The rest of Murtha's Mob

Washington Examiner ^ | 9-9-09 | Barbara Hollingsworth

[smoothsailing]

The rest of Murtha's Mob

By: Barbara Hollingsworth
Local Opinion Editor
09/09/09 3:49 PM EDT

A computer analysis released by the Center for Public Integrity found that three quarters of the members of the House Appropriations Defense Subcommittee engaged in the same kind of controversial influence peddling that got chairman John Murtha, D-PA, Rep. Jim Moran, D-VA, and Rep. Peter Visclosky, D-IN, in hot water for their dealings with the now defunct PMA Group.

"The Center's analysis reveals that 12 of 16 subcommittee members have been involved in similar circles of relationships fraught with potential conflicts of interest. In these circles, former staffers became lobbyists for defense contractors; the contractors received earmarks from the representatives; and the representatives received campaign contributions from the lobbyists or the contractors."

Sixteen former subcommittee aides-turned lobbyists forked over $1 million in campaign contributions to the 12 members of Murtha's Mob, and were rewarded with $100 million in earmarks, the Center reports. Murtha is currently under investigation by the Justice Department and the House Ethics Committee for possible illegal quid pro quos.

The Center found suspicious "relationship circles" involving 11 lobbying firms and more than 50 earmarks - totaling more than $100 million - including Rep. C.W. Bill Young, R-FL, Rep. Jack Kingston, R-GA, Todd Tiahrt, R-KS, Rep. Norman Dicks, D-WA, former Rep. Dave Hobson, R-OH, who retired last year, Rep. Steve Rothman, D-NJ, Rep. Rodney Frelinghuysen, R-NJ, Rep. Kay Granger, R-TX, and former Rep. Roger Wicker, R-MS, now a senator.

Looks like the probe needs to be expanded a bit.

[smoothsailing]

PING!

[Marysecretary]

Are there no honest politicians left in WA?????

[Marysecretary]

Over half of them are republicans!!!!!

[smoothsailing]

Over half of them are republicans!!!!!

Yep. 7 R's and 5 D's.

From the anaysis;

The House Appropriations Defense Subcommittee is widely considered the key House panel funding the Pentagon. Fully 12 of the subcommittee’s 16 members were involved in the controversial practices. Along with Murtha (D-Pa), Visclosky (D-In.), and Moran (D-Va>, the list includes ranking Republican, C.W. Bill Young of Florida, Jack Kingston (R-Ga.), Todd Tiahrt (R-Kan.), Norman Dicks (D-Wash.), Dave Hobson (R-Ohio), Steve Rothman (D-N.J.), Rodney Frelinghuysen (R-N.J.), Kay Granger (R-Texas), and Roger Wicker (R-Miss.). Hobson retired at the end of last year, and Wicker became a senator, but all the others remain members of the subcommittee.

[Marysecretary]

What a shame.

[HiramQuick]

Honest polticians left??? .... oh my dear .... the last honest politician I ever hear tell of was a feller by the name of Smith. (or was it jones ..but I digress) Anyway, he got mad (actually angry .. mad people where funny suits with buckles) and Mr. Smith went to Washington.

Oops.. that was my bust .. that was a fantasy wasn’t it. I too have relity problems. Can I get an extra ice cream cone?

It all depends what honest is honest. Kind of like someone asked us to undersand what “is” “is” ....

Did George chop down the cherry tree?

Seriously, not making fun of you, your question hit my tickle bone. Lauging withya not atcha

[jazusamo]

Good article.

Here's an ecerpt from an article at Fox News today on this very thing with the committee.

For example, in the House, just 4 percent of members took home 32 percent of all the bacon -- and all were members of the Defense Appropriations Committee.

Tracking Your Taxes: The Earmark Kings

[smoothsailing]

For example, in the House, just 4 percent of members took home 32 percent of all the bacon -- and all were members of the Defense Appropriations Committee

Thanks for the link!
And of the 4 percent of members, Murtha grabs the most...(from your link)

Rep. John Murtha, D-Pa., earmarked $120 million this year, and wants another $148 million for 2010:

$500,000 to improve the profitability of dairy farms.
$1 million to toward the $250 million Sky Shuttle, an urban Mag-Lev train for a university in southwest Pennsylvania.
$1 million for a trolley museum.

But where the retired Marine really makes a dent is the defense industry. If the Pentagon rejects a project, contractors turn to Murtha.

Here are some examples of companies that gave Murtha campaign money -- and the earmarks he requested on their behalf.

Client......Earmark Amount.......Campaign Contribution
MTS....$5 million (combat vehicle)....$29,900
Trident Systems....$5 million....(radar)....$13,500
Advanced Acoustics....$5 million (submarine navigation)....$42,000
Argon ST....$8 million (torpedo defense)....$46,000
Planning Systems....$2.3 million (portable radar)....$24,450

[jazusamo]

Very telling!

These figures reinforce the pay to play thing. I understand it’s something that’s hard to prove but figures don’t lie and there’s a small percentage of our elected officials that are blatantly accepting tens of thousands of dollars from the very people they get earmarks and no bid contracts for.

I’d sure like to see this investigation nail some of them, it’s long overdo.

[Marysecretary]

I understand. So, your answer is NO? Like mine...

[HiramQuick]

Yes, in a simple one word answer ... NO But why use a simple one word descriptor when there is a full compendium of words in an unabridged Funk & Wagnalls. Concise, simple answers? Where is the fun in that .. the verbose one And Yes, my answer is still NO.

[Marysecretary]

I like you, Hiram.

[HiramQuick]

I like you, Hiram.

“blushing” gollygee .... thankyou, its the best thing that has happened to me all day

And I am still laffin withya!!!

[Marysecretary]

Good! Keep up the good work, LOL.