Dozens of lawmakers have drawn scrutiny from their ethics monitor this year for everything from financial dealings to travel and campaign donations, according to a leaked account showing an active House panel secretly at work.
Seven of the lawmakers—four not previously known—serve on a defense appropriations subcommittee that divvies up money for Pentagon contractors.
Most of the names and investigative subjects, mentioned in a summary of the ethics committee's work last July, were known. But the summary—obtained by The Washington Post—shows the widespread scope of preliminary reviews and investigations the panel can have before it at any one time.
If anything, the document rebuts arguments of some watchdog groups that members of the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct—the ethics committee—do little to investigate their colleagues.
The document shows the scrutiny involved some 30 members last summer, but it lumps together lawmakers who are subjects of a complete investigation with subpoena powers with those who may simply have asked for a ruling on a proposed trip to be financed by a private sponsor. Full investigations by an investigative subcommittee are announced publicly.
Committee Chairman Zoe Lofgren, D-Calif., and ranking Republican Jo Bonner of Alabama, went further than usual on June 11 by announcing they were examining the conduct of some lawmakers on the defense panel even though no investigative panel was formed.
Members of the House Appropriations Committee's defense subcommittee had steered targeted appropriations called earmarks to clients of a now-defunct lobbying firm—PMA—and received contributions from the firm and its clients.
The names of defense subcommittee chairman John Murtha, D-Pa., and Democratic members Jim Moran of Virginia and Peter Visclosky of Indiana had previously surfaced in connection with the inquiry.
The document adds the names of Norm Dicks, D-Wash.; Marcy Kaptur, D-Ohio; ranking subcommittee Republican C.W. Bill Young of Florida and Todd Tiahrt, R-Kan.
All four have received campaign contributions from PMA's political action committee and employees. Donation figures compiled by the nonpartisan Center for Responsive Politics show that:
_PMA's PAC and employees together were the single biggest source of political money to Dicks in each election cycle from 2003 through 2008 when donations are analyzed by the givers' employers. Dicks received roughly $89,500 from them during that period.
_The lobbying firm's PAC and staff also were Kaptur's top single source of donations by employer during the 2008 election cycle. Collectively, they gave her about $28,500 for the last election and $12,500 for the 2006 election, a total of about $41,000. They gave her nothing in 2003-04.
_Tiahrt raised roughly $19,750 from PMA's PAC and employees from 2003 through 2008.
_Young collected about $9,250 from the 2003-04 election cycle through last year.
The Pentagon budget panel had such an allure for Kaptur—who represents a Toledo-anchored Rust Belt district—that in 2005 she gave up her party's top seat on the agriculture subcommittee to claim a rare open seat on Murtha's subcommittee. She would have become one of a dozen Appropriations subcommittee chairmen had she stayed put.
A spokesman for Kaptur, Steve Fought, said she expected to be cleared.
"The congresswoman has always emphasized openness and transparency, and it almost goes without saying she will continue to cooperate," he said. "She's saying there was no quid pro quo."
Dicks said, "I can assure you that I have always conducted myself appropriately and in accordance with all applicable House rules and statutes. I am confident that all of my actions as a member of the House have been appropriate, and I expect that when all the inquiries are concluded, I will be completely exonerated."
The document was leaked to The Washington Post after a junior ethics staff member saved it on the hard drive of a home computer. The staff member, who had information sharing software, didn't realize that someone could download the file but was subsequently fired anyway.
A House staff member, speaking anonymously because he was not authorized to discuss the matter, said the committee employee's actions were inadvertent but violated House rules requiring the safeguarding of official documents.
The Recording Industry Association of America said the disclosure was evidence of a need for controls on peer-to-peer software to block the improper or illegal exchange of music. Some lawmakers have tried for years to bring this about.
Mitch Bainwol, the group's chairman and chief executive officer, said, "It's now happening (in) Congress' backyard, and that should be a powerful catalyst to enact real reforms to protect consumers."
The most prominent lawmaker under investigation, House Ways and Means Chairman Charles Rangel, D-N.Y., has been interviewed about his personal finances, the document showed.
However, it revealed less than the committee's public announcements about the ever-expanding investigation of Rangel's travel, financial deals, fundraising and financial disclosures.
