Tag Archives: Ethics

As opposed to being a wholly owned subsidiary

07 Sunday May 2023

Posted by in meta

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In the news:

…In two separate copyright infringement cases concerning the publishing conglomerate Penguin Random House, the high court declined to take up the appeals, with the court saying in 2013 that it wouldn’t hear the first case, and the second case being turned away from the court in 2019 and again in 2020. In both cases, the publisher won at the lower court level, and those decisions stood.

Liberal Justice Sonia Sotomayor, who joined the court in 2009 and has been paid millions of dollars from the publisher over the years, declined to recuse herself in all three instances.

Conservative Justice Neil Gorsuch, who joined the court in 2017 and also has received hundreds of thousands of dollars in book deals with the publisher, declined to disqualify himself from the more recent case when it came before the court for consideration…

…the federal law concerning recusal has long been interpreted as applying to stock ownership on the part of the justice or a close family member…

…Breyer, who retired in 2022, likely recused himself from the cases because he owns stock in a company that for a time had a large stake in Penguin…

Roth, whose group has for years kept track of instances in which justices should have recused themselves from a case, said he could not point to other examples where a justice should have disqualified him or herself from a case concerning their book publisher.

Roth noted that Justices Amy Coney Barrett and Ketanji Brown Jackson also have books in the works….

Too easy.

As always, we don’t allow ignorant comments out of moderation to be linked with the original post, but we will present some of them in subsequent posts for the purpose of public derision and mockery. As we see fit.

We see fit.

We’ve been getting more attempted trolling comments submitted in response to Eric Schmitt (r) has serious concerns about the financial dealings of Clarence Thom…oh, wait (May 5, 2023):

And surprise, surprise now we see Sotomeyer has received millions from Random House and refused to recuse herself in their cases! I say so what these Justices haven’t changed the way they would vote on any of these cases! Now if she suddenly voted conservative I would be like wow!

You left out Neil Gorsuch (r). How convenient.

Book contracts and royalties, reported on disclosure forms, or unreported vacations, travel, school tuition, to name just a few, provided by a billionaire. If you’ve got a concern with the former, you should definitely have a serious problem with the latter.

“…Now if she suddenly voted conservative I would be like wow!” As opposed to making a decision based on the law and the merits of the case.

Too easy.

Previously:

Fishing or orchestral? (May 7, 2023)

Eric Schmitt (r) has serious concerns about the financial dealings of Clarence Thom…oh, wait

05 Friday May 2023

Posted by in Eric Schmitt, social media, US Senate

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No, no, he doesn’t.

Eric Schmitt (r) [2022 file photo].

This is going to become Eric Schmitt’s (r) favorite whine:

Eric Schmitt @Eric_Schmitt
The most recent Democrat campaign against Justice Thomas is about trying to intimidate him and the Supreme Court’s originalist majority, not ethics.
1:15 PM · May 5, 2023

Some of the responses:

Okay so why is the complaints being raised about ethics then?

This is a parody account, right?

Same difference.

Why is it that the lower courts follow and abide by ethical standards but our highest does not? How can we trust him to interpret the constitution when he has been filling out forms incorrectly for years? Why aren’t you pushing for ethical standards?

Not even you believe that, #Schmitthead.

What would you know about ethics?

Yeah, sure, because billionaires always buy everyone’s mother’s house, remodel the house, and let mom still live there rent free (May 1, 2023)

Previously:

Josh Hawley(r) has serious concerns about the financial dealings of Clarence Thom…oh, wait (May 4, 2023)

Yeah, sure, because billionaires always buy everyone’s mother’s house, remodel the house, and let mom still live there rent free

01 Monday May 2023

Posted by in Eric Schmitt, social media, Uncategorized, US Senate

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It’s their world, the rest of it only get to live in it.

Eric Schmitt (r) [2022 file photo].

Eric Schmitt believes we’re all really stupid.

On Saturday:

[image cropped]

Eric Schmitt @Eric_Schmitt
This is an effort to delegitimize the Court — making it easier to pack the Court or ignore rulings they don’t like.

The Court & the Constitution are in their way

The Constitution diffused power to protect liberty— radical Dems are all in on a post-Constitution power grab.
[….]
6:50 AM · Apr 29, 2023

Some of the responses:

The court is completely illegitimate. Dirty from the top. Corrupt just like you.
[….]

The gop , your party, has already packed the courts. We actually need a “counter-packing”. SCOTUS is verifiably corrupt.

