Posted on 07/24/2002 12:58:53 PM PDT by Howlin
Dunno what he knows..But I did not see what alot of freepers "telecast" here on the thread (he was not near crying, their were only a few times that he was "all over the place" not all encompassing hi first 15 minutes, about the only thing he had going against him was way too much to say in too short a time. What a shame. I believe he now see's what he should have been saying much louder all along.
I am left with an odd sense of question. Trafficant was elected by his folks, yet other folks elected rep's have voted trafficant out. Kinda of a catch 22, I don't know how to put it in words. Trafficant's folks were deprived of him tonight by other's of this nation...I gotta sleep on this one to really form an opinion..
I'm not gonna totally buy into a conspiracy theory, however, I am no fool. Anyone that thinks the courts are just coast to coast in this country is asking for trouble. I didn't follow his case like a fly on the wall, but even if 25% of what he said about his case is true, it's pretty damn scarry. I have to agree with PJ_Comix at this point, there was a lynching being called for way before tonight. RUSH it through, get on with the break.
What if he get's voted back in, what will it say? I can see how on the surface, the house rep's watching their "own" is a good thing, but on the other hand, it's also easy to get rid of those "pesky" few if they seem to get in the way. (Gotta read between the lines on that one)
Nonetheless, double standards reigned supreme tonight. On both sides of the house.
Really? I live in Illinois and I'm well aware that if it was PHIL Crane, he wouldn't be holding office right now. Do you even check sources before you cite information as "Fact"?
http://www.notforpublication.com/sin.html
"One of the first to get nailed was Representative Gary Studds of Massachusetts, who was accused of having an affair with a 17-year old male page. Not to be outdone, Representative DANIEL Crane of Illinois reportedly had his way with a 17-year old female page. Studds was reelected a few more times but CRANE WAS NOT."
http://www.c-span.org/questions/weekly95.asp
"The last House Members to have been censured were DANIEL Crane (R-IL) and Gerry Studds (D-MA) in 1983, for engaging in sexual relations with congressional pages: Crane with a 17-year-old female page and Studds with a 17-year-old male page. The last Senator censured was Senator David Durenberger (R-MN), for financial misconduct in 1990."
http://www.c-span.org/questions/weekly95.asp
The House normally has 72 pages, all 16 to 18 years old, serving as messengers and performing other duties when not attending education programs. They are appointed by House members of both parties from their home districts and must sign a code of conduct. Scandal has rocked the program periodically, most seriously in the early 1980s when former Reps. Gerry Studds, D-Mass, and DANIEL Crane, R-Ill., were censured for sexual misconduct with pages.
http://www.jewishworldreview.com/cols/pruden072401.asp
Rep. DANIEL Crane of Illinois, a Republican, was censured for soliciting sexual favors from a House page, a 17-year-old girl, and was bounced out of office. Rep. Gerry Studds of Massachusetts, a Democrat, was censured for soliciting a House page, a 17-year-old boy, and was rewarded with re-election and committee chairmanships.
BTW, PHIL Crane is the longest serving and almost certainly the most conservative member of the Illinois delegation. He has an excellent record and SHOULD be Chairman of the Ways & Means Committee right now (the GOP was stupid enough to give the job to that wuss from California). The last thing Phil needs right now is conservatives confusing him with his black sheep half-brother Daniel (who only briefly served in congress during the 1980s). His 'RAT opponents live for this kinda of stuff. Daniel Crane resigned in disgrace while Gerry Studds was caught doing the SAME thing with a male page and was re-elected. It's the 'RAT double standard. Old news.
It probably also doesn't help that I've put in requests to one of their offices to refund my income taxes for the Federal government's failure to perform...
Agreed ! He WAS an easier target than Billy Dale. Watching those lowlifes railroad Jim was like a bad LSD trip.........looking into a garbage dump surrounded by the never-ending stench! It was pathetic. And that KennyBoy from Missouri is one scummy, barking jackass. He's a great speaker and a great liar. He should do well in D.C.!
The whole night should have had one final chapter. Zoe(Clinton Apologist, D.- Ca.) Lofgren and Jerrold Nadler, D.-N.Y. in a Sumo Wrestling match. A perfect finish to a gross evening of American reality. It has never been so clear as to why this country is so quickly going down the tubes. They are all cowards.
By the way, when the voice vote was taken, there were many voices 'for' Traficant. Then, when it came time to vote officially, only one vote(and that one is strange).
Brings to mind this: "If you want a friend in Washington D.C., get a DOG!"
I got your point, and don't agree with it. Maybe you didn't get mine.
I guess I don't understand why Justice has to be selective. Yes, Traficant may have done all those terrible things, but why go after after such a little fish, now and let the bigger ones go? What's the point in being selective? How is Justice served by that? Is the moral of the story that only those with the super big crimes get off (Condit/ Torricelli / Clinton / Kennedy ...) and that if Traficant had done more bad things he'd be off now? Is Traficant's fault that he isn't bad enough?
No where is there any mention that this is the start of a Congressional clean-up, that once we can get Traficant, then we are now free to turn our thoughts to getting the others. DO you really honestly believe that once Traficant is gone there will be a moral outrage to go after Bill or Hillary's book deal, or Teddy's driving ...?
Not me. He was just too stupid and too blatant, got caught with his hand in the till, got convicted and got tossed out on his butt.
And yes, we did elect Reagan and we had eight wonderful years of conservative governance. But what you seem to be suggesting is that we go to another party to exercise our rebellious, anti-establishment nature. Have any suggestions?
BTW, although Traficant attacks Reno, and deservedly so, the Attorney General during Traficant's trial was--and is--John Ashcroft. If this was selective prosecution of Traficant, why didn't Ashcroft step forward and dismiss the charges?
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.