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Black Lawmakers under Ethics Spotlight (Are seven investigations too many in Pelosi's House?)
New America Media ^ | 11/09/09 | Zenitha Prince

Posted on 11/09/2009 3:36:42 PM PST by Libloather

Black Lawmakers under Ethics Spotlight
Washington AFRO
Zenitha Prince
Posted: Nov 09, 2009

November 8, 2009) - Are seven investigations too many to be a coincidence?

All seven of the full-scale ethics investigations currently underway in the U.S. House of Representatives are focused on African-American lawmakers—and it would be eight if the committee conducting the investigations hadn’t deferred to the Justice Department’s investigation involving Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr.

The disparity is beginning to raise some eyebrows.

“I don’t think they (Black lawmakers) are scared—they’re upset. They think [Congressional Black Caucus] members are being singled out,” Rep. Elijah Cummings, former chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus, told the AFRO.

“I can’t say there is an agenda behind this – I just don’t know,” Cummings said. “But when you have 435 members of Congress and the only ones under full-scale investigations are CBC members, it makes you wonder.”

In late October, California Democrats Laura Richardson and Maxine Waters became the latest CBC members to fall under official ethical scrutiny.

The ethics committee—officially the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct—on Oct. 29 announced its decision to probe allegations that Richardson failed to report real estate and income in her financial disclosure forms, and received preferential treatment from a lender in the foreclosure/loan modification agreement for her Sacramento home.

Waters, who is the chamber’s chief deputy whip and member of the powerful Financial Services and Judiciary committees, has drawn more press attention. The ethics panel said it is reviewing a possible conflict of interest in her request that then-Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson meet with the National Banker’s Association. The trade organization represents minority-owned banks such as OneUnited Bank, in which Waters’ husband owned stock and previously served on the board of directors.

The congresswoman denounced the charges. In a March 13 statement, Waters said she had simply followed up on NBA’s request by asking Paulson to schedule a meeting.

“I did not attend the meeting,” she wrote, “and thus did not participate in the conversation. I am confident that as the investigation moves forward the panel will discover that there are no facts to support allegations that I have acted improperly.”

Lester Spence, an associate professor of political science at Johns Hopkins University, said caucus members may be targeted for ethics probes because their violations are less egregious and thus easier to prove.


TOPICS: Crime/Corruption; Extended News; Government; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: 111th; black; ethics; jjj; lawmakers; probe; rangle
The disparity is beginning to raise some eyebrows.

I'll bet. It's time other RATS are investigated.

1 posted on 11/09/2009 3:36:44 PM PST by Libloather
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To: Libloather
Why even bother reading this article. We all know that there will be nothing done to bring black lawmakers to Justice. Evidence? See the case of the Black Panther Voter Intimidation Squad in Philadelphia during the elections. Apparently, Eric Holder's Justice Department is color blind; only to just one color - black.
2 posted on 11/09/2009 3:55:32 PM PST by Gaffer
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To: Libloather

The least common denominator. See how inner city gangs get away with crimes, they allow minors to do the dirty work. So Democrats allow the black congressional caucus to do it.

If black Congressmen are not held accountable. Who will be next Muslims? Political correctness solves so many problems?


3 posted on 11/09/2009 3:57:27 PM PST by ADSUM (Democracy works when citizens get involved and keep government honest.)
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To: Libloather
Now, let's examine this. My Congressman, Heath Shuler, is under investigation for a land swap with the TVA which gave him a valuable, developable, marina property. The last time I checked, Heath was a white guy and not a member of the congressional Black Caucus.

Keep in mind what Robert Blake said in the old Baretta series, "If you can't do the time, don't do the crime."

Congressman Billybob

Don't Tread On Me (9/12 photo and poster"

"Ordinary Majesty, Extraordinary Failure"

4 posted on 11/09/2009 4:06:22 PM PST by Congressman Billybob (www.TheseAretheTimes.us)
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To: Libloather

Do investigations really make a news story when one knows that democrats are NEVER guilty of anything?


5 posted on 11/09/2009 4:12:29 PM PST by freeangel ( (free speech is only good until someone else doesn't like what you say))
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To: Libloather
“I can’t say there is an agenda behind this – I just don’t know,” Cummings said. “But when you have 435 members of Congress and the only ones under full-scale investigations are CBC members, it makes you wonder.”

Yeah, I gotta wonder all right. I wonder if there is such a rare beast as a non-corrupt black Democrat politician.

I really have come to the conclusion that these race-baiting welfare pimps enter into politics with no other goal than enriching themselves by gaming the system.

6 posted on 11/09/2009 5:12:33 PM PST by Kenton
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To: freeangel
Do investigations really make a news story when one knows that democrats are NEVER guilty of anything?

One can still hope...

William Jefferson (D-La & significant flight risk) sentencing of 27-33 years recommended

7 posted on 11/09/2009 6:59:02 PM PST by Libloather (Tea totaler, PROUD birther, mobster, pro-lifer, anti-warmer, enemy of the state, extremist....)
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