DeLay’s Dirty (Baker’s) Dozen House Majority Leader Tom DeLay has been a busy man these last few years. Whether bribing congressmen, threatening political opponents, vacationing with lobbyists, or gutting House ethics rules, it’s been hard to keep up with all the Hammer’s activities. Here are thirteen highlights from DeLay’s illustrious career:DELAY KILLED INVESTIGATION INTO LABOR ABUSE IN MARIANAS ISLANDS:In 1998, DeLay helped kill a “congressional fact-finding trip that was being planned as part of an investigation of sweatshop conditions in the garment industry in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.” Jack Abramoff represented the Northern Mariana Islands at the time, aiding them in their quest to avoid U.S. labor laws. To this end, Abramoff flew dozens of lawmakers and their aides for luxurious vacations to the balmy islands, including one 1997-98 New Year’s trip for DeLay and his wife. (It was on this trip that DeLay called Abramoff “one of my closest and dearest friends.”) Later that year, Rep. Peter Hoekstra (R-MI) decided to leading a fact-finding investigation into worker abuse in the islands’ garment industry. When DeLay caught wind of the investigation, his office threatened the Hoekstra with loss of his subcommittee chairmanship if he continued.
More at:
http://thinkprogress.org/index.php?p=430 BREAKING: After Indictment, DeLay Grossly Distorts Role With TRMPAC Tom DeLay wants you to believe he was completely in the dark about TRMPAC’s activities. Here’s what DeLay said tonight on Hardball:
That’s TRMPAC. That’s not me…I was simply, along with four other elected officials, on an advisory board. They used my name as headliners for fundraisers and I had no idea what they were doing.
The facts suggest otherwise:
http://thinkprogress.org/2005/09/28/delay-distorts-role DeLay Helps Earle Establish Motive Either Tom DeLay isn’t taking Dick DeGuerin’s advice, or he needs to start scouring the yellow pages for a new lawyer.
Here’s what DeLay said last night in an interview with Fox News’ Sean Hannity:
Ronnie Earle has established no intent, no motive to commit a crime.
But only minutes earlier, DeLay did a pretty good job establishing motive:
http://thinkprogress.org/2005/09/29/delay-motive Peace.