Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

pnwmom

(108,925 posts)
Sat Jul 11, 2015, 10:49 PM Jul 2015

Remember when Jeb's wife hid $19,000 in purchases from CUSTOMS and had to pay a fine?

What kind of future first lady does that?

http://www.sptimes.com/News/62299/State/Gov_Bush_says_his_wif.shtml

TALLAHASSEE -- Gov. Jeb Bush said Monday that his wife misled U.S. Customs officials about $19,000 in new clothing and jewelry she brought into the country because she didn't want him to know how much she had spent on her five-day Paris shopping trip.

Forced to explain his wife's actions at the Atlanta airport Thursday, Bush said Monday that the episode had disrupted their family life. His wife, Bush said, feels "horrible about this."

"It was a difficult weekend at our house," Bush said.

On Friday, the Bushes disclosed that Columba Bush had paid a $4,100 fine and was briefly detained by Customs agents for failing to declare merchandise when she arrived at Hartsfield International Airport. With that, the low profile enjoyed by the governor's quiet wife ended. "Shop 'til you drop," read a headline Saturday in the Bush's new hometown paper, the Tallahassee Democrat.

SNIP

59 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Remember when Jeb's wife hid $19,000 in purchases from CUSTOMS and had to pay a fine? (Original Post) pnwmom Jul 2015 OP
Sure do. That's what we used to call TJ (Tijuana) smack. Hide it and hope the Border Patrol libdem4life Jul 2015 #1
She was coming from Paris via Atlanta. I doubt it was her first time, pnwmom Jul 2015 #2
OK, OK you got a point there. :) But it was fun. And it was usually in the 2 figure libdem4life Jul 2015 #4
Oh for chrysake! delrem Jul 2015 #3
$19,000 in undeclared jewelry? You think anyone would think it a "minor infraction" if Hillary had ever done that? pnwmom Jul 2015 #5
She didn't have an intern give her a show, and a cigar. delrem Jul 2015 #8
Why are you so determined to defend Jeb's wife, an acknowledged tax evader? n/t pnwmom Jul 2015 #9
I'm not. I'm telling you to cut the crap. It doesn't help. delrem Jul 2015 #12
You think the Rethugs will not bring up Bill's extracurriculars? Think again. n/t pnwmom Jul 2015 #13
No, I don't think that. I think what you're doing sucks as much as what the R's will do! n/t delrem Jul 2015 #15
Why bring family into it? Go after him instead. 840high Jul 2015 #20
They will be going after Bill. We might as well be ready. n/t pnwmom Jul 2015 #21
I think michelle Obama is very fashonable, and probably spends a ton on clothing Travis_0004 Jul 2015 #27
Michelle Obama Steps Out in Style — Wearing a $34.95 H&M Dress hedgehog Jul 2015 #30
No Her designer clothes are often gifted -given to her as FLOTUS to wear Person 2713 Jul 2015 #58
If you really think this is minor, calm down eom LiberalElite Jul 2015 #44
Simmadanau! as they say on SNL rock Jul 2015 #47
How does it show that I'm "rattled", by the similar question asked of H's husband? delrem Jul 2015 #48
Opinions are like assholes rock Jul 2015 #49
$4100 fine doesn't seem like a minor infraction to me. mackerel Jul 2015 #6
