The Fourth Scandal

The Times updates us on the fourth scandal of Hell Week:

Potential Donors to Enroll America Grow Skittish

By ROBERT PEAR

WASHINGTON — The Obama administration’s efforts to raise private money to carry out the president’s health care law have provoked such a strong partisan uproar that potential donors have become skittish about contributing, according to several people involved in the fund-raising program.

White House officials said they did not sign off on the fund-raising calls made by Kathleen Sebelius, the secretary of health and human services, but were generally aware that she would be seeking support from outside groups.

Two House committees have begun investigating the solicitations. Five senior Republicans from the Senate and the House have asked the comptroller general of the United States, Gene L. Dodaro, to investigate the actions of Ms. Sebelius to determine if she was improperly circumventing spending limits imposed by Congress.

Having Ms. Sebelius raise money from the companies she regulates never sounded like a great idea. Let's flash back to the WaPo's seemingly straight-faced explanation of how she could it within the letter of the law:

Federal regulations do not allow department officials to fundraise in their professional capacity. They do, however, allow Cabinet members to solicit donations as private citizens “if you do not solicit funds from a subordinate or from someone who has or seeks business with the Department, and you do not use your official title,” according to Justice Department regulations.

No use of her job title? She's just another private citizen! Jeffrey Andersen of The Weekly Standard expounds:

When possibly the second-most powerful person in Washington comes and suggests that perhaps you should make a donation to her administration’s favorite cause, it’s hard to say no — especially when she holds almost unchecked power over the business sector in which you compete.

That seems obvious to me, but evidently not to Barry (who is no doubt planning to emulate Bill Clinton and raise money for his future library from the Oval Office as a "private citizen").

UPDATE: And then there were five: Fox News reporter James Rosen is described as a co-conspirator for a warrant in a leak investigation? Kidding?

Comments

[Ignatz Ratzkiwatzki]

I guess we're going to test whether the blatant, open Chicago way of corruption translates to DC.
The results are beginning to not look too promising for Barry Capone and company.

[poppa india]

The private citizen rule makes sense to me, because when she called, she could say "This is Kathleen Sebelius, but not 'Kathleen Sebelius Kathleen Sebelius' calling". No problem!

[Rob Crawford]

Iggy -- Capone was AGAINST the Chicago machine. He was a murderous thug, but no where near corrupt enough for that town.

[lyle]

White House officials said they did not sign off on the fund-raising calls made by Kathleen Sebelius, the secretary of health and human services,

Of course they didn't. They never sign off on...well, anything. Just mere bystanders in the giant machinery of the gubmint. So back off, wingnutz!

[jimmyk]

White House officials said they did not sign off on the fund-raising calls

In fact, Obama found out about the calls at the same time we did, and believe me, no one was angrier about it than he was.

[Ignatz Ratzkiwatzki]

--Iggy -- Capone was AGAINST the Chicago machine.--

My mistake Rob, I thought he was in bed with them. In that case;
Barry Capone Daley.

[Roger7665]

Iggy -- Capone was AGAINST the Chicago machine. He was a murderous thug, but no where near corrupt enough for that town.

Posted by: Rob Crawford | May 20, 2013 at 05:36 PM

That is one of the most bizarre and the most irresponsible comments that I have ever read on any blog. This Crawford guy, does he always shoot off his mouth without activating his brain? Al Capone, a real sweetheart and choir boy that one.

[Extraneus]

Thanks for posting that, Roger. Surely Rob and his ilk will post with more discretion now, thanks to your insightful comment.

Btw, did Capone ever audit anyone? Tap their phones? Read their personal emails? Give them government money?

I think I'd rather have Capone in charge at this point.

[lyle]

Al Capone, a real sweetheart and choir boy that one.

Hey, Roger, you're probably a smart guy. Look up reductio ad absurdum and get back to us.

[Ignatz Ratzkiwatzki]

Hard to square,

"He was a murderous thug..."

with,

"Al Capone, a real sweetheart and choir boy that one."