Earlier this month, the committee announced it authorized nearly 150 subpoenas in the Rangel investigation, interviewed 34 witnesses, produced 2,100 pages of transcripts, reviewed and analyzed more than 12,000 pages of documents and held more than 30 meetings.
The Justice Department often asks the committee to suspend its work when prosecutors are looking at the same allegations. The document said this occurred in the case of Rep. Alan Mollohan, D-W.Va., whose finances came under scrutiny some three years ago.
Subpoenas were authorized to the Justice Department and National Security Agency for intercepted communications in an inquiry involving Rep. Jane Harman, D-Calif. News stories have reported she was heard in a 2005 conversation agreeing to a request to seek lenient treatment for two pro-Israel lobbyists accused of illegally disclosing national defense secrets.
Charges were dismissed against the lobbyists at the request of prosecutors.
Harman has denied she had contacted anyone seeking favorable treatment for the lobbyists, and she has asked the Justice Department to release any transcripts of her recorded conversations
Friday, October 30, 2009
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Angelina Jolie slept with mum's lover at 16
Actress Angelina Jolie's new biography by Andrew Morton alleges that the actress slept with her mum's boyfriend when she was 16. According to Now mag, Jolie and her mother, Marcheline Bertrand, could not come to terms with each other after the Tomb Raider star confessed to the act.
"Marcheline had a live-in boyfriend whom she was very much in love with, but Ange slept with him when she was 16 and barely out of school," the Sun quoted a source, as saying.
"Her mother found out and ended her relationship with the man. When Ange admitted the story to her brother James just a few weeks ago, even he turned on her. She has hardly anyone left in life who likes or trusts her."
"Marcheline had a live-in boyfriend whom she was very much in love with, but Ange slept with him when she was 16 and barely out of school," the Sun quoted a source, as saying.
"Her mother found out and ended her relationship with the man. When Ange admitted the story to her brother James just a few weeks ago, even he turned on her. She has hardly anyone left in life who likes or trusts her."
How To Handle Recession Job Stress
The office grapevine is rife with rumors of yet more layoffs. Your workload has increased exponentially. Since your office confidante got axed in the last bloodbath, you can't call her up and complain. And your new supervisor expects you to meet a crushing deadline by month's end.
American workers have never had to cope with so much anxiety and confusion on the job. "Everybody is as stressed as I've ever seen," reports Joan Kane, a Manhattan psychologist who has worked as a therapist for 22 years. "The stress level is off the charts."
Is there any way to stay calm amid the chaos?
According to Kane, the usual therapeutic approaches do not apply right now. "In therapy, we try to help patients discover who they really are," she explains. "In this environment, it's more helpful to not necessarily be your authentic self." Instead, she says, you need to show that you can adapt. "Even if things are horrible and morale is low, you do not want to go in and say so to your boss. Instead you want to describe how what you're doing is positive and talk about what you've created and why you're successful."
An added challenge is wondering whether your boss will survive the next round of cuts. "You have to try to be strategic about whom you please," Kane says.
Many workers whose central focus in life was their job have had to set their sights elsewhere. Patients who complained about their work for years are suddenly clamming up. "They feel they have no right to complain, because they've got a job," says Paul Browde, a New York psychiatrist. "Underneath, they are more stressed than ever before. It's like living with a continual chronic stress disorder." Many shift their conflicts to the home front. "People are starting to have marital and health issues," Browde observes.
Browde encourages his patients to be aware of their anxiety. Know that eventually this phase must pass. Meanwhile, find time for relaxation and exercise, even if you must engage in a shorter than optimal routine. "Even if it's just five minutes of relaxation exercises a day, it's important," he counsels.
Billie A. Pivnick, a psychologist who teaches in the clinical psychology doctoral program at Columbia University's Teachers College, breaks stress responses into categories, depending on personality type. There are people who get overwhelmed and then withdraw, logging multiple sick days and absences. There are others who manically dive into workaholic mode while displaying irritability and picking fights with their colleagues.
Some freeze as though caught between the impulses of fight and flight. "Those are the folks who wind up getting into trouble with substance abuse, sex on the job or other inappropriate things that make them less functional," says Pivnick, who designed a pioneering stress management program for cardiac rehab patients back in the 1970s.
