It is hard to believe this didn’t make the local papers, but the Public Disclosure Commission issued a report yesterday citing the King County Republican Central Committee of numerous and serious reporting violations, and recommending action by the state Attorney General.
Staff Recommendation — The investigation conducted by PDC staff demonstrates multiple apparent violations during 2006 by KCRCC of RCW 42.17.080, 42.17.090, and WAC 390-16-034. Staff recommends that in accordance with RCW 42.17.360(5) and 42.17.395, the Commission report the apparent violations to the Attorney General’s Office. The staff recommendation is appropriate because the remedies the Commission could impose statutorily are insufficient given the number and significance of the apparent violations.
The PDC investigation — prompted by a formal complaint filed by Republican gadfly and HA regular Richard Pope — concluded that the KCRCC filed a total of 56 reports from 5 to 306 days late, many of them after the election in question, and failed to provide required employer and occupation data for 90-percent of the 114 contributors giving over $100. Lacking the statutory power to adequately penalize the KCRCC for such pronounced and prolonged violations, the staff recommends handing the investigation over to the AG’s office for further action.
I’m not sure what argument the KCRCC could use in its defense — either they were grossly incompetent or willfully heedless of the law. Or both. So considering the severity of the violations — and the reputation AG Rob McKenna is attempting to carve for himself as “Mr. Sunshine” — I would expect the AG’s office to uphold the integrity of our public disclosure statutes by levying a six-figure fine.
Let’s be moderate and pay half their fines.
Does the KCRCC have six-figures-worth of assets? Or five-figures? Hell, do they even have four?
Not that that should stop our oh-so-diligent AG from seeking the maximum in penalties. (Do I make the snark sufficiently evident?)
You don’t really expect to read about this in Frank Blethen’s Republican Times, do you Goldy?
Let’s take the middle, sensible road and give the Republicans what they want.
I Bet the Dem’s have NEVER been fined.
Again Goldy, you are really reaching for NEWS.
Why dont you report on the cool million the Dems spent parading a vote that went nowhere. Or better yet, the damn viaduct is gonna fall down before anyone will make a fricking decision. Now that is real feel good news.
Supporting the Troops
One thing conservatives are not good at is disagreeing respectfully.
Reading news accounts of today’s Iraq War anniversary protests, I see that counter-protesters in D.C. turned out with their usual provocative, offensive signs and comments.
According to the Associated Press, “The other side carried signs saying ‘al-Qaida Appeasers On Parade’ and ‘Fight Jihad Not GIs.'”
And, the AP reported, at the Vietnam Memorial, “Larry Stimeling, 57, a Vietnam veteran from Morton, Ill., said the loss of public support for the Iraq war mirrors what happened in Vietnam and leaves troops without the backing they need. ‘We didn’t lose the war in Vietnam, we lost it right here on this same ground,’ he said, pointing to the grass on the National Mall. It’s the same thing now.'”
War is a horror, and mankind’s greatest moral wrong. I’m not saying there aren’t times a nation has to fight — there are, and 9/11 clearly was one of those times, as was Pearl Harbor in 1941, followed a few days later by Hitler’s declaration of war against the U.S. The military invasion of Afghanistan to topple the Taliban, dismantle al Qaida’s training camps, and hunt down al Qaida’s leadership is both necessary and appropriate. But the case for invading Iraq was far murkier, and the wisdom of “staying the course” amidst a bloody civil war that has spun beyond our control more questionable still.
The warmonger element’s aggressive attitude toward other sovereign nations habitually spills over into their unrestrained and vicious rhetoric. Clearly, these people are driven by jingoism and emotion, not reason and facts.
The antiwar protesters, contrary to the pro-war haters’ signs and slogans, are neither for the terrorists nor against our troops. They love our country just as much as the warmongers do — in fact, a great deal more, because people who truly love their nation and their neighbors would not support the chicanery of the Bush administration or continue sending our own young people into the futile meat-grinder of Iraq.
