  Metrodetguy Member Username: Metrodetguy Post Number: 2357 Registered: 11-2003 Posted From: 71.144.82.148 |
This made news in DC as well as Drudge... Former Conyers aides press ethics complaints http://www.thehill.com/thehill /export/TheHill/News/Frontpage /030106/news2.html | ||
Oldredfordette Member Username: Oldredfordette Post Number: 522 Registered: 02-2004 Posted From: 68.61.98.175 |
that'll teach him to stir up trouble for W. | ||
Livernoisyard Member Username: Livernoisyard Post Number: 228 Registered: 10-2004 Posted From: 69.242.223.42 |
It's already been reported on WJR this AM. | ||
Warriorfan Member Username: Warriorfan Post Number: 270 Registered: 08-2005 Posted From: 141.217.84.55 |
I thought this part was interesting: "She told The Hill that she tutored “Little John,” as Conyers’s elder son is known, when he was a student at the Cranbrook School, a private school in Bloomfield Hills." I guess John Conyers doesn't support the public schools of the city that he represents. I wonder how many of the City Council members sent their kids to upscale private schools in the Burbs, anyone know? Where do Kwame's kids go to school? | ||
Vas Member Username: Vas Post Number: 494 Registered: 01-2004 Posted From: 205.188.116.137 |
A D.C. Rep from Detroit and Detroit Public schools? I don't think the feds have much to do with local schools. Lansing and Detroit do. | ||
Nip Member Username: Nip Post Number: 53 Registered: 11-2003 Posted From: 148.87.1.172 |
"A former staffer who has worked for two House Democrats said, “This type of behavior is so prevalent, the unofficial duties that members require you to do off-the-record. Most staffers are subjected to this unfair treatment. It’s the great untold story on Capitol Hill.”" This statement is also true in many other industries. It's just another example of power being abused. I think Conyers boys now attend private school in New England. | ||
Gdub Member Username: Gdub Post Number: 1000 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 69.221.78.226 |
Kwame's kids go to Friends, a private school in the Lafayette Park area. | ||
Metrodetguy Member Username: Metrodetguy Post Number: 2361 Registered: 11-2003 Posted From: 70.228.3.234 |
Nip, I'm not completely sure, but I believe that one Conyers son is still at Cranbrook. | ||
Livernoisyard Member Username: Livernoisyard Post Number: 232 Registered: 10-2004 Posted From: 69.242.223.42 |
At Cranbrook - on an academic scholarship - NOT! | ||
Pjazz Member Username: Pjazz Post Number: 27 Registered: 04-2005 Posted From: 69.212.63.169 |
Why would you think a congress man would have his kids in a public school?? | ||
River_rat Member Username: River_rat Post Number: 25 Registered: 02-2006 Posted From: 71.126.177.217 |
Wow! Aren't we all shocked that a politico has his hand in shady dealings? You have to have spent time in a cave to be surprised at anything an elected official does. But, I'm certain that he will be returned to office next election even if all the allegations are true. Turn ALL the bums out. | ||
Orignal_d Member Username: Orignal_d Post Number: 2 Registered: 02-2006 Posted From: 69.222.11.226 |
As I always say, "about 99.999% of politicians are corrupt. John Conyers, I thought, was one of those in the one tenth of one one percent, well, he just lost some cool points with me. I am tired of politics and politicians they are a blight on the worlds' societies. Politicians wearing religious robes are responsible for terror world wide, politicians under the guise of care for their constituency loot the coffers of tax dollars with the help of lobbyist and PAC's. We as citizens just sit around being hypnotized by our ipods and dish tv, all the while dubya and his buddies are stickin' us hard and dry. Wake up Detroit, wake up Michigan, wake up America and wake up Earth. We are being RAPED in our sleep. | ||
Dialh4hipster Member Username: Dialh4hipster Post Number: 1475 Registered: 11-2004 Posted From: 68.61.187.234 |
Not saying it's acceptable, but having your aides take care of personal stuff was relatively standard when I worked for a US Rep. I can't even tell you how many times I had to drive out to his house to pick him up in the mornings, or drive him home at night (a 25 minute drive each way). And I did babysit his kids but was paid separately for that (although it wasn't really optional). And sometimes, yeah, campaign work sneaked in. Or else you would be asked to volunteer for campaign work outside of the office (and really, why wouldn't you if you wanted to keep your job?). Like any job that is competitive, you just do whatever it takes. Or at least that was the general consensus among the staffers I knew. Of course in DC you keep your yap shut because you want to move on to bigger and better things. I guess in Detroit there is really no incentive, so why not bitch? It'll be a wake-up call to pretty much every other member of congress, I'll say that much. As for Cranbrook, who gives a flying fuck if he sends his kids there? It's a school unlike any other in the area, city OR suburbs. Just because you can't afford it doesn't mean you have to begrudge anyone else sending their kids there. | ||
