Political Hay
Jobsgate: The Corruption of Congressman Joe Sestak
Ex-Admiral trades Honor Concept for Code of Omertà: Issa and special prosecutor.
“Midshipmen are persons of integrity: They stand for
that which is right. They tell the truth
and ensure that the full truth is known. They do not lie.”
— Honor Concept of the United States Naval
Academy
“If I betray this oath of omertà may I burn in
hell….”
— Michael “Mickey Scars” Di Leonardo, Gambino crime
family capo
“This is not a club — this is a secret society. There
is one way into this society: the way you come in today. And one
way out: on a slab.”
— Sammy “The Bull” Gravano, Gambino crime family hitman
to Mikey Scars
You know, this is sad.
Here is an individual, a graduate of the Naval Academy and, at this moment, a retired Admiral of the United States Navy, a sitting United States Congressman and a candidate for the United States Senate.
For reasons that amount to nothing other than his political inconvenience to the Obama White House, he finds himself on the receiving end of a jobs-for-favor transaction. Which is to say, a federal crime.
Asked by a journalist if the report of this is true, the Naval Academy graduate-turned-Admiral-turned-Congressman and aspiring Senator says: Yes. It is true.
So far, so good.
Then, not so good. In fact, very not so good.
Next asked who in the White House did this thing — Congressman Joe Sestak, the Pennsylvania Democrat challenging Senator Arlen Specter in the May primary — suddenly clams up. He stonewalls. Silent, adamantly so, he will say nothing more beyond the fact that he was offered a job by someone in the White House, something that multiples of highly qualified and knowledgeable people have now suggested to be quite possibly a federal crime.
Focus again on that second line from the “Honor Concept” as presented by the US Naval Academy on its website. Of its cadets — the future officers of the Navy — it insists that:
“They tell the truth and ensure that the full truth is known. They do not lie.”
What can Congressman Joe Sestak possibly be thinking?
Again, the line.
“They tell the truth and ensure that the full truth is known. They do not lie.”
About the Author
Jeffrey Lord is a former Reagan White House political director and author. He writes from Pennsylvania at jlpa1@aol.com.
Deborah D | 4.6.10 @ 6:40AM
And, the msm yawns. Thanks for this, Mr. Lord. It's amazing what a White House can get away with when the media is in one's back pocket. Frightening state of affairs.
Yes, I blame Sestak, but also wonder where are today's Woodward and Bernstein. Oh, I'm sure they'll wait for the next Republican president.
Three cheers for Darrell Issa.
drudge ette obama| 4.7.10 @ 6:25AM
Worry when Issa clams up. Then we're cooked. Sestak is a loser. Always he will wonder whether he should have taken the road less traveled.
Stuart Koehl| 4.6.10 @ 6:55AM
What? You think people reach flag rank by being all noble and honorable? What military have you been observing all these years?
Bram| 4.6.10 @ 7:52AM
The jump from Colenel / Naval Captian to stars is made almost exclusively by politicans. The best officers I've known never made it - too honest.
Stuart Koehl| 4.6.10 @ 8:22AM
I generally never trust anyone over O-5, though some O-6s are good people--but of course, no stars for them.
The Bishop| 4.6.10 @ 8:38AM
Points well-made.
L. Sutherland| 4.6.10 @ 12:03PM
All the military academies are training grounds for politicians. Just getting in is political, get all the right holes punched, anything to advance your career. They are the real professionals when it comes to politics.
Keith I| 4.6.10 @ 7:04AM
Every tyranny in history has begun from the Left.
Welcome to the Thugocracy!
Purpleguy| 4.6.10 @ 5:44PM
What? Are you kidding? From Roman Emperors thru the Despotic Kings and Queens to Napoleon and Hitler the tyranny came from the right, fascist, warmongers ... not the left ... Geesh.
Deborah D | 4.7.10 @ 12:57PM
Hitler was a socialist. What does that tell you?
And, are kings and queens on the right? The right means less government, not more. So, where do kings and queens fall? Dictators. Emperors? Dictators.
Fascists? Government and business together -- Mussolini? Government lording over business? Left.
purpleguy| 4.7.10 @ 7:01PM
OMG - Did you not know that Nazi Germany was fascist, certainly Italy with Mussolini was? Hitler was a fascist. Apparently, you don't know the difference between fascism and socialism.
And a King? Are you nuts? Do you not know why we had the Declaration of Independence, the Revolutionary War, and the US Constitution? Did you miss that in school?
" The right means less government, not more." - Really? Can you say Terry Schaivo? Talk about Government Intrusiveness.
Stop drinking the Kool Aid and go learn something.
Stuart Koehl| 4.7.10 @ 9:47PM
Apparently you don't really study political theory very much. Most fascist movements originate on the Left. The Nazis were the NASDP, or National Socialist German Workers' Party. And the socialist part was the most important through the late 1920s and early 1930s. In Italy, Mussolini cut his teeth as editor of a socialist newspaper.
The principal difference between "socialism" and "fascism" is the manner in which the state controls the economy. In a purely socialist system, the government owns and operates the means of production. In a fascist system, the government controls privately owned companies through a combination of subsidies, government contracts, and when all else fails, outright coercion. The government controls the economy by picking the winners and the losers.
