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Politics : Formerly About Advanced Micro Devices -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: combjelly who wrote (282412)	3/29/2006 5:20:45 PM
From: longnshort	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 1573104

Two top demos in first tier of Abramoff investigation: Abramoff-linked probe focuses on 5 lawmakers By Jerry Seper and Audrey Hudson January 11, 2006 A Justice Department investigation into influence-peddling on Capitol Hill is focusing on a "first tier" of lawmakers and staffers, both Republicans and Democrats, say sources close to the probe that has netted guilty pleas from lobbyist Jack Abramoff. Law-enforcement authorities and others said the investigation's opening phase is scrutinizing Sens. Conrad Burns, Montana Republican; Byron L. Dorgan, North Dakota Democrat; and Minority Leader Harry Reid, Nevada Democrat, along with Reps. J.D. Hayworth, Arizona Republican, and Bob Ney, Ohio Republican. A source working with the Justice Department on the investigation told The Washington Times that Abramoff was questioned during several interviews about the lawmakers and their purported ties to the lobbyist and his former clients. The source said prosecutors asked Abramoff whether the lawmakers had performed "official acts" in exchange for campaign cash or other favors. Although it is unknown whether any of the five will be charged in the case, the source said Abramoff was being "prepped" by five Justice Department attorneys in that event. Others familiar with the investigation confirmed the names of the three Republican and two Democratic legislators. All five lawmakers said that they have not done anything illegal and that all their dealings with Abramoff and his clients were legitimate. The sources also said that at least two legislative directors and other lobbyists are under investigation in the preliminary round of inquiry. The probe is expected to widen and could ensnare "a minimum" of 20 members of Congress, they said. Former House Majority Leader Tom DeLay has not been directly implicated by Abramoff in the probe, but the Texas Republican's former deputy chief of staff, Tony Rudy, has emerged as a person of interest in the preliminary probe, the sources said. Mr. DeLay's former communications director, Michael Scanlon, also worked as an Abramoff business partner and pleaded guilty in November to corruption charges. Scanlon also is cooperating in the government probe. Abramoff pleaded guilty in federal court in Washington on Jan. 3 to conspiracy, tax evasion and fraud in a scheme involving what he described as the "corruption of public officials," saying he raised campaign cash, funded trips and gave other items to lawmakers "in exchange for certain official acts." Seeking to reduce a 30-year prison sentence to 91/2 years, Abramoff has agreed with prosecutors to cooperate fully in the government's influence-peddling investigation. Prosecutors have seized his computer hard drive and are reviewing 500,000 e-mails. Jim Manley, Mr. Reid's spokesman, said that no official acts were performed for Abramoff and that the senator has always opposed the expansion of off-reservation gambling, a stance favorable to Abramoff's clients.

To: combjelly who wrote (282412)	3/29/2006 6:44:41 PM
From: Road Walker	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 1573104

re: Like I said, that is one of the more revolting endoparasite. I haven't been following this thread of conversation.... because I find it disgusting. But isn't bleeding by leeches undergoing a revival? It's not the blood going out, but apparently the stuff that goes in from the leeches? I remember as a kid in Chicago, there used to be this weird occult "pharmacy" on Wabash Ave that sold leeches, as well as other creepy stuff. John

To: combjelly who wrote (282412)	4/2/2006 4:44:42 PM
From: tejek	Read Replies (3) \| Respond to of 1573104

Like I said, that is one of the more revolting endoparasite. Any biology course with an emphasis on parasitology can make you view a lot of things differently... You know why snails have a coiled shell? It seems their hepatic gland is is prime target for parasites. So, to have any hepatic function at all, their hepatic gland is very enlarged. For those species whose favored parasite has gone extinct for whatever reason, tend to evolve less cumbersome shells So its accepted that the parasite is a fact of life and the snail grows a hepatic gland that can accomodate both parties. All I can say is I am grateful that that isn't true for the human species. BTW did you hear that a scientist at a university in Wisconsin [I think] has determined that insects contribute roughly $57 million to the American economy? For that reason, he is encouraging people to be more mindful of insects underfoot and to try and not kill them.