Sir, I think the court was delegitimized when Senator McConnell failed to even hold hearings on President Obama’s pick 8 months before an election and then turned around and rushed Barrett’s nomination through three weeks before an election. Hypocrisy seems to be on Republicans.

So, court packing.

You are a disgrace to MO. You don’t see the corruption of the SC because YOU are corrupt!

The court is clearly corrupt. Maybe Mitch and republicans shouldn’t have wiped their asses with the constitution and we wouldn’t be in the spot.

You can’t delegitimize the court any more than the Federalist Society already has.

Ask Mitchy about playing games with the court, son. Look in the mirror.

It’s an effort to root out corruption. Republicans always say is not a problem when republicans are corrupt, then you go off the deep end when it’s a Democrat. The court is clearly corrupt.

Mitch already destroyed the court, not giving Garland proper hearings and rushing Amy, it is not legitimate, but EricSchmitt you never let facts disrupt you carny barker narrative

Well if you set aside lies and bribery, then hell yeah, the court is totally legitimate. [….]

How hard is it to accurately complete a disclosure form? Unfortunately, I really don’t think that you understand.

Well sure, if you ignore all the facts.

There is noooooooooooooooooooo ethics problem only not reporting sales of property, not reporting spousal income, and not reporting expensive junkets paid for billionaires.
Everyone does that, right?
By the way, what are the ethics regulation for the Court?

The court by knowingly, openly, repeatedly taking bribes has already done that.

This court has delegitimized itself. The corruption is vast with these conservative judges and Thomas is the most corrupt of all.

Wtf? Taking free trips from “a friend”. Gtfo Eric. He is compromised. Who has paid you? Thomas gotta go just like you. Oh yeah…who paid Kavanaughs debt and country club bill? Not him. Show us the receipts.

Thomas believes he’s above the law. Million $$ gifts are not appropriate.

Have another beer with Kavanaugh. Who paid his $400,000.00 worth of debt?

A not so good, very bad, day…

18 Saturday Jun 2022

Posted by in Claire McCaskill, social media, US Senate

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Eric Schmitt – Missouri Supreme Court judges – Americans for Prosperity Action – campaign mailer – June 17, 2022 [detail]

Claire McCaskill (D) [2018 file photo].

Claire – on Eric Schmitt’s (r) photo with Missouri Supreme Court judges used in a campaign mail piece:

Claire McCaskill @clairecmc
He has sold his soul to the political vultures. That’s @Eric_Schmitt the AG of Mo and US Senate candidate. Now some of the most respected and non partisan Mo officials are calling him out for his gutter ethics. [….]
4:01 PM · Jun 17, 2022

Eric Schmitt (r) [2021 file photo].

Sixteen minutes later Eric Schmitt (r) provided a prickly response:

Eric Schmitt @Eric_Schmitt
Your lies are thick, but that’s nothing new for you. You were the most two faced politician in modern Missouri political history. Your phony folksy routine caught up to you. Enjoy your baking.
[….]
4:17 PM · Jun 17, 2022

“Big mistake. Big. Huge…”

Some of the responses:

Finally, @Eric_Schmitt speaks directly to Missouri’s women voters.
His message, packaged as an insult:
“Enjoy your baking.”

Awww, did someone with some clout and an actual former Senator call you on your #Bullschmitt ?

Poor little thing, you can ignore us all day long, but she says something and you’ve got to reply. And at 4:17pm, on a workday/weekday that’s still our time and our dime Eric!

Except Claire for better or worse actually got stuff done and didn’t support a political movement that tried to overthrow the government to install authoritarianism, Eric. You cannot say the same.

Mr. Schmitt, in order to insult Claire, she must first value your opinion. Nice try, though.

Are you EVER going to do some of the work we pay the MO Attorney General to do? I mean, when you’re not busy suing China, micro-managing public schools, bullying beloved Missourians?

Most people running for office would be smart enough not to tell a woman to get in the kitchen.

There’s that.

She did win election to the Senate, which is more than you’ll do.

She was a US Senator, and you are going to come in third in a primary so I dunno man sounds like you’re punching up pretty far here.

Bullschmitt is triggered. LOL.

Ooh, Claire triggered Eric!!

You actually have to attack someone who’s not even in the race in order to make yourself look good (not working btw) Are you so afraid if you say something bad about your other GOP Primary competition everyone will mean tweet you in their defense? This is a new level of desperate

That’s rich, Eric. Every move you make is for political theater, for power, and to raise fear. You are despicable and deserve every call out you are getting.

Wow, Eric. Things must be worse with your “also ran” campaign than we suspected. But no worries. I bet if you look really hard, you can find some school kids to sue.

