Traficant could be back in Ohio soon

http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/local_news/stories/2009/03/08/ohno_traficant_0308.ART_ART_03-08-09_B7_LJD5FU3.html?sid=101 ^ | March 8, 2009 | David Skolnick

[Repub4bush]

I should add.. I hope he doesn’t change parties though, let the stigma stay with the asses!

[KarenMarie]

I miss him and I am not even from Ohio.

[lonestar]

Do you have the pic with shrimp in his hair?...so funny!

I liked the guy!

[Chode]

he should run for his old seat...

[Eddie01]

For the record, it is legal:

http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Can_a_person_convicted_of_a_felony_run_for_congress

Yes, a person convicted of a felony can run for Congress. There are obstacles. Getting one’s name on the ballot depends on state laws; in some states it is more difficult than others.

There is at least one case of a former convict being elected to Congress: F.H. Shoemaker, of Minnesota, was elected for one term in 1932, despite having served time in Leavenworth for mail fraud. A little research should turn up other instances.

Each house of Congress is the judge of the election returns and the qualifications of its own members, under Article 1, Section 5 of the United States Constitution.

[cva66snipe]

There's a real good chance he was railroaded. Not many who went after the Clinton's in congress came out unscratched. The Sheriff stepped on a lot of big toes in congress too. His conviction is one of the few I've have doubts about over the years. He didn't pull his punches and a majority of the time he was right. Not many left in congress from either party these days that do that. The fact that his own district still thinks well of his says a lot also.

[Jim from C-Town]

Jim Traficant was railroaded by the FBI and the Federal Gov’t. Traficant had previously beaten them in a case twenty years earlier, he acted as his own attorney while he was the county sheriff in Youngstown, OH. The Fed's never forgave him for making fools out of them. They deliberately trumped up charges and threatened several of the congressman's friends and acquaintances into giving false and misleading testimony. Many many people where frightened by the power of the government.

The long arm of Government retribution can get at anybody. It is frightening, especially because the rules are applied arbitrarily. IE Geitner. Do you really believe that most people who intentionally avoid $40K + in fed taxes would have been allowed to simply pay it back. Fat chance. With the present administration we are becoming more and more like a piss poor banana republic.

[dixiechick2000]

Railroaded?

Yep...he was.

GOOD posts.

Reminiscent of the old days. ;o)

[cva66snipe]

Even if a person didn't agree with him on some things he'd at least make you stop and think. There hasn't been another congressman like him either that was as vocal and could get a point across as well as he could to both parties.

[dixiechick2000]

I couldn’t agree with you more.

I absolutely loved his special orders.

That was must see teevee. ;o)

[saradippity]

Wow,could he ever pack truth in a nutshell and with humor too!!

Did he ever publish a book of his one minute speeches?If he did,I certainly would buy a few and give them to family and friends. If he didn't maybe he could put one together now.

I hope he runs again and wins,Ohio should be proud of him.

[Eddie01]

Jim’s address to congress regarding his expulsion:

James Traficant ; Railroaded out of Congress 1 of 2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_kNpHapPY68

James Traficant ; Railroaded out of Congress 2 of 2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c3AMbEpBBfY&feature=related