Ben -

Should you wish to engage in respectful debate, that's fine, but you have a fixation with sheep that seems unhealthy to me. Thank you for sharing your arrogance. We get it - you're a pompous ass.

Cheers,
Daiwa

Here is another non-scandal that won't affect anything. Col you, just as the NYT's and the moveon crowd, will get nowhere with this. One week and this story is history.

I will give you one thing col. Bush might not get re-elected in '08.

BenUser:

What makes the Abramoff scandal so serious is how severely it compromised our democracy -- the fact that big money was able to influence law makers to the extent they did.

What makes lobbying in general so seriously wrong is that special interests can throw money at whores... I mean, politicians... and get them to roll over however they want. All they have to do is dangle some cash or trips or "perks" at a politician (whichever side of the aisle they sit) and they will give the special interests special interest.

While both republican and democratic congressmen accepted contributions from Abramoff, as did Bush, common sense would tell you that the abuse was far more prevalent with republicans.

It's not Abramoff, it's the system. It's not Republicans, it's everyone in Washington. All politicians are whores, and this scandal du jour makes Abramoff the... umm, pimp? Or the customer?

you have a fixation with sheep that seems unhealthy to me.

I also feel that way, Ben. I am sorry that you think anyone who doesn't agree with you are sheep. I am very offended by you calling me a mindless animal who follows. I like to think that I have freedom of thought and seriously consider every issue that I possibly can before forming an opinion on it.
At this point, I was going to swear at you and verbally degrade you but I thought better of it.
But if you don't stop using the term sheep I will find you and beat you up.

democrats receiving tainted money.ok

Republicans doing the same. criminal

another much to do about nothing? Priceless

It is time to stop ALL contributions and any other favors, gifts, trips etc to ANY elected officials from lobbyists, corporations, PAC's etc.

What a great idea! Surprised no one ever thought of it before. (sarcasm alert)

And yet when someone comes up with legislation to prevent these things from happening, it gets shot down by both sides of the aisle. How's the McCain/Feingold campaign finance reform bill coming along, guys? Know why? Politicians don't want to stop their gravy train.

The GOP controls BOTH houses of Congress and the White House. They have the power to act but will not because they want the money and perks. Look at Tom DeLay. He took hundreds of these gifts.

Of course col. Blame republicans for everything. How pathetic.

Hmm, let's explore the thinking of pundits like the good Col:

Republicans accepting gifts from lobbyists within the US = BAD

Democrats accepting campaign contribuntions from foreign, hostile nations = GOOD.

Inconsistency, thy name is Col. Gene.