I've got a question for YOU....about ethics?

[OKthatsIT]

I'm the crazy one who is compiling the GOP SCORECARD.

SO MANY Abramoff contributions...most of these GOP lowlifes are keeping the money, "until Tom Delay or Abramoff are proven guilty"...yarite, but that's what lowlifes do, so whateva.

A few have decided to DONATE some of the money to their choice of charities. ...given this money was STOLEN by the AGENTS who had every intention of laundering it and then made damn sure the Tribal Casino legislation failed...to make it look like Republicans were against gambling, etc etc etc.

MY QUESTION...why hasn't an ESCROW account been set up to recollect the stolen money? Have it returned to the victims of this criminal mess?

[tx_dem41]

1. Flame me if you wish....

but are you keeping track of the Democrats that accepted money from Abramoff? You are bringing up the issue of ethics, so I am just wondering....

This is going to be a huge scandal in the coming months. To score politically (and I am talking politics now...not ethics) one has to focus on the Dept. of Interior's role in this scandal.

[ChairmanAgnostic]

2. I heard of two. There are probably more.

[Village Idiot]

13. Four and counting...

Sen. Bryan Dorgan (D-ND),
Mary Landrieu (D-LA),
John Breaux (D-LA), and most surprisingly,
Minority Leader Harry Reid.

[BJW]

21. Yes, but it doesn't mean that these contributions

were received illegally, at all. Devil is in the details....

[BJW]

3. you could do this, you know...

instead of expecting someone else to do it for you.

Jeez...

[tx_dem41]

4. I already have by reading extensively on the scandal.

The OP appears to have taken on the challenge and cast it in a cloak of ethics. I was attempting to point out a huge ethical trap that lies in his or her path.

BTW...if you notice, I didn't ask the OP to DO anything. So I'm not sure what your response "You could do this" comes from. :shrug:

[BJW]

8. it's implied, obviously...

[BJW]

20. sorry, I was short with you here...

[OKthatsIT]

7. what are you talking about?

[OKthatsIT]

16. Oh...i figured out what you meant....thx for that resonse

[OKthatsIT]

5. answer my question first, then i'll answer yours

[tx_dem41]

12. Answer: You would have to ask the 30 or so Senators and Reps...

both Republican and Democrat that received the money.

[OKthatsIT]

15. the odds are 20 Reps to 1 Dem...it isnt a worthy comparison.

and yes...i've been keeping track of Dem Corruption....its miniscule by comparison.

[OKthatsIT]

17. wait a minute...i dont blame the 'nichel and dime' reciptients at all

We all know how desparate its become for politicians to fund their own campaigns. I heard Kennedy say he needed 10,000 a week...and he's doesnt have mush competition in Mass. Imagine what Harry Reid has to come up with to keep his job.

I blame the crooks who planned, stole and lied to politicians about the laundered money. If these politicians returned 'favors' by supporting Abramoff's clients with 'favorable legislation', then that's a trust issue, for sure. And its illegal.

[BJW]

6. Good questions OKThatsIt

I suspect that the monies being donated to charity were, in fact, received from Abramhoff, but may not necessarily rise to knowingly receiving illegal contributions of dirty money in pay-for-play voting.

This is most likely a pre-emptive move by GOPers to avoid the appearance of impropriety with those monies received that weren't exactly "illegaly" received.

About freezing accounts, establishing a special fund, etc., this is an excellent idea, but it's premised on the idea that these funds were likely received as part of a criminal conspiracy, which is a premise that GOPers would want to avoid.

I don't exactly know how the state can require restitution of the funds to the victims from the GOPers if these funds have already been "used" for "legitimate" purposes (or donated to charity, whatever)unless these GOPers are also convicted. Once convicted, the state would have a restitution hearing and the monies would be required to be repaid.

[OKthatsIT]

9. Well that is comforting news, indeed

"Once convicted, the state would have a restitution hearing and the monies would be required to be repaid."

[OKthatsIT]

11. Another Question?

So...if we have to wait for the verdict before allocating funds to proper origins....wouldn't the Judicial FREEZE all assets? Tell the recipients to hold off on 'charities'?

Abramoff is already whinning about 'money drying up' for his legal troubles.

[BJW]

19. I think that once charges are filed assets can be seized/freezed

if the govt. prosecutors file the proper motions to do this.

One other aspect is the charities themselves that are recipients of these monies. Are they legit? Or are they also front groups too?

[OKthatsIT]

22. Exactly! Capital Atheltic Foundation? Friends of Cunningham?

Seems they all have their very own charity of choice, huh?

Capital Athletic Foundation: http://onlinejournal.com/artman/publish/article_269.shtml
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2002647466_abramoff26.html
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=10000103&sid=aP3iSpyHdnq4&refer=us

Friends of Cunningham: http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/metro/20050624-9999-1n24duke.html

[madmom]

10. I have a question regarding this too...

these people who give this money to charities, (including the stolen money from Ohio workmen's comp, by Tom Noe)are they being allowed to deduct these charitable contributions from their taxes????

[OKthatsIT]

14. Yeah...I agree...we've got to make some NOISE about this

what about HALLIBURTON? and the croney govt in iraq = 9 BILLION?

I get so enraged knowing BUSH gave HAlliburton a bonus, for good work. UNFRIGGIN BELIEVABLE.

[BJW]

18. excellent question!!!

Perhaps we should have a DU campaign to demand the IRS audit all involved???