Maybe Jeb is a skinflint and she's from Mexico...see my other posts. There, it's an art. libdem4life Jul 2015 #7
It doesn't appear so much that he's a skinflint as that she's a super-shopper. pnwmom Jul 2015 #10
No kidding. Embarrassing even for rich politicians. libdem4life Jul 2015 #16
If that's the worst you've ever felt, Columba, I think even less of you. I'd hope the day your mahina Jul 2015 #17
It brings to mind Imelda Marcos and her 6000 pairs of shoes. Frankly, this sort Nay Jul 2015 #23
I can think of so many other reasons to attack the pro forcing someone to stay on life support Kalidurga Jul 2015 #11
I think the media should do their thang flamingdem Jul 2015 #14
As wealthy as the Bush family is gratuitous Jul 2015 #18
kleptomania, greed, none of it is explainable with pure reason. delrem Jul 2015 #19
It's because of the perpetual fear they live in lunatica Jul 2015 #28
$19,000 is a "difficult weekend"? Initech Jul 2015 #22
So what? No one cares. alphafemale Jul 2015 #24
Really. No one cares? Yeah I think someone cares. Richie Rich. People are sick of richie rich lonestarnot Jul 2015 #25
Post removed Post removed Jul 2015 #26
An ugly bully? Really again. Apparently I hit the note. lonestarnot Jul 2015 #31
Post removed Post removed Jul 2015 #34
I give a shit. Asshole egh? Really. That all you got? lonestarnot Jul 2015 #35
Anyone have any atavan they could loan someone who thinks they are an alphafemale? lonestarnot Jul 2015 #36
There is an ugly bully in this thread, but it's not who you think. nt City Lights Jul 2015 #33
That opinion and $5 will buy a box of Girl Scout cookies. alphafemale Jul 2015 #37
My opinion is just as valid as yours. City Lights Jul 2015 #38
Dupe post. DU glitchy. City Lights Jul 2015 #39
You're sure into that dough aren't you. The wife of the candidate lied to customs in order to lonestarnot Jul 2015 #40
I care. You do not speak for everyone. nt City Lights Jul 2015 #32
I don't care either Mojorabbit Jul 2015 #45
So, Trump was proven to be correct? ChairmanAgnostic Jul 2015 #29
There is a lot of hypocrisy going on here in regards to Columba Bush tymorial Jul 2015 #53
I often ignore large groups of people, especially ChairmanAgnostic Jul 2015 #56
It's something I care little about. bigwillq Jul 2015 #41
While it may seem fun to roll in this mud it will only backfire awake Jul 2015 #42
I like how they replace the word "lie" with "misled". Deadshot Jul 2015 #43
The Super Rich Always Have a "Difficult Time For Our Family" daredtowork Jul 2015 #46
Do wonder what percentage underestimate to customs when they reenter dembotoz Jul 2015 #50
I seem to recall that one of the reasons they caught her was that the idiot dflprincess Jul 2015 #51
Remember how outraged democrats were when republicans went after Kerry's wife tymorial Jul 2015 #52
What law did Kerry's wife break? pnwmom Jul 2015 #54
We don't have to do this gwheezie Jul 2015 #55
scofflaws Liberal_in_LA Jul 2015 #57
She didn't want to pay the taxes due so probably this was a good thing she did to republican voters Person 2713 Jul 2015 #59
 

