ABC News Update on Hastert Story

Dear ABC:
Regarding the story of an investigation of Speaker Dennis Hastert,anytime unnamed and anonymous sources are used today the story is automatically lacking credibility and creates suspicion of ABC manufacturing a story. If you want credibility with today’s news consumer, you must give us names of comfirming sources or withdraw the story.

Hilarious! Let’s see if I got this right:
1. ABC News lies, by saying Hastert is under investigation.
2. Justice Department calls ABC News on their lie, saying flat out that Haster in “not under investigation”.
3. ABC News sticks by their lie! They quote the famous unnamed sources as saying Hastert IS “under investigation”, even though that is directly contradicted by the Justice Department.
Too funny! Is it any wonder why nobody relly believes anything the MSM writes any more?

It looks like ABC News has joined CBS News in publishing a false and unsubstantiated story in order to smear a Rupublican. The Liberal left media, such as ABC NEWS, will stop at nothing to publish fiction in order to promote their agenda.

Well, if Hastert isn;t in on the Abramoff gig, they should get him on his illict ties to the Turkish government via the American Turkish Council and Americans at that nonprofit serving as agents of the Turkish government. Brent Scowcroft runs the ATC and its Board members/dues paying members consist of all the major US defense contractors, former US Congress members, et al. Joe Wilson met Valerie Plame whilst at an ATC function. US/Turkish ATC members have been involved in illict technology transfer used for WMD’s. Finally, Sibel Edmonds ran across this info which is why she is locked down by the US State Secrets gag order. Hastert, et al are in the mix there for sure.

I plan to check back here and see if the right wingers who are oh so sure that the story was a damned lie retract their statements if it turns out to be accurate…

Santorum is probably in the mix too.

ZAP: they still think WMD’s were found in Iraq and that Hussein’s team flew the planes into the WTC.

This leak is just to make sure Hassert buckles under and makes sure the House passes GWs immigration plan. It will go away until the next time Hassert makes ole GW mad.

Hey right-wingers, without the MSM, people would still think there are WMD’s in Iraq, people would still believe the lies of the theocrats (who pandered to religious voters, fully knowing they couldn’t get anything accomplished, such as the Discriminatory Fed. Marr. Amend, which will certainly fail since 2/3′s of Congress would not vote for it). Go ahead, keep on believing the lies of Hannity, Limbaugh, and the Xenophobic Savage. Remember, the radio is about “opinions” not about “facts” which the MSM is about. But then again, you 29 % will never get it, so it’s not worth the time. Thanks for the great work ABC. We don’t need neo-fascists telling us whether MSM is good or bad. Just wait till 2006 Elections, when you GOP right-wing fanatics get booted out of office. Remember what happened to the Dover School Board Dist? They voted for Intelligent Design, and EVERY SINGLE MEMBER that voted for it got BOOTED out in the Nov. 2005 elections.

Just sit back and watch…ABC is correct on this story, just wait and give it a few weeks and it’ll all unravel itself.
BTW, theres so such thing as the liberal media, unless your talking about the blogs. Quit using that excuse, it’s old and used up and it’s flat out not true. Do a little homework and find out who owns the MSM outlets, and you’ll see why it’s not a liberal media.

Brian Ross is a GREAT reporter…let’s just see where this goes !!

Let’s see how objective Mr Ross really is. i challenge him to tell us who he voted for in teh 2004 election. A non-answer will be an assumed vote for John Kerry.

is the story accurate? it appears not to be at this point in time, and basing it on an “unnamed source” smacks of political partisanship.

ABC News’ Brian Ross will probably next report that according to a senior, but anonymous, federal official, “you and your investigative team work only to the highest journalistic standards and are doing a fantastic job.”

ABC is owned by Disney – a corp. not known for its liberal bias. It’s pretty amusing reading the rightwingnuts’ posts accusing ABC of liberal bias. If Disney is jumping from the Republican ship – THAT’S NEWS.

Well if old J. Denny Hastert has nothing to hide, then he should not object to the FBI seeing all of his documents….and while he’s at it he can just let them wire tap his phone and look at his phone records….hey if it’s ok to do it to the rest of us Americans, it oughta be ok for the Speaker.

so when do they lock up these crooks?

If we did truly have a liberal media, there would have been a regime change in the USA by now. Instead we hear about American Idol and other NON-news every day. Hastert? Sure he’s got it coming like many of the other pigs at the trough. Dem or Rep doesn’t matter, we’ve got to take the big money out of the game or this will go on forever.

