REP. DARRELL ISSA (R-Calif.), incoming chairman of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, says he misspoke when he called President Obama "one of the most corrupt presidents in modern times." Rather, Mr. Issa now says, Mr. Obama has merely presided over "one of the most corrupt administrations." That is hardly more restrained or more responsible. It is in fact patently false.
As if that weren't bad enough it looks lie Issa himself has far more than his fair share of skeletons in his closet.
From Crooks and Liars:
A retired Army sergeant claimed that Issa stole a Dodge sedan from an Army post near Pittsburgh in 1971. The sergeant said he recovered the car after confronting and threatening him.
Issa denied the allegation and no charges were filed.
In 1972, Issa and his brother allegedly stole a red Maserati sports car from a car dealership in Cleveland.
He and his brother were indicted for car theft, but the case was dropped.
That same year, Issa was convicted in Michigan for possession of an unregistered gun. He received three months probation and paid a $204 fine.
[...] On December 28, 1979, Issa and his brother allegedly faked the theft of Issa's Mercedes Benz sedan.
Issa and his brother were charged for grand theft auto, but the case was dropped by prosecutors for lack of evidence.
Later, Issa and his brother were charged for misdemeanors, but that case was not pursued by prosecutors.
Issa accused his brother of stealing the car, and said that the experience with his brother was the reason he went into the car alarm business.
A day after a court order was issued, giving Issa control of automotive alarm company A.C. Custom over an unpaid $60,000 debt, Issa allegedly carried a cardboard box containing a handgun into the office of A.C. Custom executive, Jack Frantz, and told Frantz he was fired.
In a 1998 newspaper article, Frantz said Issa had invited him to hold the gun and claimed extensive knowledge of guns and explosives from his Army service.
In response, Issa said, "Shots were never fired. ... I don't recall having a gun. I really don't. I don't think I ever pulled a gun on anyone in my life."
Issa and his people must have gotten wind that his critics can read because they have been scrubbing his Wikipedia page like little over caffeinated cyber janitors.
I have never trusted this guy and I see bad days ahead for our President with him in charge of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee. This is beginning to look a lot like 1998 all over again.
Rep. Darrell Issa (R-Calif.), who will become chairman of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee when the 112th Congress is sworn in Wednesday, said he would lead six major investigations in the first three months of the year. This is an ambitious undertaking by conventional standards, as congressional investigations often take months to bear fruit.
ReplyDeleteIssa, who will have power to subpoena government officials to appear before the committee, said he intended to conduct inquiries into the release of classified diplomatic cables by Wikileaks; recalls at the Food and Drug Administration; the role of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac in the foreclosure crisis; the Financial Crisis Inquiry Commission's failure to identify the origins of the meltdown; as well as business regulations and alleged corruption in Afghanistan.
Other incoming Republican committee chairmen are planning investigations into the Justice Department's civil rights division, the radicalization of Muslims in the United States, homeland security grant money and air cargo and port and chemical plant security.
Every turnover in Congress fuels anticipation about how the new majority will scrutinize the administration. In Issa's case, the combative Republican has tempered his partisan rhetoric recently and appeared to steer clear of undertaking investigations that could be seen as overtly political. But his ambitious agenda sets up a potential early showdown between the White House and emboldened House Republicans.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2011/01/03/AR2011010305203.html
I live in his district. ASTRONOMICAL unemployment here, as well as foreclosures. Yet, this is what he plans to spend his time doing?? You have a voice, and some knowledge. Do you know of anyone who might want to recall this guy? Is that even possible for a US Congressman?
ReplyDeleteThis guy is SUCH BAD NEWS. He's been chomping at the bit since Obama was elected to try to bring the administration down. Now he's salivating at his newfound power. Disgusting!
ReplyDeleteDarrell Issa reveals list of investigations
According to an outline of hearing topics obtained by POLITICO, the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee is also planning to investigate how regulation affects job creation, the roles of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac in the foreclosure crisis, recalls at the Food and Drug Administration and the failure of the Financial Crisis Inquiry Commission to agree on the causes of the market meltdown.
