http://capitolfaxcom.disqus.com/NoneenThu, 05 Oct 2006 09:39:31 -0000http://capitolfax.com/2006/10/04/question-of-the-day-180/#comment-18050848<p>Little Egypt: Your suggestion that Shimkus is involved in something that was "illegal" (you question if he did it the "legal" way) is insulting, and again, a statement that is completely from thin air.</p><p>It's also obvious that you are unable to separate the facts of this ongoing scandal to make separate determinations between what Hastert, Hastert's staff, Shimkus, and what any other people might have known.</p><p>Whether we agree or disagree has no bearing on pointing out the errors in your analysis.</p><p>The attacks on Shimkus' "duty, honor, country" is same smack that the Downstate Democrats For Change (and other former Tim Bagwell volunteers) have been pushing for over a year now. It's insulting and shows the partisanship that most voters in the 19th District flat out don't tolerate.</p><p>If Shimkus' future is to be determined by his "duty and honor", I like his chances.</p><p>Per the State Journal this morning: "With all this on Shimkus’ plate, he still showed up Tuesday to meet with our editorial board. We appreciate that, but we weren’t surprised. Few who have met Shimkus would question his decency. Even those who disagree with his conservative Republican politics still tend to like him and describe him as a “good guy.” Yet even good guys make mistakes."</p><p>Shimkus is accountable and doesn't back down from a fight. He made a mistake, but this talk by his opponents of this being more than a mistake is hurting any chance Stover might have had.</p><p>The evidence clearly shows that Shimkus knew of one e-mail, nothing more. Your suggestions that any smoking gun sits in the 19th District are false, unfounded, wrong, lacking evidence, and full of partisanship.</p><p>But, please, keep up the partisanship. Southern Illinois voters will love the changes Nancy Pelosi and Danny Stover will be bringing to the country.</p>Madison County WatcherThu, 05 Oct 2006 09:39:31 -0000http://capitolfax.com/2006/10/04/question-of-the-day-180/#comment-18050847<p>Madison County Watcher, you really cut me down to size. Thanks, I needed that. Now go work on your boy John Shimkus for not having sense enough to know that Foley was having inappropriate contact with pages. Or do you just like to cut down people who don't agree with you? Duty, Honor, Country. Shimkus lacks all three of these. He and Hastert made this political from the get-go. Now it's coming back to bite him and bite him hard. Nope, no apologies from me. I don't care what group is coming out with this in time for the elections. It could have all been avoided if the two politicans had handled this in the legal way it should have been. But it was all to protect their political majority in the U.S. House, which I think we can all pretty much agree will go bye bye real soon.</p>Little EgyptThu, 05 Oct 2006 00:20:00 -0000http://capitolfax.com/2006/10/04/question-of-the-day-180/#comment-18050846<p>Didn't we learn anything from the catholic priest scandal? The INSTANT Shimkus heard about this issue, he should have CYA'd and called the police. I listened live to his KMOX appearance this morning, and while I was on the fence before after that I truly believed he will be gone. He had no comeback for what Rich calls "sympathetic" interview. He's a fall guy.</p>Troy News GuyWed, 04 Oct 2006 22:44:01 -0000http://capitolfax.com/2006/10/04/question-of-the-day-180/#comment-18050845<p>NO! Speaker Hastert did what he should have done. Calling for his resignation is a simple Deomcratic ploy to distract voters from the real issues.</p>AnonWed, 04 Oct 2006 22:14:48 -0000http://capitolfax.com/2006/10/04/question-of-the-day-180/#comment-18050844<p>Yes, and let's make sure Hastert stays as Speaker so he can better coordinate the responses to all FBI inquiries.</p><p>Let's not get TOO serious about this wanting to get all the facts first thing.