libdem4life

(13,877 posts)
1. Sure do. That's what we used to call TJ (Tijuana) smack. Hide it and hope the Border Patrol
Sat Jul 11, 2015, 10:57 PM
Jul 2015

doesn't pick your car to search. You just got to be there to get it. Clearly this was her first time.

pnwmom

(108,925 posts)
2. She was coming from Paris via Atlanta. I doubt it was her first time,
Sat Jul 11, 2015, 10:59 PM
Jul 2015

smuggling that is. But you're right -- it might have been easier going back and forth between Mexico.

 

libdem4life

(13,877 posts)
4. OK, OK you got a point there. :) But it was fun. And it was usually in the 2 figure
Sat Jul 11, 2015, 11:02 PM
Jul 2015

ballpark...way back when and bought down there. Oh, the California Dreamin' memories.

delrem

(9,688 posts)
3. Oh for chrysake!
Sat Jul 11, 2015, 11:01 PM
Jul 2015

It's a minor infraction - that you want to make into a defining moment.

I have a confession to make, pnwmom, I've smiled my way past borders plenty of times. Yes, those weren't my most uplifting times - they amounted to being a very venal pleasure, since I succeeded. But hey, if someone is going to go back to 1999 to find out my sins, then publish them to show that my wife isn't fit for office because of me? They can just shove it because, IMO they aren't such saints either, that they can answer for the minor misdeeds of everyone in their family!

pnwmom

(108,925 posts)
5. $19,000 in undeclared jewelry? You think anyone would think it a "minor infraction" if Hillary had ever done that?
Sat Jul 11, 2015, 11:03 PM
Jul 2015

And look at it this way. In that year, her $19K in jewelry would have been as much as many people earned during an entire year.

delrem

(9,688 posts)
12. I'm not. I'm telling you to cut the crap. It doesn't help.
Sat Jul 11, 2015, 11:17 PM
Jul 2015

More pointedly, the comparison of spouses misdemeanours doesn't help.

Get it yet?
You aren't comparing Jeb's wife to Hillary, you're comparing Jeb's wife to Hillary's husband.
Get it yet?
I thought Hillary's supporters didn't want to associate Hillary with Bill's mistakes, with Bill's negatives.
I thought Hillary's supporters were saying that Hillary is her own woman, independent of Bill, and not to be judged on Bill.
But apparently not.

You're going into areas that are better left alone, because Hillary won't fare well in that particular battle.

 

Travis_0004

(5,417 posts)
27. I think michelle Obama is very fashonable, and probably spends a ton on clothing
Sun Jul 12, 2015, 11:35 AM
Jul 2015

I would bet she spends thousands on her wardrobe. Designer dresses are not cheap. She probably has dresses worth thousands. Honestly, I don't care. Rich people spend more on clothes and jewelry than average people.

rock

(13,218 posts)
47. Simmadanau! as they say on SNL
Sun Jul 12, 2015, 02:06 PM
Jul 2015

pnwmom tells us a few facts and asks the question, "What kind of future first lady does that?"
Which I notice you have adroitly avoided answering. The answer is, of course, "Not a good one." I don't see why you're so rattled by it.

delrem

(9,688 posts)
48. How does it show that I'm "rattled", by the similar question asked of H's husband?
Sun Jul 12, 2015, 09:04 PM
Jul 2015

I notice that you adroitly avoid answering.
So that makes the Jeb/Hillary matchup fairly even, on that score.

That's just my opinion, of course

rock

(13,218 posts)
49. Opinions are like assholes
Sun Jul 12, 2015, 09:24 PM
Jul 2015

Your's stinks. You're rattled because you are making such a big deal out of the whole situation. There's nothing to get that excited about.

 

libdem4life

(13,877 posts)
7. Maybe Jeb is a skinflint and she's from Mexico...see my other posts. There, it's an art.
Sat Jul 11, 2015, 11:06 PM
Jul 2015

I'll bet their weekend was disrupted. She had to re-arrange all the closets and cupboards. Honey, just pay the nice Constable, OK?

With Bush Money, this is a slow shopping weekend. That's how the rich deal with "problems".

pnwmom

(108,925 posts)
10. It doesn't appear so much that he's a skinflint as that she's a super-shopper.
Sat Jul 11, 2015, 11:12 PM
Jul 2015

http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/documents-show-the-expensive-tastes-of-jeb-bushs-low-key-wife/2015/02/22/5bb480da-b9f4-11e4-9423-f3d0a1ec335c_story.html

The incident left the Florida first lady deeply mortified and her husband politically chagrined. Jeb Bush said the first lady had misled customs officials because she did not want him to know that she had spent about $19,000 on the trip.

“The embarrassment I felt made me ashamed to face my family and friends,” Columba Bush said in a July 1999 speech to the Central Florida Make-a-Wish Foundation, not long after the incident. “It was the worst feeling I’ve ever had in my life.”

The ordeal did not stop her from spending freely, however. Less than a year later, she took out a loan to buy $42,311.70 worth of jewelry on a single day, according to records filed with the state of Florida by Mayors Jewelers.