Read any history of the Third Reich or Mussolini's Italy, and this becomes self-evident. But other than this, the difference between socialists and fascists is insignificant.
So, if you want to be technical, Barack Obama is pursuing a fascist agenda. It may be a liberal fascist agenda (see Jonah Goldberg), but fascist nonetheless.
Purpleguy| 4.7.10 @ 10:57PM
Au contrare my learned friend.... in Germany in the 20's the Social Democrats were the major party under the Weimar Republic and it was their stagnation and failure that paved the way for the Nazi party - who you might recall had as their major opponent the Communist Party in Germany. Fascist Right vs Communist Left.... I guess you missed some of that in your readings of the Third Reich. In addition, you miss one truth that Fascism promotes that the State is supreme and the people are subservient to the state. "Fascism is a government controlled by and in the service of big business to ensure subservience of the masses to business interests and desires for aggrandizement and bigger profit."
"Socialism is a system of government which control in various ways business activities and often own part of them in the service of the masses, focusing on the welfare of the people rather that of the corporate elite."
"Socialists generally share the view that capitalism unfairly concentrates power and wealth among a small segment of society that controls capital and derives its wealth through a system of exploitation. This in turn creates an unequal society, that fails to provide equal opportunities for everyone to maximize their potential, and does not utilize technology and resources to their maximum potential nor in the interests of the public." Read for yourself and get your facts straight before you speak out:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fascism
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Socialism
Or you can Google for yourself and get your own links.... !
JmsA| 4.8.10 @ 4:02PM
Mr. Koehl's retort to your comments is correct. Moreover, there are different types of socialism, such as Social Democrats in western Europe, who by their largesse with other's people's money, are going bankrupt, if not already so, before the natives as it were go extinct, given their reproductive shortcomings and continued and growing islamic immigration and birthrates. Furthermore, when you attempt to distinguish communism from socialism, you are demonstrating your ignorance. Had you lived a totalitarian socialist state, such as the old Soviet Union,or Cuba, you would know that the leaders of such governments interchangeably referred and refer to such governments as socialist or communist states, owing to their Marxist/Leninist roots. (My father used to call a socialist, a communist taking a break.) This is what happened in Cuba when in 1961, after denying it for years, Fidel Castro proclaimed himself to be a communist and Cuba a socialist state following the failed Bay of Pigs invasion, and complete statist control had been effected through the Agrarian and Urban reforms, as well as nationalization, actually confiscation of all private businesses, including banks, TV stations, oil refineries, farms, etc. Sound familiar? What you don't seem to be willing to grasp is that this administration is leading the country down the road of an American version of socialism, and with it, decreased growth (but I supposed you don't care about that given that is other people's money you are so willing to spend/waste, or other's business destroy). It is in this sort of system that with the exception of elitists, such as politicians, fatcat hollywood types, and heads of corporations and wall street firms aligned with the government and Federal Reserve-- everyone else, meaning the middle class, will be exploited before being destroyed, with a resulting two-tiered society consisting of the very rich/elitists and a large underclass. If don't believe me, please refer to the national healthcare legislation just passed, from which those in congress are exempted, including the aides that helped write it. I guess you didn't know that, either. The government has already confiscated private corporations such as GM and Chrysler, and are trying to, in effect, control the banking industry, not to mention healthcare. Now, as to the collapse of the Weimar Republic, following the end of WWI and the imposition of reparations, whatever gold reserves Germany had not spent while presecuting the war, were extracted by the victor's following the Treaty of Versailles. This brought about hyperinflation, aiding in the further deterioration and undermining of the nascent Weimar Republic, as did also a strong anarchist movement (please see the Spartacist rising in 1919), aligned with the socialist/communist, as did a general moral decline (ever heard of the german disease, among other things?), which resulted in the german militarist or old Prussian elites, after the masses voted Hitler chancellor, aligning themselves with the new order. That said, were one to truly study the nature or state of german industrialism, it will be obvious that it was aligned behind the Nazis and Hitler, including Krupp, Porsche, Siemens, IG Farben, etc., etc., in order to fend off the menace of the more aggressive or radical Soviet or Marxist/Leninist socialism. So go back to the reading room and try to learn something true for a change, ok? You're not fooling anyone. Good luck. 11/02/2010
Nobama| 4.8.10 @ 4:30PM
Funny how these liberal morons excoriate Hitler as a fascist while celebrating their marxist roots.
Amazing, really.
How do they explain that their leftist views are responsible for the mass slaughter of hundreds of millions of human beings in the 20th century? They don't--they're silent. That's why I believe LIBERALISM IS A MENTAL ILLNESS.
Either they're mentally ill or evil--I honestly don't know which.
michigander_sandusky| 4.6.10 @ 7:21AM
Many higher ups in the U.S. military have no honor because they've morphed into politicians. Captain Charles Butler McVay III, USN and captain of the USS Indianapolis in WWII learned this lesson when he was courtmartialed for the Navy's incompetence.
Stuart Koehl| 4.6.10 @ 8:57AM
Political generals are unavoidable in a democracy. The problem goes back to the American Revolution. So long as the military is subordinate to the civil authority (and I assume we like that idea), and so long as the government consists of elected representatives, general officers--or those wishing to become one--will cultivate the influential, which means playing politics.