And on and on…

From Claire:

Claire McCaskill @clairecmc
I’m confused, you lost soul. Is the Missouri Supreme Court lying? I’m just quoting their public statement. I never sold my soul to get re-elected. Someone has convinced you to abandon what you believe it. It’s just sad.
[….]
9:33 PM · Jun 17, 2022

“You come at the Queen, you best not misss.”

Previously:

Political hacks participate in unethical political hackery (June 18, 2022)

Political hacks participate in unethical political hackery

17 Friday Jun 2022

Posted by in US Senate

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The mail is coming from inside the building?

“…The judges are disappointed that this photograph was used, without their knowledge or consent, for such a blatant political purpose. They are reporting the incident as required by their judicial code of conduct and legal ethics…”

Business as usual.

Eric Schmitt (r) [2021 file photo].

Eric Schmitt (r) [2021 file photo].

This came in today’s mail:

Nope, he doesn’t. And someone has a serious ethics problem in the bottom right corner

Nope again.

The judges of the Missouri Supreme Court:

Missouri Supreme Court

A news release, today, from the Missouri Supreme Court:

Supreme Court of Missouri renounces use of photograph for political purposes

17 June 2022

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Late last evening, the Supreme Court of Missouri learned of a campaign mailer using a photograph of Attorney General Eric Schmitt and three of the Court’s judges. The mailer is for Schmitt’s candidacy for the United States Senate.

The photograph was taken by a member of the attorney general’s staff during a public event to which the judges were invited during the state’s bicentennial celebration last August. The judges attended the event in their official capacities to mark a moment of the branches of state government working together. Neither the Court nor its judges had any knowledge that the photograph would be distributed or used in a political context. Furthermore, none of the judges did – or ever would – consent to their names, titles or likenesses being used in any political context. Missouri citizens should know that no Supreme Court judge ever would or could endorse a political candidate and this photograph should not be taken as such an endorsement despite the implication created by the mailer.

Because they were selected pursuant to the Missouri Nonpartisan Court Plan, Supreme Court judges are prohibited by article V, section 25(f) of the Missouri Constitution from engaging in any political activity.

The judges are disappointed that this photograph was used, without their knowledge or consent, for such a blatant political purpose. They are reporting the incident as required by their judicial code of conduct and legal ethics.

Meanwhile, the Court has asked the attorney general’s office to delete this photograph and any others like it from the office’s public or social media accounts to help prevent any further inappropriate use of such images.

###

The ethics problem:

Eric Schmitt – Missouri Supreme Court judges – Americans for Prosperity Action – campaign mailer – June 17, 2022 [detail]

“…The photograph was taken by a member of the attorney general’s staff during a public event to which the judges were invited during the state’s bicentennial celebration last August. The judges attended the event in their official capacities to mark a moment of the branches of state government working together. Neither the Court nor its judges had any knowledge that the photograph would be distributed or used in a political context. Furthermore, none of the judges did – or ever would – consent to their names, titles or likenesses being used in any political context. Missouri citizens should know that no Supreme Court judge ever would or could endorse a political candidate and this photograph should not be taken as such an endorsement despite the implication created by the mailer…”

The return address on the mail piece:

The disclaimer:

The irony of the Missouri Supreme Court getting burned by a dark money PAC supporting Missouri’s Attorney General is just so….

Now, the question is how did Americans for Prosperty Action get that photo? Was it a RSMo § 610 request or did someone give it to them directly?

Heh.

Being Paul Gosar (r)

17 Wednesday Nov 2021

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Today in the United States House of Representatives:

117TH CONGRESS
1ST SESSION
H. RES. 789 [pdf]
Censuring Representative Paul Gosar.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
NOVEMBER 12, 2021
[….]
RESOLUTION
Censuring Representative Paul Gosar.

Whereas, on November 7, 2021, Representative Paul Gosar posted a manipulated video on his social media accounts depicting himself killing Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and attacking President Joseph Biden;

Whereas the video was posted on Representative Gosar’s official Instagram account and used the resources of the House of Representatives to further violence against elected officials;

Whereas Representative Gosar issued a statement on November 9, 2021, defending the video as a ‘‘symbolic cartoon’’ and spreading hateful and false rhetoric about immigrants;

Whereas the leadership of the Republican Party has failed to condemn Representative Gosar’s threats of violence against the President of the United States and a fellow Member of Congress;

Whereas the Speaker of the House made clear that threats of violence against Members of Congress and the President of the United States should not be tolerated and called on the Committee on Ethics of the House and law enforcement to investigate the video;