</p>AnonymousWed, 04 Oct 2006 21:56:27 -0000http://capitolfax.com/2006/10/04/question-of-the-day-180/#comment-18050843<p>I agree with Downstate- the Blagonuts are thrilled that the "story" has changed- and their names are out of the current headlines. I believe that most of what has been written today and yesterday is just propaganda- however, when the Feds are done investigating, then let the chips fall where they may. (That is the differnce between the GOP and the Dems. IF they are at fault- throw the book at them. When a US Senator wrecks his vehicle on a Bridge- leaving a defenseless woman inside- the Dems want to offer counsleling.</p><p>Enough of the postering- let the FBI do their job.</p>Roy SladeWed, 04 Oct 2006 21:29:27 -0000http://capitolfax.com/2006/10/04/question-of-the-day-180/#comment-18050842<p>Hastert should resign as Speaker immediately, and also announce his total retirement from the House, to be effective in the near future. I suppose we have to give him a little time to get any remaining real estate deals in order.</p><p>Shimkus should not only step down as head of that Page program, he should announce he's going to keep his term limit promise afterall.</p><p>These two guys exemplify better than most how the Republicans have betrayed the hopes and aspirations of the 1994 Revolution. They've gotten fat and arrogant faster than the Dems did in power.</p><p>Speaker Pelosi is scary to say, but these clowns we've left out there too long have squandered our trust and brought this on the country and the Party. After 2 yrs of the Dems in control, we'll take another shot at getting some better Republicans in there.</p><p>More shoes are going to drop on this scandal. Hastert and Shimkus need to do the right thing NOW.</p>RealClearWed, 04 Oct 2006 21:10:44 -0000http://capitolfax.com/2006/10/04/question-of-the-day-180/#comment-18050841<p>In 2006, Mark Foley will be to the Republican Party what Steve Bartman was to the Cubs in 2004.</p>Grocery GuyWed, 04 Oct 2006 20:54:05 -0000http://capitolfax.com/2006/10/04/question-of-the-day-180/#comment-18050840<p>The other burning question is how a gay man found such a powerful spot in the republican party? That shocks me almost as much a the allegations themselves!</p>NoGiftsPleaseWed, 04 Oct 2006 20:11:32 -0000http://capitolfax.com/2006/10/04/question-of-the-day-180/#comment-18050839<p>To Little Egypt: It would be an issue, because Shimkus would still be running in 06. His term limit pledge would have set his retirement at the end of his term in 2008. Shows you really don't know much about the issue. (6 terms = 12 years, 1996 + 12 years = 2008)</p><p>To Scott Fawell's Cellmate: Only you and your Democrat lemmings continue to press the issue that Shimkus knew more than he actually did (according to the evidence in published reports). Is there any evidence to suggest that Shimkus had knowledge beyond the first e-mail? Listen to the Brennan interview at <a href="http://KMOX.com" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" title="KMOX.com">KMOX.com</a>. Shimkus handled the issue by following some of the wishes of the page's parents. Are you faulting that? Shimkus has apologized for taking the word of an elected colleague (Foley) and, yes, it has burnt him. But is there evidence that Shimkus is involved in covering anything up? Not yet and there probably won't be. The only evidence is just the partisan hype and speculation from the hacks that read on this blog.</p>Madison County WatcherWed, 04 Oct 2006 19:41:47 -0000http://capitolfax.com/2006/10/04/question-of-the-day-180/#comment-18050838<p>To Madison COunty Watcher at 4:57:</p><p>"If Hastert and/or his staff knew - and Shimkus did not know - anything but the excerpts of that first e-mail, will any of the people commenting here apologize to Shimkus?"</p><p>You and the rest of the GOP lemmings STILL don't get it.</p><p>The "first email" was enough to put Shimkus on notice. As Hastert stated, the "first email" was a red flag of a situation needing swift and comprehensive action.