The sweeping and specific hearing agenda shows that Issa plans to cut a wide swath as chairman, latching onto hot-button issues that could make his committee the center of attention in the opening months of the 112th Congress. By grabbing such a wide portfolio — especially in national security matters — Issa is also laying down a marker of sorts, which could cement his panel as the go-to place for investigations.
An order for hearings has not been set and witnesses have not yet been notified. The committee staff is still moving offices, and subcommittees are currently being organized. Hearings aren’t likely to begin until late January or early February.
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0111/46952.html
WTF?
ReplyDeleteRep. Darrell Issa (R-Calif.), the incoming chairman of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, sought council from more than 150 big business associations, trade organizations, and corporations concerning which of the Obama administration's regulations he should target in the 112th Congress, Politico reports Tuesday.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/01/04/darrell-issa-seeks-input-_n_804035.html
How is all this "investigating" going to anything to help our country. I'm sure they can find some corruption if they dig deep enough. After all we have all those Bush people embedded everywhere. But, spending millions looking for some corruption so he can "prove his point" is only going to waste time and money.
ReplyDeleteAnd I read of HuffPo he asked over 100 businesses & corporations what THEY want him to "focus on".
ReplyDeleteBoggles the mind doesn't it?
Do today's voters ever pay attention to facts? Job/Work History? Or do they just believe what the TV/Faux News/Newspapers are PAID to say?
Am believing we should just vote all the tea-baggs & GOP into office so they can finish driving us off the cliff. In the meantime, going to order Rosetta Stone "Learn Chinese" when the GOP forces us to default on THEIR debt and the uber-rich relocate to South America....
I hear Washington & Calif. will be the first of the New West China Territories...
Keep on truckin'
ReplyDeleteYour dumbass readers need you alert to tell them if Sarah tweeted from the Web or Blackberry.
Elections have consequences.
Tomorrow we begin the process of learning if the man-child President is a man or child.
Well, then, we all just need to start the drumbeat that this fellow doesn't have a leg to stand on, himself.
ReplyDeleteLet's get this out there, let's not stop until it makes MSM coverage.
Let's discredit this guy so anything he does looks suspect.
Listen, I bet the Dems have the goods on a bunch of these people. I do feel if they think it's gonna be war for the next two years, they will sharpen their knives and play, as much as it goes against their impulses.
Don't underestimate the liberals at this point in history. (Please, don't get on here and start lamenting the outcome of the midterms. Moving on.)
As an Arab-American, I am disgusted by Issa, also an Arab-American.
ReplyDeleteHe covets the President's car, but couldn't figure out any other way to steal it....
ReplyDeleteIssa is like Don Draper out of time. He doesn't know who he's supposed to be or what he should pursue but he's covinced.
ReplyDeleteIssa has a criminal record that is documented but never discussed.
What have they been scrubbing at wikipedia? Things like this.
ReplyDeleteThis appears to be fairly well documented.
From The Archives: Issa Snared In '98 In His Own Military Exaggeration
"It turns out that 12 years ago when Rep. Darrell Issa (R-CA) was running for Senate, the San Francisco Examiner uncovered that his Army record was in doubt."
This is not so well documented- but then again if it had been at the time then the police might have...
Darrell Issa, Multi-Millionaire Congressman Is Not Mr. Clean!
"Suspicious Fire and the Weapons Charges!
In 1982, Issa was suspected, but never charged in a suspicious fire that burned his Ohio manufacturing plant. Although there was insufficient evidence to prosecute Issa, the police suspected he was behind the fire based on two facts. Just a few weeks prior to the fire, Issa increased the fire insurance coverage to quadruple the original amount and according to the company bookkeeper, Karen Brasdovich, a few days before the fire, records and a company computer were removed from the plant, which was completely out of character for Issa. Charges were not filed due to lack of evidence, but the suspicions remain."
3:15
ReplyDeleteAlready had one man child, 'served' for eight years and we will be fucked for generations. Blow it out your bible thumping as@.
