These new subpoenas will surely keep our doucherag legislature focused on passing a budget. Oh, wait...they decided to close shop and take a breather over the long weekend after their excruciating endeavor of getting absolutely nothing done this session. Fark 'em. Go arrest every last one of them, Corbett...if you can find them, that is.

Uncle Milty would be so proud.

If only there were a laughing Quaker picture I could post to signal the hilarity of the situation in Pennsylvania.

Cagey B: If only there were a laughing Quaker picture I could post to signal the hilarity of the situation in Pennsylvania.

Article says both Democrats AND Republicans got served.

Mr. Coffee Nerves: Article says both Democrats AND Republicans got served.

Good. They should all get served. Crooks and liars - all of them.

sounds like a subpoena happy defense attorney to me. attention whoring most likely. high profile case. let's make some news boys.

Hobodeluxe: sounds like a subpoena happy defense attorney to me. attention whoring most likely. high profile case. let's make some news boys.

Pretty close, actually. Our AG is an opportunistic twat-waffle and, unfortunately, a strong candidate to be the next governor. He's treaded pretty lightly around the Republicans while at the same time swinging a mighty big axe at the Ds on this shiat. Not that they don't deserve it. They do. Every damn last one of them. But it's become glaringly obvious over the last few years this controversy has been around that he's see no evil/hear no evil with the Republican party out here. At least, I'm guessing he will be until they decide on a few sacrificial lambs to cart out in front of the cameras at a politically convenient time...I'm guessing right around the time when folks start gearing up for their gubernatorial runs. Our state government sucks balls. There is no right answer with the crew of turd-logs we have out here.

Doctor Funkenstein: Our AG is an opportunistic twat-waffle and, unfortunately, a strong candidate to be the next governor.

ask nifong how all that worked out for him.....

"At least 39 subpoenas were served at the Capitol offices of lawmakers of both parties."

"...were subpoenaed by former House Democratic Whip Mike Veon..."

"Stephen Miskin, a spokesman for House Republicans, said lawmakers and staff received subpoenas."

"Corbett has said he is investigating Republicans and Democrats in the House and Senate and that another round of charges will be filed."

srsly u guys. u guys. srsly.

Mr. Coffee Nerves: Article says both Democrats AND Republicans got served.

only as defense witnesses for one of the democratic lawmakers who were caught.

they've only indicted House democrats for crimes. they had a massive fraud going on--sending legisaltive staffers to work on campaigns, ostensibly using their time off and comp time (lots of fake comp time which was earned at the order of one of the guys in charge). then this same people got bonuses using public dollars, not campaign money. many bonuses were in the thousands of dollars.

then they tried to cover it up. that was just as bad, and it's why lots of their IT guys got nabbed, for destroying computer evidence.

Corruption in state politics? In Pennsylvania, no less?!

Pull the other one, pal!

/actually, this is one reason that despite its being very representative of the nation as a whole and being for a long time one of the most populous states, there has only been one president from PA. Even in Andrew Jackson's time it was well known as the state with the most corrupt "machine politics" government.

jaerik: srsly u guys. u guys. srsly.

again, as witnesses. the indicted at all House Ds.

srsly. here's the original article
Link (new window)

click on the harrisburg grand jury presentment lower right. It's a good read that will blow your mind

Before Weaver95 gets here and pulls his usual thread-shiat, I'm going to point out that PA's governor has never been a member of the state legislature and that his relationship with them (both R's and D's alike) is best described as "acrimonious."

Fraud is misdeeds in PA? Why I never thought I would see the day.

After they are done with the house and senate, they can go beat Rendell with a stick.

Dwight_Yeast: I'm going to point out that PA's governor has never been a member of the state legislature and that his relationship with them (both R's and D's alike) is best described as "acrimonious."

not all. i've seen him tongue-kissing bill deweese

utter_bastard: After they are done with the house and senate, they can go beat Rendell with a stick.

Um, why?

And I'll give you a hint "because you don't like him" is not a correct answer.

"It's our understanding that over 100 members and staff received subpoenas," said Brett Marcy, a spokesman for House Democrats. "It is also our understanding that both Democrats and Republicans were served."
================================================

So, subby lied.

/!!!!

Dwight_Yeast: Before Weaver95 gets here and pulls his usual thread-shiat, I'm going to point out that PA's governor has never been a member of the state legislature and that his relationship with them (both R's and D's alike) is best described as "acrimonious."

I sense your fear....

Actually, I was just blogging about this the other day.

jake3988 :"It's our understanding that over 100 members and staff received subpoenas," said Brett Marcy, a spokesman for House Democrats. "It is also our understanding that both Democrats and Republicans were served."
================================================

So, subby lied.

/!!!!

Your reading comprehension and/or understanding of the word "subpoena" is way off.

While I think that it's a great thing that corrupt state politicians are being investigated and that some of them will actually go to jail, if you're a PA resident don't get your hopes up that this will make state politics less corrupt.