</p><p>So the "first email" was enough for Shimkus to require to do what he was supposed to do, i.e. live up to his duty to protect the children of the country.</p><p>Shimkus likes to puff out his chest and say he's a West Point alum, but he failed to live up to the West Point creed: Duty, Honor, Country.</p>Scott Fawell's CellmateWed, 04 Oct 2006 19:30:38 -0000http://capitolfax.com/2006/10/04/question-of-the-day-180/#comment-18050837<p>Left Leaner,</p><p>And our Governor is probably still floating his name around Washington for a possible shot at the big time. I'm sure he is convinced he still has a chance at running for Prez.</p>Buck FlagojevichWed, 04 Oct 2006 19:24:57 -0000http://capitolfax.com/2006/10/04/question-of-the-day-180/#comment-18050836<p>Re: Update #2.</p><p>If this guy Fordham is correctly quoted by the AP, then it's exactly what I was talking about.</p><p>Let's see what is real, after the Beltway hysteria has run its course.</p>BubsWed, 04 Oct 2006 19:12:47 -0000http://capitolfax.com/2006/10/04/question-of-the-day-180/#comment-18050835<p>Haven't had time to follow details of this story - neutral on Hastert/Shimkus resignation.</p><p>This story has doomed the Republican effort to hang on to control of the House of Representatives - regardless of how the Republican leadership questiion is resolved.</p><p>The longer this story gos on the worse it becomes for Republicans.</p><p>Hastert won't be speaker anymore come January.</p>Captain AmericaWed, 04 Oct 2006 18:59:09 -0000http://capitolfax.com/2006/10/04/question-of-the-day-180/#comment-18050834<p>Illinois is cracking me up!</p><p>Former Governor gets six years for this and that.</p><p>Current Goveror is under investigation by the feds.</p><p>Hastert and Shimkus both involved in "Foley Scandal."</p><p>Cong. Davis visiting "terrorists" in Sri Lanka.</p><p>Jack Ryan had to drop out of Senate race for possible nefarious behavior - to be replaced by.....Alan Keyes (?)</p><p>Cook County broke and under federal investigation.</p><p>And then there's always Mayor Daley and the Chicago machine.</p><p>I love it! People around the country must be getting a kick out of this State!</p>Left LeanerWed, 04 Oct 2006 18:53:43 -0000http://capitolfax.com/2006/10/04/question-of-the-day-180/#comment-18050833<p>Madison County Watcher - NO apologies to Shimkus. If he had stood by his pledge to limit his terms in Congress, this would not be an issue for him, PERIOD.</p>Little EgyptWed, 04 Oct 2006 18:34:04 -0000http://capitolfax.com/2006/10/04/question-of-the-day-180/#comment-18050832<p>Disturbing article and allegations, Carl Nyberg at 4:37, for a number of reasons.</p><p>First, its immoral and repugnant that Foley thought of the House page dorm as a one-stop shop for sexual predators.</p><p>Second, its disturbing that the GOP leadership STILL DOES NOT GET IT !</p><p>According to the article, Rep. Deborah Pryce, R-Ohio, "'contacted the clerk and asked her to look into this rumor,' said Geoff Embler, a spokesman for Pryce. Rep. Roger Wicker, a Mississippi Republican, asked Pryce and other House leaders, including House Speaker Dennis Hastert, about the alleged incident during a conference call Monday evening, Embler said."</p><p>GOP Rep. Pryce reported the alleged preying on minors to the House Clerk, a direct employee of the GOP Speaker - why didn't Pryce contact the House Ethics Committee or the House Page Board ?</p><p>GOP Rep. Wicker raised the incident during a conference call with House GOP Members - why didn't Wicker refer the incident to the House Ethics Committee, the House Page Board and/or the Capitol Police ?</p><p>The House Republican leadership continues to treat Foley's crimes against children and the leadership's cover-up of these crimes as a political matter to be strategized.</p><p>This is not an earmark for a road, an amendment to a trade agreement, or some other bill that the Speaker and the Republican leadership can bypass establsihed committees, procedures and the minority party to deal with.</p><p>Parents know this is different, and the House GOP had better damn well know this.