Book Review: Caucus of Corruption
Jun 17, 2007 Uncategorized
The words “Republican Culture of Corruption” are, as John Kerry might say, seared, seared into our memories after that phrase was used as a campaign slogan to help hapless Democrats regain the Majority in both Houses of Congress. Americans are well aware of ethical problems of members of the Republican Party because those problems have received a great deal of attention in the media wing of the Democratic Party. For people who do not pay attention, the Democrats appear squeaky clean while knuckle dragging, ethically challenged Republicans are involved in every corrupt thing imaginable. The media loves to report on Republican missteps but ignores the fact that Republicans try to rid Congress of those Republicans who are found to be corrupt. More importantly, the media ignores blatant corruption and illegal activities on the part of the Democrats. For their part, the Democrats view their acts as perfectly normal because they are honorable people who would not do anything wrong.
In Caucus of Corruption, Matt Margolis and Mark Noonan point out the ethical and legal challenges faced by many members of the Democratic Party. Margolis and Noonan acknowledge Republican corruption in the beginning of the book but the focus is on the Democrats in order to bring balance to the story. Everyone knows the Republican’s stories (thanks to the Democrats and their sock puppets in the media) so this book, as Paul Harvey would say, is the rest of the story. According to the authors:
“Everyone in government who is corrupt should be removed and see justice. Yet removing everyone who is corrupt is not the objective of the new speaker of the House, or any of her fellow Democrats, no matter how much they claim it is. It is time, and past time, to bring balance to the debate.
This book tells the side of the story that Democrats ignore and the mainstream media refuses to tell. It is the story of a political party that has long been given a free pass by the media for their illegal and unethical ways. It is a story if influence peddling, character assassination, and hypocrisy. It is a story that must be told if real reform is to happen…
The book starts by specifically pointing out the ethical issues that involve Democrats such as Nancy Pelosi, Harry, Reid, Chuck Schumer and Rahm Emanuel and then moves to practices that have been abused by members of the Democratic Party. Issues such as privately funded travel, family hiring, and election law violations are spelled out clearly and concisely in order to bring balance to the debate. Margolis and Noonan present factual evidence and lay it out clearly along with the references to where the information can be found. One of my favorite parts of the book is where they point to what Howard Dean said about Jack Abramoff only involving Republicans. They then proceed to show all the Democrats involved and how they acted quite differently then what they demanded of Republicans.
The picture painted by the authors is not pretty because not only do they expose the corruption of the Democrats, but by doing so they show how corruption runs across both aisles in Congress and how the concept of absolute power has corrupted absolutely. I do not pretend that the authors are unbiased because I have read their work in the past and I know they are conservatives who want a conservative agenda in this country. I also know that they, like many conservatives, call for the dismissal of any Republican found to be ethically challenged while noting that those on the left ignore, or dismiss ethical lapses and explain it away as some kind of attack on their morality by their political enemies.
Matt Margolis and Mark Noonan bring balance to the debate. They have taken the ethical problems of the Democratic Party and put them up front so that they have equal billing with the Republican lapses reported by the media wing of the Democratic Party. The authors make few references to Republicans except when pointing out how Republicans were expected to act one way with regard to corruption while Democrats were allowed to act another. Obviously, Republican problems have been reported and the purpose of this book is to show the skeletons on the other side.
I highly recommend Caucus of Corruption to anyone who wants to know how corruption is spread throughout our Congress. Margolis and Noonan do a great job of leveling the playing field and exposing the other side of the corruption, the side dismissed by the left and ignored by the media. Armed with this information and that which has been presented in the past, voters in America can better assess the jobs of those who portend to be above board and working in our best interests and then decide the best method to right this great ship. While I highly recommend this book, I will conclude using their words:
The Democrats had their chance to dominate the debate about corruption. But the tables have now been turned. With this book, you are now armed with and inconvenient truth about the Democratic Party. If left unchecked, corruption has a corrosive effect on both government and society, so it must be brought to light. It is time to expose the corruption and hypocrisy of the Democratic Party, not just for the sake of removing Democrats from office, but for the sake of the health and proper functioning of our government, and of the United States of America.
How can anyone argue with that? If you care about this country it is worth the read, regardless of political affiliation.
BTW: This would make a great Father’s Day gift…
Tags: General
Some Good News from Iraq
Jun 14, 2007 Uncategorized
There is a troll who visits my site and that of others and is deriding all of us because we are not reporting on Iraq, as if these blogs are only about Iraq. This is a problem that people who suffer from one dimensional thinking suffer from. People with higher levels of education can see that there are many things to talk about. Since I have served in the Army, have a degree in nursing, and have a variety of other interests, I can write about more than one thing. I also realize that it is useless to write anything good about Iraq because it is disputed by liberals and their media wing. If the press reports it then it must be correct even if it is different than what my soldiers who serve tell me. In any event, i thought I would link to some good news even though it is feeding the troll, and trolls are annoying like gnats.
