Biggest Dem Scandal You've Never Heard Of

by Justin Elliott, TPMMuckraker: Three years after Dems rode Nancy Pelosi's promise to "drain the swamp" to a congressional majority, a potentially big scandal has been simmering that threatens to cause problems for the party going into the 2010 midterms.

It's a story involving what was one of D.C.'s biggest lobbying firms (until it was raided by the Feds and closed up shop), several powerful Democratic appropriators, and the defense industry. And it appears to be considerably more serious that the allegations of financial misconduct that have dogged Rep. Charlie Rangel (D-NY) -- allegations that have gotten the lion's share of press coverage focusing on ethical transgressions. . . .

The investigation appears to have two focal points, according to reports: that PMA may have funneled sham donations to members of Congress through so-called "straw donors" who would be reimbursed, and that there may have been a quid pro quo, exchanging defense earmarks for campaign donations.

PMA's lobbying activities centered on winning earmarks doled out by the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense, chaired by John Murtha of Pennsylvania. It was founded in the late 1980s by a former aide on the committee, Paul Magliocchetti.* And it was staffed over the years by ex-aides for Murtha, Rep. Pete Visclosky (D-IN), and Rep. James Moran (D-VA). . . .

The FBI raided PMA's offices last November, and its top lobbyists scattered after the episode became public (the Feds have also reportedly raided Magliocchetti's home). The firm went under this spring. The amounts of money involved -- including plenty of taxpayer dollars -- are staggering. Seven lawmakers who are under scrutiny by two House ethics panels steered $200 million to PMA clients in the past two years, according to watchdog groups.

What kind of projects was the money for? This year, some of PMA's former clients received federal contracts for "next-generation precision-airdrop capabilities" and "submarine navigation decision aids."

The lawmakers received fistfuls of cash from PMA and its clients over the years -- reportedly $1.75 million to Murtha alone over the past three election cycles. And, the Washington Post recently noted, PMA's services didn't come cheap . . . [Full Story]

The Arrogance Of John Murtha

by Danny Glover, The Enlightened Redneck: In the opinion of the hearing-impaired chair, the ayes have it. He counts like he went to the Ma and Pa Kettle Mathematics School. Oh, and in case you were wondering, “The chair’s decision is not subject to question.”

Episodes like this will make cynics of the most trusting of Americans. If liberals won’t even play fair on a simple procedural vote, there is no hope for a return to statesmanship while they are in office.

Why We Need Term Limits: Rep. John Murtha

Glenn Beck examines the CORRUPT John Murtha (D)- PA. This is a perfect example of why we need term limits. Fox News: . . . transcript from "Glenn Beck," November 19, 2009 . . . GLENN BECK, HOST: On Saturday, there is a vote to debate the Senate health care bill.

They're going to say: Hey, this is just a debate; this doesn't make any difference. And they're going to try to convince you and good people in the Senate that you've got to let debate go through and we'll not play any tricks.

But really, can you trust them? Let me show you the kind of people, the decent people that we have elected. Watch this:

. . . BECK (VOICEOVER): That's how cap-and-trade will be passed. John Murtha has served in Congress for 35 years; 19 terms worth of shenanigans just like you saw. They've earned him a spot on the list of the most corrupt members of Congress according to the Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington.

And Murtha's not denying that he's corrupt.

In an interview with the Pittsburgh Post Gazette just this past March, the congressman said, quote, "If I'm corrupt, it's because I take care of my district."

Oh, and he certainly does. Murtha is known as the king of the earmarks in Washington. He secured millions in taxpayer dollars for his 12th district over the years. John Murtha Airport in Johnstown, Pennsylvania alone has received $200 million of your money over the last 20 years and was just awarded another $800,000 in stimulus money.

Three planes leave that airport every day. Three.

The lawmaker has also been sure to secure plenty of taxpayer dollars for his brother Kit's consulting firm; for his nephew's company; for his aide and a slew of his campaign contributors.

But perhaps the dirtiest scandal Congressman Murtha ever took part in as the Abscam scandal of 1980. Three decades ago, the undercover FBI operation led to the arrest and convictions of one senator and several congressmen and others.