THis kind of criminal hx is scarey and indicative of a person with an anti social personality disorder--no regard for authority or rules. HOw the hell did get elected and put in charge of this committee. This guy sounds like a bona fida criminal.
ReplyDeleteIf this is the caliber of people in charge--then we are in BIG trouble!
Blessings to President Obama... How he does it, I don't know.
ReplyDeleteTHis type of criminal background is indicative of a personality disorder--usually anti-social personality disorder. Someone with no regard for rules--typically does not have a conscience. In other words a scary guy and someone who should not be in a position of power and authority because he will abuse it. How the hell did he get the job???
ReplyDeleteDidn't Issa head the recall of the governor of CA..Wilson? Maybe people ought to look into his record as a congressman as opposed to his criminal record....sounds weird I know.
ReplyDeleteYes, it IS like 1998 all over again. Issa promised sometime last November that he will 'bog down this administration, so it cannot achieve anything for rest of their tenure'...
ReplyDeleteWe are gonna have a TON of fun! NOT!!!
Also, most of the party of No guys have serious skeletons in their closets - be it that they are closet-gays (and viciously persecuting the out-of-closet gays), or be it their corrupt past or other issues, like being against ;Obama Care' - but screaming for their own health benefits that are MUCH better than 'Obama Care' ever envisioned to be.
Didn't our great President say he didn't want to look back, lets look forward? Isn't that the only reason that both Bush and Cheney were not charged with anything? If the idiot Gop want to go after Obama, just maybe the Dem's should look back, just a little.
ReplyDeleteNot Al Queda, not North Korea, not Iran...the idiocy, the racism and the corruption will cause the implosion from within America. They'll do whatever it takes to destroy Obama. Just like they did what they had to to steal an election and swindle the country into two f-ing wars for profit and religious fascism.
ReplyDeleteUsed to live in Issa's district; still live in the area. He's a sleazy damn weasel, but he rattles a good saber and no one seems able to wrench him out of that seat.
ReplyDeleteOnce a thug, always a thug!
ReplyDeleteDoes Rep. Issa have lots of friends? As in well-connected? Sounds like it. Amazes me the kinds of people the uber-religious goody-two-shoes conservatives elect. We're in for a rough couple of years.
ReplyDeleteAnd I'm with Anonymous at 3:42.
Sharon1943
Anonymous 3:42 said:
ReplyDelete3:15
Already had one man child, 'served' for eight years and we will be fucked for generations. Blow it out your bible thumping as@.
That goes double for me you knuckle dragging jackwagon!!
I encourage everyone regardless of where you live to call Rep. Issa's office and thank him for his ambitious desires to conduct congressional investigations.
ReplyDeleteAnd then I encourage you to suggest the investigations that you would like to see done:
Some ideas that some to my mind include the outing of Valarie Plain, V.P. Dick Cheney's secret energy committee meetings, the Downey Street memos, the list goes on and on, but I am sure that you get my drift.
@Gles 3:50 pm
ReplyDeleteIssa has proven that his motives are self-serving. He's the one who initiated the 2003 Gray Davis (Dem Governor) recall which prompted 133 (or so) candidates to replace Davis. Issa fell to the back of the pack after Schwarzenegger announced his bid. Issa has been on my "least fav pol" list since then. The recall caused confusion & uncertainty & no doubt cost the state dollars it could dearly use now.
The rest of this year will be interesting. Despite John (Hell No You Can't) Boehner's bravado, I think he's a decent & thoughtful person (not self-serving like Palin & Issa). Now that he's the Speaker of the House, he's got to walk a fine line between Tea-Partiers & fat-cats. This won't be easy, and I wouldn't be surprised if he cozies up to President (Paragon of Reasonableness) Obama to hammer out deals that actual help our economy, not sink it, which is what Tea-Party/fat-cat policies will do. In fact I think Boehner & Obama may become golfing buddies.
What did Issa say that's so terrible? "I don't think I ever pulled a gun on anyone in my life." sounds like a very admirable response. How many of us can HONESTLY say the same?