I think you might feel a little more at home on the pot smoking thread, Rodge.

[Threadkiller]

Capone was born in America...

[Ignatz Ratzkiwatzki]

At the rate Barry's going a better title to this thread might be, if it's going to be up for a day or two;

"The x Scandal"

[centralcal]

A few days ago, I posted a tweet from Joseph Curl (Drudge editor) about a CIA source saying a 4th shoe would drop. It did today with the Rosen revelations. Now, CIA source says more coming:

‏@josephcurl

CIA source says Fox News scandal the "4th Shoe"; says it goes much deeper; says WH also sitting on "something" that has top aides terrified.

... says only a few in WH know that "something" -- "It's been deep sixed, like Osama bin Laden." Will there be a Fifth Shoe?!

[Extraneus]

I have a tingly feeling that some blogger in his or her underwear is going to find something to truly break this thing wide open.

Meanwhile, what's the best-case scenario in terms of legislation?

"Any government employee who uses the power of his or her position for or against an American citizen based on that citizen's political positions shall be fined not more than $100,000 and imprisoned for not more than 10 years."

Even Al Capone would flinch from the temptation.

[Ignatz Ratzkiwatzki]

--Capone was born in America...--

So he was NBK?

[MarkO]

All are lone wolves, of course.

[Dublindave]

The American public has come to terms with its leaders sanctioning an illegal invasion of a foreign country for oil...I think they can handle a few wire taps and bureaucratic incompetence.

The problem with all these scandals is that they're just not scandalous.

[daddy]

There's the rub for me. Anything "green", women's health (pro-abortion), designated victim groups, sketchy voter registration groups....
These are considered legitimate, politically neutral causes....not favoring a candidate. But that is absurd.

Janet,

That is also what makes me so mad about us having to pay the Court costs for these "Green" groups who keep suing industry, ostensibly for "The Public Good."

Win or lose, they have their hands in our pockets. They are the cholesterol in our economic/legal system and we're being compelled to fund all sides except the side of the job creators. It is criminal.

[Extraneus]

The Most Chilling Details From The Kafkaesque Search Warrant That Went After A Fox News Reporter

Much easier than reading the 40-page warrant application.

[Holly]

Roger @ 5:51

Blowhard Rob Crawford: Dense, shallow, ditzy and clueless, but [very] opinionated, just like extraneous, ignatz and lyle, the Larry, Curly and Moe of this blog. Nyuck, nyuck, nyuck.

[Marlene]

I think I might cry in frustration.We got a fund raising letter from Senator Collins today.OK,she's a RINO but to be oblivious to these scandals is beyond belief.Sample sentence: "...Congress and the White House are beginning to understand,albeit belatedly,that they must cooperate and compromise if they are to regain the trust of the American people"
May I channel Gus? TOO LATE SUSAN!
How will Obama handle the terrible destruction in Oklahoma? Isn't OK a 100% red state?

[Extraneus]

an illegal invasion of a foreign country for oil...

I'm probably your biggest fan here, but you're slipping, dd.

[daddy]

Global Warming Update:

Like a striped testament to one of the coldest winters to hit Alaska in 100 years, a black-and-white tripod remains upright, atop stubborn Tanana River ice in Nenana.

At 12:42 (ADT) Monday afternoon, the still-frozen waters allowed Nenana Ice Classic set a new record for the latest the ice has gone out in the 97 years since railroad workers started keeping track.

[Corn-fed conservative (southern strategy version)]

"Much easier than reading the 40-page warrant application."

FOX NEWS got your attention. Actually our MEdia are starting to emerge from slumber on the threat to 1st Amendment tamp-downs.

I just hope their survival instinct inspires them to grow a pair.

[narciso]

So did Malis, also handle the Rosen investigation;

http://hotair.com/archives/2013/05/20/state-department-employee-the-administration-has-made-me-the-scapegoat-for-benghazi/

[Extraneus]

Hi Anne. I know I'm not your biggest fan, but it's nice to see you.