- Baghdad Market Thrives During Troop Surge
- ‘Dragon’ Soldiers Seize, Destroy Bomb Factory
- 2/6 kicks off Operation Alljah
- Iraqi troops lead security searches in Baghdad neighborhood
- Police Action in Fallujah Pressuring Insurgents, Commander Says
- Coalition Forces Kill, Detain Terrorists
There are some good news stories about success in Iraq, news that is not heard in the media wing of the Democratic Party. It will not be long though, before a comment appears saying these are not legitimate stories or that the reporters hiding in hotels are writing something different.
Tags: General
Upgraded to WordPress 2.2
Jun 11, 2007 Uncategorized
I upgraded my blogging software to WordPress 2.2 this weekend. Except for a few little things I think it went fairly well. I waited to do this until I could see some of the problems that people had and then benefit from their solutions. Some things on the back end are a bit wonky but for the most part it all seems OK.
For those of you on my mailing list the notifications of the latest posts were sent out and appeared to be a jumbled mess. I was able to improve this and I believe it has been corrected. Please let me know via the contact for or email if you see anything that needs my attention (thanks to Wayfarer for the heads up).
Speaking of notifications, are you a subscriber? Why not consider subscribing and you will know when new items are posted. There is a per post option, a newsletter options that notifies you in a newsletter after every 5 posts and there is Feedblitz which sends a notification once a day (and only if something was posted). Consider having the Big Dog’s posts delivered to your mailbox and you can select those you think are worth the read.
Example of 5 post Newsletter
Upgraded to WordPress 2.2
– Posted by Big Dog
I upgraded my blogging software to WordPress 2.2 this weekend. Except for
a few little things I think it went fairly well. I waited to do this until
I could see some of the problems that people had and then benefit from
their solutions. Some things on the back end are a […]
Read the rest here…
http://www.onebigdog.net/2007/06/11/upgraded-to-wordpress-22/
Our Democratic Leadership Could Learn from Albania
– Posted by Big Dog
President Bush was in Albania where he was greeted by enthusiastic crowds
who love him and his stance on independence for that country. They look
at him as a friend and they admire the US and our way of life. This
interesting item from the piece shows that Albanians get it much more
[…]
Read the rest here…
http://www.onebigdog.net/2007/06/10/our-democratic-leadership-could-learn-from-albania/
Jefferson Believes in Gun Ownership, but not for You
– Posted by Big Dog
William Jefferson, that is. Thomas Jefferson believed in the right of all
citizens to own and carry firearms.
This past week has focused on the folly of Paris Hilton and her great jail
time caper. She was in then out and now back in. Her release after three
days sparked uproar from across […]
Read the rest here…
http://www.onebigdog.net/2007/06/10/jefferson-believes-in-gun-ownership-but-not-for-you/
Must Keep Pressure On Senate Against Amnesty
– Posted by Big Dog
The Senate bill that would have made millions of ILLEGALS legal with the
stroke of a pen has been pulled off the table for a while. There are many
who say that it is dead but that is not the case. Those in the Senate,
from both parties, who want this bill are […]
Read the rest here…
http://www.onebigdog.net/2007/06/09/must-keep-pressure-on-senate-against-amnesty/
Sharpton is Race Baiting Again
– Posted by Big Dog
Al Sharpton is pretty much a low class race baiting poverty pimp who sees
racism in every aspect of life. Why shouldn’t he? After all, it provides
him with a great source of income and as long as he can extort money while
oppressing his own race, the much the better. I […]
Read the rest here…
http://www.onebigdog.net/2007/06/08/sharpton-is-race-baiting-again/
Tags: General
Our Democratic Leadership Could Learn from Albania
Jun 10, 2007 Uncategorized
President Bush was in Albania where he was greeted by enthusiastic crowds who love him and his stance on independence for that country. They look at him as a friend and they admire the US and our way of life. This interesting item from the piece shows that Albanians get it much more clearly than the Democrats in office and their minions in the anti war, hate America groups:
Predominantly Muslim, Albania has 140 troops in Afghanistan and about 120 troops in Iraq – a presence that President Alfred Moisiu says will not end as long as the Americans are engaged there. Bush met here with some of the troops who have served in Iraq and Afghanistan.
“Albanians know the horror of tyranny,” the president said. “And so they’re working to bring the hope of freedom to people who haven’t known it. And that’s a noble effort and a sacrifice.” My Way News
I think this says it all, especially from a country that is comprised mostly of Muslims.
Tags: General
Paris Going Back??
Jun 7, 2007 Uncategorized
Breaking news: A judge has ordered Paris Hilton to go back to court and might send her back to jail. Seems he might not have agreed with the decision to release her.
I think she should not get special treatment but my friend Bushwack tells me that Al Sharpton is all over her special treatment I want to root for her just to whiz in his Cheerios.
Tags: General