Nip Member Username: Nip Post Number: 54 Registered: 11-2003 Posted From: 148.87.1.172 |
Metrodetguy, you could be right. When I met the Congressman a couple of years back (in his office), he was talking on the phone about his sons and some school in New England. Politically speaking, Mr. Conyers has always been candid about the corruption that goes with being a politician. He’s been at it long enough and knows all the angles, I’m sure. All charges aside, I like Mr. Conyers and find him to be quite nice; at least he was to me. We both have an appreciation for Jazz and I especially like what he has done for the music. Everyone in his office was also nice, although it was a pain in the arse to finally get to meet him. If I'm not mistaken, he's one of, if not the oldest members (in terms of continuous service) of Congress and the Congressional Black Caucus. I think he was elected back in 1963. (Message edited by NIP on March 02, 2006) (Message edited by NIP on March 02, 2006) | ||
Kimmiann Member Username: Kimmiann Post Number: 22 Registered: 10-2005 Posted From: 155.139.40.51 |
According to the article, Deanna Maher worked for Conyers for 8 years. If the job was so bad, why'd she stay? And why bring up these allegations now? | ||
Jjaba Member Username: Jjaba Post Number: 3192 Registered: 11-2003 Posted From: 67.160.138.107 |
jjaba lived on Ewald Circle and Petosky when we first elected John Conyers to the 1st Congrssional District in 1964. Along with a very few, Conyers has been the voice of the far left liberal Democrats in the US Congress. jjaba remembers him as a young lawyer. He takes strong stances and is totally revered by his voters. Because he keeps getting elected by his consitutuency, jjaba has come to respect him. He is revered like few public servants. Being an employer is an impossible task. He works in Washington, DC, yet supervises staff elsewhere. That is a tough task. The allegations sound like political vandettas to jjaba. To Kimmiann, Nip, and Original D, welcome to The Forum. jjaba, Proudly Westside. | ||
Michigansheik Member Username: Michigansheik Post Number: 95 Registered: 09-2005 Posted From: 63.65.97.67 |
Come on, all the oldschoolers are corrupt. That's why I try and vote for new blood every couple of terms. You avoid the deep ties, but yes there are exceptions, an earring comes to mind, he was a quick study. | ||
Oldredfordette Member Username: Oldredfordette Post Number: 530 Registered: 02-2004 Posted From: 68.61.98.175 |
I wish John Conyers was my congressman. Instead, I have one of the combover brothers, the weak and weenie Sandy Levin. We'll see about this kerfuffle. I think it's payback for the work Conyers does to unseat the murderous chimp in the White House. | ||
The_rock Member Username: The_rock Post Number: 1029 Registered: 11-2003 Posted From: 68.42.251.225 |
jjaba, I admire you for sticking up for your hero.As far as I am concerned, you can have him for your birthday. Maybe you could teach his kids high school printing and then he wouldn't have to outsource. | ||
Jjaba Member Username: Jjaba Post Number: 3196 Registered: 11-2003 Posted From: 67.160.138.107 |
Conyers has been in Congress for 40 years. They get re-elected because they are influencial and effective. Otherwise, the public would throw the bums out. Hey, Johnnie Dingel is another example of survival. I'm not sure of his record, but John Conyers has been in the center of much legislation. jjaba remembers him from Watergate. jjaba, on the Westside. | ||
Jimaz Member Username: Jimaz Post Number: 276 Registered: 12-2005 Posted From: 68.2.191.57 |
http://www.johnconyers.com/ | ||
Gistok Member Username: Gistok Post Number: 1840 Registered: 08-2004 Posted From: 4.229.72.123 |
I too have Sander Levin as a congressman. But I would rather have him than Conyers. In 40 years Conyers hasn't authored or co-authored a single piece of major legislation that was passed by congress. He's been pretty much an ineffective congressman. And he's not that well regarded by his peers. If the democrats take over the House in the 2006 fall elections Conyers would be the senior Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee, and would likely be its next chairman.... if it weren't for the fact that he is not highly regarded by other congressmen from both parties, and Conyer's would likely have at least one or more challengers from other Democrats for the powerful chairman position. | ||
Metrodetguy Member Username: Metrodetguy Post Number: 2378 Registered: 11-2003 Posted From: 69.221.75.160 |
