Newt Gingrich, Janet Reno, Mike McCurry & Saddam Hussein Nothing in Common, Everything to Lose

Newt Gingrich, Janet Reno, Mike McCurry & Saddam Hussein
Nothing in Common, Everything to Lose
by Mac MacArthur

Who me?
Wednesday, November 19th, 1997 (APJP) -- Tom Raum of the Associated Press filed a story this week writing that Newt Gingrich ended this congressional year "upbeat." Raum said "even his critics agree that Newt partially redeemed himself in the closing months of Congress' 1997 session and that new challenges to his post as Speaker seem unlikely next year."

Well this writer doesn't think Gingrich redeemed himself at all. That will be impossible until he serves time for felony campaign fundraising -- in which, I am convinced, he was the leader, the master planner and the primary force which has so completely corrupted the way Americans view their government and those that govern.

Raum says Gingrich "survived an ethics reprimand." Survived? Does Mr. Raum have a hot line to the Justice Department? Have they told him -- and no one else -- that they have no intention to investigate and indict Gingrich for his G0PAC malfeasance and his culpability with Haley Barbour in the Yeong Brothers and Non-profit corporation money laundering schemes?

Don't think so.

Bill Paxon [& Family] -- a likely replacement
for the Newt?You betcha.
More likely Gingrich just "got away" with his chicanery for just another year while voters, in swarms, turned their backs on politics and refuse to vote -- largely because of his actions as a "bellwether," which set the tone for the 1996 elections and drove good people -- on both sides of the aisle -- to campaign criminal brinkmanship.

This was Gingrich's legacy for 1997. Nothing more.

It's journalism like Raum's that misleads, misinforms, and quietly pulls a blanket of ennui over what should be up front, in your face, issues. Even I don't think the Speaker should be hung without a trial, but a trial there must be. What's good for the White House is good for the Speaker.

Listen to Gingrich's arrogance and try not to puke:

"We made some mistakes and had to learn some things during the year," Gingrich told reporters, "I'm still speaker. That ain't bad."

Raum then goes on to highlight Newt's newfound slimness and Republican doubts that Gingrich can be re-elected as Speaker. Raum even 'mentions' he may not run for the seat he's held for 17 years in Atlanta. But Raum doesn't say why -- a sly attempt to sneak away from an inevitable confrontation with the Justice Department?

Raum thinks that the Speaker's rodeo style round-up of GOP support for the President's fast track legislation was some sort of mass effort in reunification, but fails to say that most Republicans are free-traders anyway. It took no effort at all -- especially when Republican House members knew it was a win/win situation. If the President lost -- it would be egg on his face. If he won -- Democrats with ties to labor would be severely wounded and less able to compete in next year's congressional cycle. Clinton lost, and the fall out for Democrats is less than Gingrich hoped for, but still creeping under Democrat doors at the Capitol.

In short, Raum led with a puff line and hit the Speaker below the belt later on. If more writers would lead with the truth, we'd all be better off.

Perhaps Raum's on again -off again writing style would be better served had he led off with this quote from one of my favorite conservatives:

"Said longtime Gingrich antagonist Bill Kristol, a conservative publisher and commentator: 'I still think that most Republican House members would prefer going into the 1998 midterm elections without him as speaker. I'm dubious he'll be speaker again in 1999.'"

WHY ISN'T MIKE MCCURRY FLAUNTING OUR DIPLOMACY AT SADDAM?

White House spokesperson Mike McCurry says there will be "no inducements for what is mandatory," with respect to U.N. weapons inspections. But McCurry also said that the U.S. is willing to discuss modifications to the so-called "oil-for-food" U.N. resolution, allowing Iraq to sell oil and use the profits to buy food and humanitarian goods.

Which is it? Bombs or rice?

Later this week, Secretary of State Madeleine Albright will meet with the foreign ministers of Russia, France, Britain and China Geneva to discuss the arms Inspection issue. Russia wants to play a larger role in the Middle East, and is urgently trying to find a diplomatic door that would end the crisis. Albright is right in there -- knowing a diplomatic solution is a must.

Iraq did not shoot, or even take aim at yesterday's U2 flight signaling a willingness to cooperate, a lot of fear, -- or at least a propensity to negotiate further.

