A possible canary for Hastert

[rosesaylavee]

We have a great parade in our town every year, a great slice of Americana with people on horse-back, bagpipers, drum and bugle corps, baseball kids, floats, etc. One year we had a liger walk by on its trainer's leash and another year, a reindeer got loose and ran through our yard as this parade goes right by our house. We don't have to walk too far to set up our lawn chairs early in the morning for a front row seat. It lasts about two hours and I think is one of the oldest established parades in the state. Its a big deal around here.

This annual parade took place yesterday afternoon - and what is unusual for me, I had a work-related event to go to so I missed out. My husband did report the following and I think is a significant change from last year.

As with any parade, esp during an election year, politicians are as common as the Shriners. Last year, as with this year, our congressman - Dennis Hastert, rode in our parade. Our town/our country is very red and there was a general clapping and yes, cheering, as he drove by last year. To my surprise as I don't even do this during sporting events, I caught myself actually cupping my hands to my mouth and booing. I even caught his eye and glared back at him to let him know that all us little people were not happy with him in his district.

So I missed it this year. My husband said that Dennis rode by as usual and instead of the great huzzah that greeted him last year, there was one lone fool clapping and everyone else on the street just stared at him. Yup. What a difference a year makes.

Here's hoping that that the little people are catching on to the scams he is pulling with their tax dollars.

[babylonsister]

1. Thanks! I love it, and hope HAstert felt the love as well! nt

[Democrat 4 Ever]

5. All the small communities in my county have local parades for

their day long festivals. We get plenty of chances to see our politicians in action...or inaction, as the case may be.

Just last weekend our local Talichristian Preacher-man Bushbot, Ron Lewis and his "darling" wife, rode in a Mercedes convertible in the Stephensburg parade. His opponent and his wife walked the parade route. And yes, it was duly noted by the Hillbilly Report.

Stephensburg, KY. 06.24.06-Col.
Mike Weaver Walks And The Most Reverend, Debate Dodging Ron Lewis Rides In A Mercedes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Col. Mike Weaver walked, ran and jogged the Stephensburg, KY. Parade route and The Most Reverend, Debate Dodging Ron Lewis rode with his wife Kayi in a Mercedes convertible. A politician riding in a Mercedes, that’s a slap in the face to good ole boys raised on Fords, Chevys and shotguns. Reckon The Most Reverend, Debate Dodging Ron Lewis had a late night at the Liquor Barn and was too tired to walk. I understand that. Been there and done that, but riding in a Mercedes-WHAT GALL!! Ford Motor is shutting down 14 manufacturing facilities, laying off 30, 000 workers and my Congressman is riding in a foreign car, a Mercedes no less. Ron that’s not acceptable around here (THAT SH-T WON'T FLUSH). Whoever suggested you ride in a Mercedes, in a Kentucky parade is really giving you some bad advice!!!!!!!!!!!

http://www.hillbillyreport.com/blog/2006/06/stephensburg_ky.html

[peacetalksforall]

2. Thanks for posting. I like these stories. Silence is powerful.

He is so easy to disrespect.

[shain from kane]

3. The "one lone fool clapping" was a road contractor. n/t

[rosesaylavee]

4. I think it was one of his office minions

who write his responses to my many letters. :)

[marions ghost]

6. Hastert

is the quintessential corrupt politician, with a finger in every pie, just workin the system to his own ends every day of the week. No doubt he feels this is what he is owed for his "public service" job.

I'm glad the sheeple who voted for him are waking up...finally. But silence or booing...it doesn't matter to the basterts of the world. In his delusions he most likely heard the lone fool clapping as a deafening show of support.

They. Don't. Care.

[dysfunctional press]

7. and his corrupt millions are already in the bank.

so if he doesn't get re-elected, "oh, well..."
time to kick back, and enjoy retirement , living on the fruits of his...labor(?).

[marions ghost]

10. Yep--and here's some of his legacy....

this article summarizes Hastert's huge contribution to the Rethuglican Culture of Corruption in Washington:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mike-gehrke/dennys-bad-eggs_b_22368.html

Denny's Bad Eggs Posted on 6/6/06 The Huffington Post, by Mike Gehrke
---------------------------------

"Dennis Hastert rose to the Speaker's chair nearly eight years ago with a promise to first and foremost restore the public's trust in Congress. Republicans had seen his two predecessors chased out on the heels of scandals, Congress' approval rating had hovered in the mid-40s, and the House was badly damaged in the public's eyes from an ugly fight over impeachment that a vast majority of people saw as politically motivated. The Speaker's job was viewed as a big challenge, but members of both parties expressed optimism. And after Gingrich, impeachment, a government shut-down, and Bob Livingston it looked like the House had bottomed out and the only way to go was up."

Hastert proved them wrong. Today, public confidence in Congress is at an all-time low -- roughly half of what it was when Hastert took over. One member close to Hastert has pleaded guilty to bribery, a second has been indicted, and a third named as a co-conspirator to illegal activities, and still more indictments are likely. Hastert himself has had to fight back stories that he is "very much in the mix" of a federal investigation. But Hastert has avoided practically any scrutiny from the media, and even Democrats have given him a pass -- Minority Leader Pelosi yesterday praised Hastert, saying he earned the title "honorable" because of his character, as if Hastert were a mere bystander to the culture of corruption that has festered under his watch.

"Coach" Hastert has not been standing idly on the sidelines. Hastert and his lieutenants have virtually stripped the minority of power to control the agenda, or even take votes on key issues. His personal rule of only allowing votes on proposals that have the support of "the majority of the majority" might sound collegial and consensus-building, but in fact they've virtually stopped efforts to build a moderate consensus. And Hastert has passed over the traditional seniority system and used term-limits rules on committee chairs to appoint Appropriations Committee chairs loyal to himself and Tom DeLay.

--snip--

Hastert has eked out a term as the longest-serving speaker of the House. But his seven-plus years have been more a bonanza for lobbyists and the lawmakers he's put in key positions than a restoration of public trust in the people's House. His term has been marked by a consolidation of power in the hands of a few positions, then a pattern and culture of abuse of that power by people he put in those positions. Without the cycle of concentration and then abuse of power, the Republican culture of corruption in Washington might never have reached the levels it has today. And none of that would have happened without Speaker Dennis Hastert.

Go to the link to read the section left out here--well worth reading.

[Kittycat]

8. I cringe everytime I come in town.

I live in his area, and I HATE driving past the green signs stating that this is the proud home of that jerk. I'm not proud. I'm ashamed. :(

[rosesaylavee]

9. Hey - we should organize DUers out here

We could cringe collectively.

[Kittycat]

11. I would show up.

Is he appearing anywhere, anytime in the future? I'd bring my little boy along (regular AA listener, LOL), so that he could avoid making eye contact with both of us. I'm sure my DH would be in tow, as well.