Perhaps the saddest bit of corruption associated with Conyers was the situation last Thanksgiving with turkeys meant for low-income citizens in his district. They were "re-routed" to staffers and their friends and families, and a few were even sold. | ||
Treelock Member Username: Treelock Post Number: 91 Registered: 03-2005 Posted From: 68.77.166.98 |
jjaba, Congress members are also routinely re-elected because of the tremendous difficulties of unseating an incumbent, the (obscene) costs of running effective political campaigns and because of partisan gerrymandering of congressional districts. I'm not saying JC hasn't done a good job, but do you really think 98 percent of Congress members (the current re-election rate) are truly influential and effective? | ||
Nip Member Username: Nip Post Number: 55 Registered: 11-2003 Posted From: 68.21.41.234 |
Gistok, your statement is untrue. "In 1987, the Congress passed Conyers" House Concurrent Resolution 57 designating jazz a "national American treasure." In 1990, the Congressman won passage of a resolution commemorating tap, a form of dance closely associated with jazz." http://www.house.gov/conyers/n ews_jazz.htm | ||
Jjaba Member Username: Jjaba Post Number: 3208 Registered: 11-2003 Posted From: 67.160.138.107 |
Thanks Nip. Gistok owes The Forum a retraction. Especially from Gistok, always on the money with truth and facts. Treelock makes excuses. People are elected all over the country for the right reasons and voters throw out bad bums. Bad bums are sent to prison just today, like the crook in San Diego, Calif. who drove around in a Rolls, had a boat, and a mansion paid for in bribes by Defense contractors. Yes, a US Congressman Cunningham. Our Youngstown, Ohio Congressman Jim Traificant is another Congressman in the Graybar Hotel. jjaba believes in democracy. The bad are voted out. The good remain elected. Evidently Congressman Conyers has done good by his voters. All politics is local and frankly, it is local service from them which trumps their national appointments. They gotta get elected and in his case, in Detroit, Dearborn, Grosse Isle, etc. That ain't a cakewalk, eh. He has been elected 20 times, every two years. There's plenty of time for another person to step up and beat him from either party, or independents. Conyers is there for the same reasons they elected Coleman Young, Orville Hubbard, or the Mayor of Melvindale. jjaba, Westsider. | ||
River_rat Member Username: River_rat Post Number: 28 Registered: 02-2006 Posted From: 207.67.146.67 |
Oh, jjaba, please. Democracy is a good form of government only with an involved and educated electorate. Yah, Conyers, Coleman, and Hubbard are all elected by pandering to an electorate that votes for less than intellectual reasons ( and some very base and bad reasons). The truth is that it is near impossible to unseat a sitting congressman (correctly stated as only 2% are defeated) no matter what they say or do. Conyers may get to be the senior Democrat on the Judicial Committee if the elections swing to the democrats, but he won't be the chairman. He is regarded as a lightweight inside the beltway. And a shady one at that. the river rat | ||
Jjaba Member Username: Jjaba Post Number: 3210 Registered: 11-2003 Posted From: 67.160.138.107 |
With due respect to River Rat, it is a bit of a stretch to say those who vote for John Conyers are not educated and intellectual. How can we assume they are dumber than any other voters for a Michigan Congressional delegate? Where's your evidence of that? You make too many assumptions about the election of 2006 regarding anything Conyers might do in Washington, DC. He and his party cronies have to get elected first. The election is in Novemeber. Call us then with your predictions about Committees. As for the power of incumbancy, your data may be correct but your reasoning is flawed. Re-election is a reward for good service, good representation, and reflective of the loser who tried to unseat you. John Conyers could probably just spend filing fees, have zero advertising budget, and win in a landslide in 2006. Any campaign war chest Conyers has, probably goes to others. Yes, he's that popular. River Rat, look it up. By what margains does Conyers win? Gimme those numbers and then tell us it is because of your cynical vision of democracy. The Hoekstra name in Kalamazoo also produces incumbants yr. after yr. Is Kalamazoo dumb, uneducated, and too stupid to change too? jjaba. | ||
River_rat Member Username: River_rat Post Number: 31 Registered: 02-2006 Posted From: 207.67.146.67 |
Jjaba, we don't want to go there (regarding the educational and intellectual status of the Conyers district). Conyers wins big every time, but then so did California Congressman Duke Cunningham and Ohio Congressman Jim Traificant. They are both serving time now for their corruption and bribery cases. The electorate really is not what the founding fathers had in mind when the established our Republic. But that is another story. Fortunately, as the electorate, we get what we deserve. That's why Detriot has had, and has, such wonderful leadership. the river rat, inside the beltway sometimes | ||