That purchase was part of a pattern by Columba Bush of borrowing to buy tens of thousands of dollars of jewelry at a time from the South Florida store over a 14-year period. Documentation available online, which does not include the details of two transactions made less than six weeks apart in 1995, shows that she spent a total of more than $90,000 at the store.

mahina

(17,506 posts)
17. If that's the worst you've ever felt, Columba, I think even less of you. I'd hope the day your
Sat Jul 11, 2015, 11:37 PM
Jul 2015

daughter became a drug addict would top that. Or the day you found out about it.

Nay

(12,051 posts)
23. It brings to mind Imelda Marcos and her 6000 pairs of shoes. Frankly, this sort
Sun Jul 12, 2015, 10:36 AM
Jul 2015

of "super-shopping" leaves a bad taste in the mouths of any decent person. It leaves a bad taste because this sort of avarice, whether you can afford it or not, often is due to some pretty horrible character flaws. So we automatically will think less of this person and also of any person who accepts or enables this behavior.

Kalidurga

(14,177 posts)
11. I can think of so many other reasons to attack the pro forcing someone to stay on life support
Sat Jul 11, 2015, 11:15 PM
Jul 2015

but, doesn't want to feed hungry kids pro-lifer Bush, than this thing with his wife, who I assume has her own agency.

gratuitous

(82,849 posts)
18. As wealthy as the Bush family is
Sat Jul 11, 2015, 11:49 PM
Jul 2015

What's with chiseling the government over such penny-ante stuff? Do they hate funding the country that has brought them such enormous wealth that much?

delrem

(9,688 posts)
19. kleptomania, greed, none of it is explainable with pure reason.
Sun Jul 12, 2015, 12:04 AM
Jul 2015

Why do the Koch bros. want even more, when they have more than most people think even the gods could dream of? There's no answer in pure reason.

Why is it that the more money I have in my account, the less generous and open and forgiving I am in casual pan-handler type situations?

Why did Anthony Weiner continue to post crotch shots to essentially anonymous accounts, when he already knew that his internet usage was monitored?

In this case it's an individual woman, married into the Bush power structure, who brings her baggage.
IMO she probably brings more good than bad (targetable) to the table.

But more important, to my mind, is that focussing on these kind of gutter take-downs distracts from the issues that ought to count, putting what I'll call a "candy of self-righteousness" in its place. And it doesn't help.

lunatica

(53,410 posts)
28. It's because of the perpetual fear they live in
Sun Jul 12, 2015, 11:36 AM
Jul 2015

Not that other people might do well. It's that they may be bested or they may have to 'give up' their wealth in the name of fairness for all, and also the total belief that 'not everyone can make it, so therefore I must be one of those who do make it'.

Some actually believe they've been bestowed with more love from God than others have. Because if God didn't want them to be rich then they wouldn't be, so therefore that explains how God has some sort of arbitrary displeasure with those who end up poor.

Initech

(99,915 posts)
22. $19,000 is a "difficult weekend"?
Sun Jul 12, 2015, 02:39 AM
Jul 2015

Shit, Jeb!, some of us don't even have $19,000 let alone $19,000 to blow unnecessarily on expensive jewelry. Get a fucking clue!

 

alphafemale

(18,497 posts)
24. So what? No one cares.
Sun Jul 12, 2015, 11:02 AM
Jul 2015

Seriously. No one cares.

Drop the ugly bone with maggots crawling on it that you think is a treasure.

No.

One.

Cares.

 

lonestarnot

(77,097 posts)
25. Really. No one cares? Yeah I think someone cares. Richie Rich. People are sick of richie rich
Sun Jul 12, 2015, 11:12 AM
Jul 2015

and their fucking spouses.

Response to lonestarnot (Reply #25)

Response to lonestarnot (Reply #31)

 

alphafemale

(18,497 posts)
37. That opinion and $5 will buy a box of Girl Scout cookies.
Sun Jul 12, 2015, 11:58 AM
Jul 2015

The box of cookies has retail value.

Your opinion? lmao

Let's attack the wife of a candidate!

Yeah!

That makes us AWESOME!

City Lights

(25,171 posts)
38. My opinion is just as valid as yours.
Sun Jul 12, 2015, 12:02 PM
Jul 2015

I won't laugh at yours...you're entitled to it. But you do not speak for everyone and I don't understand why you think you do.