ReplyDeleteI think he meant it in an aspirational, motivational context i.e. "ok, I guess I did pull a gun on someone once but it just slipped my mind" or "sometimes I'm compelled to brandish a gun but it makes me look like bag o'douche so I defend myself in the weakest possible terms."
The important thing is that THIS is the man who has proudly undertaken god's work: to rid the country of "TNITWH" "The Non-white In The White House". Good luck with that, asshole.
Oh, and the latest Gallup poll shows our president's approval rating rising to 50%.
It may SEEM like 1998 all over again but it's not. Our economy is not strong and people from BOTH party's are hurting.
ReplyDeleteI don't think this will fly at this point in time. In fact I believe that, except for a very small majority, everyone on both sides of the aisle will be outraged.
It's the economy and jobs that we want. We don't have the leisure to sit thru any witch hunts. In 1998 everyone was doing fine and most people silently watched what happened. I can't see that ship sailing again.
I watched him on Maher's show. Was never that knowledgeable of the man, but he was sure giving off a creepy vibe, trying to kiss Bill's ass.
ReplyDeleteLook folks, I'm normal, I'm rational and I'll be a good leader in the House. . .
Not.
Anon @ 3:37 p.m. - Issa the Don Draper of our time? YES! Wow. You nailed it!
ReplyDeleteHow did this ignoranus get elected in the first place? Oh wait, it's Congress. Never mind. What area does he represent in CA?
ReplyDeleteThe one thing that asshats like Issa can count on is already happening: the more hard-nose, bad-a$$ they become,the more President Obama's poll numbers will rise.
ReplyDeleteAmericans may occasionally get infatuated with extreme views like the Tea Party and the dominionist-based right-wing religiousity of people like Palin, but it's always been just that: a fling, a "gawd-what-did-I-do-last-night" moment. Americans come back to the center.
Of course, until the pendulum steadies itself, we will have to endure the freakish behaviors of the inept and the insane glory-be-to-me folks like Issa, Newt and Sarah.
We all need to lobby for new redistricting laws so the freaks cannot create artificial voting districts to allow people like Bachmann and Issa and others to keep their seats because those districts have been drawn to favor them, not the people they should represent.
We all need to dust-off our keyboards, get ready to email, sign petitions, and even dare I say it - get off our butts and work to make sure 2012 cleans-out these self-proclaimed saviors. They are just using theatrics to hide their own self-serving ambitions. They don't care about the country or the people in it.
If Issa really cared, he would drop all this shit and work for his district. If Bachmann cared, she wouldn't spend time in her newly-announced "Constitution" study groups - she'd work to ensure her constituents get health care, have decent jobs, well-funded schools and adequate public services. But no, that would be work instead of grandstanding.
I am so tired of loud-mouths, from Palin to Bachmann, DeMint to Miller with criminals like Issa scattered amidst them all.
I want decent, compassionate, intelligent, hard-working folks like Obama working on my behalf who are too busy doing the work to make our lives better to spend time mouthing-off right, left and sideways about how great they are. President Obama puts them all to shame by his example (and I say that even with some disappointments about military prisons and the like).
Gryphen, I always read your blog and thoroughly enjoy your sense of humour.I had the good fortune to spend three weeks in Australia recently...just got back two days ago. Whilst listening to the news over there, they mentioned this Issa character and they talked about how the GOP represents big business and how the people who vote for them are voting against their own self interest.
ReplyDeleteEveryone in the world seems to see this, except for the fools who vote for Republicans in the US.
Issa is also famous for crying when Arnie shoved him out of the race for governor when he had started the recall of Davis. He and Boner can have lots of cry fests over the next few years. Real Girlie men, those boys are.
ReplyDeleteIssa is under the delusion that anybody other than teabaggers wants to see his b.s. circus act. He will overplay his hand badly and very soon. People will tire of his kangaroo court charade within a VERY short time, because it will be apparent to all that he is a peawit.
ReplyDeleteI think his hearings will be a great big shit sandwich for the GOP and Darrell will be eagerly piling on more turds. The GOP can't be too excited about this goober as one of the head deputies in Dodge. He seems more like Barney Fife than Gary Cooper. Barney Fife with a rap sheet. Issa is his own worst enemy.
