Compare and contrast

Then:



And now:

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.”

Pelosi is evil and bad because she visits Syria part 2

Chester of Vanity Press discusses the Logan act and provides a list of all the other Speakers of the House and errant Congressmen who have stepped over the line:

The clear intent of this provision [Logan Act] is to prohibit unauthorized persons from intervening in disputes between the United States and foreign governments. Nothing in section 953 [Logan Act], however, would appear to restrict members of the Congress from engaging in discussions with foreign officials in pursuance of their legislative duties under the Constitution.

But, let's pretend for a moment that Pelosi's trip really did violate this act that has never been enforced and which does not apply to members of Congress in pursuit of their responsibilities. All right: let's look who else would have to be arrested for violation of the act:

• Newt Gingrich, for interfering with the Clinton administration's policy in China in 1997, and in Israel in 1998.
• Dennis Hastert, for interfering with the Clinton administration's policy in Columbia in 1998.
• Arlen Specter, for interfering with the Bush administration's policy in Syria in 2006, and offering to meet with the president of Iran.
• "Representatives Frank Wolf of Virginia, Joseph Pitts of Pennsylvania and Robert Aderholt of Alabama," for interfering with the Bush administration's policy in Syria three days before Pelosi.
  
• Jesse Helms, for undermining the Clinton administration's policy before the UN Security Council in 2000 (h/t John).
  
• Darrell Issa, for undermining the Bush administration's policy in Syria one day after Pelosi.
• David Hobson, for undermining the Bush administration's policy in Syria at the same time as Pelosi.
• Condoleeza Rice, whose State Department facilitated the visit, and thereby collaborated in the commission of a felony.
  
• George W. Bush, who specifically permitted the visit, and thereby aided and abetted the commission of a felony.

Would that be all right? Can we get these ten prominent Republicans in prison right away?

Update: Olvlzl of Echidne of the Snakes notes that Bush blocked Carter from visiting Syria; Issa (R) criticized Bush after visiting Syria right after Pelosi had been there and Pelosi had not said anything negative about Bush, and Pelosi has shown world class leadership. Thank god.

Stunningly stupid

describes Newt Gingrich. Mustang Bobby explains.

Update: Sinfonian shows that Dennis Hastert should qualify for the title.

There isn't a rug big enough

to sweep this crap under.

"Hastert said he was pleased the committee found "there was no violation of any House rules by any member or staff."

He added that no evidence was uncovered that salacious instant messages from Foley _ which surfaced after the scandal became public _ were known to any House member or employee before that time."

Sorry Denny, you guys knew Mark Foley was a ticking time bomb since 1995 when Foley came into office. You tried to make sure there was no traceable evidence. Curse those internets!

"Overall, the evidence shows that "concerns began to arise about Rep. Foley's interactions with pages or other young male staff members" shortly after he took office in 1995, according to the committee report."

And apparently it all comes down to politics, doesn't it? Screw the kids, save the power base:

"After Foley resigned, Shimkus told another Republican member of the Page Board _ Rep. Shelley Moore Capito of West Virginia _ why he never informed the Democratic member of the board, Rep. Dale Kildee of Michigan, about Foley.

Shimkus said, 'Dale's a nice guy, but he's a Democrat, and I was afraid it would be blown out of proportion.""

Thank you for your concern. We'll vote Democratic now, thanks.

Hastert feels lost.

Joe from Americablog:
"It will also be a major change for Mr. Hastert. Since the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, he has rarely if ever flown on commercial planes because of security concerns, and he has been surrounded by a staff of 60 or so, including Congressional and political workers. For the last eight years, he has stood behind the vice president in the constitutional line of succession to the presidency. Now he will be just one of 435 and a member of the minority in the House, where as Mr. Hastert knows too well, the majority clearly rules."