Because the government is of the people, by the people, for the people

Dmark of Flyover Country:

As long as Nancy Pelosi hold the office of Speaker of the House, every time she appears in public someone needs to stand before her and say:

Madame Speaker, The President of the United States and the Vice-President of the United States have, by their own admission, broken the laws of the United States to a level which may be construed as Treason. They have admitted to actions which the world has deemed War Crimes. Why have you not followed the oath of office to which you swore, and brought these crimes before the body of which you are leader? Why have you shirked your duty and ignored your oath and not sought the impeachment of these officials as is required by the Constitution? Why have you stated that you will not even consider impeachment even though the oath you swore requires you to? How can you stand before the people of the United States and the world and refuse to do that to which you swore?

You can't ignore the people, Nancy. We want answers. We want justice. We want impeachment.

Remembering fondly Hastert's time in Congress

And wondering why he'd turn his back on all the wonderful perks the office entitled him to have...

Like hanging out with the prez and others in the halls of power:







But then he was rudely reminded that he was supposed to be working...



And now indicates he's resigning. Eli of Multi Medium knows why:

Why Denny Hastert would suddenly decide to retire, rather than just not running for re-election. I had a feeling it might be something bad…

[Brent Wilkes’ nephew and flunky Joel Combs] testified today– just as Hastert let it be known he would be resigning from Congress– that Wilkes had paid “to fly Cunningham and former House Speaker Dennis Hastert from a golf outing in Palm Springs to San Diego for a reception and then back to Washington on private jets.”

Snarks on a Plane!

Bryan at Why Now? is doing an excellent job explaining the idiotic rumpus over Pelosi's plane:

The Secret Service and House Sergeant at Arms want the Speaker to fly on military aircraft with secure communications and no intermediate stops. This is in response to 9/11 and recognition that the Speaker becomes the President if both the President and Vice President are unable, for any reason, to continue to serve.

This was the procedure when Republican Dennis Hastert was Speaker, and the House Sergeant at Arms, a Republican appointee, believes the practice should continue.

Rep. Hastert is from outside of Chicago, approximately 598 air miles from Washington, DC. Speaker Pelosi is from San Francisco, approximately 2449 air miles from Washington.

And here:

I noticed in the coverage of the Air Pelosi non-event no one mentioned that when the media flies on government aircraft, like Air Force One, they get charged for the ride. If Speaker Pelosi brings guests, they are going to get a bill - that’s how the system works, just ask the White House press corps.

Oh, if she brings Jack Murtha, he doesn’t get charged. Retired military can fly “space available” on military aircraft for free. It’s a benefit.

Thanks, Bryan, for keeping sight of the facts as the Right Wing Smear Machine goes into overdrive.

Update: Pelosi herself answers the manufactured 'scandal'.