Poor Molly Ivins. This will drive her over the edge

[Rose Siding]

AUSTIN – The Texas Ethics Commission decided Friday that public officials who receive cash or other gifts don't have to disclose the value, stunning open-government advocates.

"This is absurd, dangerous and completely undermines the reform legislation," said Rep. Lon Burnam, D-Fort Worth.

......But government watchdogs told the commissioners that they are failing to enforce the clear meaning of the law, rendering it useless.

"This ruling leaves a big enough loophole to drive an armored truck full of money through," said Craig McDonald, director of Texans for Public Justice, which advocates for public disclosure. "All you would have to say is 'a truck.' "

The commission's decision not to review the rule means that public officeholders can accept trips, jewelry or large amounts of cash from those who may benefit from their decisions and not have to disclose the value.

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/latestnews/stories/032506dntexgifts.627fe84.html

http://library.thinkquest.org.nyud.net:8090/04oct/00492/corruption_pic.jpg

[Keseys Ghost]

1. This is astounding!

Pigs.

[RufusEarl]

5. Ain't it great!

Only in Texas would these fools do something like this, we have to get Chris Bell elected.

[tanyev]

2. Brilliant! No more ethics problems!

:banghead:

[electropop]

3. Nice move, idiots.

You have now loudly announced to your constituents that you are corrupt, criminal pigs. They will remember this at election time.

[babylonsister]

4. They surely need to change the name of that commission.

I'm constantly amazed they can get away with legislation like this.

[napi21]

6. I sure hope ALL the TX newspapers carry this on their FRONT PAGE

above the fold! This is a REAT decision to publicize in an election year!!!! Hope the Dems use it for all it's worth!

[PuraVidaDreamin]

7. Who can take this to court?

Make it an big fat Texas sized issue!
Everyday!

[MessiahRp]

8. Okay let me make sure I have this straight...

In Texas... following the law means:

Going into bars to arrest patrons who are drunk. Check.

Not enforcing lobbying laws on Congressmen getting illegal gift and trips. Check.

Okay, got it.

Rp

[hedgehog]

10. What about Congressmen who are drinking in bars when they

accept envelopes full of cash?

[WhiteTara]

14. as long as they don't get drunk

all is well.

[tanyev]

12. Doesn't this make you want to come vacation here this year?

:)

[blondeatlast]

9. A publisher gave me a lovely coffee table book (I'm a public library

employee) that I had to refuse or donate to the library ( which I did).

This is un-effing-believable.

Democracy--it was damn good while it lasted.

[Dudley_DUright]

11. Next they will start publishing handy bribery menus like the "Dukestir"

:eyes:

[annabanana]

13. "Texas Ethics"

Well.. unless Texans consider this kind of behavior representative of the concept of "Texas Ethics", they had better, 'pubs & dems alike, GET THIS STINKIN CROWD OUT OF THERE

[NV Whino]

15. Texas and ethics in the same sentence

is an oxymoron. (Gawd, almost typed oxymoran.)