Whereas depictions of violence can foment actual violence and jeopardize the safety of elected officials, as witnessed in this chamber on January 6, 2021;

Whereas violence against women in politics is a global phenomenon meant to silence women and discourage them from seeking positions of authority and participating in public life, with women of color disproportionately impacted;

Whereas a 2016 survey by the Inter-Parliamentary Union found that 82 percent of women parliamentarians have experienced psychological violence and 44 percent received threats of death, sexual violence, beatings, or abduction during their term;

and Whereas the participation of women in politics makes our government more representative and just:

Now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That—
(1) Representative Paul Gosar of Arizona be censured;
(2) Representative Paul Gosar forthwith present himself in the well of the House of Rep6 resentatives for the pronouncement of censure; and
(3) Representative Paul Gosar be censured with the public reading of this resolution by the Speaker.

Endorsing and supporting Paul Gosar (r):

Vicky Hartzler (r) [2021 file photo].

Billy Long (r) [2021 file photo]

Blaine Luetkemeyer (r)[2021 file photo]

Jason Smith (r) [2021 file photo]

The vote:

FINAL VOTE RESULTS FOR ROLL CALL 379
H RES 789 YEA-AND-NAY 17-Nov-2021 4:27 PM
QUESTION: On Agreeing to the Resolution
BILL TITLE: Censuring Representative Paul Gosar
[….]

—- YEAS 223 —

Bush
Cheney
Cleaver
Kinzinger

—- NAYS 207 —

Gosar
Graves (MO)
Hartzler
Long
Luetkemeyer
Smith (MO)
Wagner

—- ANSWERED “PRESENT” 1 —

—- NOT VOTING 3 —

When people show you who the really are – believe them.

Yeah, but those seven Senators didn’t pump their fists at insurrectionists immediately before the breach of the Capitol

25 Monday Jan 2021

Posted by in campaign finance, Josh Hawley, social media, US Senate

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Josh Hawley (r) [2016 file photo].

The first rule of holes: When you find yourself in a deep hole, stop digging.

The first rule of republicans: Projection doesn’t just happen in movie theaters.

The first rule of Josh Hawley (r): “Where’s the microphone?”

“The most dangerous place to stand in Washington D.C. is any place between Senator Josh Hawley and a live microphone” – Charles P. Pierce

Today, in self-serving arrogance:

Hawley Calls for Investigation into Democrat Abuse of Senate Ethics Process
Monday, January 25, 2021

U.S. Senator Josh (R-Mo.) is filing a counter-complaint today against seven Senate Democrats who called for an ethics investigation into his objection to certifying Pennsylvania’s electoral count. The Democrats admitted in their complaint that Hawley’s electoral college objection was lawful. In a letter to the seven Democrat Senators, Senator Hawley called out the senators for their historic partisan abuse of the Senate ethics process and potential coordination with dark money groups.[….]

Project much?

Billboard in the Washington, D.C. metro area.

Missourians are going to be reminded of that raised fist for a long time.

You think he sees that billboard every day on his commute between his home in Virginia and the Capitol? Just asking.

Previously:

Senator Claire McCaskill (D) – town hall in Warrensburg – Press Q and A – August 17, 2017 (August 17, 2017)

What passes for a flatbed truck at “…Yale, I think, or Harvard, one of those, one of those fancy ones…” (August 16, 2018)

Josh Hawley (r): throwing shit against the wall to see if anything sticks (December 30, 2020)

Josh Hawley (r): ladders and rakes (December 30, 2020)

Ladder Climbing 101: by the book (December 31, 2020)

Burning bridges (December 31, 2020)

Sedition, sedition…sedition (January 2, 2021)

What it is, is sedition… (January 3, 2021)

If you can’t stand the heat, trample people on your way to a live mic (January 3, 2021)

Nothing much going on. Why do you ask? (January 3, 2021)

The third Senator from Virginia (January 5, 2021)

Fascist pig (January 6, 2021)

What hath Josh Hawley (r) wrought? (January 6, 2021)

Josh Hawley (r): Dumbass (January 7, 2021)

Sedition is bad for business (January 11, 2021)

HCR 10 and HCR 11 (January 12, 2021)

Josh Hawley (r): “I no mye misoori constitutents our reely stoopit.” (January 14, 2021)

Ignite (January 15, 2021)

Campaign Finance: Dayam (January 16, 2021)

Penrose on Politics: Taps Closed to Insurrectionists (January 17, 2021)

Josh Hawley (r): Why not add “obstructionist asshole” to the list, it’s just one more thing, right? (January 21, 2021)

Penrose on Politics: Hawley’s Hallmark Moment (January 23, 2021)

Josh Hawley (r): looking ahead to 2024 (January 23, 2021)

After 17 days of silence (January 24, 2021)

Donald Trump (r): adding to the swamp on the way out the door

20 Wednesday Jan 2021

Posted by in Uncategorized

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“…I will not, within 5 years after the termination of my employment as an appointee in any executive agency in which I am appointed to serve, engage in lobbying activities with respect to that agency…”

Lobbying. Taking care of the one true base.