I don’t know Mr. Stimeling personally, but I nevertheless want to say, as one Vietnam veteran to another … thank you for your service, Mr. Stimeling, and welcome home. But you are wrong — dead wrong — about why America lost the Vietnam war. Soldiers like you and me did our part; we risked all, and fought hard and well, and did everything asked of us and more. But the protests back home had nothing to do with the outcome. That was a product of flawed strategy and poor execution. The president and secretary of defense made bad judgments, and the commanding general (Westmoreland) was an idiot. No one ever won a war by attempting to attrite an enemy who can replace his losses faster than his troops can be killed; and any infantryman can tell you that a strategy of finding an elusive enemy by walking around aimlessly in the jungle until he shoots at you, always letting him choose the time, place, and terms of battle, is sheer lunacy. And blaming the natural result of military idiocy on those who oppose bad civilian leadership and incompetent military leadership is just as lunatic. So, with all due respect, Mr. Stimeling, you, sir, are a loony.
And as for all you rightwing warmonger assholes who question the patriotism of those of us who believe our nation — our beloved America — should not only by strong, but also right … I submit we are a damn sight more patriotic than you are.
Which brings me back to the question, Who really supports the troops? Those who sent them off to an ill-advised war, with an undefined mission, in a hopeless quest for unattainble goals, to bleed and die for nothing — or those who believe the lives and bodies of our troops are precious enough that they should not be mindlessly squandered?
Lt. Gen. Peers, the author of the official report on the My Lai Massacre, famously said, “The first duty of free men is to call things by their right name.”
So I will. The warmonger element, and those who support them, are wrong this time. Their refusal to conduct an honest debate on the wisdom of continuing this war is dishonest. Their treatment of our soldiers is shameful. And, worst of all, they have strengthened our enemies. For them to claim they, and only they, support our troops is a lie — a sick, twisted lie.
So there.
Man I can’t believe how often the righties look to defend their illegal conduct by trying to point the finger somewhere else. Is that how you pukes teach your kids? “It’s okay to rob a bank since others do it too?” No wonder there’s nothing but crooks and cocksuckers in the GOP.
KiroKing @5,
Actually, the Washington State Democratic Party did have six-figure fines levied against them for similar violations in 2000 and 2004, and it received much public attention. That’s why I fully expect the KCRCC to have similar fines levied against them.
Didn’t the state Democratic Party get fined $250,000 for essentially the same thing? Why shouldn’t the GOP get the same treatment?
@5 Kiroking, I have a deal for you!!! I’ll pay you $100 to pay the Democratic Party’s fines! Since you believe the Democrats have never been fined, this is a can’t-lose proposition for you … $100 of clear profit! Payment will be via cashier’s check forwarded to you by Goldy (who will act as intermediary) immediately upon your posting $250,000 collateral.
@7 But we need the Republican Party. We have to put these people somewhere. We sure as hell don’t want them in our party.
No, Lucy, but let’s give a bit of credit to a “moderate” on the Republican side for being honest enough to point out the flaws in his party, and call them on it.
“Moderates” in our own party have done similar things, being willing to own up to our mistakes and pay our fines.
Putting ethics before party loyalty is one of those “moderate” things.
Good job, Mr. Pope.
Oh, and I suppose that I must also take into consideration additional evidence and change another of my opinions. I was of the impression that you could actually discuss issues with someone that occasionally disagreed with you.
If you can’t even manage to do that with me, a person that generally agrees with most of the positions you take, it becomes obvious that there is no chance that you can seriously consider any viewpoint but your own.
Maybe that’s the election fraud the R’s have been yelling about, they just got the party wrong.
you mean like the dems for like 10 yrs in a row
From The Smartest Woman In The World
“Where is the Godamn fucking flag? I want the Godamn fucking flag up every fucking morning at fucking sunrise.”(From the book “Inside The White House” by Ronald Kessler, p. 244 – Hillary to the staff at the Arkansas Governor’s mansion on Labor Day, 1991)
“You sold out, you mother fucker! You sold out!” From the book “Inside” by Joseph Califano, p. 213 – Hillary yelling at Democrat lawyer.
