rushmc 23 #1 April 2, 2007 Sen. Feinstein Resigns Military Appropriations Post This article was written by Fred Lucas, CNSNews.com Staff Writer Government watchdog groups want more answers as to why Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., stepped down from a military appropriations subcommittee at a time questions were being asked billions of dollars in federal defense contracts going to her husband's companies. Feinstein resigned her post as chairwoman of the Senate Subcommittee on Military Construction Appropriations last week. The decision came less than two months after Metro Newspapers, a group of alternative weekly papers in northern California, detailed the number of defense contracts awarded to Perini Corp. and URS Corp., both of which her husband, Richard C. Blum, has ownership, according to the newspapers. The investigation was partially funded by the Investigative Fund of The Nation Institute, a non-profit organization affiliated with the liberal magazine The Nation. "This was a critique from the left," Tom Fitton, president of Judicial Watch, a conservative public interest group, told Cybercast News Service. "These were left-leaning papers. The fact that she stepped down from the committee lends credibility to the charges." Fitton said this is something Judicial Watch wanted to further investigate, possibly by seeking public documents on the matter and by asking the Senate Ethics Committee to look into the matter for a possible conflict of interest on Feinstein's part. "On the face of it, it seems she at least had influence on how contracts were awarded," Fitton said. "There should be an investigation." Feinstein's press office was contacted several times Friday by Cybercast News Service, but her office did not provide a statement on the matter at the end of the day. The California weeklies detailed examples that included a subcommittee hearing in which Feinstein asked Pentagon officials about increasing anti-terrorism protection for Army bases. The next year, in March 2003, Feinstein asked why the funds for anti-terror protection had not been spent. Just over a month later, URS announced a $600 million contract to provide services for U.S. Army bases that included anti-terrorism force protection. In another instance, Feinstein asked another military official when money would be spent on a maintenance facility for the C-17 Hickam Air Base in Hawaii. URS later announced a $42 million contract to build it. Also, Feinstein's subcommittee in mid-2005 approved funds to reinforce roofs at military stations in Iraq, and in October of that year, Perini got a $185 million federal contract for that purpose, the papers reported. The matter should be probed further, said Kenneth Boehm, chairman of the National Legal and Policy Center, a conservative government watchdog group. However, he isn't that confident in the Senate's ability to police itself. "The real problem is there is too little objectivity," Boehm told Cybercast News Service. "Congress needs an independent watchdog. The ethics committees are partisan. They have an equal number of Republicans and Democrats, but the reality is that things don't get looked at that should get looked at." Meanwhile, Melanie Sloan, executive director of the liberal watchdog group Citizens for Responsible Ethics in Washington, reportedly said the Feinstein matter could eclipse other congressional scandals. "There are a number of members of Congress with conflicts of interest," Sloan told Metro Newspapers. "But because of the amount of money involved, Feinstein's conflict of interest is an order of magnitude greater than those conflicts." The paper proudly reported Feinstein's exit from the Senate panel on its website last week, as reporter Peter Byrne stressed that Feinstein's subcommittee had jurisdiction over medical treatment for veterans long before the poor conditions were exposed at the Walter Reed Army Hospital. "You would think that, considering all the money Feinstein's family has pocketed by waging global warfare while ignoring the plight of wounded American soldiers, she would show a smidgeon of shame and resign from the entire Senate, not just a subcommittee," Byrne wrote. "Conversely, you'd think she might stick around (the subcommittee) to try to fix the medical-care disaster she helped engineer for the vets who were suckered into fighting her and (President) Bush's panoply of unjust wars," Byrne added. © CNS News.com. All rights reserved."America will never be destroyed from the outside, if we falter and lose our freedoms, it will be because we destroyed ourselves." Abraham Lincoln Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Amazon 7 #2 April 2, 2007 So if they can get her out of the senate for wrongdoing.. AND if its proven she or her family did anything wrong in winning the BIDS for those contracts.. would you support jailing Cheney and his cronies for funnling BILLIONS to Halliburton on NO BID contracts for their companies??? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rushmc 23 #3 April 2, 2007 IF, a law was broken? Yes Just because you don't like this admin? No by the way, just in case you forgot (or chose to ignore) Cheney and Haliburton have split ways and NO BID contracts and not always (and are not in the case) illeagal"America will never be destroyed from the outside, if we falter and lose our freedoms, it will be because we destroyed ourselves." Abraham Lincoln Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Amazon 7 #4 April 2, 2007 QuoteCheney and Haliburton have split ways PUHLEEEZE.. you cant be THAT naieve...or is it just situational ethics working for you again. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
