Don't Miss: Burns and Abramoff --The Ties that Bind
I like Conrad Burns (R-MT). I think he's the most entertaining senator in Washington. I used to think Robert Byrd was the most entertaining because he plays a mean country fiddle. But once the Jack Abramoff lobbying scandal broke, Sen. Burns moved to the top of my list. Why? Because Burns, as a certain blogger I know is fond of saying, "reaffirms my prejudices."
The senator is accused of funneling lots o' money to an already-wealthy Indian tribe... a tribe in Michigan, not in Burns' home state of Montana. Oh, and by the way, the money was slipped into a 2004 appropriations bill at the very last minute. Oh, and by the way, the tribe happened to be represented by Jack Abramoff.
Now, the entertaining part: Burns, who's up for re-election, took out some campaign ads, and in the most indignant of indignant tones said, "the charges against me are a bunch of...." (he did not fill in the blank). He's also said, "I wish Jack Abramoff had never been born."
John Ydstie has a piece this morning that lays out, in extraordinary detail, the back-door maneuvers (alleged), the politics (alleged), the money trail (alleged) and the senator's ties to Abramoff (not-so alleged).
And for the best breakdown I've seen of the Abramoff scandal, the politicians linked to him and their misdeeds (alleged), click here.
The Ties That Bind: Fire Burns
Conrad has been an embarrassment to Montana since my fellow citizens voted him into office in 1988 - for "only two terms", a promise he broke in 2000. Remember, as we approach the western wildfire season: Fire Burns!
Ties That Bind: Possessive
Mr. Ydstie needs to be taught the rules regarding possessives that end in sibilants. When dealing with a noun that ends with s (i.e. Burns), do not add a second s to make the noun possessive.
Hearing Mr. Ydstie repeatedly refer to Burns(pronounced incorrectly as Burnses) staff, Burns(pronounced incorrectly as Burnses) report, etc. was like nails on a chalkboard this morning and detracted immensely from an otherwise brilliant report.
Ties That Bind: Crooks
I am saddened to see how deceitful all these politicians are. How they feel they can use the Indians and take their money. All the money they have is to make a better living for their people. They are a bunch of crooks indeed.
Business as Usual
I am fearful that other news has taken away from the Abramoff/Scanlon scandal and that they will get off with fines and a slap on the wrist. It will be business as usual in Washington, D.C. (Damn cronyism)!!!!!!
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