“It’ s been said, and I think it’s accurate, that my husband was obsessed by terrorism in general and al-qaida in particular.” (Hillary telling a post-9/11 world what a ‘great’ commander in chief her husband was; Dateline, NBC 4/16/2004.)
“I have to admit that a good deal of what my husband and I have learned [about Islam] has come from our daughter.”
(TruthInMedia.org 8/8/1999 – Hillary at a White House function, proudly tells some Muslim groups she is gaining a greater appreciation of Islam because Chelsea was then taking a class on the “religion of peace”)
“Fuck off! It’s enough that I have to see you shit-kickers every day, I’m not going to talk to you too!! Just do your Godamn job and keep your mouth shut.”
(From the book “American Evita! ” by Christopher Anderson, p. 90 – Hillary to her State Trooper bodygu ards after one of them greeted her with “Good morning.”
“You fucking idiot.”
(From the book “Crossfire” p. 84 – Hillary to a State Trooper who was driving her to an event.)
“If you want to remain on this detail, get your fucking ass over here and grab those bags!”
(From the book “The First Partner” p. 259 – Hillary to a Secret Service Agent who was reluctant to carry her luggage because he wanted to keep his hands free in case of an incident.)
“Get fucked! Get the fuck out of my way!!! Get out of my face!!!”
(From the book “Hillary’s Scheme” p. 89 – Hillary’s various comments to her Secret Service detail agents.)
“Stay the fuck back, stay the fuck away from me! Don’t come within ten yards of me, or else! Just fucking do as I say, Okay!!!?”
(From the book “Unlimited Access”, by Clinton FBI Agent in Charge, Gary Aldrige, p. 139 – Hillary screaming at her Secret Service detail.)
“Many of you are well enough off that [President Bush’s] tax cuts may have helped you. We’re saying that for America to get back on track, we’re probably going to cut that short and not give it to you. We’re going to have to take things away from you on behalf of the common good.”
(Hillary grandstanding at&!
nbsp;a fund raising speech in San Francisco; SFGate.com 6/28/2004.)
“Why do I have to keep proving to people that I am not a liar?!”
(From the book “The Survivor,” by John Harris, p. 382 – Hillary in her 2000 Senate campaign)
“Where’s the miserable cock sucker?”
(From the book “The Truth About Hillary” by Edward Klein, p. 5 – Hillary shouting at a Secret Service officer)
“No matter what you think about the Iraq war, there is one thing we can all agree on for the next days – we have to salute the courage and bravery of those who are risking their lives to vote and those brave Iraqi and American soldiers fighting to protect their right to vote.
(Was posted on Hillary Clinton’s senate.gov web site on 1/28/05)
“Put this on the ground! I left my sunglasses in the limo. I need those sunglasses. We need! to go back!”
(From the book “Dereliction of Duty” p. 71-72 – Hillary to Marine One helicopter pilot to turn back while en route to Air Force One.)
“A right-wing network was after his presidency…including perverting the Constitution.”
(To Barbara Walters about the Republicans who impeached her husband; 20/20, ABC 6/8/2003.)
“Son of a bitch.”
(From the book “American Evita” by Christopher Anderson, p. 259 – Hillary’s opinion of President George W. Bush when she found out he secretly visited Iraq just days before her highly publicized trip to Iraq)
“What are you doing inviting these people into my home? These people are our enemies! They are trying to destroy us!”
(From the book “The Survivor” by John Harris, p. 99 – Hillary screaming to an aide, when she found out that some Republicans had been invited to the Clinton White House)
“I mean, you’ve got a conservative and right-wing press presence with really nothing on the other end of the political spectrum.”
