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Hastert Case Is Said to Be Linked to Decades-Old Sexual Abuse

jet57

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http://www.nytimes.com/2015/05/30/us/politics/hastert-indictment.html

WASHINGTON — J. Dennis Hastert, the former speaker of the House of Representatives, was paying a man to not say publicly that Mr. Hastert had sexually abused him decades ago, according to two people briefed on the evidence uncovered in an F.B.I. investigation into the payments.
Federal prosecutors on Thursday announced the indictment of Mr. Hastert on allegations that he made cash withdrawals designed to hide those payments and for lying to federal authorities about the purpose of the withdrawals.

This'll be interesting.
 
The US military routinely vets 18 year olds to a muuuuuuuch greater degree than they do most of the people in Congress, or their staff. One wonders if Hasert would have made it past a real FBI clearance check.

****ing Washington, man. :roll:
 
I think it's ironic that what caused him to be caught was the fact he withdrew money from 15 different banks in 10,000 dollar increments to pay the hush money, and because of the Patriotic Act, the banks could communicate with each other, and the large amount of cash withdrawn was a tip off. Some of those withdraws were labels as 'suspicious', which triggered an investigation.
 
I think it's ironic that what caused him to be caught was the fact he withdrew money from 15 different banks in 10,000 dollar increments to pay the hush money, and because of the Patriotic Act, the banks could communicate with each other, and the large amount of cash withdrawn was a tip off. Some of those withdraws were labels as 'suspicious', which triggered an investigation.

Great point, that certainly is ironic.
 
Another wonderful family values politician....
 
Another wonderful family values politician....

People can believe the right things and yet still be hypocrites in the personal actions they take. And don't forget, weakness of character is not limit to those who believe in the value of family and a moral lifestyle.

I always find it funny when people throw up the "wonderful family values politician" line. It's as if the actions of the individual would have been acceptable if only they didn't believe in the strength of families. Perhaps that's why so many modern day liberals love to ridicule wayward conservatives and yet still hold up President Clinton as a model and cherish his Presidency. I suppose if you have no morals you can be easily excused for acting immorally.
 
Was there ever any doubt? Nobody, and I mean NOBODY, pays $3.5M to somebody they didn't ass rape.

Wow, I wouldn't have put it so bluntly. Maybe nude wrestling? LOL!
 
The US military routinely vets 18 year olds to a muuuuuuuch greater degree than they do most of the people in Congress, or their staff. One wonders if Hasert would have made it past a real FBI clearance check.

****ing Washington, man. :roll:

Well, with any luck, it'll have enormous ripple effects. His first mistake, besides the obvious, was lining himself up with Tom Delay.
 
People can believe the right things and yet still be hypocrites in the personal actions they take. And don't forget, weakness of character is not limit to those who believe in the value of family and a moral lifestyle.

I always find it funny when people throw up the "wonderful family values politician" line. It's as if the actions of the individual would have been acceptable if only they didn't believe in the strength of families. Perhaps that's why so many modern day liberals love to ridicule wayward conservatives and yet still hold up President Clinton as a model and cherish his Presidency. I suppose if you have no morals you can be easily excused for acting immorally.

I like the line myself because it shows the hypocrisy in a lot of these people and really makes you wonder what goes through their minds with BS Family Values legislation and rhetoric. Maybe we can lucky through this and that whole meme will disappear.
 
I think it's ironic that what caused him to be caught was the fact he withdrew money from 15 different banks in 10,000 dollar increments to pay the hush money, and because of the Patriotic Act, the banks could communicate with each other, and the large amount of cash withdrawn was a tip off. Some of those withdraws were labels as 'suspicious', which triggered an investigation.

Ya can't make stupid people smart. I wonder if his legislation will stick?.... Who knows what he's been up to.
 
People can believe the right things and yet still be hypocrites in the personal actions they take. And don't forget, weakness of character is not limit to those who believe in the value of family and a moral lifestyle.

I always find it funny when people throw up the "wonderful family values politician" line. It's as if the actions of the individual would have been acceptable if only they didn't believe in the strength of families. Perhaps that's why so many modern day liberals love to ridicule wayward conservatives and yet still hold up President Clinton as a model and cherish his Presidency. I suppose if you have no morals you can be easily excused for acting immorally.

Sounds like a rationalization to me. Hastert apparently not only molested a student but tried to hush it up with bribe money. You want to compare that to Clinton go right ahead. And a major difference is conservatives expect others to live by their moral standards even if they are unable to comply themselves. Its also a shame that conservatives have this major stigma about homosexuality. Seems to cause quite a bit of internal conflicts. A shame really. I anxiously await the next holier than thou con to fall off the wagon.
 
I like the line myself because it shows the hypocrisy in a lot of these people and really makes you wonder what goes through their minds with BS Family Values legislation and rhetoric. Maybe we can lucky through this and that whole meme will disappear.