I just saw my own state senator, Vince Fumo, sent to jail (finally!) by the Feds, only to be replaced by his own hand-picked successor.

WE don't just need criminal investigations in Pa, we need real reform candidates in every county at the state level.

jake3988: So, subby lied.

no, subby didn't. the fraud and the indicted perpetrators are all democrats. no republicans have yet been charged. the subpoenas are from an indicted democrat who's calling them as part of his defense.

/subby

He did have something to do with the MOVE incident in the 80's in Philly when he was DA there.

Dwight_Yeast: While I think that it's a great thing that corrupt state politicians are being investigated and that some of them will actually go to jail, if you're a PA resident don't get your hopes up that this will make state politics less corrupt.

I just saw my own state senator, Vince Fumo, sent to jail (finally!) by the Feds, only to be replaced by his own hand-picked successor.

WE don't just need criminal investigations in Pa, we need real reform candidates in every county at the state level.

Or you could stop electing crooks?

Dwight_Yeast: WE don't just need criminal investigations in Pa, we need real reform candidates in every county at the state level.

you got 50 of them elected in the great incumbent massacre of 2006. the reformers are there

thing is, that doesn't happen in philly because the Ds have a stranglehold on the city. some districts it's 95 percent D 5 percent R. a republican can only win in a couple of seats gerrymandered for them in the northwest. other than that, the Democratic party controls every legislative seat in the city. and it's not going to reform unless it wants to.

I'm SHOCKED! that the political party that pushes for more government control is so often involved in corruption.

Weaver95: I sense your fear....

Actually, I was just blogging about this the other day.

And your point? Neither your blog, nor the P-G timeline nor the articles it links to draw any connection between Rendell and the ongoing legislature salary bullshiat.

In fact, here's what the P-G has to say about the subject:
State House bonuses stun Rendell

Dwight_Yeast:
And your point? Neither your blog, nor the P-G timeline nor the articles it links to draw any connection between Rendell and the ongoing legislature salary bullshiat.

...yet....

albo: you got 50 of them elected in the great incumbent massacre of 2006. the reformers are there

thing is, that doesn't happen in philly because the Ds have a stranglehold on the city. some districts it's 95 percent D 5 percent R. a republican can only win in a couple of seats gerrymandered for them in the northwest. other than that, the Democratic party controls every legislative seat in the city. and it's not going to reform unless it wants to.

If the reformers are there, why aren't they, you know, trying to reform?

And yes, I understand that Philly's a Democratic city, but that doesn't preclude the election of Democratic reform candidates (hell, that's what Rendell was when we elected him mayor). The problem is that neither side will run anyone who's not connected deeply to state politics.

Look at the election to replace Fumo: you had Fumo's hand-picked successor on one side and a Union guy on the other. All other candidates were forced out of the race.

Dwight_Yeast: And your point? Neither your blog, nor the P-G timeline nor the articles it links to draw any connection between Rendell and the ongoing legislature salary bullshiat.

you're right, rendell is not involved in this, nor will he be touched by the AG for any scandal before he's out of office. corbett is going to be the next governor, so he doesn't want to touch that at all.

Rendell has wielded his power and influence through the financial process of handing out checks to those projects he favors, and doing lots of that in back of the house deals that the public doesn't know about. that's about the only real sleazy thing you can pin on him.

albo: that's about the only real sleazy thing you can pin on him.

Maybe. Maybe not. I'm merely suggesting we wait and see where this goes. we might get Ed caught up in this yet.

Weaver95: Dwight_Yeast:
And your point? Neither your blog, nor the P-G timeline nor the articles it links to draw any connection between Rendell and the ongoing legislature salary bullshiat.

...yet....

And there's been no connection between Waever95 and the racoon/human porn ring operating near Harrisburg...

...yet...

See, anyone can play that game.

Here's another: There's been no direct connection between Pope Leo XII, The Society of the Rosy Cross and the Assassination of President Jack Kennedy...

...yet...

Dwight_Yeast: Look at the election to replace Fumo: you had Fumo's hand-picked successor on one side and a Union guy on the other. All other candidates were forced out of the race.

fumo's reach even included the state House. he had several Ds who owed their seats to him, and he'd loan them to the House Rs when they were in the minority in order to screw the majority Ds out of some bill or something just because Fumo hated the House Ds.

the reason the budget is so f-ed up this year is in some part due to Fumo not being involved in the negotiations. corrupt scumweasel or not, the guy knew how to get things done.

albo: the reason the budget is so f-ed up this year is in some part due to Fumo not being involved in the negotiations. corrupt scumweasel or not, the guy knew how to get things done.

well...don't underestimate Rendell's asshattery and general ability to fark up negotiations. That's played a big part in why this state hasn't had a budget come in on time in SEVEN CONSECUTIVE YEARS now.

albo: Rendell has wielded his power and influence through the financial process of handing out checks to those projects he favors, and doing lots of that in back of the house deals that the public doesn't know about. that's about the only real sleazy thing you can pin on him.