[Corn-fed conservative (southern strategy version)]

Your obsession is cute.

[Enlightened]

DumboD sez: The problem with all these scandals is that they're just not scandalous.

Correct - Just unethical and most likely illegal.

Now- Back to your unicorns and rainbows moron.

[narciso]

I think the scandal, is that something as obvious as that conclusion, is TS/SCI,

[maryrose]

narciso:
The jist of the article is that Cheryl Mills{yes,that one} told Beth Moore of a deal to offer MaXwell and then reneged on it leaving him in limbo. He was not directly responsible for Libya.

[Corn-fed conservative (southern strategy version)]

"Just unethical and most likely illegal."

The AP thing is most likely legal, though unethical/wrong.

Thank AUMF/Patriot Act...National Security Act (1947) and on, and on and on.

Stop whining and carping.

[gmax]

Several students pulled out of the rubble alive in Moore Oklahoma.

[Roger7665]

There is something wrong with you people. Rob is always shooting off his mouth without knowing what he is talking about. He is always meddling in matters which are none of his business and which he knows nothing about. Heckling me won't alter the fact that he is just an old fool, and worse, an old gossip, deserving of my scorn and my ridicule.

[narciso]

No, the 2007 NIE which was almost criminally wrong, was almost entirely sourced to one Iranian scientist, Amiri, which likely was leaked to Sanger, by Pillar, but those are the stakes.

[Neo]

My wife did some e-mail with James Rosen, then noticed that get LinkedIn was visited by DHS

[narciso]

They see this as SOP;

http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2013/may/19/white-house-adviser-nothing-suggests-irs-official-/

[narciso]

When Risen leaked the TSP, and SWIFT, the Bush administration, did not go 798 after him,

[Holly]

"There is something wrong with you people." @ 7:11 PM

LOL You got that right!(It doesn't takes 'em long to see it.)

[Threadkiller]

http://www.breitbart.com/Big-Government/2013/05/19/Chief-IRS-counsel-bailed-Jeremiah-Wright-s-church-out-of-IRS-probe-in-2008

[narciso]

Yes I mentioned that in light of the show of support for Rosen,

[Extraneus]

No heckling of Roger. You can call him names, taken from the idiot/imbecile/moron scale, but no heckling. I'm serious!

[narciso]

How's Don Dtaper,

[Ignatz Ratzkiwatzki]

"--He is always meddling in matters which are none of his business...--"

What the hell does that mean?
There's business on a public internet blog we have to recuse ourselves from?

If so, isn't Rob's opinion on Al Capone, which you quite profoundly misrepresented and which was directed to me, a matter that is none of your business?

[narciso]

Just as with Ingram, doing what she was supposed
to;

http://www.weeklystandard.com/blogs/irss-lerner-had-history-harassment-inappropriate-religious-inquiries-fec_725004.html

[Holly]

Appears that you don't have any currency here, extraneous.

[MarkO]

This is just a test, but does anyone doubt that this site, among others, is being monitored by the Obama Administration?

[Extraneus]

Hot Mic: Schumer Organizing Immigration Votes with 'Our Republicans'

The hot mic remarks came during the Judiciary Committee markup on Monday, when Schumer was talking to his staff while senators were voting on an amendment that would prevent illegal immigrants from gaining access to public benefits, specifically the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC).

[narciso]

Judge Lamberth, who failed to authorize a FISA warrant, for Moussaoui was the one who sicced the dogs on Rosen,

[daddy]

Unexpected: Ray Manzarak, The Doors keyboard player, dead of bile duct cancer.

Whoever wrote the obit at CBS obviously has his head up his ass:

His creepy organ line on "Light My Fire" adds a weirdo menace to what outwardly is a rock `n' roll pick-up song.

"Creepy...Wierdo..." What the hell is this doofus talking about.

Another media moron.

