U.S. Exports Hate Groups to Iraq
“We’ve got Aryan Nations graffitti in Baghdad. . . that’s a problem,” a Defense Department investigator is quoted as saying in a new report. Neo-Nazi groups have long sought to place members in the U.S. armed forces, as a way to train them on the use of weapons and explosives for the “race war” they believe is imminent. The Pentagon has had a ten-year declared “zero tolerance” policy towards such volunteers — but the report, from the domestic terror-tracking Southern Poverty Law Center, says pressure on recruiters as a result of the Iraq war has led to violent racists getting accepted — and trained, and deployed.
The report quotes Scott Barfield, a Defense Department investigator, saying, “Recruiters are knowingly allowing neo-Nazis and white supremacists to join the armed forces, and commanders don’t remove them from the military even after we positively identify them as extremists or gang members.”
(NYTimes)
Investigators’ Handling of Noe Coingate Case Raises Questions
“Despite evidence that Tom Noe used more than two dozen people to help him multiply his political giving, only former [Ohio Gov. Bob] Taft aide Doug Talbott has paid the price. He admitted last year to taking Noe money and contributing it to three Ohio Supreme Court justices.” (Toledo Blade)
DeLay on Ballot Means Problems for Texas GOP
“Fort Bend County Commissioner Andy Meyers thinks this may create a problem. âIf Tomâs gonna be on the ballot, heâs gonna be on the ballot,” he told RAW STORY. “The concern that some of us might have is that the legal process might stretch out so far that there might be a 30 day campaign. Thereâs no way that thereâd be enough time to organize. “Weâre kinda stuck,” he concluded. “Itâs hard to get up and say, ‘vote for me, but, hey I might not be the candidate.’ To me it doesnât make any sense.â” (Raw Story, Stakeholder)
A Peach of a Scandal in Georgia
” If a preacher secretly accepts a bucket of money from a saloonkeeper to organize a temperance rally at a rival saloon and maybe send in a gang of church ladies to chop up the bar with their little hatchets, this would strike you and me as sleazy, but others are willing to make allowances, and so Ralph Reed’s political career is still alive and breathing in Georgia. He has bathed himself in tomato juice and hopes to smile his way through the storm.” (Garrison Keillor, Chi Tribune)
Cunningham Adjusting to Life at North Carolina Prison
“Former U.S. Rep. Randy Cunningham continues to adjust to life behind bars at a federal prison in North Carolina where he is said to be “steeling himself” for the years of incarceration he faces, according to his attorney.” (NC Times)
Defense Contractor Appears in Multiple Corruption Investigations
Here’s a wrap-up of how Duke Cunningham briber Brent Wilkes figures into the different investigations. (AP)
Wilkes Slapped with Contribution Violation
“A Southern California defense contractor linked to a bribery scandal in Washington, D.C., is suspected of illegally paying employees to make campaign contributions, according to a state complaint released Wednesday. Brent Wilkes, who was named as an unindicted co-conspirator in former Rep. Randy “Duke” Cunningham’s bribery case, is accused of two campaign-finance violations in connection with contributions to Ron Roberts in his 2000 San Diego mayoral campaign.” (PE)
Hastert’s Wealth is Grounded in Land
“During his long career in public service, House Speaker Dennis Hastert has amassed a multimillion-dollar fortune through real estate holdings that belies the humble image of a former small-town high school wrestling coach.” (Chi Trib)
A Plaque Upon Your House
Jack Abramoff’s golden plaque at the MCI Center remains. (Wash City Paper)
Bigamy, Bribery, Other Allegations Plague California Congressional Race
“Explosive new revelations have rocked San Diego’s 51st Congressional race, including allegations of bigamy and bribery leveled against two candidates (one Republican, one Democrat) vying for the seat currently occupied by Democrat Bob Filner.” (Raw Story)
Impersonators in the Land of Small Business
“Last year, at least $4.9 billion worth of contracts, coded as small business, went to 13 of the largest government contractors, according to a review by The New York Times of contracting data provided by Eagle Eye, a research firm based in Virginia.” (NYT)
House Seen Debating Gambling Bill Next Week
“The full U.S. House of Representatives is expected to debate next week legislation that would attempt to ban Internet gambling, a $12 billion-a-year industry that gets half its revenue from American gamblers, two Republican lawmakers said on Thursday.” (Reuters)
Reports Says Private Lobbyists OK for Texas, But More Guidelines Needed
A review of Gov. Rick Perry’s hiring of private lobbyists for Texas is a shoulder shrug. (AAS)