(C-Span, 1/19/1997 – Hillary complains about the mainstream media, which are all conservatives in her opinion)
“Come on Bill, put your dick up! You can’t fuck her here!!”
(From the book “Inside The White House” by Ronald Kessler, p. 243 – Hillary to Gov. Clinton when she spots him talking with an attractive female at an Arkansas political rally)
You know, I’m going to start thanking the woman who cleans the restroom in the building I work in. I’m going to start thinking of her as a human being (From the book “The Case Against Hillary Clinton” by Peggy Noonan, p. 55)
“You show people what you’re willing to fight for when you fight your friends.”
(From the book “The Agenda” by Bob Woodward, ch. 14)
“We are at a stage in history in which remolding society is one of the great challenges facing all of us in the West.”
(From the book “I’ve Always Been A Yankee Fan” by Thomas D. Kuiper, p. 119 – During her 1993 commencement address at the University of Texas)
“The only way to make a difference is to acquire power”
(From the book “I’ve Always Been A Yankee Fan” by Thomas D. Kuiper, p. 68 – Hillary to a friend before starting law school.)
“We just can’t trust the American people to make those types of choices…. Government has to make those choices for people”
(From the book “I’ve Always Been A Yankee Fan” by Thomas D. Kuiper, p. 20 – Hillary to Rep. Dennis Hastert in 1993 discussing her expensive, disastrous taxpayer-funded health care plan)
“I am a fan of the social policies that you find in Europe”
Hillary in 1996″ From the book “I’ve Always Been A Yankee Fan” by Thomas D. Kuiper, p. 76 – Hillary in 1996)
Moonbat Quiz:
How many of you aware that global warming causes carbon dioxide and NOT the other way around as claimed by your religion.
There’s an 800 year lag between increases in temps and increases in CO2.
Algore is full of shit. As fucking usual…
MTR CRAPHEAD: PAY YOUR FUCKING GAMBLING DEBT AND LEAVE.
15 – YOU DID THAT CUT AND PASTE ALL BY YOURSELF?
PAY YOUR FUCKING GAMBLING DEBT.
re 12: I am pointing out that you do not even respect your own views enough to not compromise them.
For instance: It is now the “moderate” position that it is irrelevant that the Republicans lied us into an expensive oil war. What’s important is that since we are there, we can not leave — as this would cause anarchy and civil war (which will exist there whether we stay or leave).
So, in a sense, the wingnuts have you over a barrel, because no matter what idiotic situation they get us into because of their greed and stupidity, you will take the “moderate” approach and continue doing the stupid thing because it’s already happening.
It’s not that I don’t respect your views, it’s that I don’t see that you have the courage of your convictions.
“Mark The Redneck KENNEDY says:
Moonbat Quiz:
How many of you aware that global warming causes carbon dioxide and NOT the other way around as claimed by your religion.
There’s an 800 year lag between increases in temps and increases in CO2.
Algore is full of shit. As fucking usual… ”
If I drive my car, the burning of the fuel creates CO2. How does global warming cause me to drive my car?
@14 yada yada yada, where’s this election fraud you keep accusing Democrats of? You Repubs haven’t proved a fucking thing except that Republicans cheat. You spent $2 million on the best lawyers money can buy, and all you proved was that Dino Soreloserman got fraudulent votes.
@15 To quote Hillary, Redneck, “Get fucked! Get the fuck out of my way!!! Get out of my face!!!”
Now that’s my kind of woman!
Roger Rabbit @ 21
I told the state GOP’s lawyers what they needed to do, and in many different respects. Fortunately, I was the one giving the advice, and the state GOP doesn’t listen to my advice.
As for ineligible felons, it required their testimony as to who they voted for, plus any extrinsic or circumstantial evidence that might bear on that question. Testimony of the ineligible voter has been required in prior election contest lawsuits, both in Washington and in other states.
The Republicans didn’t do any of that.