[Holly]

Um, I doubt it, Mark. But why would you care anyway?
You don't care that regulars here are Commie operatives.

[centralcal]

No doubt, whatsoever, MarkO.

[Corn-fed conservative (southern strategy version)]

Yes, daddy. Manzarak was quite talented. His arrangements were astoundingly ingenious.

RIP

[Thomas Collins]

I hope so, MarkO. I'd be pretty insulted if Barry the Choomer didn't pay some attention to us.

[Holly]

Of course the loony retard fringe here will agree with you.

[Extraneus]

Hear now, Obama douchebags. James Rosen is a Staten Island boy, so I'll defend him to the end.

Come and get me.

[narciso]

who let the flying monkeys out tonight, so Lerner was doing a 'modified limited hangout' before anyone knew the truth.

[Janet]

I hear ya, daddy @ 6:36. I put up links about the EAJA scam on FB a lot. Earth Justice was one of the enviro groups that got info on the farmers & ranchers...& they're big in getting "reimbursed" through the EAJA law.

narciso's 6:51 is interesting too. Raymond Maxwell was the guy I linked about awhile ago.

Here he is LUN -

Raymond Maxwell & Nakoula...the 2 that have paid a price. Hillary knows nuttin'.

[maryrose]

I continue to be amazed by the daily scandals coming out of the WH and hidden agenda of the IRS workers.
This is truly appalling that our government is over-run with these partisan hacks, all doing Obama'a bidding. What a sleazeball we have as our president. i am absolutely disgusted.
watching footage of the Oklahoma tornado is really a devastating experience. Somehow listening to and watching these families help each other really puts all the disgraceful Obamamites behavior in perspective. the people in Oklahoma know what is really important in life. No wonder they vote primarily republican.My regret is that preezy will try to politicize it to get some mojo back.
Only poll that has him at 53% is CNN and who ever believes them.

[daddy]

And FWIW, did a Library run today.

The amount of new books in the new book section on either Vampires or Mary Shelly and Frankenstein is astounding. Maybe I'll figure it out on the Dog Walk, but it strikes me as "creepy and weirdo," almost exactly the opposite of a Doors keyboard riff.

[Extraneus]

Uh oh. I've done it now...

I'll report back after the audit.

[Holly]

Dumb white trash. That figures.

[Captain Hate]

I don't know what Ray Manzarek was subsequently up to but he gave the punk group X a bit of assistance getting started.

[Corn-fed conservative (southern strategy version)]

"Hear now, Obama douchebags. James Rosen is a Staten Island boy, so I'll defend him to the end."

So am I. Some comradery is called for in the defense of the 1st.

There's an old saying that the name Staten Island was coined by henry Hudson. When circumnavigating the River he is credited with naming the Island. How?

He asked as passing by 'Isdatanisland?"

[narciso]

Yes, the latest is a thinly veiled Iraq allegory,
Red Moon Rising' involving werewolves, I'm not making this up.

[maryrose]

daddy:
I hate the whole vampire culture. Have not read any of the Meyer books or seen the movies.
Everyone liked Rob Pattison better as Cedric Diggory in Harry Potter than Edward Cullen in Twilight.OT: He needs a new girlfriend. Kristen Lewis is a loser.

[Jane -]

I suspect Obama is planning an extended trip to Oklahoma - to deflect the news. It's terrible what has happened (do we have anyone there? Where is Pofarmer?)

I can't imagine what this administration will do if the shoes keep dropping. If people who worship the ground he is walking on are turning, what does he have left? Martial law?

[Janet]

from Powerline LUN - Maxwell has written the following poem about his experience at the hands of “the Queen’s Henchmen”:

The Queen’s Henchmen
request the pleasure of your company
at a Lynching – to be held
at 23rd and C Streets NW
on Tuesday, December 18, 2012
just past sunset.

Dress: Formal, Masks and Hoods -
the four being lynched
must never know the identities
of their executioners, or what/
whose sin required their sacrifice.