 

lonestarnot

(77,097 posts)
40. You're sure into that dough aren't you. The wife of the candidate lied to customs in order to
Sun Jul 12, 2015, 12:09 PM
Jul 2015

benefit and steal, birds of a feather flock together. And you can peddle cookies to her more than likely. Don't forget to lick all of them first.

Mojorabbit

(16,020 posts)
45. I don't care either
Sun Jul 12, 2015, 01:26 PM
Jul 2015

maybe she shops because her life is a misery married to that man. Who know? As a Floridian this is ancient news and I really really do not care. Get him on his policies and leave family out of it.

tymorial

(3,433 posts)
53. There is a lot of hypocrisy going on here in regards to Columba Bush
Sun Jul 12, 2015, 10:04 PM
Jul 2015

It is making me want to ignore large groups of people.

ChairmanAgnostic

(28,017 posts)
56. I often ignore large groups of people, especially
Sun Jul 12, 2015, 10:38 PM
Jul 2015

if it had to do with a Tea Baggers.

Oh wait. They don't hold meetings or conferences anymore, cuz no one comes to them, putting lie to their claims of popularity.

 

bigwillq

(72,790 posts)
41. It's something I care little about.
Sun Jul 12, 2015, 12:16 PM
Jul 2015

She paid her fine, and that's the end of this specific case.

I've had some friends that tried to smuggle in items to this country.

If it's wrong or illegal, then one must pay the consequences, and that's pretty much that.

awake

(3,226 posts)
42. While it may seem fun to roll in this mud it will only backfire
Sun Jul 12, 2015, 12:25 PM
Jul 2015

The only way the Republicans can win is to depress turnout and the best way to do that is to hope the campaign gets nasty, by going in the mud and bringing up issues of ones family will only backfire on any of our candidates. We have the true issues that effect the American public and nothing will make republicans happier than changing the subject and talk about the past transgressions of a spouse. Let us not be tricked into going there.

daredtowork

(3,732 posts)
46. The Super Rich Always Have a "Difficult Time For Our Family"
Sun Jul 12, 2015, 01:36 PM
Jul 2015

While People of Color have to go to jail because of their "behavior" and be subjected to mass incarceration and the new Jim Crow. Breaking the law can never be handled "in the family" if you're poor.

Of equal importance, the victims of crime can't be made whole through restorative justice at the lowest levels. Mass incarceration does jack for them either. And the police don't really bother with victims below a certain zip code.

dembotoz

(16,739 posts)
50. Do wonder what percentage underestimate to customs when they reenter
Sun Jul 12, 2015, 09:55 PM
Jul 2015

On let's say a cruise ship

Depending on the ship...expensive vs as minow...
Would imagine her crime not uncommon
Perhaps she was a bit too flagrant

dflprincess

(28,057 posts)
51. I seem to recall that one of the reasons they caught her was that the idiot
Sun Jul 12, 2015, 09:56 PM
Jul 2015

had stuck some of her receipts in her passport. -- Pretty much par for a Bush.

tymorial

(3,433 posts)
52. Remember how outraged democrats were when republicans went after Kerry's wife
Sun Jul 12, 2015, 10:03 PM
Jul 2015

This particular post may not be entirely the same but over the past 2 days I have seen non stop rants about Columba Bush that are hypocritical and quite frankly adolescent.

pnwmom

(108,925 posts)
54. What law did Kerry's wife break?
Sun Jul 12, 2015, 10:17 PM
Jul 2015

And we know that the Rethugs will make this personal. If Jeb Bush is the candidate and they go after Bill Clinton, they'll be on very shaky ground.

gwheezie

(3,580 posts)
55. We don't have to do this
Sun Jul 12, 2015, 10:27 PM
Jul 2015

Trump has his people looking into it.
I don't care honestly. She got caught and paid her fine.

Latest Discussions»General Discussion»Remember when Jeb's wife ...