diablopilot 2 #5 April 2, 2007 Couldn't happen to a better person. That woman has never been "about the people".---------------------------------------------- You're not as good as you think you are. Seriously. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
akarunway 1 #6 April 2, 2007 QuoteSo if they can get her out of the senate for wrongdoing.. AND if its proven she or her family did anything wrong in winning the BIDS for those contracts.. would you support jailing Cheney and his cronies for funnling BILLIONS to Halliburton on NO BID contracts for their companies???I've worked for Perini on a few jobs. Bunch of little Italian mobsters. Punks. They all need to go dowm. Perini figuires ONE DEATH into the bid on their contracts(mostly casinos). They all need to rot in prison and if she's hooked up w/ them as well.I hold it true, whate'er befall; I feel it, when I sorrow most; 'Tis better to have loved and lost Than never to have loved at all. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rehmwa 2 #7 April 2, 2007 Quote Perini figuires ONE DEATH into the bid on their contracts(mostly casinos). This is normal for large scale construction projects and most all estimates include accident projections. It would be naive to not consider it when project involve heavy lifting and handling, tall building projects, etc. Though I suspect if the casino is completed without that death, they wouldn't just shoot a random worker to meet budget How many deaths do you think were budgetted into the particle accelerator project two decades ago? (Unless you mean one murder - to get contracts and permits signed, to hush up squealers on low quality material purchases... then that's something completely different) ... Driving is a one dimensional activity - a monkey can do it - being proud of your driving abilities is like being proud of being able to put on pants Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
akarunway 1 #8 April 2, 2007 QuoteQuote Perini figuires ONE DEATH into the bid on their contracts(mostly casinos). This is normal for large scale construction projects and most all estimates include accident projections. It would be naive to not consider it when project involve heavy lifting and handling, tall building projects, etc. Though I suspect if the casino is completed without that death, they wouldn't just shoot a random worker to meet budget How many deaths do you think were budgetted into the particle accelerator project two decades ago? (Unless you mean one murder - to get contracts and permits signed, to hush up squealers on low quality material purchases... then that's something completely different)LOL. Prolly both. You know how them gangstas areEdit to add: I'm a union pipefitter. We've had 9 deaths on the Vegas jobs in 4 mths. OSHA is aout ready to shut all the jobs down. Hurry means HURT. Don't let them bastards rush ya so they can make a profit QUICKERI hold it true, whate'er befall; I feel it, when I sorrow most; 'Tis better to have loved and lost Than never to have loved at all. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JohnRich 4 #9 April 2, 2007 QuoteSen. Feinstein Resigns Military Appropriations Post Isn't it ironic how none of the mainstream news media are mentioning this story? Google News Search Just two hits: Newsmax, and a local California paper. Is the liberal news media intentionally holding back on this story to protect one of their own? You can sure bet that if this issue had involved a Republican senator, that they'd be all over it like flies on s***. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rehmwa 2 #10 April 2, 2007 QuoteWe've had 9 deaths on the Vegas jobs in 4 mths. Even if there are a LOT of jobs, that's seriously outside any confidence interval for normal, non-tunneling, construction work in an urban area. OSHA certainly should investigate, especially any common factors in the jobs (same constr companies, owners, subcontractors, suppliers, etc). I've done some welding (Stick, TIG, etc), it's hard, your job is an art form in my mind. ... Driving is a one dimensional activity - a monkey can do it - being proud of your driving abilities is like being proud of being able to put on pants Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JohnnyD 0 #11 April 2, 2007 QuoteQuoteSen. Feinstein Resigns Military Appropriations Post Isn't it ironic how none of the mainstream news media are mentioning this story? Google News Search Just two hits: Newsmax, and a local California paper. Is the liberal news media intentionally holding back on this story to protect one of their own? You can sure bet that if this issue had involved a Republican senator, that they'd be all over it like flies on s***. I think you are absolutely correct. This is a left-wing conspiracy! I'm outraged! No way major media outlets are holding off on reporting something they can't verify yet. Newsmax is quite obviously the only credible source of information out there. btw - I read in the checkout isle of the grocery store that Britney Spears' last baby was fathered by aliens and the whole rehab thing was just a cover so she could get the anal probe removed. Let me know if you see anything about that on Newsmax. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Zipp0 1 #12 April 2, 2007 There are more hits - try a less specific search string. The news will pick this up if it has legs. Right now there are bigger fish to fry. US Government State TV isn't even covering this yet, so your argument is a bit weak. -------------------------- Chuck Norris doesn't do push-ups, he pushes the Earth down. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