But even political generals can be brilliant commanders. The problem is separating the wheat from the chaff. Usually, war is the only way to do that, which is why we usually lose the first few battles against any competent opponent.
Teflon93| 4.6.10 @ 10:04AM
Exacerbated though by Clinton's interference in the promotion system. Air Force Chief of Staff Ron Fogleman resigned as a result of his unprecedented meddling.
We are still paying the price for it.
East Texas Rancher| 4.6.10 @ 7:21AM
One only has to read the initial D, after Sestak's name and understand he's a Democrat, and therefore the honor code could not belong to him ever. That is the way the Dems work. Power before all else, the ends justify the means, as long as we are in full control forever.
Heatpacker| 4.6.10 @ 10:17AM
I have often wondered how the transformation from honest citizen to lying, corrupt Democrat politician takes place. I imagine some kind of pagan initiation, with Nancy and Harry dressed in black robes, lots of candles, and sinister chanting. At the climax of the ceremony they perform an exorcism to remove the conscience of the initiate.
Jay Pitsby| 4.6.10 @ 11:01AM
Don't forget the Kubrick style unnatural sex acts performed before an open grave.
Heatpacker| 4.6.10 @ 11:23AM
Sorry, can't go there. I simply cannot force myself to visualize something as disgusting as Nancy and Harry 'doing it' in any fashion.
Nobama| 4.8.10 @ 4:32PM
Thanks for the disgusting visual, guys.
MTB| 4.6.10 @ 3:35PM
Yes! With democrats, above all else, loyalty to the Party, first.
Lucinda| 4.8.10 @ 4:33PM
Loyalty to Marxist ideology first!
Michael L. Hauschild| 4.6.10 @ 7:34AM
Poor premise; any doubt about nobility, honor, patriotism and truth ended on a peanut farm in Georgia
Dave| 4.6.10 @ 8:08AM
Duty, Honor, Country, Integrity, Ethics all concepts which are a thing of the past when it come to politicians. The only thing they are interested in is "how do I personally benefit from my time in office. Unfortunately the voters will not remember come election time what this sleaze bag is up to. For me, I view it this way if you are a politician be it (D) or (R), if your mouth is moving your lying.
Mattled| 4.6.10 @ 8:09AM
Mr. Lord,
I read recently that a businessman in Atlanta is launching a billboard campaign against Dear Leader.
I have written to them that although I commend their effort, the media needs to be targeted first.
They lie and cover up and they need to be exposed on billboards with their faces on them with "You Lie" of "Why do you hate Americans?" or something to that effect.
They are a Soviet-Style propaganda machine.
Without them, none of the Dems policies would be acceptable. "Investing" is not investing in Dem-speak---it is taxation and redistribution Soviet style.
The sooner the MEDIA comes clean or goes down, the sooner America is saved.
Start the campaign Mr. Lord. Our future depends on you.
Melvin| 4.6.10 @ 8:13AM
Being a retired Marine, a my platoon Sgt. SSgt. Alm a grizzled Vietnam War Veteran, in whom we loved dearly as a father and a Marine once told me as a young PFC. "Leppla keep your nose clean, work hard, and you'll do alright in my Marine Corps."
Well that was before Bill Clinton and the grand social re-engineering project that promoted diversity and affirmative action in the military.
Don't get me wrong there is still honorable men and women who are willing to take the fight to the enemy and win, even it it means paying the price. But more often than enough the military or at least a large percentage of it, is now made up of those who love the politics of power and are in it for them and them only.
This is the military that Joe Sestak comes from. The military is full of thousands of Officers and Enlisted personnel that use the system of favors, gender, and outright manipulation of the system to get ahead.
Someone once told me at the SNCO Club one time during a period of alcoholic honesty, "Honor is for dinosaurs, it doesn't increase your retirement, and Leppla my dear friend, your a dinosaur."
What this fellow Marine SNCO told me will stay with me for the rest of my life.
Everything the Marine Corps stood for and represented at least for me was washed away in an instant.
But I refused to change, and I ultimately paid the price because I was too damn stubborn to play the game as it is called in the military.
But at least I retired with my dignity in knowing that I didn't have to kiss some admirals ass or anyone else for that matter to get what I got. Because the respect and admiration of my peers is something that cannot be barted but earned, and Joe Sestak might be an ex Navy Admiral, but he is no Officer and a Gentlemen, he sold out long before he retired.
MTB| 4.6.10 @ 3:41PM
Same thing happened to me, Melvin. I refused to play the game, fill the squares, do the politics, and it cost me a promotion. But I left with my head held high. I was and am proud of my service. The military took a lot from me, but I refused to give up my integrity. Can't say the same for just about every other high ranking individual, both enlisted and officer.
Bill Hussein O'Stalin| 4.6.10 @ 8:35AM
Your article highlights what many but are afraid to come to grasp. That our government has become the victim of a disease that rots it from the inside out. That disease is corruption and it's prevalent.
What we have now is a plutocracy full of liars in the executive branch and the legislative branch. Can the judicial branch be far behind?
As this is being read the Justice Department is denying requests for information from the Civil Rights Commission in reference to the decision made not to prosecute Black Panthers for voter intimidation.
The National Black Panther Party is a racist organization which is closely affiliated with the Obama administration. An endorsement from the group was removed from the Obama website then put back on.