The Democrats did a little just for show. They found five felons who had taken a Republican ballot in the February 2000 presidential primary (in the presidential primary, your choice of party ballot is public record). Four of them said they voted for Rossi, and the other said he voted for the Libertarian. They didn’t even have to do this, since they already had a 129 vote lead.
So that is how the lead expanded to 133 votes. Priceless.
Thank you for mentioning that, Richard. There was in fact election fraud proved in the 2004 election. Unfortunately for the Republicans, all the fraud that was proven was by Republicans and, alas, the one stray Libertarian.
The Popester notes:
I’ve always wondered about this requirement. On what legal basis can a voter be compelled to reveal the contents of her secret ballot? To say nothing of the utter impossibility of confirming whatever the voter says, if she says anything at all.
Let’s say that, by some arcane happenstance, I’m somehow testifying in court or being deposed about my votes in some election. What if I tell them that that’s my little secret, so MYOB?
Now let’s assume that there is a legal basis for compelling an answer … what (other than my conscience) would prevent me from lying through my teeth? Certainly there’s no way for anyone to call my bluff.
If there’s election fraud, there’s a GOP member nearby.
Charlie Smith @ 25
The Republicans proved a lot of illegal voting. So did the Democrats. The GOP focused on felon voting in Gregoire precincts, and the Democrats countered with just about as much felon voting in Rossi precincts. However, they didn’t prove how the illegal voting affected the election — except for the five votes I talked about. Actually, the Democrats proved that, simply to make a point. No one proved any fraud.
And under different circumstances, Gregoire could have been beaten by a statistically significant margin, and no recounts or lawsuits would have been necessary. There are lots of mistake that Chris Vance made in the months leading up to the election that cost Rossi lots of votes. Such as putting Will Baker on the ballot for State Auditor, just to name one.
Lucy, are you somehow of the impression that there is some sort of “moderate” agenda or position? If so, then you have seriously misunderstood just about everything I’ve written.
No, although some moderates do believe that we are stuck in this war, based on the “you broke it, you bought it” concept, and the understanding that a number of honest people in Iraq have trusted us not to abandon them.
For myself, I can understand that position, and if I thought that there was a chance that the current administration’s efforts weren’t going to make matters worse, I might even agree.
Do you see what I’m trying to say here? On this point, I can understand the position of those that say we need to stay and help solve the problems we caused. An honest person of good will could hold to that opinion.
I wish that I could see any reasonable chance of our actually solving those problems with continued military effort, but I don’t. That is why I have to support withdrawing the troops, even knowing what kind of mess it will leave. The majority of the country has come to that same conclusion.
And while the question of how we got into this mess is irrelevant to that question, it is not irrelevant in taking action against those responsible. I support having Congress investigate thoroughly, in the open, for all the world to see. I believe that we have committed a terrible crime, and the first step towards reestablishing our credibility is to openly and honestly admit our failure.
Then, once the investigations are far enough along that the evidence is available and incontrovertible, I will support impeachments and trials.
All of those are “moderate” positions.
Roger,
a) we had only private attornyes, you had the gov’t officials (hey, is KCRE a demo party vehicle)
b) McKay was awol
c) The post trial news keeps dripping out w/ more fraud ….500+ ballots
c) Acorn; need i say more
The thing I love about righton is that he actually believes his own propaganda. I am sure it is possible to win future elections by whining like this in the face of all facts, but I just don’t see how.
And just for the record, I would have guessed that in the middle of a national scandal when it has become pretty apparent that Republicans from the White House to the BIAW where trying to force US Attorneys to start up political show trials to help Republicans win elections righton might think twice about complaining that McKay was AWOL.
Then again… Washington Republicans have not proved the smartest of creatures to date.
Hey Nindid
Subtract the bush fired attneys from the Clinton fired attny count and you get a nice double digit number
Man I love it when Pope-A-Dope gives election advice. This from a 14-time looooooser. Yeah Dickie, I am certain the GOP is DYING to take advice from you.
Well, they didn’t take my advice to file their PDC reports timely and correctly, now did they?