To: wmileo
Here is some of the filth of the real Dick Durbin. The so called non partisan group, the Aspen Institute is one of George $oreA$$'s oldest ngos which hates America, a strong America and our military.
Groups fund Durbin's trips to exotic places
Lincoln Courier ^ | 61605
Posted on 06/16/2005 10:24:16 AM PDT by ambrose
Groups fund Durbin's trips to exotic places
BY DORI MEINERT
COPLEY NEWS SERVICE
WASHINGTON - In January 2004, Sen. Dick Durbin and his wife spent six days in Honolulu at the expense of the privately funded Aspen Institute think tank where he attended a conference on U.S.-China relations.
Durbin and his wife, Loretta, traveled to Venice, Italy, where they spent 14 days in August of the same year [2004] for a conference on U.S.-Russia relations, also paid for by the Aspen Institute.
The Illinois Democrat also visited South Africa on the tab of other private groups last year [2004], according to his personal financial disclosure statement released Tuesday. Durbin also traveled to India and Bangladesh in February 2004 in a trip that was mistakenly left off the report, his staff said. He planned to file an amendment later Tuesday.
Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., requested a 30-day extension on his filing deadline.
While such privately funded trips are legal, members of Congress have found their free travel increasingly criticized in light of the recent controversy surrounding trips by House Majority Leader Tom DeLay that allegedly were paid for by lobbyists.
Durbin favors trips by the nonpartisan public policy group, Aspen Institute, because each trip has an in-depth focus and lawmakers can concentrate on issues without being lobbied, Durbin spokesman Joe Shoemaker said.
"These trips have enriched my understanding of key issues and made me a more engaged legislator," said Durbin in a statement issued by his office. "Were it not for travel, I probably would have an interest in these things, but not a passion for them."
It's an added bonus if his wife is allowed to travel with him.
32 posted on 06/16/2005 4:11:57 PM PDT by Grampa Dave