The NBPP is fond of calling for the outright murder of whites and refers to those of the Jewish faith as bloodsuckers.
Closely aligned with the stonewalling by Eric Holder on the NBPP voter intimidation case is the Holder stonewalling on the Sestak case.
In essence, you have a government elite who are the equivalent of a criminal enterprise.
Here is a synopsis from Fox News laying out the case against Sestak and the Obama White House:
The allegation first surfaced in an interview Sestak gave last month to Philadelphia television anchor Larry Kane. A veteran journalist, Kane was previously best known for his coverage of The Beatles' 1964 American tour, and for a memorable appearance John Lennon made, delivering a zany weather report, on Kane's local Philadelphia TV broadcast in 1975.
"Were you ever offered a federal job to get out of this race?" Kane asked Sestak on an episode of Comcast Network's "Larry Kane: Voice of Reason."
"Yes," Sestak replied.
"Was it the Navy secretary?" Kane followed up.
"No comment," said Sestak, adding. "I would never get out for a deal. I'm in this for the Democratic principles."
"OK," Kane cut in. "But was there a job offered you by the White House?"
"Yes," Sestak replied.
Asked if it was a "big" job, Sestak declined further comment.
By Feb. 23, the allegation arose at the White House daily press briefing.
"I have seen some stuff that (Sestak) said, but I have not looked into this," White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs said.
Four more times over the next three weeks, Gibbs deflected reporters' questions about the Sestak allegation.
Click here to watch Gibbs' responses to questions about Sestak.
"I have not made any progress on that," Gibbs said on March 1. "I was remiss on this and I apologize. ... Let me check into that."
http://www.foxnews.com/politic.....job-offer/
http://www.newblackpanther.com/
Ken (Old Texican)| 4.6.10 @ 8:48AM
Melvin,
Thank you for that glimpse.
You know, I told a friend the other day, that some of my best friends in the world are merely "characters" in a series of books by W.E.B. Griffin. "The Corps" of course. Have you enjoyed it yet?
If not, may I introduce you to my friends there?
Well, sir, the REMFS have always been around. You guys done good in spite of 'em.
I suppose we tea partiers are going to have to fill that role in political circles, except we get to "frag" the jerks when identified.
Ret. Marine| 4.6.10 @ 9:01AM
Duty, honor and country do not stop at the political divide. This is no "let him off the hook because he will vote with us" at play here. If there were, would he have said what he said knowing this could bring down his creditability or risk the wrath of the executive branch. Whether or not all of this is true is between him (Sestak) and God.
The larger of this issue is wether or not the officials at the executive branch are in violation of a federal law, and to that asks the question of not if, but when, will someone stand up to the admin.'s own self proclaimed coward, AG Holder?
I can see it coming from both directions, a, if Sestak keeps quite long enough, maybe come election time, once he may well come clean with the American public and the special prosecutor once he figures out he won't win the senate seat, or b, if he see's his fortune comtinue because this admin has guarenteed him the seat, he will not come clean. Either way he is damned if he does, (the admin. willset out to destroy him one way or the other) and damned if he doesn't ( he then loses his creditability with his people, not trust worthy). I don't have much faith or trust in any gubmint official, knowing there mindset, they are in it for the power, money, etc. I would not put it past these occupants of the district of corruption to do anything honest or ethical just because they should, no they are the true meaning of word pimps.
Stuart Koehl| 4.6.10 @ 9:05AM
Fragging has a long and honorable history, too. Amazing how many incompetent or unpopular officers managed to get shot by their own men in the heat of battle. That, in the days of musket and sabre, officers were often in front of the firing line, only made things easier.
One British major in the Seven Years War, knowing how unpopular he was, gave a pep talk to his men before a battle, asking only that they spare him until victory was won. Sure enough, he led his battalion into battle, and as the enemy began to flee, he raised up his sword and cried, "Huzza! The victory is ours!"--at which point somebody shot him in the head.
Moe| 4.6.10 @ 9:06AM
This is a prime example of ignoring the prevalent hype that insinuates that honorable military service years ago mean the person is always a man of honor. Look at Dem politicians who were former military and a disturbing pattern emerges, the codes of conduct and honor are not, nor have ever been part of their moral make up. Kerry is a prime example- if he knew war crimes were being commited in Vietnam and he did not report or try to stop them he is either a moral coward or liar. If they did and he waited until he was safely at home to report then he is a moral coward or a liar. Either way, he is a dishonorable man and unworthy of accolades and respect and his medals are as worthless as the man. There are many great men and women in uniform and will always remain honorable and decent, but as moral character is devalued and replaced by the Hollywood celebrity mantra we will continue to have the Kerry's, Murtha's and Sestak's- fortunately though there are the Allen West's still around and gaining. Keep praying for the military.
Theolonious| 4.6.10 @ 4:08PM
I'm no war historian. I did serve as a Navt Corpsman stateside & Fleetsidew with the Jars.
I ain't never since had the comrageriere nor trusy for any team I've been part of since.
My opinion fer what its wort. If POLITICIANS had Let PATTON & MACARTHUR deal with STALIN & MOA we wouldn't be having this problem.