Go, Darrell, go!
Regarding Issa's investigations of the Obama Administration, I say Bring It On!!
ReplyDeleteThese investigations are going to backfire, because it's a waste of time and waste of taxpayers' dollars. The economy is somewhat improving, but not fast enough for many people who are out of work. The majority of the people expect these asshats to Govern, not halt Government for political theater.
Also, Issa is going after Eric Holder which is a bad move. In 2009, Eric Holder said he was going to investigate the Bush Administration. Eric Holder is holding the cards and is waiting for the best opportunity to indict Bush and his cronies. I’m pretty sure he has some so much incriminating evidence of the Bush Administration and Republicans that will be eventually be exposed.
Last but not least, from Politico “Rep. Elijah Cummings (D-Md.) has a message for House Republicans ready to launch a slew of new investigations next year: Bring it on. Rep. Cummings says, “I live in the neighborhood where The Wire was filmed,” Cummings says, “trying to project some of his Baltimore toughness as he takes over the top Democratic slot on the Oversight panel.”
Cummings has already set the wheels in motion, saying he’s building a “staff of superstars.” He is sifting through resumes from applicants from the Senate, the House and the private sector to work on the top investigatory committee. He said he has discovered that there are lots of Democrats who recognize that his committee is “where the action’s going to be.”
"Cummings has even enlisted help from Henry Waxman, who built a staff of top-notch investigators when he ran the Oversight committee and launched dozens of investigations into the Bush administration.
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1210/46853.html#ixzz1A89HVLAf
Obama is a chess player. The President is always two steps ahead of his opponents.
Evil Issa. Can Californians recall this guy somehow? It's like Alaska dealing with Evil Palin.
ReplyDeleteWell I hope that Obama and the rest of the Democratic braintrust learned at least one thing from the Bushies and that's when subpeonaed by Congress just don't show up. The Bush Admin did this repeatedly constantly invoking Executive Privelage to thumb their noses at Congress.
ReplyDeleteNow would the Republicans end up doing what the Democrats would not and having people arrested and dragged in to testify? Would they be forced to claim Executive Privelage in person or just do it via press conference like Bush and Harriet Miers did?
The thing that truly bugs me about Issa is that he is a truly a sleazy criminal and Republican hack. Yet he goes on TV shows like Bill Maher's an acts all charming and sensible and they buy in to his act. Issa must have a great laugh when he's done with these shows about he was able to con them in to believing he's a moderate, not to mention honest and sane.
The NY Times and WaPo have already noticed and reported about the Republicans hypocricy about the debt so maybe the country (or at least the media) is waking up a tad. Now if the media would start treating the Tea Party like the minor players they really are and not giving them divine status because of winger money then we'll be making headway.
I know, I know, I know that a Palin candidacy is a REALLY bad idea, but...
ReplyDeletePalin/Issa 2012!
Could it be possible to fit MORE stupid into a single campaign? Palin would be makin' up words and Issa would be vaguely threatening people with firearms. Hell, Issa might even try to hot wire Air Force One.
The GOP just doesn't give a shit anymore, do they? They don't even pretend to appeal to sane, intelligent, hell, even normal people. They just pander to the knuckle draggin' cousin humpers and they don't even try to hide it any longer.
I think the next couple of years will be one giant idiotic farce and Darrell Issa will be one of the leading players in this little comedy.
How the hell did this jackass get elected?
ReplyDeleteAnd how about Anon @ 3:15 "Your dumbass readers need you alert to tell them if Sarah tweeted from the Web or Blackberry."
Sounds like one of Todds dumbass emails. Get a grip on yourself you moron.
If I could fan Gasman I would.
ReplyDelete"They just pander to the knuckle draggin' cousin humpers and they don't even try to hide it any longer."
Knuckle draggin' cousin humpers - too damn funny!
I am so embarassed that Issa is from my state, though thankfully not even near my district.
ReplyDeleteI don't understand how this buffoon keeps getting re-elected.