Jjaba Member Username: Jjaba Post Number: 3214 Registered: 11-2003 Posted From: 67.160.138.107 |
River Rat be deep inside the Beltway. If John Conyers is a crook, there's a DA named Fitzgerald from Chicago who will cream his ass. So far, all's we got here is a misplaced turkey at Thanksgiving. That turkey and some pissed off ex-employee who didn't want to give his kid a ride to school is all Drudge has on him. Yes, Texans elected Tom De Lay too. jjaba doesn't live in Ft. Worth so he can't say why they vote for him. Personally, jjaba thinks his hair is worse than Jimmie Johnson's. River Rat, remember, Rosa Parks was hired by Conyers to run his office. Maybe that's a clue for you. With Bill Cosby and Little Stevie Wonder, Conyers created a Holiday for M. L. King, Jr. Maybe that's a clue. With Randall Robinson, Conyers broke the back of South African apartheid. Maybe that's another clue why we vote for John Conyers. If that's lightweight, then yes, jjaba and Detroit is a lightweight. Two years ago, jjaba traveled with folks who escorted John Conyers around South Africa. When jjaba said, "Detroit", they were really extatic. jjaba, Proudly Detroit. | ||
Jimg Member Username: Jimg Post Number: 572 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 205.188.116.137 |
As jjaba points out, Conyers has been active on a number of human rights issues for a long time. After forty years in Congress this is what he's guilty of? Tempest in a teapot. | ||
River_rat Member Username: River_rat Post Number: 32 Registered: 02-2006 Posted From: 207.67.146.67 |
I'll have to rethink JC (John Conyers). I sort of thought that Nelson Mandela and the ANC had a lot to do with eliminating aparthied. And a lot of "deep in the beltway folks" are going to be very surprised to hear who was that it was JC who was the originator of MLK Holiday. President Ronald Reagan signed a bill into law making the third Monday of January a national holiday celebrating the birth and life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. after long debate. The southern Senators used the specious arguement that it was just another way to get a paid holiday. One speaker, Senator Bob Dole, pointed out to those critics of the proposed holiday,"I suggest they hurry back to their pocket calculators and estimate the cost of 300 years of slavery, followed by a century or more of economic, political and social exclusion and discrimination." This statement literally ended the opposition. Now I will agree with you that JC originally proposed the holiday, but the bill that passed was jointly sponsored by Shirley Chisholm and JC. On the subject of Randall Robinson, his passion for justice in the African policies of this country is unassailable and his leadership and work with and for Nelson Mandela and the ANC is to be admired. But I will stand on my evaluation of the influence of JC in side the beltway. the river rat 'deep inside the beltway' | ||
Jimg Member Username: Jimg Post Number: 573 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 205.188.116.137 |
Goes without saying that John (former trumpeter) has been instrumental in spreading the good jazz word among his colleagues, friends and the nation in general...especially the Det jazz word. He's championed those values we as a nation often overlook - liberty, decency and culture. Not saying he walks on liquid but John Conyers has many admirable qualities. I respect him a great deal. (Message edited by jimg on March 03, 2006) | ||
Mikeg Member Username: Mikeg Post Number: 12 Registered: 12-2005 Posted From: 69.136.155.244 |
Somehow I think that John Conyers will be remembered more for his record as the founder of the CBC and his membership in the Congressional Progressive Caucus, providing support and an air of legitimacy to far-out fringe groups like Louis Farrakhan's Nation of Islam and the Democratic Socialists of America. | ||
Jjaba Member Username: Jjaba Post Number: 3218 Registered: 11-2003 Posted From: 67.160.138.107 |
This discussion has evolved into something quite nice. Full of gossip, truth, admiration, love, and a skeptic from somewhere around Washington, DC to give us feedback. It is hard to explain the love you feel for John Conyers when he's with his constituents. There is a kind of admiration you seldom see for an elected official. It crosses the line of politics, color, and Detroit. He has stood for something, and stood tall. He stands for Detroit, be it for working people, urban development, racial minorities, or the US auto industry. Think ACLU, think impeachment of Nixon, think about civil rights and economic opportunity programs, and think about justice around the world, John Conyers has fought the good fight. jjaba, Westsider. |