A fourth category includes the most well-adjusted people, who exhibit what Pivnick calls a "secure response." They hang back for a moment and assess the situation before moving forward in a judicious way.
Pivnick suggests different coping techniques for each personality type. People with a tendency to withdraw should find an exercise routine that keeps them active. For manic workaholics, Pivnick prescribes deep breathing, meditation and diverting their attention from work by socializing or going to movies. "Those people need a life," she says. For those who freeze, it's important to find a mentor or attachment figure at work who can help them move forward.
Dorothy Cantor, a psychologist in Westfield, N.J., says that beleaguered workers should realize that it's normal to feel anxious at times like these. "Don't add to your own discomfort and anxiety by being self-critical," says Cantor. "Too many people pathologize what they're feeling. You just have to tolerate it. Time will heal it."
American workers have never had to cope with so much anxiety and confusion on the job. "Everybody is as stressed as I've ever seen," reports Joan Kane, a Manhattan psychologist who has worked as a therapist for 22 years. "The stress level is off the charts."
Is there any way to stay calm amid the chaos?
According to Kane, the usual therapeutic approaches do not apply right now. "In therapy, we try to help patients discover who they really are," she explains. "In this environment, it's more helpful to not necessarily be your authentic self." Instead, she says, you need to show that you can adapt. "Even if things are horrible and morale is low, you do not want to go in and say so to your boss. Instead you want to describe how what you're doing is positive and talk about what you've created and why you're successful."
An added challenge is wondering whether your boss will survive the next round of cuts. "You have to try to be strategic about whom you please," Kane says.
Many workers whose central focus in life was their job have had to set their sights elsewhere. Patients who complained about their work for years are suddenly clamming up. "They feel they have no right to complain, because they've got a job," says Paul Browde, a New York psychiatrist. "Underneath, they are more stressed than ever before. It's like living with a continual chronic stress disorder." Many shift their conflicts to the home front. "People are starting to have marital and health issues," Browde observes.
Browde encourages his patients to be aware of their anxiety. Know that eventually this phase must pass. Meanwhile, find time for relaxation and exercise, even if you must engage in a shorter than optimal routine. "Even if it's just five minutes of relaxation exercises a day, it's important," he counsels.
Billie A. Pivnick, a psychologist who teaches in the clinical psychology doctoral program at Columbia University's Teachers College, breaks stress responses into categories, depending on personality type. There are people who get overwhelmed and then withdraw, logging multiple sick days and absences. There are others who manically dive into workaholic mode while displaying irritability and picking fights with their colleagues.
Some freeze as though caught between the impulses of fight and flight. "Those are the folks who wind up getting into trouble with substance abuse, sex on the job or other inappropriate things that make them less functional," says Pivnick, who designed a pioneering stress management program for cardiac rehab patients back in the 1970s.
A fourth category includes the most well-adjusted people, who exhibit what Pivnick calls a "secure response." They hang back for a moment and assess the situation before moving forward in a judicious way.
Pivnick suggests different coping techniques for each personality type. People with a tendency to withdraw should find an exercise routine that keeps them active. For manic workaholics, Pivnick prescribes deep breathing, meditation and diverting their attention from work by socializing or going to movies. "Those people need a life," she says. For those who freeze, it's important to find a mentor or attachment figure at work who can help them move forward.
Dorothy Cantor, a psychologist in Westfield, N.J., says that beleaguered workers should realize that it's normal to feel anxious at times like these. "Don't add to your own discomfort and anxiety by being self-critical," says Cantor. "Too many people pathologize what they're feeling. You just have to tolerate it. Time will heal it."
Vipul Shah: Unlike MAMK, Salman is the hero of LONDON DREAMS
Vipul Shah is least perturbed about the downright pathetic box office response that MAIN AURR MRS KHANNA has generated. Though there have been murmurs once again around the box office pull of Salman Khan (considering the fact that his latest film couldn't even garner a face saving initial), Vipul Shah comes up with a strong reasoning in defense of his leading man from LONDON DREAMS.