It might behoove the White House to admit the President is following a Solomonic course with Iraq. Rather than flex our muscles, the alternative of stressing firm understanding and a commitment to re-examine ways to bring food, drugs, spare parts and educational resources to Baghdad civilians might be a good prescription for renewed international respect for the United States rather than the growing fear of our economic and military strength.

If McCurry spins the negotiations as an attempt to "make a deal" -- so be it. That would be a truthful and righteous position that few could criticize.

NOTE: While the White House is strutting its stuff, sweater boy Jimmy Carter is again offering to act an a U.S. envoy to Saddam. McCurry although saying the former president has an "enormous expertise in the field of conflict resolution, " added that the White House would "be in touch."

Good move. The last thing we need is BCCI spokes-president James Earl Carter trying to further assuage his guilt by wandering around the desert with Saddam building "Habi-Tents for Iraq-Nity."

WILL RENO INDICT TRIE AND HSIA?

Our Gal Janet
The rumor over at CNN is that the Justice Department is about to lower the boom on Maria Hsia and Charlie Trie within the month.

So what?

Hsia's attorney says her client didn't do anything wrong and Trie and his lawyer are, or course, unavailable for comment.

Femi-beast Republican Victoria Toensing, once a federal prosecutor, and now cleaning up as a bitter talking head on any talk show that will let her spew on OJ Simpson and the JonBenet Ramsey mystery, told CNN ,""Now, this investigation seems to be taking the usual track, which is to of course consider an investigation about the higher-ups, but at the same time go after -- pursue by indictments -- people who are mid-range in the conspiracy in order to get information from them about the higher-ups"

Huh?

Hey Janet, keep your cool. All the Trie and Hsia money was returned. How 'bout Haley Barbour -- his Chinese connection still hasn't been repaid.

Republicans in Congress have persistently charged the Justice Department's investigation into campaign-finance irregularities is lax. I agree. I think the Attorney General has far enough information to indict Haley Barbour, Newt Gingrich, Grover Norquist, at least a dozen non-profit Republican -linked "charities," the Christian Coalition and probably half the Senate and 75% of the House for taking money for legislative favors.

Charlie Trie
Toensing is right in one way. If Ms. Reno indicted those that ought to be, the government would fall. Is it really wise to go after a couple of over-eager Presidential hand lickers then attempt to clean up the Congress?

Reno has her chance, now, to a distinguished and prestigious impact on American government and democracy. Rather than focus on hired and volunteer fundraisers and contributors, she should be focusing on the "Takers."

We'll never be able to end the money flowing into political campaigns and we shouldn't . But we sure as heck can indict and imprison elected and appointed officials who take campaign cash and return the favor with donor-specific legislation and regulation. Examples abound. Senators and House members brag about them on the floor of the Congress.

Go ahead Janet. You have the courage. Why not indict Bob Dole for the Gallo personal estate tax bill? How bout Dole again for ADM's billions in ethanol subsidies. What about Gingrich and his multi-billion dollar fighter plane order for Lockheed Martin, built in his District -- Planes the Pentagon testified they don't want.

Go ahead Janet, we'll all support you.

Now wouldn't that be something?

SNIPPETS

It was great to hear that former President Ronald Reagan is out and about talking to tourists in Bel Air. One tour driver said, ""He signed a few autographs for the folks and let them snap some photos. He looked great and was in excellent spirits. It made a beautiful day even better. He was bright and gentlemanly and our guests loved it." ... Whitewater mega-crook Jim McDougal appealed his conviction claiming his ailments cost him a fair trial. McDougal is a manic-depressive and reportedly has reduced blood flow to his brain. on both counts - I'll bet! ... Speaking of has-beens, Bill Weld joined the supposed powerhouse Washington law firm McDermott Will & Emery this week. I'll let you in on something. We once hired McDermott to handle a federal trade matter for a client. We fired them a few months later. Good Luck Bill...Jim Hormel openly gay, and the Clinton nominee for Ambassador to Luxembourg, has fallen under the evil eye of drool-cup candidate -Senator Jesse Helms. Helms let Hormel's nomination go to the Senate floor after being assured that Hormel would not push a "Gay agenda" and would not treat his "partner" as an "ambassadorial spouse." But Helms may have tapped Senators Inhofe and Hutchinson to object to Hormel's "political views" including support for same sex marriages. Do the two Senate stooges think a gay man would be AGAINST same sex marriages?

I don't know , this IS Earth isn't it?