PROGRESSIVISIM would have died in the trenches , not NOW LEAVING us clinging to what viable VINES OF liberty STILL EXIST
Retired Army| 4.6.10 @ 9:08AM
The biggest problem I see with polititions is that most get elected, and serve for life. Look at Byrd, for crying out loud 97 yrs old? or something and still in congress. Or Pelosi,Reid etc......Or, if they do get voted out, they become lobbyists for some big firm,and never leave, still having input to Congress. Clean out the whole damn bunch, and go back to citizen polititions. Forgot, most are also LAWYERS. Tell the truth? they can't even spell the word. Honor, Integrity, Duty? Might as well be speaking a foreign language.
MTB| 4.6.10 @ 3:47PM
Your comment on Byrd got me to thinking. Will the West Virginians keep putting him in office, even after he dies? Surely there must be someone in WV that can beat him. I've heard he brings a lot of money into the state, but he's a dyed-in-the-wool liberal and needs to go. There has to be a Conservative that can also bring money into WV but destroy Byrd's liberal legacy.
loulou| 4.6.10 @ 7:05PM
No, WV is a one-party state. And corrupt, as one-party states always are.
The who state has been on welfare from the feds for too long. Byrd ruined the state by flooding it with federal dollars and projects. The welfare mentality has become part of the WV psyche.
C.K. Amos| 4.6.10 @ 11:36PM
Actually, W.Va. is not a one-party state like it used to be. The Republicans are on the rise and many Democrats, who might be considered conservative/Republican elsewhere, are voting Republicans into the state legislature.
Plus W.Va. has gone for GWB twice and recently McCain.
That said, it's crazymaking here to see how Byrd, Rockefeller and Nick Joe Rahall, my congressmen, kept getting returned to office. There's no chance for removal of Byrd. Rockefeller's got enough cash it's hard for anyone to challenge him. Besides, he and Byrd have their monuments here, wherever they can.
Rahall's vulnerable now, though. His weasally-ness on cap-and-trade and his vote on Obamacare--with which he, Stupak et. al. of the so-called pro-life caucus in the House Dems outed themselves for being the venal politicans they are--are causing lots of irritation among the people.
Two other things very much negative for him: his support for Porkulus I and his early-on support for Obama that's now getting repaid by Obama and his EPA trying to kill the coal industry through the hoax of so-called catastrophic manmade global warming; and the recent water or stream standards that are so low that a good rain on the mountains could cause the flows to exceed the conductivity standard.
But, you bet: About 80 or so years of vote-buying and voter-intimidation by the Democrats have kept the Dems mostly running the state.
And, no, the whole state has not and is not on welfare. But, yes, there is a welfare mentality here that has to be dealt with, just as it has to be dealt with inVirginia, the Carolinas, part of Ohio, Kentucky, Tennessee, etc.--and in parts of NYC, Philly, Boston, Providence, etc.
Please say a prayer for the families and loved ones of the dead miners at the Upper Branch Mine, in Raleigh Co., and for the still-missing minors.
Bunkerville | 4.6.10 @ 9:19AM
A couple of us went on Saturday to his latest Town Meeting. He has learned much from POTUS.Rambling long winded non answers. When shown portions of the HCR bill, -his answer? I will have to look at that more. I will get back to you.Leave me your name and address. Sure. Sweep clean in Nov. Please.
MTB| 4.6.10 @ 3:48PM
Typical officer answers; however, not typical politician answers. He has a lot to learn about lying like his fellow dems do.
Pingback| 4.6.10 @ 9:24AM
Update: Remember This? « Park Bench Musings links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
tomsberg| 4.6.10 @ 9:26AM
To "serve" use to mean that is was an honor to be elected to the position of a congressman or senator and to be able to serve the people who you represented. To "serve" now means that one is elected to the position of a congressman or senator to be able to receive contributions from anyone who could benefit from your vote and to help to continue to be reelected for your own benefit. They all leave office very powerful and rich people. Money can buy honor in their mind. Grease their palms and they will give you all the honor your want. Nothing passes congress or the senate that doesn't benefit the elected more than the people who elected them.
Stan Redmond| 4.6.10 @ 9:37AM
Sestak never held the duty honor country creed. As evidence I offer up his taking up arms with liberals in the democrat party.
David Gonzalez| 4.6.10 @ 10:05AM
Re the allusions to former White House Counsel John Dean: Dean is a serial perjurer who repeatedly lied under oath to protect his own precious ass. The second foray into the DNC headquarters (the one which got busted) was at Dean's own direction. The real mission (which only the Cubans knew) was to remove a photo of
Maureen Owens Beiner from an album of call girls who were available to visiting Democrat bigwigs for overnight trysts (Trystin' the Night Away?). The woman in question (MOB) is now Mrs. John Dean. Sources: "Silent Coup" by Len Colodny and Robert Gettlin, and a personal acquaintance whom I have never known to lie: G. Gordon Liddy.
Heatpacker| 4.6.10 @ 10:31AM
Yeah, there was a cancer in the Nixon White House alright. His name was John Dean - an unctuous, conniving, self-serving twit of epic proportions. I hope that G. Gordon gets to dance on his grave.
Teflon93| 4.6.10 @ 10:09AM
There are two military classes: warfighter and backstabber. The twain rarely meet.
Backstabbers are far more likely to make stars and to get cushy civil service gigs after active duty is over.
