Should Jefferson Resign?

[Conan71]

From Wa Po

He's been indicted.

"The indictment in federal court in Alexandria, Va., lists 16 alleged violations with prison terms totaling as much as 235 years. Jefferson is charged with racketeering, soliciting bribes, wire fraud, money laundering, obstruction of justice and conspiracy.

He is the first sitting congressman to face charges under the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, which prohibits corporate bribery overseas. Jefferson is to be arraigned Friday in U.S. District Court in Alexandria.

Jefferson is accused of soliciting bribes from 11 different companies for himself and his family, and also of bribing a Nigerian official. The scheme was complicated and Jefferson set up a front company to hide the money, prosecutors said."

[Chicken Little]

quote:Originally posted by Conan71

From Wa Po

He's been indicted.

"The indictment in federal court in Alexandria, Va., lists 16 alleged violations with prison terms totaling as much as 235 years. Jefferson is charged with racketeering, soliciting bribes, wire fraud, money laundering, obstruction of justice and conspiracy.

He is the first sitting congressman to face charges under the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, which prohibits corporate bribery overseas. Jefferson is to be arraigned Friday in U.S. District Court in Alexandria.

Jefferson is accused of soliciting bribes from 11 different companies for himself and his family, and also of bribing a Nigerian official. The scheme was complicated and Jefferson set up a front company to hide the money, prosecutors said."

Heck ya.  He shouldn't even have run last time. What a turd.

[rwarn17588]

Yes.

[RecycleMichael]

He should resign and apologize to the people of his district.

[Rico]

Does he possibly have info on things higher up the food chain..?

Or was he just gifted in the art of crime?



Oh yes..... I think he should be made to rebuild a levee in LA by himself.... In the summertime.

   [}:)]

[Conan71]

I understand an indictment is just that, formal charges as an accusation of guilt.  Nothing has been proven.

I'm trying to figure out all the hysteria over Mark Foley, who has yet to ever be charged with a crime, yet Democratic leaders have only removed Jefferson from a key post on what, the ways & means committee.  

Foley brought disgrace to the office, did the right thing and stepped down.  Jefferson has also disgraced the office, where's his resignation?

[cannon_fodder]

A grand jury could indict a chicken for being the 2nd gunman on the grassy knoll.  

It is pretty rare for a grand jury to NOT return an indictment.  All they have to do is prove that he MIGHT have done something wrong.  A very low threshold.

Now, in all honesty, they rarely seek an indictment unless they have a good case.  And from all appearances, this man is guilty as hell.  Lucky for him, the public can jump to such conclusions but the courts can not.

He is innocent until proven guilty and has the right to retain his post.  He should resign if his constituents call on him to do so or if the ongoing proceedings will prevent him from adequately representing them.  

On a personal note:  if found guilty I hope they really hang this SOB out to dry.  Low corruption is all that separates the US from any third world nation.

[RecycleMichael]

They got video of this guy taking bribes and found a stash o' cash next to the popsicles in his house.

They should put in a "resignation express lane" for this guy.

[Conan71]

If a person is acting within the law and lives within the law, it's not necessary for a Grand Jury to investigate his actions.

I believe if the HOR and the Senate are really interested in regaining trust with American citizens they should adopt rules calling for the immediate ouster of any member who is charged or indicted with/for a felony.

Yes, I do believe as leaders they need to be held to a higher standard.  Lead by example.

Their ethics rules seem to be pretty fluid
instead of concrete.  

[Chicken Little]

quote:Originally posted by Conan71

I understand an indictment is just that, formal charges as an accusation of guilt.  Nothing has been proven.

I'm trying to figure out all the hysteria over Mark Foley, who has yet to ever be charged with a crime, yet Democratic leaders have only removed Jefferson from a key post on what, the ways & means committee.  

Foley brought disgrace to the office, did the right thing and stepped down.  Jefferson has also disgraced the office, where's his resignation?

Because it's his choice, until he gets locked up, that is.

He should step down, the libruls on this board has said so, unequivocally.  A better question might be, how come you conservative-types defend guys like Foley, DeLay, Cunningham, Ney, Libby, Abramoff, Scanlon, Volz...?

[iplaw]

I don't know about the others here, but who has defended any of those individuals?

[Conan71]

quote:Originally posted by Chicken Little

quote:Originally posted by Conan71

I understand an indictment is just that, formal charges as an accusation of guilt.  Nothing has been proven.

I'm trying to figure out all the hysteria over Mark Foley, who has yet to ever be charged with a crime, yet Democratic leaders have only removed Jefferson from a key post on what, the ways & means committee.  

Foley brought disgrace to the office, did the right thing and stepped down.  Jefferson has also disgraced the office, where's his resignation?

Because it's his choice, until he gets locked up, that is.

He should step down, the libruls on this board has said so, unequivocally.  A better question might be, how come you conservative-types defend guys like Foley, DeLay, Cunningham, Ney, Libby, Abramoff, Scanlon, Volz...?

I'm more interested in hearing the liberals in Washington saying he should step down.[]

I don't think you will find a quote where I ever defended the jobs of any of those guys you mentioned.

The only defense I offered for Mark Foley was he was being called a "pedophile" when by any definition of the word and by law, he was not.  I believe I also stated the relevant timing and reason for the story was election insurance for MT '06 since this was known long before last Sept. by Democrat operatives.

I do believe my words at the time were he violated the trust of office and the page program and did the right thing by stepping down.

The only thing about Libby I ever defended was one of your comments along the lines of "...this proves it, the White House lies".  Libby's conviction just proved that he was convicted of perjury.

[RecycleMichael]

Do you think the President should (or will) pardon Scooter Libby?

[Conan71]

quote:Originally posted by recyclemichael

Do you think the President should (or will) pardon Scooter Libby?

I don't think he should pardon him, but I bet he will.  I think it will be a last day pardon.  Should we have a friendly lunch bet over whether or not he waits that long? []

W's legacy already sucks, so what would one little pardon of a convicted liar do to harm it further?

Libby should have just been honest.

[rwarn17588]

If Bush waits until the last day, it's going to be almost pointless, because Libby will have served about 18 months anyway. With good behavior, Libby will serve about 18 months or so.

If Bush respects "the rule of law," then no pardon.

If Libby goes to prison (and the AP wire story suggests he will), I wouldn't be surprised if he suddenly remembers to tell Fitzgerald some other things about Cheney.