took a little break from the blog over the holidays, but it’s the New Year and things are happening and I’m back. Sorta.

First up, the Jack Abramoff scandal. Among the first things I blogged about last fall was this scandal and I tried to give y’all a “heads up” that this story was going to be very big. while trying to make a deal with prosecutors for a lighter sentence, Abramoff bragged that he could “take down 60″ congressmen. I don’t think that’s going to happen, but I do think the GOP and especially good old Tom Delay could get tagged pretty good. I’m looking for about 6 congressmen and another dozen congressional aides, all but a couple of them Republicans, to face charges before next November’s election. Even Pres. Bush is crawfishing around and has announced he’ll give $15,000 in Abramoff money to charity just to distance himself. Rep. Bob Ney, R-Ohio, will definitely be indicted for taking bribes and he was The Hammer’s enforcer. Also we already know Delay’s former chief of staff and deputy chief of staff are going to be indicted. How long before the former Majority Leader faces the music? Not long. Already pleading guilty has been the former chief procurement officer for the GAO, a guy named Safavian. Tens of millions of Indian tribal casino gambling money went into GOP coffers through Abramoff, who became The lobbyist on D.C.’s K Street. It even looks like Oklahoma’s Ernie Istook, rocket scientist that he is, is involved. Here’s part of today’s story about Abramoff’s guilty plea in Miami to criminal fraud in the purchase of a fleet of casino boats in the Washington Post. (BTW, did I mention that in the Miami case, three men have been indicted in the execution style murder of the owner of the casino boats who was blocking Abramoff’s purchase bid?)

By Jeffrey H. Birnbaum and Dan Balz

The biggest public corruption scandal in a generation took down one of the best-connected lobbyists in Washington yesterday. The question echoing around the capital was what other careers — and what other familiar ways of doing business — are endangered.

Jack Abramoff represented the most flamboyant and extreme example of a brand of influence trading that flourished after the Republican takeover of the House of Representatives 11 years ago. Now, some GOP strategists fear that the fallout from his case could affect the party’s efforts to keep control in the November midterm elections.

Abramoff was among the lobbyists most closely associated with the K Street Project, which was initiated by his friend Tom DeLay (R-Tex.), now the former House majority leader, once the GOP vaulted to power. It was an aggressive program designed to force corporations and trade associations to hire more GOP-connected lobbyists in what at times became an almost seamless relationship between Capitol Hill lawmakers and some firms that sought to influence them.

Now Abramoff has become a symbol of a system out of control. His agreement to plead guilty to three criminal counts and cooperate with prosecutors threatens to ensnare other lawmakers or their aides — Republicans and possibly some Democrats. At a minimum, yesterday’s developments put both sides of the lawmaker-lobbyist relationship on notice that some of the wilder customs of recent years — lubricated with money, entertainment and access — carry higher risks. In the post-Abramoff era, what once was accepted as business as usual may be seen as questionable or worse.

Meanwhile, it’s corrupt and incompetent politics as usual in the White House. Where there’s lobbying cash and corruption, there is patronage. We’ve seen first hand the problem of dealing out government jobs to political hacks in the Katrina debacle with Oklahoma’s own Mike Brown. You would think W would have learned his lesson, but no. Here’ today’s outrage:

(From Slate Magazine)

The (Washington) Post goes inside with President Bush bypassing the Senate and making a raft of recess appointments last night. Among the fine new hires: Julie Myers who will become head of the immigration bureau, despite complaints across the political spectrum that she’s unqualified. Another hire will head a preparedness office at the Department of Homeland Security after making a name for herself, as the Post puts it, “demanding that information about racial disparities in police treatment of blacks in traffic cases be deleted from a news release.” And a third will head the State Department’s office to coordinate emergency relief. She has no experience in emergency management or relief, but, don’t fret, she did serve as a state chair of Bush’s 2000 campaign.

Some upcoming events for your calendar

LOCAL AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL GROUP PROMOTES HUMAN RIGHTS:
If you are already a human rights activist, or interested in human rights, you won’t want to miss the Amnesty International Film Festival that will take place Saturday January 14 through Sunday January 15.

This festival features seven films that examine some of the most important issues in our world today. Challenging and inspiring, these real life stories are compelling and powerful, bringing us together with concerns we face as citizens of the world. The films cover topics as diverse as the plight of Tibetan exiles, international weapons dealing, slavery and the child sex trade, and femicide and torture.

The films will be shown at the Ronald J. Norick Downtown Library on the weekend before the Martin Luther King Parade.

Admission is free and light refreshments will be served.

For further information contact
Katy Berrecloth
Amnesty International Local group #238
405-608-0383
[email protected]

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The biggest, best art party of the year is Saturday, January 14!

Momentum: Art Doesn’t Stand Still 2006 annual exhibit will be held Saturday, January 14 from 8pm until midnight

Location: 111 North Harrison (5th & Oklahoma, Downtown OKC)

The Momentum Official After Party will be at Cafe Nova from
12-2am, located at 4308 North Western

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THE FLOW ART SHOW

Hosted By: Elizabeth Burum & Josh Heilaman
When: Friday Jan 06, 2006
at 7:30 PM
Where: The Velvet Monkey Too
7500 western
Oklahoma city, OK 73120
US
Description:
Elizabeth Burum & Josh Heilaman

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IAO is also having a show Friday of two Austin Artists and on the 13th ( ? ) Untitled will have a show with my friend Elizabeth Brown from UCO in one of the side rooms, something I can’t wait to see personally.

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