Fortunately for us, this unprecedented op tempo since 9/11 is creating among the company grade and NCO ranks an awful lot of warfighters.
Given Obama and the Democrats' predilection for Backstabbers, I predict friction will ensue momentarily.
Look for increased efforts to disenfranchise military voting overseas (where the warfighters are) before November, probably by increasing absentee ballot requirements while sending them out late to the theaters again.
Steve N| 4.6.10 @ 10:17AM
Thanks, as always, Mr. Lord...
Puts me in mind of Admiral Boorda (CNO, I believe) from years past - apparently so upset over the "scandal" caused by allegations that he was wearing ribbons to which he was not entitled that he committed suicide... and of General Ron Fogleman, CSAF and a Lewistown (PA) native, who retired from his post two years early over the grossly unfair treatment of a subordinate commander regarding the Khobar Towers bombing...
Steve N| 4.6.10 @ 10:18AM
... Admiral Sestak pales even dimmer in comparison, does he not?
loulou| 4.6.10 @ 10:30AM
Was it Newsweek that hounded Admiral Boorda to death with it's sensational scoop that turned out to be erroneous?
GMS| 4.6.10 @ 11:30AM
Sest-hack, as we refer to him here in the 7th Dist-PA, was nothing more than a hitman for the Clintonistas to take out the admirable Curt Weldon. The Phila media and the Clintonoids succeeded after an Oct. surprise that turned out to be false. Damage was done.
Sest-hack hasn’t lived in this district since he graduated High School. He prefers his more upscale little shack in Alexandria, VA though he has a mailing address in Media, PA. In local civic activities and patriotic Holidays, Ol’ Joe is rarely seen if ever. He’s almost as bad as reputed Sen. Bob (with one O ) Casey who remains on the MIA list. He holds his townmeetings in Phila outside his district. Sest-hack is another leftist powermonger. He will fortunately be taken out by Snarlin’Arlen who will be retired in deference to Pat Toomey. PA wins both ways. We get rid of two political hacks. Both are intensely disliked at this point by PA Dems and more intensely by Republicans. Good riddance.
matthew s harrison| 4.6.10 @ 11:35AM
Hahyoudoin.
As I, and my father have said, discussed, and ranted until blue in the face, the largest and most dangerous, ruthless, and murderous crime family on earth bears no Italian name. It is the United States Congress. The RICO that currently exists between them and the WH is chilling, and Mario Puzo could not have imagined such intrigue, betrayal, and muscle. No author could. No man or woman with even an iota of conscience or moral compass could imagine in a billion years, what a giant crime syndicate exists in our own government. The last "family" within the "family is SCOTUS, and our man Maobama is positioning himself to install a capo there too.
Either vote them all out, or fugettaboudit!
sinanju| 4.6.10 @ 12:35PM
An important element that seems to be left out here is that Sestak's moral dilemma (if you can call it that, perhaps "calculation" is more apropos) is not so much a case of "damned if you do, damned if you don't" but rather "a bird in the hand". From those in the local know commenting here it seems obvious that the PA media is not ignoring this matter and the PA voters are not going to let this pass. Sestak knows he may make the primary but his hopes of winning the general are clearly dashed. However, it's obvious he has visions of sugar plums dancing in his head right about now of what goodies he can expect once his career in elective office is over.
This is the most disgusting part of the whole unprecedented, spectacular nose-thumbing of the electorate that we have just witnessed on the part of the democrat House. Over a hundred dems are now eagerly anticipating the easy livings they have been promised in exchange for their votes once they are turned out of office either in November 2010 or November 2012. The more ballsy of the bunch are the characters like Sestak or Bart Stupak who dropped threatening hints or who held up the show in exchange for more baksheesh. They all clearly expect to be well cared for once the rube voters boot them.
Cabinet and Ministerial appointments aside, there are now many huge corporations beholden to the new fascist state. There are also all the businesses and foundations run and owned by major democrat donors from Soros on down. Comfortable, lucrative employment can no doubt be found for all these people.
We may indeed find that ideal so many of us have all been clamoring for become a twisted reality: a de facto, one-term legislature. Get elected, vote as you're told, and don't even bother running for re-election. You're set for life! I believe variations on this theme have long been de riguer in many banana republics where the legislature still holds some vestigial power.
Now, of course the obvious fly in this ointment is that an outraged electorate will grow wise to this game and the democrat party may find itself extinct within a few election cycles but of course there is no reason the co-dependent republicans might not happily join in.
Considering the tens of millions of dollars we are always hearing about, just aching to get into politics, this seems an almost natural evolution. After all, who could have imagined just a few years ago that the ancient, unspoken taboo of rich men (Bloomberg, Corzine, et al) directly buying their way into elective office would have been so easily and totally breached?
Gearald Stephens| 4.6.10 @ 2:51PM
Sestak's fate is already sealed. He is branded forever- TREASONOUS COWARD.
Gerald Stephens (USMC- Honorable Discharge)
Hartford, CT
Mr. Mojo Risin| 4.6.10 @ 3:26PM
It's safe to say Sestak won't be elected Senator from Pennsylvania... Can one imagine the reaction to a republican in the analogous situation and not spilling the beans, selling out the evil doers, can ya??? I did wonder about Sestak's academy education and indoctrination and marveled at the hypocrisy that being a democrat provides...