The lawmakers were caught on tape accepting bribes from agents posing as Middle Eastern businessmen trying to obtain political favors for a foreign Arab sheik. Jack Murtha was the only lawmaker who avoided prosecution by testifying against the others. He wasn't caught accepting the bribes, but he did consider taking them at a later date. . . .

Dirty Money Watch: Rep. John Murtha, D-Pa.

by Kevin Mooney: WHO: Rep. John Murtha, D-Pa.

WHAT: Murtha received $10,000 from Rep. Charles Rangel's National Leadership PAC, the political action committee of the powerful New York Democrat who is chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee that writes tax law.

WHY IT'S DIRTY: Rangel is being investigated on multiple issues by the House Ethics Committee, including failure to report income from properties he owns in New York and the Dominican Republic. A company that gave $1 million to a New York school facility that will bear Rangel's name subsequently received lucrative tax breaks, and he has reportedly solicited political contributions on official stationary.

WILL MURTHA GIVE IT BACK? Murtha did not respond to The Examiner's request for comment. . . . [Fill Story]

Murtha Continues to Undermine Troops

by William Russell: In recent interviews defending President Obama’s slow decision making on Afghanistan, Congressman John Murtha continues to undermine our troops, embolden our enemies, and place our country in greater danger. He does this by drawing on the wrong lessons from his own experience in Vietnam, and endorsing the enemy’s propaganda.

By continually questioning the request for more troops, Mr. Obama and Mr. Murtha are signaling the possibility that America might withdraw as we did in Vietnam. But unlike Vietnam, we do not have the choice of leaving and withdrawing to our own peaceful shores. We have no choice; WE MUST WIN. We are fighting an enemy that attacked the United States and murdered nearly 3000 innocent Americans before our very eyes. Handing this enemy victory is not an option.

Like the North Vietnamese, our current enemy follows the American anti-war movement and politicians to determine if they can defeat us.

The actions and arguments of Mr. Murtha and Mr. Obama are telling the enemy “America’s political resolve is wavering. Al-Qaeda and the Taliban can win.”

As a Marine Intelligence Officer in Vietnam and savvy politician, Mr. Murtha bears special responsibility for this message. At every turn since November of 2005, he has endorsed the enemy's propaganda and undermined America’s Soldiers in harm's way. He openly called for withdrawal from Iraq, he falsely labeled our troops as cold blooded murderers, and he is currently highlighting some of the corruption issues of the Afghanistan government (which are so similar to his own) while ignoring the brutality of the enemy. He should know better as these were common messages of the anti-war movement during Vietnam.

Mr. Murtha is using the enemy’s propaganda as his own political message to pay back President Obama for saving him in the last election. But in doing so, he is telling our enemy that we are not determined to win. By his actions, Mr. Murtha is emboldening the enemy and setting America’s Soldiers up for defeat. He is telling the enemy that if they just keep killing enough of our Soldiers and innocent Afghan civilians to make the evening news, they can win – just like Vietnam.

The Blinders - Jihad at Ft Hood

Old stream media has PC blinders on. Read the "Jihad at Fort Hood" series for non-Politically Correct insights into the background on the murder of "14" and wounding of 30 American military and civilians at Ft Hood, Texas.

Follows is an insightful cartoon by William Warren

[Source]

Pelosi and Murtha’s Healthcare Plan Could Bankrupt Families

(JOHNSTOWN, PA) – By a slim margin of just five votes, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a sweeping overhaul of the nation’s healthcare system. Rep. John Murtha (D-12th PA) joined speaker Pelosi and the Democrat leadership in ramming the nearly two thousand page bill through the House in less than one week, despite the opposition of a majority of Americans.

“As someone who has spent nearly my entire adult life defending the American people, I find it appalling that the Mr. Murtha and his fellow House Democrats would so blatantly ignore the will of the people,” said William Russell, GOP candidate in the 12th Congressional district. “The passage of this bill will allow for the government takeover of health care, which is one-sixth of the entire national economy. This is just another example of the Washington elite taking away more of our freedoms,” Russell continued. “This government takeover increases costs, adds to our skyrocketing debt, destroys jobs with tax hikes and new mandates and cuts seniors' Medicare benefits."

