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Politics : Liberalism: Do You Agree We've Had Enough of It? -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Kenneth E. Phillipps who wrote (16029)	10/1/2007 8:27:10 PM
From: Hope Praytochange	Respond to of 224744

Guilty Plea in Oil-for-Food Case : kennyboy is close associate of this demoRat By ALAN FEUER Published: October 1, 2007 In an unexpected midtrial reversal, Oscar S. Wyatt, Jr., the Texas oilman accused of corrupting the United Nation’s oil-for-food program, pleaded guilty today to paying hundreds of thousands of dollars in illegal kickbacks to Saddam Hussein’s regime in 2001 to gain access to lucrative Iraqi oil contracts. Mr. Wyatt’s guilty plea came without warning this morning, on the 14th day of his trial in United States District Court in Manhattan, and it arrived before federal prosecutors had even finished presenting their case. Under an agreement with the government, Mr. Wyatt pleaded guilty to a single count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud. The sentence he receives is likely to be between 18 and 24 months in prison, rather than the potential maximum of 70 years he could have faced if convicted on all five counts of the indictment. This sudden change of mind was somewhat startling, not only because it came as the prosecution was about to rest its case, but also because Mr. Wyatt, a former drill-bit salesman, had proclaimed his innocence almost from the moment he was first arrested two years ago at his home in River Oaks, Houstons most exclusive residential district. After rising before Judge Denny Chin to admit his guilt today, Mr. Wyatt, a plain-spoken octogenerian, embraced his wife, Lynn, a doyenne of the Houston social scene who is known for her philanthropic work and for her taste for haute couture. He then told reporters in the courtroom: “I didn’t want to waste any more time, at 83 years old, fooling with this operation. The quicker I got it over with, the better.” Mr. Wyatt’s lawyer, Gerald L. Shargel, said the government had offered the plea deal to his client. The four charges that were dropped in exchange for the guilty plea included conducting financial transactions with Iraq, which was an enemy nation at the time, and violating a United States embargo on the country. “The defense of a criminal case is complicated when the client is 83 years old,” Mr. Shargel said. “That was certainly taken into account. For the government to have offered this disposition at this point suggests both sides recognized the risks involved in having a jury decide it.”

To: Kenneth E. Phillipps who wrote (16029)	10/1/2007 10:31:18 PM
From: Ann Corrigan	Respond to of 224744

House GOP Resolution Commending Rush Limbaugh for His Support of Our Troops October 1, 2007 110th Congress, 1st Session H. Res -- Commending Rush Hudson Limbaugh III for his ongoing public support of American troops serving both here and abroad. Thanking Mr. Limbaugh for his relentless efforts to build and maintain troop morale through worldwide radio broadcasts and personal visits to conflict regions. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OCTOBER 1, 2007 Mr. KINGSTON submitted the following resolution RESOLUTION Honoring all Americans serving in the Armed Forces of the United States and commending broadcaster Rush Limbaugh for his relentless efforts to build and maintain troop morale through worldwide radio broadcasts and personal visits to conflict regions. Whereas the need to show support for American troops serving and fighting both here and abroad during a time of global conflict has never been greater, with the need to communicate an uplifting message of encouragement to American soldiers eternally important, in addition to the morale-boosting value of personal visits to combat region by highly-regarded individuals; Whereas every American, to include service men and women and broadcasters, is entitled to free speech and the free exchange of ideas; Whereas daily radio broadcasts reaching tens of millions of civilians and soldiers both in America and abroad by way of the Armed Forces Radio Network are conducted five days a week by Rush Hudson Limbaugh III; Whereas Mr. Limbaugh has consistently used his broadcast time to praise American troops and support them during their ongoing efforts to secure peace in a troubled world; Whereas Mr. Limbaugh has met with troops in Afghanistan; raised and donated millions of dollars to the Marine Corps Law Enforcement Foundation, which provides college scholarships to the children of Marines and veterans of other branches killed in action; features an “Adopt a Soldier” program which provides them with free subscription access to his online program features; and Whereas Mr. Limbaugh’s commitment to American troops serving both here and abroad remains as strong as ever: Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the House of Representatives, Section 1. The House of Representatives makes the following findings: (1) Americans serving in the United States Armed Forces have volunteered for such service and have not been drafted for that purpose. (2) Those who serve in the Armed Forces deserve the respect of all Americans for their willingness to undertake that service (3) Those who serve in the Armed Forces do not relinquish their constitutional right to express their opinions regarding public policy in a manner consistent with good order and discipline. Section 2. House of Representatives— (1) recognizes the service of all members of the Armed Forces serving in good standing and with honor to defend the United States, and the personal sacrifices made by them and their families; (2) commits to judge the merits of the opinions of members of the Armed Forces regarding the policies of the United States, including those related to military actions in Iraq, without prejudice or personal bias; (3) commends Mr. Limbaugh’s desire to see American troops achieve a successful outcome in Iraq, Afghanistan and wherever soldiers are stationed and his tireless public support for American troops and their families through radio broadcasts, fundraising and other public support; (4) honors all members of the Armed Forces and civilian personnel serving in harm’s way, as well as their families; and (5) pledges to debate any supplemental funding request or any policy decisions regarding the war in Iraq with the solemn respect and the commitment to integrity that the sacrifices of these members of the Armed Forces and civilian personnel deserve.