Delft, so she probably knows her stuff.
01-03-2017 03:39 PM
Find all posts by this user Quote this message in a reply
Advertisement


Owl 69/70/75 Offline
Just an old rugby coach
*

Posts: 80,655
Joined: Sep 2005
Reputation: 3192
I Root For: RiceBathChelsea
Location: Montgomery, TX

DonatorsNew Orleans Bowl
Post: #17
RE: Crooked Donald and Company
I think of what Washington DC needs as being more drain the toilet.
01-03-2017 04:04 PM
Find all posts by this user Quote this message in a reply
RiceLad15 Online
Hall of Famer
*

Posts: 16,642
Joined: Nov 2009
Reputation: 108
I Root For: Rice Owls
Location: H-town
Post: #18
RE: Crooked Donald and Company
(01-03-2017 04:04 PM)Owl 69/70/75 Wrote:  I think of what Washington DC needs as being more drain the toilet.

#FlushTheToilet
01-03-2017 04:10 PM
Find all posts by this user Quote this message in a reply
WestGrayStreetOwl Offline
2nd String
*

Posts: 339
Joined: Nov 2010
Reputation: 12
I Root For: Rice
Location:
Post: #19
RE: Crooked Donald and Company
(01-03-2017 12:46 PM)Baconator Wrote:  Jim Bridenstine, Lovett '98, in line to be the next head of NASA.

http://www.wsj.com/articles/gop-rep-jim-...1483213187
Former Rice swimmer, right?
01-03-2017 04:17 PM
Find all posts by this user Quote this message in a reply
JustAnotherAustinOwl Offline
1st String
*

Posts: 2,441
Joined: Nov 2005
Reputation: 56
I Root For: Rice Owls
Location:
Post: #20
RE: Crooked Donald and Company
(01-03-2017 03:16 PM)OptimisticOwl Wrote:  Everything in the addendum is about Trump, who is not yet in the swamp and has not been a part of the swamp. In my mind, the swamp is Congress and the Washington establishment around them- lobbyists, regulators, bureaucrats.

Because 1) Trump will be president in a few weeks and 2) he and his family have already used his status as president elect to enrich themselves, and 3) he is as much a con-man and grifter as a "businessman" so it should not surprise anyone that he sees this as his best racket yet.

So yes, you are correct, he is not the only source of corruption, but I think we are about to see the most corrupt administration since Harding, possibly since the 19th century.
01-03-2017 04:55 PM
Find all posts by this user Quote this message in a reply
Post Reply 




User(s) browsing this thread: 1 Guest(s)


Copyright © 2002-2024 Collegiate Sports Nation Bulletin Board System (CSNbbs), All Rights Reserved.
CSNbbs is an independent fan site and is in no way affiliated to the NCAA or any of the schools and conferences it represents.
This site monetizes links. FTC Disclosure.
We allow third-party companies to serve ads and/or collect certain anonymous information when you visit our web site. These companies may use non-personally identifiable information (e.g., click stream information, browser type, time and date, subject of advertisements clicked or scrolled over) during your visits to this and other Web sites in order to provide advertisements about goods and services likely to be of greater interest to you. These companies typically use a cookie or third party web beacon to collect this information. To learn more about this behavioral advertising practice or to opt-out of this type of advertising, you can visit http://www.networkadvertising.org.
Powered By MyBB, © 2002-2024 MyBB Group.