idrankwhat 0 #13 April 2, 2007 Oh my God! Politicians profiting as a result of their political influence. Say it isn't so! When did THIS happen?!?!?!? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kallend 2,146 #14 April 2, 2007 QuoteQuoteSen. Feinstein Resigns Military Appropriations Post Isn't it ironic how none of the mainstream news media are mentioning this story? Google News Search Just two hits: Newsmax, and a local California paper. Is the liberal news media intentionally holding back on this story to protect one of their own? You can sure bet that if this issue had involved a Republican senator, that they'd be all over it like flies on s***. Maybe they remember being burned by the Pelosi jet "silly" story.... The only sure way to survive a canopy collision is not to have one. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lawrocket 3 #15 April 2, 2007 QuoteI'm a union pipefitter. We've had 9 deaths on the Vegas jobs in 4 mths. OSHA is aout ready to shut all the jobs down. Question - what the hell is the union doing about this? What about the damned union whose job it is to protect you guys? But to the original post, yes, it does create an impression of wrongdoing. My wife is hotter than your wife. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rehmwa 2 #16 April 2, 2007 QuoteWhat about the damned union whose job it is to protect you guys? . There job at this stage is to ensure they keep collecting dues and the members are working. So they are doing just fine. See? The builders are doing fine, the union is doing fine, the management at the subcontractors are doing fine, the city is doing fine. Isn't that everybody? ... Driving is a one dimensional activity - a monkey can do it - being proud of your driving abilities is like being proud of being able to put on pants Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rushmc 23 #17 April 2, 2007 QuoteQuoteWhat about the damned union whose job it is to protect you guys? . There job at this stage is to ensure they keep collecting dues and the members are working. So they are doing just fine. See? The builders are doing fine, the union is doing fine, the management at the subcontractors are doing fine, the city is doing fine. Isn't that everybody? Everyone is doing fine? How about the one that dies?"America will never be destroyed from the outside, if we falter and lose our freedoms, it will be because we destroyed ourselves." Abraham Lincoln Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kelpdiver 2 #18 April 2, 2007 way premature to talk about prison. Right now you have potential conflicts of interest, nothing more. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rushmc 23 #19 April 2, 2007 Quoteway premature to talk about prison. Right now you have potential conflicts of interest, nothing more. Absolutly true. I just asked the question. There does seem to be some similarities related to one already in prison though, don't you think?"America will never be destroyed from the outside, if we falter and lose our freedoms, it will be because we destroyed ourselves." Abraham Lincoln Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kelpdiver 2 #20 April 2, 2007 people have raised issues with Feinstein and her husband's business interests dating to 1992 and before. None have seemed to amount to anything. Whether or not you believe the actions to be unethical, I'd be surprised if she didn't anything that would actually get her in legal troubles. She's a bit more experienced than that, and as a member of the minority party for most of her 14 years in the Senate she has to take care in this. It's always easier to be corrupt when your side is in charge. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dorbie 0 #21 April 2, 2007 Quotepeople have raised issues with Feinstein and her husband's business interests dating to 1992 and before. None have seemed to amount to anything. Whether or not you believe the actions to be unethical, I'd be surprised if she didn't anything that would actually get her in legal troubles. She's a bit more experienced than that, and as a member of the minority party for most of her 14 years in the Senate she has to take care in this. It's always easier to be corrupt when your side is in charge. Unless you're given the benefit of the doubt like this. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dorbie 0 #22 April 2, 2007 QuoteQuoteQuoteSen. Feinstein Resigns Military Appropriations Post Isn't it ironic how none of the mainstream news media are mentioning this story? Google News Search Just two hits: Newsmax, and a local California paper. Is the liberal news media intentionally holding back on this story to protect one of their own? You can sure bet that if this issue had involved a Republican senator, that they'd be all over it like flies on s***. Maybe they remember being burned by the Pelosi jet "silly" story. Symmetry would require someone post some bollocks about oxes being gored but I for one can't be arsed. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
masterrig 1 #23 April 3, 2007 QuoteCouldn't happen to a better person. That woman has never been "about the people". ______________________________ Are any of them... really? Most of the politicians probably need to spend time in a correctional institution of some kind. Chuck Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
diablopilot 2 #24 April 3, 2007 Those that desire to lead are usually least suited for it.---------------------------------------------- You're not as good as you think you are. Seriously. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
masterrig 1 #25 April 3, 2007 QuoteThose that desire to lead are usually least suited for it. ___________________________________ That's the truth. Most of them have their own agenda and their constituants are at the bottom of the list. Chuck Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