Why would you want it to disappear? Perhaps you prefer unfettered decadence.
 
People can believe the right things and yet still be hypocrites in the personal actions they take. And don't forget, weakness of character is not limit to those who believe in the value of family and a moral lifestyle.

I always find it funny when people throw up the "wonderful family values politician" line. It's as if the actions of the individual would have been acceptable if only they didn't believe in the strength of families. Perhaps that's why so many modern day liberals love to ridicule wayward conservatives and yet still hold up President Clinton as a model and cherish his Presidency. I suppose if you have no morals you can be easily excused for acting immorally.

blah blah blah
 
Sounds like a rationalization to me. Hastert apparently not only molested a student but tried to hush it up with bribe money. You want to compare that to Clinton go right ahead. And a major difference is conservatives expect others to live by their moral standards even if they are unable to comply themselves. Its also a shame that conservatives have this major stigma about homosexuality. Seems to cause quite a bit of internal conflicts. A shame really. I anxiously await the next holier than thou con to fall off the wagon.

This conservative doesn't expect anyone to live their lives by any standard they don't support themselves. This conservative believes in personal responsibility and taking ownership for your mistakes and weaknesses. This conservative doesn't throw out an entire group of people because of one person's failings. And this conservative doesn't have a major stigma about homosexuality.

It's a shame that you revel in the failings of people and can't wait for more. This conservatives hopes for the best in people.
 
This conservative doesn't expect anyone to live their lives by any standard they don't support themselves. This conservative believes in personal responsibility and taking ownership for your mistakes and weaknesses. This conservative doesn't throw out an entire group of people because of one person's failings. And this conservative doesn't have a major stigma about homosexuality.

It's a shame that you revel in the failings of people and can't wait for more. This conservatives hopes for the best in people.

Depends what you mean by an entire group of people. I voted for Republican Ben Gilman when I was younger and would vote for him today. He was moderate and didn't push the social conservatism so prevalent in today's Republican Party. His district was redrawn and he was eliminated. Too bad there aren't more conservatives like you that live in the US. Guilty as charged, I enjoy seeing hypocrites get theirs. The same reason I enjoy seeing BMW drivers pulled over by the police.
 
Depends what you mean by an entire group of people. I voted for Republican Ben Gilman when I was younger and would vote for him today. He was moderate and didn't push the social conservatism so prevalent in today's Republican Party. His district was redrawn and he was eliminated. Too bad there aren't more conservatives like you that live in the US. Guilty as charged, I enjoy seeing hypocrites get theirs. The same reason I enjoy seeing BMW drivers pulled over by the police.

What you identify is an entirely American phenomenon, in my view. Many Americans love to build people up and then can't wait to tear them down. Some can't decide if they want heroes and role models or they want everyone to be flawed just as they are. Much of it's media driven, but it is uniquely American in its fanaticism.
 
Why would you want it to disappear? Perhaps you prefer unfettered decadence.

(chuckle)

Dude, it was a farce to begin with and obviously still is. It's rhetorical and has no real meaning, as we can see by this example.
 
(chuckle)

Dude, it was a farce to begin with and obviously still is. It's rhetorical and has no real meaning, as we can see by this example.

I seem to have more respect for the average American than you do. In a country of well over 300 million people, I don't consider Denny Hastert to be the exemplar.
 
People can believe the right things and yet still be hypocrites in the personal actions they take. And don't forget, weakness of character is not limit to those who believe in the value of family and a moral lifestyle.

I always find it funny when people throw up the "wonderful family values politician" line. It's as if the actions of the individual would have been acceptable if only they didn't believe in the strength of families. Perhaps that's why so many modern day liberals love to ridicule wayward conservatives and yet still hold up President Clinton as a model and cherish his Presidency. I suppose if you have no morals you can be easily excused for acting immorally.

I think the issue is that the "family values" thing I the type of thing one should personally strive to achieve. When family values are preached - people are more concerned with how other's act. If you want to show you are family values - keep your own house in order and you do not need to announce it.

In terms of affairs and such...they happen in real life and in political life. Unless there is something other than the affair (government secrets, underage , rape, bribery/extortion)I think the affair is a family issue.

And frankly - the "family values" moniker is used frequently to address gay issues. Again, not applying the "family values" to themselves, but used to bash others. Family values to me - assuring that your children are safe, fed, clothed, well educated, and healthy. It has nothing to do with pointing fingers at others. It reminds me of religion in general - it should be used as a blueprint on how to run your own life - not used as a weapon to degrade others.

But yeah, Clinton's sexual exploits were not a proud moment for him - and painful moments for his family. But as long as he wasn't screwing a kid or giving away government secrets - it was none of my concern. My concern was how this country faired under his Presidency. Pretty damned well. And frankly, he likely could be elected again if rules allowed.
 
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