Then again, I didn't understand how people could vote for Randy "Duke" Cunningham either.
Or Duncan Hunter Jr. (They probably thought they were voting for Sr. the lazy assholes.)
Does anyone else smell the ghost of Joe McCarthy on this dickhead?
ReplyDeleteLets hope the same fate awaits him as it did THAT piece of human garbage, trying to lay blame on so many others, for nothing at all, only to further what he hoped would be a stellar political career.
Please, God, send us a modern day Edward R. Murrow, to expose this Issa jerk for what he is.
I think the investigations will backfire. The GOP will open the door on some of their skeletons and won't be able to close it.
ReplyDeletesallyngarland,tx
Does he have another "brother Darrell"?? He certainly SEEMS like someone from the old Bob Newhart Show.
ReplyDeleteHe's already taking these comments back a bit, basically saying Rush bullied him into saying that! lol He must have got the memo...
ReplyDeleteI agree with those who believe Issa and his colleagues will completely over-reach. They will miscalculate the tolerance of the American people for political theatre, particularly at this juncture in our history. They run the risk that the voters will see the hypocrisy plain as day, and will send them packing the next time around. Bringing up this spectre of ethic violations or what have you just means they will inevitably shine the spotlight on themselves.
ReplyDeleteSaw these two items just yesterday (I'm slow), but this is substantive info about Obama's efforts these past two years:
http://realdealtalk.com/2010/11/09/what-has-president-obama-accomplished-in-2-years/
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2011/1/4/17049/99831
One doesn't have to agree with everything on here to see that the Obama administration has been at work this entire time.
" Anonymous said...
ReplyDeleteEvil Issa. Can Californians recall this guy somehow? It's like Alaska dealing with Evil Palin.
7:44 PM"
Didn't they have a recall election to get Arnold?
Yea, that worked out well.
"Anonymous said...
ReplyDeleteI live in his district. ASTRONOMICAL unemployment here, as well as foreclosures. Yet, this is what he plans to spend his time doing??
2:42 PM"
Well, it is apparently what the district wanted.
My aunt has griped about the President constantly,
then she went to the dr the other day & didn't
have to pay anything. She has SS and some part
of the HCR is now in place that made it so
she doesn't have to co-pay. She stopped griping.
Yea, Repubes, go ahead and get rid of the HCR,
better hurry though, the ignorant are getting a
taste of what it will be like...
When I started reading your post, I thought the same thing,..these asshats think they can do a clinton on him. Republicans have no answer for a popular president. They couldn't bring down Bill Clinton legitimately, because he was too popular and successful. So they harrassed him about sex. Meanwhile, the country didn't care. Same thing with Obama. People want jobs, healthcare, services, and a government that holds big corporations accountable. So the Republicans again pretend the people don't want these things, and they "refudiate" the popularity of the President, and try to smear him.
ReplyDeleteThe only president since Nixon who SHOULD have been impeached was Reagan, because he illegally sold arms to Iran, through Iran/Contra. Why wasn't he impeached?
As much as people like to think they have a democracy here, they need to understand we don't. This country, like any other one that came before it, is run by thugs. The thugs on various sides duke it out and the winning thug ends up running things. So far the winning thug is the Republican Party, controlled by corporations. The media treats Obama like he's just a temporary squatter in the white house until the glorious day another Reaganite returns.
The Republicans churned up the brain dead populace in America and had it rally as teabaggers, and actually convinced people to vote for them AGAIN! After Bush ruined the country! Are voters that dumb, selfish, racist, homophobic, and mean? Apparently, after this election, the answer is yes.
So while we can be all frustrated over political events, and political thuggery, and Sarah Palin mean girl witchery, we have to just shrug our shoulders and say, hey nobody forced voters to put Republicans in the House of Representatives and give them governorships. They did that voluntarily. We all know propaganda works, and money buys propaganda, but still, in the end you can pull that lever. In the end, you can ignore the ads and mailings and bloggings and just refuse to return a political party back to power which raided your treasury, killed your sons, threatened to steal your social security, and called you whiners when you were out of a job.