Russell also pointed out that the Democrat Healthcare Bill will cost more than one trillion dollars over the next ten years, which will add to the already massive deficit. “This bill also hurts seniors by slashing a half billion dollars from Medicare,” said Russell. “I’m sure the thousands of senior citizens in the 12th Congressional district can’t wait to ask Rep. Murtha why he supported this measure.”

Happy Veterans Day

ARRA News Service - This Veterans Day please take a moment to reflect on the sacrifices made by our nations heroes and their families. When our nation called they answered and we will forever be in their debt.

[Video] The quote is from Judge William S. Sessions, former FBI Director and Captain – United States Air Force 1951-1955 - and read by his son, NRCC Chairman Pete Sessions.

John Murtha Votes for Cap and Trade

Cap and Trade will have a devastating effect on Western PA. Yet, John Murtha voted for it, even when most other republican and democratic Congressmen from PA voted against it. John Murtha may have used to be one of us - but after 36 years in office, John Murtha is out of touch with America and the district.

Just who does Murtha think he is?

Rene Edwards, Galvaston County Conservative Examiner: Democrat John Murtha has represented the 12th District of Pennsylvania since 1974. In 1980, he was one of several Congressmen ensnared in the Abscam Scandal, a moniker for an investigation of congressional corruption by the FBI. Yet, in 2009 he is still representing the 12th District and has been on the House Appropriations Committee, and the Defense Subcommittee, for more than two decades.

Murtha is considered one of the most corrupt members of Congress and is currently being investigated by the Ethics Committee. The magnitude of the corruption surrounding his contributions and the ‘circular fundraising’ performed far surpasses the corruption found during the Abscam Scandal.

In his own words… “If I am corrupt it is because I take care of my district. My job as a member of Congress is to make sure we take care of what we see as necessary.” In fact since serving on the Appropriations Committee, Murtha has sent more than 2 billion dollars to Pennsylvania - 192.5 million of that amount was sent in 2008. The money he sends to his state is his insurance policy for re-election. The only problem is, that this insurance policy has been taxpayer-funded for last twenty-five years. Evidently, as long “Murtha” money keeps pouring in, Pennsylvanians will turn a blind eye to who will be footing the bill. Nothing is for free, even for the Pennsylvanians, yet the “Me First” syndrome prevails.

It is quite evident that he is a smart and careful man. His net worth is the lowest twenty percentile of the House. With all other Representatives getting fat during their tenure in Congress, where is Murtha’s money? If you review the 1980 Abscam video, it is obvious there is some sort of machination in place, but to pin point it is difficult indeed. He was also very careful not to be connect to “the money”, I am sure nothing has changed. The people of Pennsylvania need to ‘do the hard thing’ and get off the government dole. They need to rise up against Murtha to make sure that this career ‘quid-pro-quo’ politician is out on his ‘keester’ in 2010! If they do not, it will be politics as usual, and it will be shame on you, Pennsylvania!

The following videos are self-explanatory and the insolence reeks…. [Visit Original Post]

Corrupt leaders excused by people who should know better

Russel Brigade: Did you read this one yet? A junior staffer for the House Ethics Committee was fired this week for inadvertently posting the names of seven lawmakers currently under investigation by the committee. No surprises - the list includes Mr. Murtha.

For many of Jack Murtha's defenders it's just more evidence that their congressman has been `working hard' and `delivering' for his district. The means, methods and ethics don't seem to matter - not one bit.

Sad isn't it? We've seen this drama play out time and again. Corrupt leaders excused by people who should know better. Instead of hold politicians to account - eyes averted, ears covered - their familiar defense against bad behavior is "that's the way it's always been."

Friends, that argument falls flat. Our expectations and standards for the people who represent us must be higher. We can't concede ethics for some strange definition of effectiveness. Integrity matters.

Watch Bill Russell's Latest Leadership Memo "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington" Please, don't give up on the idea that the 12th Congressional District can have an honest congressman.

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People who love America without the corrupt politicians are invited to Join the Roll Call Against John Murtha. Joining the Roll Call is not an endorsement of a candidate but an endorsement to get rid of a crooked politician!