Big Dogs Weblog

Murtha Still Does Not See It As Corruption

by Big Dog on Nov 14, 2006 at 18:25 Political

A quarter of a century ago Jack Murtha was involved in a corruption scandal known as ABSCAM. He was officially designated as the unindicted co-conspirator in a scheme where he tried to find clever ways to take a $50,000 bribe. When he turned against the others involved he came out of it without a conviction. He continues to this day to say he was innocent and evidently the idiots in his district believe him. Anyone who watches the full 57 minute (or so) film of the deal knows that Murtha was trying to find a clever way to take a bribe. He is dirty and has been so for his entire time in the House. It is amazing that when the Democrats were pointing fingers at corrupt Republicans it was fair game but now that members of his own party are questioning Pelosi’s support of him for majority Leader, he has taken offense.

“I am disconcerted that some are making headlines by resorting to unfounded allegations that occurred 26 years ago. I thought we were above this type of swift-boating attack. This is not how we restore integrity and civility to the United States Congress,” Murtha said of the ample press coverage of his link to Abscam and more recent negotiations he made as ranking Democrat on the Defense Appropriations Committee.

Murtha was not indicted in the bribes-for-political-favors probe and ultimately cleared of wrongdoing by the House ethics committee. But his raunchy language and open-ended option to consider a future deal with undercover FBI agents is forever captured on videotape.

The New York Times on Tuesday also reported that Murtha helped block changes in ethics policies that Democrats proposed last year and is known as “an astute backroom-deal maker known for trading votes for the pet projects known as earmarks. He has had family members who lobbied on issues under his control.” Fox News

Murtha is known as a back room deal maker who trades pork for votes. If this is known, where is the outrage that the Democrats showed at the idea that Mark Foley’s acts were known? Murtha says these are unfounded allegations so he must not have seen the same video tape that I saw. His actions are on that tape and it clearly shows he was trying to find a way to take the bribe. He also has his family members lobbying for issues under his control and he blocked changes to ethics policies. For those who say he was cleared of the charges, that is not unusual in Congress because regardless of party, they all look out for each other.

Pelosi’s support shows a lot about how she really views corruption reform and it says a lot about the Democratic Party in general.

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