A blood sacrifice –
to divert the hounds -
to appease the gods -
to cleanse our filth and
satisfy our guilty consciences.

Arrive promptly at sunset –
injustice will be swift.
there will be no trial,
no review of evidence,
no due process, and no
accountability.

Dress warmly -
a chilling effect will instantly
envelop Foggy Bottom.
Extrajudicial.
Total impunity.
A kangaroo court in
a banana republic.

B.Y.O.B.
Refreshments will not be served
because of the continuing resolution.

And the ones being lynched?
Who cares? They are pawns in a game.
Our game. All suckers, all fools,
all knaves who volunteered to serve -
Us. And the truth? The truth?
What difference at this point does it make?

In the event of inclement weather,
or the Queen’s incapacitation,
her Henchmen will carry out this lynching -
as ordered, as planned.

[narciso]

'What difference does it make' ht/ Jacobsen;

http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2013/may/17/miller-dc-mayor-part-david-gregory-coverup-part-ii/

[Dave (in MA)]

Did we get 'lanched, or is this an address in the seminar ctrl-V list?

[Ranger]

Via Drudge:

Obama Scandals Bring MSNBC 7-Year Low While Fox News Rises

http://www.deadline.com/2013/05/obama-msnbc-fox-news-scandals/

Are the faithful losing faith in the Won?

Are ordinary people turning to the only channel willing to strike a discordant note about the regime?

Either way, these numbers do not bode well for Team Barry.

[narciso]

They've opened the wormhole, and the Chtauri have streamed out;

http://legalinsurrection.com/2013/05/emily-miller-d-c-mayor-was-in-on-david-gregory-coveru

[maryrose]

Janet
Loved the poem. So true. You never see the big betrayal coming. Maxwell sounds like he was blindsided.
Good luck tomorrow at the rally at the IRS building. My thoughts and prayers are with you. Stay safe.

[Corn-fed conservative (southern strategy version)]

" If people who worship the ground he is walking on are turning, what does he have left? Martial law?"

He has the same tools we gave POTUS in 2002. Why is it people are always talking about the unaccountability of the liberals?

[Threadkiller]

Jacobson is really hung up on a rinky-dink technicality.

Is he getting advice from Steyn?

[maryrose]

Ranger:
You have made my day with your post at 8:19

[Stephanie]

HB to those I missed yesterday and also to whoever hit had teed up for today. Hit?

[narciso]

It's all part and parcel, of how Heller is not being enforced, five years later,

[narciso]

Denial is apparently not unique to Egypt;

http://www.breitbart.com/InstaBlog/2013/05/20/The-Administration-s-Talking-Points-Counter-Scandal-vs-Reality

[Janet]

Thanks, maryrose. I think I'm just gonna carry my Gadsden flag & wear my Sturbridge Tea Party shirt.
The Arlington Tea Party had a note that said we don't have a permit so we'll have to "keep moving" along the sidewalk.

an aside - The Tea Party Patriots had a sign up page...& I just couldn't fill it out. The IRS threats DO make me think twice about putting my name & info out there.

[narciso]

Is there a point to a protest anymore, Bolling said agents visited him Engelbrecht got visits at work and fines,

[Jane -]

So I figure right about now ValJar and Moochelle are making a list of who they can throw under the bus and who they can't.

Sebellus seems to be ripe for running over, but they are still scared to death of Hillary. ValJar is attached to Holder so lots of his underlings will have to go to make up for that. Brennen knows far too much. Lew appears oblivious. Carney is counting the hours.

Meanwhile, down the hall, Barry has a rerun of ESPN on - the one where he got to talk at halftime.

[Janet]

That poem...
You've got a professional black man using the word lynched about Hillary Clinton! & there is nothing in the MFM.