Last night:

Executive Order on the Revocation of Executive Order 13770
Issued on: January 20, 2021

By the authority vested in me as President of the United States by the Constitution and laws of the United States of America, including section 301 of title 3, United States Code, and sections 3301 and 7301 of title 5, United States Code, it is hereby ordered as follows:

Section 1. Revocation. Executive Order 13770 of January 28, 2017, “Ethics Commitments by Executive Branch Appointees,” is hereby revoked, effective at noon January 20, 2021. Employees and former employees subject to the commitments in Executive Order 13770 will not be subject to those commitments after noon January 20, 2021.

Sec. 2. General Provisions. (a) Nothing in this order shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect:

(i) the authority granted by law to an executive department or agency, or the head thereof; or

(ii) the functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals.

(b) This order shall be implemented consistent with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations.

(c) This order is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person.

DONALD J. TRUMP

THE WHITE HOUSE,
January 19, 2021.

Executive Order 13770 [pdf], at the National Archives:

Executive Order 13770 of January 28, 2017
Ethics Commitments by Executive Branch Appointees

By the authority vested in me as President of the United States by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, including section 301 of title 3, United States Code, and sections 3301 and 7301 of title 5, United States Code, it is hereby ordered as follows:

Section 1. Ethics Pledge. Every appointee in every executive agency appointed on or after January 20, 2017, shall sign, and upon signing shall be contractually committed to, the following pledge upon becoming an appointee:

‘‘As a condition, and in consideration, of my employment in the United States Government in an appointee position invested with the public trust, I commit myself to the following obligations, which I understand are binding on me and are enforceable under law:

‘‘1. I will not, within 5 years after the termination of my employment as an appointee in any executive agency in which I am appointed to serve, engage in lobbying activities with respect to that agency.

‘‘2. If, upon my departure from the Government, I am covered by the post-employment restrictions on communicating with employees of my former executive agency set forth in section 207(c) of title 18, United States Code, I agree that I will abide by those restrictions.

‘‘3. In addition to abiding by the limitations of paragraphs 1 and 2, I also agree, upon leaving Government service, not to engage in lobbying activities with respect to any covered executive branch official or noncareer Senior Executive Service appointee for the remainder of the Administration.

‘‘4. I will not, at any time after the termination of my employment in the United States Government, engage in any activity on behalf of any foreign government or foreign political party which, were it undertaken on January 20, 2017, would require me to register under the Foreign Agents Registration Act of 1938, as amended.

‘‘5. I will not accept gifts from registered lobbyists or lobbying organizations for the duration of my service as an appointee.

‘‘6. I will not for a period of 2 years from the date of my appointment participate in any particular matter involving specific parties that is directly and substantially related to my former employer or former clients, including regulations and contracts.
[….]

Is anyone really surprised?

Bad combover. Check. Too long red tie. Check. Orange spray tan. Check. Tiny hands. Check. Cluelessness. Check…

Josh Hawley (r): Who did you say was in charge at the Attorney General’s office?

31 Wednesday Oct 2018

Posted by in Claire McCaskill, US Senate

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Josh Hawley (r) [2016 file photo].

Out-of-state political consultants helped direct Josh Hawley’s Missouri AG office
By Lindsay Wise, Jason Hancock And Steve Vockrodt
October 31, 2018 01:27 PM
[….]

Out of state political consultants, you say?

As if anyone’s surprised?

Just go and read the whole thing.

Campaign Finance: the same fight

27 Monday Aug 2018

Posted by in campaign finance

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Today at the Missouri Ethics Commission in support of the initiative (Amendment 1) for campaign finance, lobbying, legislative open records, and redistricting reform:

C161298 08/27/2018 CLEAN Missouri Planned Parenthood Great Plains Votes 4401 W. 109th St Suite 200 Overland Park KS 66211 8/27/2018 $50,000.00

[emphasis added]

“Which side are you on? Which side are you on?”

Previously:

Campaign Finance: teaching your children well (August 20, 2018)