In other words playing perfectly legal political games. I don't doubt that; Rendell is a politician, not a saint. The thing that I like about him is that he plays these games not for his own personal benefit but for the good of the people he's representing at the time.

Weaver95: well...don't underestimate Rendell's asshattery and general ability to fark up negotiations. That's played a big part in why this state hasn't had a budget come in on time in SEVEN CONSECUTIVE YEARS now.

I'll ask again: Weaver, do you have any substantial evidence that Rendell has been intentionally farking up the budget year after year, or are you just going by what the voices in your head tell you?

mizchief: I'm SHOCKED! that the political party that pushes for more government control is so often involved in corruption.

Oh ya Both of them suck ass.
We need a New Party.
I propose we call it the BEER Party, We will hold the National Convention in Milwaukee every 4 years.

Dwight_Yeast: The thing that I like about him is that he plays these games not for his own personal benefit but for the good of the people he's representing at the time.

yeah. that's being a tad bit naive.

/hot like a passed out college cheerleader

Dwight_Yeast: Weaver95: well...don't underestimate Rendell's asshattery and general ability to fark up negotiations. That's played a big part in why this state hasn't had a budget come in on time in SEVEN CONSECUTIVE YEARS now.

I'll ask again: Weaver, do you have any substantial evidence that Rendell has been intentionally farking up the budget year after year, or are you just going by what the voices in your head tell you?

I suppose the answer to that question depends on if you believe stupidity, arrogance and incompetency are intentional or if they 'just happen'.

For the record, I've never said Fast Eddie was farking up on purpose, I merely report on his inability to do his job for the people of this state. I don't speculate on the reasons for that, just report what I see.

walnuts55: mizchief: I'm SHOCKED! that the political party that pushes for more government control is so often involved in corruption.

Oh ya Both of them suck ass.
We need a New Party.
I propose we call it the BEER Party, We will hold the National Convention in Milwaukee every 4 years.

I agree. How about the "Better Ethics and Economics Reform Party

I currently support the Libertarian party since I agree with them on my most important issues, however they seem to lack the key balance between true Liberty and practicality.

Dwight_Yeast: The thing that I like about him is that he plays these games not for his own personal benefit but for the good of the people he's representing at the time.

albo: Dwight_Yeast: The thing that I like about him is that he plays these games not for his own personal benefit but for the good of the people he's representing at the time.

yeah. that's being a tad bit naive.

Not really.

Can either of you (albo or Weaver) give be an example where Rendell has pushed a particular policy or piece of legislation solely for personal gain?

I'll be here, waiting, with my lemonade and ice cream sammich.

Please keep calm. I'm sure this is just part of a vast right wing conspiracy and that some how Fox News in manipulating the information you are seeing.

Mr. Coffee Nerves: Article says both Democrats AND Republicans got served.

YOU SHUT YOUR WHORE MOUTH!

Dwight_Yeast: Can either of you (albo or Weaver) give be an example where Rendell has pushed a particular policy or piece of legislation solely for personal gain?

his career is solely for personal gain. mayor of philly, DNC chair, PA governor, friend of the Clintons.

he's not albert schweitzer. he's in politics. and his career is designed to make him a Democratic party power broker on the national level. i'm sure he won't be a presidential candidate, but he aspires to everything but.

albo: his career is solely for personal gain. mayor of philly, DNC chair, PA governor, friend of the Clintons.

You forget that he spent twenty years in the Philly DA's office before he got involved in politics on any major scale.

albo: he's not albert schweitzer. he's in politics. and his career is designed to make him a Democratic party power broker on the national level. i'm sure he won't be a presidential candidate, but he aspires to everything but.

I already pointed that out.

But the point I made, the point you claimed was incorrect, is that he does things which are in the best interest of the people he's representing, first and foremnost. If he gains political capital but doing the right thing, if his friends make money, that's ancillary.

Contrast him to most state politician in PA, who are only in it to line their own pockets. They "take care" of their constituants only to the point that it keeps them in office and have no moral qualms about robbing the public blind to make a buck.

Do you see the fundamental difference?

But it isn't just Obama and Richardson that Rubin has ties to. According to federal law enforcement officials familiar with the investigation, federal officials are also looking into CDR's political and financial ties to Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell, as well as to Democrat state and local officials in Illinois, California, Florida, and Pennsylvania.

Rendell placed Rubin on a political patronage commission in Pennsylvania, and Rubin was also given a seat on a Los Angeles City commission back in 2002, both seemingly as the result of political contributions to political action committees. Rubin has also been a financial supporter of Rev. Al Sharpton.

link (new window

Seems like Rendell his a fan of political patronage for donors.

Politicians should be able to hold office for only one year. And then they should be liquefied and fed to the incoming official intravenously.