You Will Anyway: Once a crook...

Friday, September 22, 2023

Once a crook...

Three counts, including bribery.

It's not at all uncommon to read about some corrupt Republican politician, but it seems like every time I read about a Democrat, it's Bob Menendez. And to think Al Franken got pushed out because he made a lewd gesture on a plane - before he was in Congress.

Which is precisely why you don't let people get away with shit.

...but hey, do what you want...you will anyway.

UPDATE 09:42 am:

UPDATE 02:40 pm: As I was saying...

UPDATE 09/23/2023:

Several Democrats including his own state governor are calling on their fellow party member Robert Menendez to resign after federal authorities charged the New Jersey US senator and his wife with accepting bribes. However, the defiant senator has rejected those claims and is refusing to step down.

Authorities on Friday revealed charges alleging that Robert and Nadine Menendez illegally accepted gold bars, cash, a luxurious Mercedes-Benz car and other gifts in exchange for favors benefiting three businessmen as well as influencing the Egyptian government.

[...]

Menendez rejected calls to resign and plans to refute the claims of bribery and corruption, according to NBC News. “Those who believe in justice believe in innocence until proven guilty. I intend to continue to fight for the people of New Jersey with the same success I’ve had for the past five decades,” Menendez said in the statement.

Guardian

Innocent until proven guilty, but it's not like there aren't pictures. Or like he's been in trouble before. If he has any spots on committees, he should be stripped of them until he proves himself innocent in a court of law, which will be never.

UPDATE 09/23/2023 09:03 am:

Schumer should resign.

Sen. Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) will step down from his position as chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee following an indictment that was unsealed on Friday.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) announced the move Friday afternoon.

Under Democratic Conference rules, a member in a leadership position or with a chair must resign if charged with a felony, but can be reinstated if the charges are cleared or dropped to a lesser charge.

“Bob Menendez has been a dedicated public servant and is always fighting hard for the people of New Jersey. He has a right to due process and a fair trial,” Schumer said in the statement.

“Senator Menendez has rightly decided to step down temporarily from his position as Chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee until the matter has been resolved.”

The Hill

"Rightly decided." Them's the rules.

The committee is unlikely to see any major hiccups in operations if Menendez is allowed to retain his seat on the committee while not serving as chair.

He shouldn't be allowed to do that either. His mind is going to be focused elsewhere for a while.

Also, how fucking stupid is he? After his first indictment and getting off, did he not think he would be closely watched?

UPDATE 09/24/2023:

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Life, as Explained in "Rosencrantz & Guildenstern Are Dead"

GUILDENSTERN: What a fine persecution---to be kept intrigued without ever quite being enlightened.

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ROSENCRANTZ : The only thing that makes it bearable is the irrational belief that somebody interesting will come on in a minute.

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GUILDENSTERN: But for God's sake what are we supposed to do?!

PLAYER: Relax. Respond. That's what people do. You can't go through life questioning your situation at every turn.

GUILDENSTERN: But we don't know what's going on, or what to do with ourselves. We don't know how to act.

PLAYER: Act natural. You know why you're here at least.

GUILDENSTERN: We only know what we're told, and that's little enough. And for all we know it isn't even true.

PLAYER: For all anyone knows, nothing is. Everything has to be taken on trust; truth is only that which is taken to be true. It's the currency of living. There may be nothing behind it, but it doesn't make any difference so long as it is honoured. One acts on assumptions.

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GUILDENSTERN : We act on scraps of information... sifting half-remembered directions that we can hardly separate from instinct.

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PLAYER: Life is a gamble, at terrible odds-if it was a bet you wouldn't take it.