Purpleguy| 4.6.10 @ 5:48PM
Where's the outrage over Scooter Libby who lied to cover Cheney's ass? And you talk about hypocrisy? Can you say "Cover up"?
Mr. Mojo Risin| 4.6.10 @ 6:05PM
Where's the proof of your statement???Does it occur to you Libby was railroaded when Fitzgerald knew almost from day one Richard L. Armitage was the leak and that leak was initially the sole reason Libby was questioned and subsequently placed under indictment. Ya see Libby didn't out Val, Scooter Libby was just unlucky enough to be the proverbial "ham sandwich" and was indicted.
Sounds like the sour grapes are coming from "Blackguy."
Purpleguy| 4.7.10 @ 12:31AM
Who the hell is "Blackguy" ? The proof is in the simple truth that Fitzgerald couldn't completely prosecute the entire episode, because as HE said on TV, "Libby was not telling the truth" and was therefore CONVICTED ! Or do you not believe in the rule of law? Interesting how it all stopped when it reached the Office of the Vice President ... hmmmm?
ZerObama | 4.7.10 @ 1:51AM
Moron, what was Scooter's "lie?" Any proof to go with your nauseating whine?
Are you insane? Need I ask? NO--you're a liberal.
Rule of law--that's a joke: You fascist liberals are goose-stepping all over the rule of law--in your spit-polished jack boots.
Liberalism is a mental illness.
Purpleguy| 4.7.10 @ 11:02PM
So why do you think he was CONVICTED of Perjury? You know what Perjury is, don't you?
"You fascist liberals are goose-stepping all over the rule of law--in your spit-polished jack boots. " Hmmm, since fascism is the far right government construct most famously made known by Nazi Germany, I posit that you and your buddies are more likely the jack booters than anyone I know, least of all myself. You're just mad because Obama won and you only parrot what your Kool Aid servers tell you to say. You even use the same words.... go learn something
Purpleguy| 4.7.10 @ 11:02PM
So why do you think he was CONVICTED of Perjury? You know what Perjury is, don't you?
"You fascist liberals are goose-stepping all over the rule of law--in your spit-polished jack boots. " Hmmm, since fascism is the far right government construct most famously made known by Nazi Germany, I posit that you and your buddies are more likely the jack booters than anyone I know, least of all myself. You're just mad because Obama won and you only parrot what your Kool Aid servers tell you to say. You even use the same words.... go learn something
ZerObama| 4.8.10 @ 4:36PM
Nazi means National SOCIALIST Party, moron.
Read a little and you won't sound so stupid, troll.
Only losers multiple post the same comment. haha
MTB| 4.6.10 @ 3:37PM
I spent 25 years in the military. There were only five officers that I'd willingly and proudly go to war with. The rest were useless and covered their own backsides and would jeopardize and sacrifices anyone else's career in a heartbeat, especially an enlisted person's.
Purpleguy| 4.6.10 @ 5:47PM
Where was your consternation when a sitting VP was doing the same thing during the Bush Administration? Had you been up in arms over his shenanigans your colloquy would have more impact. Since you didn't this rings hollow and more sour grapes 'cause you lost the election.
JmsA| 4.6.10 @ 7:05PM
Your hearsay comments are not germane. Please re-read and revise.
Purpleguy| 4.7.10 @ 12:34AM
Au contrare, quite germane. You are willing to believe so-called hearsay when it fits your argument and when you are on the attack. But, when the shoe's on the other foot - well, that's just hearsay... Truth is truth, whether you like it or not ... hypocrisy is saying one thing and doing another.
JmsA| 4.7.10 @ 1:31AM
I believe you actually meant to write: Au contraire, si vous voulez. You keep on hearkening back to settled matters, which other than for ad hominem purposes, do not correspond to the issues at hand. For example, the as of yet unacted upon by the Justice Department voter intimidation in a PA case. Which do you suppose was more harmful, the completely blown out of proportion alleged and self-serving Plame outing claim, which also conviniently served the political purposes of democrats against Bush, or actually thugs intimidating law-abiding voting citizens? I only bring it up to point the relativity of it all, particularly when the seeming untoward act was perpetrated by those of a democrat bent. Remember Mr. Libby was prosecuted by Bush's Justice Department. The Obama Justice Department has yet to act, even though there's ample video evidence of the alleged acts of intimidation. How's that for hypocrisy? Or possibly more fitting: Justice delayed is justice denied. I suspect that doesn't bother you much. The 2008 election is over and Mr. Libby's sentence has been properly commuted following what was nothing more than a political witch hunt. In point of fact, as previously mentioned, the civil action, requiring a less demanding legal standard, brought forth by Ms. Plame and her husband, Mr. Wilson, was thrown out, and the Obama administration agreed with it lacking standing. Mr. Libby was not convicted for outing the supposedly undercover Ms. Plame, the supposed basis for the whole charade. Her cover was actually blown by both the Russian and Cuban intelligence services in the early '90s, or didn't you know? This whole episode was nothing more than political theater, and as others have clearly pointed out, it was Mr. Armitage, the Undersecretary of State, who outed Ms. Plame, but that didn't fit the democrats's template. So the prosecutor went on a fishing expedition and hooked Mr. Libby, though everyone else was clamoring for Mr. Cheney. So what? It's done, get over it, and and stop going back to the future. You are entittled to your opinions, but not to refashion the truth by parroting lamemedia talking points, ok? It's not only boring, it's actually tedious and pathetic. There's no more pointed hypocricy than to profess to sit on a fence, as per "Purpleguy" moniker, or are you just channeling Barney?