"Audiences have smartened up today and they know what they would get to see in the film. In case of MAIN AURR MRS KHANNA, they could sense from the very beginning that Salman was only in an extended special appearance. Now they all want to see him in a full fledged role and this is why they made beelines for WANTED that has enjoyed such a terrific run ever since it's release. They want their stars to have the movie rest on their shoulders and when a movie gives them anything lesser, they look for other options", argues Vipul who is quick to confirm that Salman is the hero of the film, just like Ajay Devgan, and has a full fledged role in LONDON DREAMS.
Another example that he shares is that of BILLU where Irrfan Khan was the central protagonist instead of Shahrukh Khan.
"Salman fans had all the right reasons to believe that MAIN AURR MRS KHANNA was akin to BILLU as far as the screen space given to their favourite hero was concerned", says Vipul, "Otherwise how else can one explain the fate of BILLU which didn't open well in spite of Shah Rukh having a song and dance routine with as many as four gorgeous actresses? The movie had such brilliant music but still it failed to bring in audiences."
"This is the reason why I am not at all worried about LONDON DREAMS since from day one, the right perception has been created for audiences that Salman is a key protagonist in the film", says Vipul, "He is one man who can get audiences if they smell from distance that what is he going to give them. I hope that the right messaging has gone to the audiences already."
"Audiences have smartened up today and they know what they would get to see in the film. In case of MAIN AURR MRS KHANNA, they could sense from the very beginning that Salman was only in an extended special appearance. Now they all want to see him in a full fledged role and this is why they made beelines for WANTED that has enjoyed such a terrific run ever since it's release. They want their stars to have the movie rest on their shoulders and when a movie gives them anything lesser, they look for other options", argues Vipul who is quick to confirm that Salman is the hero of the film, just like Ajay Devgan, and has a full fledged role in LONDON DREAMS.
Another example that he shares is that of BILLU where Irrfan Khan was the central protagonist instead of Shahrukh Khan.
"Salman fans had all the right reasons to believe that MAIN AURR MRS KHANNA was akin to BILLU as far as the screen space given to their favourite hero was concerned", says Vipul, "Otherwise how else can one explain the fate of BILLU which didn't open well in spite of Shah Rukh having a song and dance routine with as many as four gorgeous actresses? The movie had such brilliant music but still it failed to bring in audiences."
"This is the reason why I am not at all worried about LONDON DREAMS since from day one, the right perception has been created for audiences that Salman is a key protagonist in the film", says Vipul, "He is one man who can get audiences if they smell from distance that what is he going to give them. I hope that the right messaging has gone to the audiences already."
Salman-Ajay to sell LONDON DREAMS tickets
LONDON DREAMS is going to be released all over India but sparks are expected to fly especially in Delhi and UP territories. LONDON DREAMS is being distributed in these territories by Kapoor Films of Manmohan Kapoor, who had produced memorable films like SITAPUR KI GEETA.
Manmohan Kapoor is very optimistic distributing LONDON DREAMS for release to 165 theatres of Delhi and UP simultaneously.
And the leading actors of the film Salman Khan and Ajay Devgn are coming to Delhi for the promotion of their film and will sell tickets themselves at the Delite cinema on 26th October 2009.
Hope the film will be a super hit!
Manmohan Kapoor is very optimistic distributing LONDON DREAMS for release to 165 theatres of Delhi and UP simultaneously.
And the leading actors of the film Salman Khan and Ajay Devgn are coming to Delhi for the promotion of their film and will sell tickets themselves at the Delite cinema on 26th October 2009.
Hope the film will be a super hit!
Kareena has no qualms working with Shahid
The fans of Shahid-Kareena jodi might be in for some pleasant surprise if the latest comments of Kareena Kapoor are taken into account. Kareena has recently said that she doesn't mind working with Shahid again if the script is right.
This statement comes after reports that Shahid's dad Pankaj Kapoor is writing his forthcoming film with Kareena and Shahid in mind.
Now, will Pankaj Kapoor manage to bring back the ex-lovers on a common platform or not remains one of the most cherished fantasy for the fans of the couple. Well, let's hope he manages to do the impossible.
This statement comes after reports that Shahid's dad Pankaj Kapoor is writing his forthcoming film with Kareena and Shahid in mind.
Now, will Pankaj Kapoor manage to bring back the ex-lovers on a common platform or not remains one of the most cherished fantasy for the fans of the couple. Well, let's hope he manages to do the impossible.
Thursday, October 22, 2009
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