</p>Scott Fawell's CellmateWed, 04 Oct 2006 18:33:38 -0000http://capitolfax.com/2006/10/04/question-of-the-day-180/#comment-18050831<p>Anon - Wednesday, Oct 4, 06 @ 3:51 pm:</p><p>I never suggested that Foley shouldn’t have resigned. That sicko should be prosecuted to the full extent of the law and sent to do some time with people who can take care of perv's like him.</p><p>Whether 16 or 22 it's an abuse of power. If the young Pages were afraid to come forward to their superiors, where were their parents? If my kid told me this, I sure wouldn't stand idly by. I would be talking to my attorney and the press.</p>Buck FlagojevichWed, 04 Oct 2006 18:08:56 -0000http://capitolfax.com/2006/10/04/question-of-the-day-180/#comment-18050830<p>Does the Foley cover-up mean that all of the following seats are "in play": IL-06 (Hyde retirement), IL-08 (Bean), IL-10 (Kirk), IL-11 (Weller), IL-14 (Hastert), IL-17 (Evans vacancy) and IL-19 (Shimkus)?</p>Carl NybergWed, 04 Oct 2006 18:06:39 -0000http://capitolfax.com/2006/10/04/question-of-the-day-180/#comment-18050829<p>Hastert is not resigning. I just received an e-mail from his office warning of the psychotic group that is making automated calls in his district and lying through their teeth about any and everything they can. If these liberal democrats keep up with this it could very well backfire. There needs to be a serious investigation. The wrongdoers should be punished.</p>leighWed, 04 Oct 2006 18:00:26 -0000http://capitolfax.com/2006/10/04/question-of-the-day-180/#comment-18050828<p>Nyberg, this is what I'm talking about. I read your link. The newspaper calls it no more than a "report," and second or third hand at best. You treated it as a fact. Could very well be true, but let's wait and see.</p><p>I do think there is real trouble here for somebody other than Foley, but I'm not sure who it is. I'm not even sure this rises to criminal conduct by anyone, even Foley, though I strongly suspect the e-mails must have violated something more than common decency. It will play out fast, that's for sure! So let's get to the facts - it should only take a few days.</p>BubsWed, 04 Oct 2006 17:59:34 -0000http://capitolfax.com/2006/10/04/question-of-the-day-180/#comment-18050827<p>Wow are we in Illinois luck<br>A stinking drunk Foley was turned away from the page dorm.</p><p>Perhaps this incident is one of the reasons Shimkus is avoiding the media.</p><p>The people sticking by Shimkus and Hastert are being as partisan as Shimkus and Hastert were when they stood by Foley.</p><p>Bet this happened when Terry "Tommy Gun: Gainer headed the Capitol Police. Let's get him on the horn and ask for the reports.<br>Or did he and Shimkus run over to the campaign committee for another meeting?</p>BonVoyage JohnWed, 04 Oct 2006 17:58:45 -0000http://capitolfax.com/2006/10/04/question-of-the-day-180/#comment-18050826<p>If Hastert and/or his staff knew - and Shimkus did not know - anything but the excerpts of that first e-mail, will any of the people commenting here apologize to Shimkus?</p><p>(I'm sure the answer will be no, but I'll return to this post when the answer to the above question is known)</p>Madison County WatcherWed, 04 Oct 2006 17:55:17 -0000http://capitolfax.com/2006/10/04/question-of-the-day-180/#comment-18050825<p><a href="http://fromtheleft.wordpress.com/2006/10/04/hastert-to-resign-friday/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" title="http://fromtheleft.wordpress.com/2006/10/04/hastert-to-resign-friday/">From the Left</a> claims an unconfirmed source has emailed him that Hastert will resign as Speaker on Friday.</p>Carl NybergWed, 04 Oct 2006 17:50:56 -0000http://capitolfax.com/2006/10/04/question-of-the-day-180/#comment-18050824<p>Stop the "October Surprise" and blaming the "liberal media" stuff. If this had been taken care of when it was discovered = blow over before election. Media jumps on a juicy story = that's what they do because it sells.</p>Left LeanerWed, 04 Oct 2006 17:40:29 -0000