Purpleguy| 4.7.10 @ 11:12PM
So, you make my point regarding hypocrisy. When your ox was being gored, Libby, you poo poo his corruption that he was CONVICTED for by Republican Prosecutor, and profess all the innuendo and fishing expedition as wrong. His sentence was commuted appropriately - really? Even Bushboy couldn't pardon him outright for his lawbreaking. But, now, because the innuendo and fishing expedition goes after someone you don't care about, you're okay with that... And, you don't see the hypocrisy? I must necessarily hark back to the recent past to make the comparison, but I guess you missed that allusion. And, then you further try to obfuscate the truth with your own opinions and talking points, as if that were not obvious for all to see. Oh, and as far as 'Purple', when's the last time you supported a Democrat? Well, I have supported Republicans, just not the current cwazy wabbits running the party into the far right ditch. Calling for Revolution and asking people to be "Armed and Dangerous" is patriotic? Really? Last time we did that was against a King, not a democratically elected government. Use the system the Founders gave us to make change, not your own methods - 'cause you might not like the outcome.... !
ZerObama| 4.8.10 @ 4:37PM
Sieg Heil, Purple Balls guy! The FASCIST LIBERAL stikes again!
loulou| 4.6.10 @ 7:08PM
The Obama regime is in power now. Why do you obsess about the Bush Administration?
Purpleguy| 4.7.10 @ 12:38AM
No obsession, just that making declarations of innuendo doesn't prove a thing, except what you believe is going on ... and y'all are too eager to believe the worst about the people you didn't vote for and eager to believe the best about the ones you like ... so you should confront the demons of Republicans losing and continuing to lose in the future... If Flip/Flop Maverick McCain, Sarah Palin, Newt Gingrich, Michael Steele, and Mitt Romney are the best you got, enjoy the Democratic establishment for quite some time to come.
ZerObama| 4.7.10 @ 1:54AM
Bet you dollars to donuts Purple guy has purple balls the size of purple grapes.
Sieg heil, Purple balls!
Purpleguy| 4.7.10 @ 11:14PM
Ahhh, the low-information voter speaks again with memorable repartee ....
ZerObama| 4.8.10 @ 4:38PM
How those purple grapes workin' out for you, Purpleguy?
JmsA| 4.6.10 @ 7:25PM
Purpleguy. Is that the same as fence-sitter? I thought I'd ask because you certainly sound like a full blown lefty to me, and grouchy to boot. Ancient history, as you lefties like to say when confronted with the truth. Mr. Libby was tried on trumped up charges and convicted by a jury, and I use the term loosely, of left wing loons in D.C. By the way, what happened to the lawsuit brought forth by the supposedly aggrieved Valerie Plames. It was thrown out for lack of legitimate grounds to sue; a decision with which the present administration concurs. Stop living in the past, you're just exposing your well justified apprehension and projecting your anger onto the upcoming 11/02/2010 elections. Glad to say, though, it won't help. As it was previously suggested, please re-read the comments by Mr. Lord, rethink, and revise. Good luck.
Purpleguy| 4.7.10 @ 12:39AM
Gotcha!
JmsA| 4.7.10 @ 1:34AM
That's profound.
ZerObama| 4.7.10 @ 1:55AM
What do you expect from a troll with purple balls?
ZerObama| 4.7.10 @ 1:57AM
Purple balls is a fence-sitter; how do you think he got those purple balls?
Tim*| 4.6.10 @ 6:34PM
The Little Admiral is toast in The Democrat Primary ,where Obama is behind The Turncoat RINO Arlen Specter.
Aaaand , RINO Man Specter is toast in any General Election Polling .
We Pennsylvania Gun & Bible Clutchers will be electing Real Conservative Pat Toomey.
Tea Party Rallies Tax Day ,April 15th !
Aaaand , We Remember In November !
Purpleguy| 4.7.10 @ 12:40AM
Good luck with that pinhead has-been...
JmsA| 4.7.10 @ 1:37AM
11/02/2010
ZerObama| 4.7.10 @ 1:58AM
Good luck with those purple balls, Purpleguy.
gene hauber| 4.6.10 @ 8:07PM
As a pennsylvanian, I despise specter for what HE IS.
A POLITICAL WHORE. OUT FOR HIMSELF, BUT HE'LL BE DEAD SOON, WITH ANY LUCK.
What we don't need tho, is another specter in an admirals uniform who will besmirch congress for many years to come.
Surely pa can come up with someone with personal integrity.
ASK THE TEA PARTY, THEY'LL KNOW SOMEONE.
Fingers| 4.6.10 @ 9:27PM
Mr. Libby was tried on trumped up charges and convicted by a jury, and I use the term loosely, of left wing loons in D.C. By the way, what happened to the lawsuit brought forth by the supposedly aggrieved Valerie Plames.
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NUCC| 10.21.10 @ 1:09PM
Sestak is a communist homo. PA must stop him in November.