[narciso]

Oh fahrfegnugen, don't they ever stop;

http://hotair.com/headlines/archives/2013/05/20/democratic-senator-uses-oklahoma-tornado-for-anti-gop-rant-over-global-warming/

it's a tragedy, not a reason to promote your pet cause,

[pagar]

Every time one thinks leftists have hit bottom, one goes lower.

http://weaselzippers.us/2013/05/20/classy-daily-show-creator-says-oklahoma-tornado-meant-for-conservatives/

[Jane -]

They are so desperate. It's great to see.

Isn't it amazing how big and numerous scandals must be for the media to pay attention. Much of this is their fault for spending 5 years licking Obama's toes.

[Jack of the Loony Fringe!]

Jane,

Two dozen kids killed in OK? He'll be there blaming Bush.

[Account Deleted]

"DO make me think twice about putting my name & info out there."

Janet,

Not to worry - the IRS agent of the Democrat Party in charge of your complete file is just swamped. It will be days, if not weeks, before you are even notified of your audit. You'll know a few days ahead of time because all your accounts will be seized first.

[Johann Gambleputty]

He is like a ghoul, isn't he.

[Johann Gambleputty]

One is at a loss for words, except prayers for those involved.

[Janet]

That LI link about David Gregory made me think of this man -

This is Maryland resident James Brinkley. "Mr. Brinkley was publicly humiliated, thrown in jail and forced to spend money to defend himself for violating a law that millions of viewers watched the NBC anchor violate. If D.C. is going to have this pointless law, it should at least be enforced fairly."

Read more: http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2013/jan/4/if-youre-not-david-gregory/#ixzz2Hm2vKBwL

The white elite libs get a pass - Clinton, Gregory....but Mr. Brinkley & Mr.Maxwell are held to account.

[Johann Gambleputty]

Rob's notion about them protecting criminals and
only going after the law abiding, fits in this case, as with many, they scarcely have any more respect for law enforcement, look at that stupid bill in NY State, or much of Perez' oevre across two administrations,

[MarkO]

Sadly, I can recall when Ray Manzarek was the reason people came to watch The Doors.

[matt]

Way back in the ancient times when living in Manchester a friend and I walked into the back of a building at the Polytechnic thinking we could take a shortcut to the front of the theater where we were to see a band called 801, which included Manzarek and Brian Eno.

Instead we found ourselves in a dark corridor with a classroom ahead from which noise of tuning and conversation and a cloud emerged of unfiltered cigarettes which we all smoked at the time.

We popped our heads in to ask for directions and it was the band relaxing before going on stage. They invited us in for a beer or two and we had the most wonderful conversation. Both Eno and Manzarek were very intelligent, very cordial and pretty funny.

It was those kinds of adventures one could have as a fish out of water over there. Being a token American who wasn't a boob was worth its weight in gold at the time.I still have friends there.

I wish I could have met PUK then and like to think maybe I saw him in a pub or club along the way. Most of my salary went to cigarettes and beer and women and music. As a matter of fact all of it now that I recall.

[Ignatz Ratzkiwatzki]

My pop died of bile duct cancer. Not too common and not really treatable.

[Johann Gambleputty]

Carp, they are paging Noah in my neck of the woods.

[Jane on Ipad]

Janet,

I share your paranoia, which of course means they won. I'm very flattered that you are wearing your Sturbridge tee shirt. Caro designed them you know.

We are all such a great team.

[jimmyk]

Manzarek seemed like a class act, especially compared to Morrison.

I'd never heard of bile duct cancer until Ernie Harwell got it a few years ago and died, but he was in his 90s.

[Janet]

We are all such a great team.

Amen :)

[Captain Hate]

We popped our heads in to ask for directions and it was the band relaxing before going on stage. They invited us in for a beer or two and we had the most wonderful conversation. Both Eno and Manzarek were very intelligent, very cordial and pretty funny.

A few jerks can ruin it for the rest but I, almost without fail, find musicians to be some of the friendliest people to talk with. What is most disarming about some of them is their modesty.

[Johann Gambleputty]

Who are these idiots who write this derivative drivel, like the Manzarek obit, 'Is there anything they have a clue about?