“Every time the liberal, mainstream media takes a shot at the Bush Admin., baby jesus cries.” – Alberto Gonzales

isacoydog,
I call the phenomenon you mention “willfully ignorant.” It creates too much cognitive dissonance when they are presented with facts. You can try to present “wingers” with the facts — just the facts — and they will continue to deny and obfuscate until the cows come home. I did this on a local news server. I posted and posted and posted documentation until I almost dropped from exhaustion. Did they read any of it? Nooooooo! They whined it would take too much of their time to read it. Argh! They simply don’t want to know.
And yes, John S., I agree with you that while the FBI is at it, it might want to dig through its own files and resurrect the Turkish Council investigation/litigation (the Sibel Edmonds matter) that the administration shut down by claiming State Secrets.

James, James, James…
*sigh*
Please re-read where it states:
‘Despite a flat denial from the Department of Justice, federal law enforcement sources tonight said ABC News accurately reported that Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert is “in the mix” in the FBI investigation of corruption in Congress.’
and,
‘”You guys wrote the story very carefully but they are not reading it very carefully,” a senior official said.’
So then, James, frhicks, etc….
Your collective inabilities to read the story correctly is not ABC’s problem. ‘In the mix’, is not the same as a target of an investigation. I do not see where anyone tried to say anything other than Hastert involvement appears to be part of a broader investigation of Congressional corruption in general.
I hate to break up your attempts to make a “Rathergate” out of this, but well – maybe more careful reading would serve you well in the future.
BTW, if you want to get on people reporting false news, there are much bigger fish in the ocean out there:
P.S. If ever there was a time and place for term limits, that time is now.

“Retaliation”, “intimidation”? Possibly. Certainly Mr. Hastert has the power to stop this administration dead in it’s tracks. All he has to do is use it. And quickly, I’d say.

Funny how the week before this Reporter was having his cell phone tapped by the Administration then a week later he gets a story that is questionable and all the righties are ready to finish his career. The Right Wing Republicans are out to squash the free press. This is there idea of freedom. No right to information and no right to privacy is hardly freedom.

I actually love the fact that with all this hoopla ABC has been able to deflect attention from the fact that a Democrat on a key committee is apparently as corrupt as the day is long.

So you can even buy Congressmen at Denny’s? Cool.

I am certain that this is true…especially since Hastert is denying it! He is a big fat liar (literally). He speaks with forked tongue and he has obviously eaten too many cheeseburgers.

The story of Jefferson has been all over the news for days and Democrats are demanding he step down but lo and behold YET ANOTHER Republican is implicated and it must be another attempt by the evil liberal media to taint a holy member of the Republican party. Republicans can scream, cry and gnash their teeth as often as they like but this crap about the fictitious liberal media is tired – about as tired as the Republican party. THE BUSH ERA IS OVER!!

Someone mentioned a “corrupt democrat” on some committee. If this is the case, then off with his head as well. You see, there is no advantage to having a corrupt congressman of either party. Thier activities will not be of any help to thier respective constituents. Republicans find it all too simple to turn thier heads to this onslaught of corruption and the attack on the constitution. Democrats would NEVER stand for this on this wholesale level. This, is disgusting to say the very least.

Either provide the names of your sources or dump this story now.

Yay – finally real investigative journalism!

Wah, wah!
Poor GOP crybabies, you’re all corrupt!
Solks just come up to the front and grab your number from the pardon lottery slot.
Unless…
Democrats win in November; and then it’s every man for himself!

Holy Press!!! Journalists with backbone! Journalists with guts! Journalists unafraid of getting fired, or of retaliation, of tax audits, of wiretaps, of jail! Journalists unafraid of being called Commie Traitors for Doing Their Constitutional Job! What a sensation! What a concept! Watchdog! Holy Press!

Dave S…you have a very short memory, my man. Al Gore won the popular vote not so long ago…where were you during that election? Recess?

Dave S wrote:
‘Don’t confuse bad Presidential approval ratings with agreement with your fringe beliefs. It’s been about 3 decades since a Democrat received a majority of the popular vote and that isn’t likely to change for a very, very long time–if ever.’
Come again? LOL
So now it’s “fringy” to want a group of crooks disposed of?
That certainly doesn’t say much for your standards. Then again, you’re probably in that societal minority that wants more of the same.
LOL @ “fringe beliefs”
Why do you corruption defenders hate this whole cleanup process so much? :-o

Who would think we could EVER commend a Republican legislator who cries foul when pathetic Geo W. and friends step over the line AGAIN. This administration is so out of control the publicans are now crying foul! Hastert and cronies can join the rest of the nation in dislodging the regime. Reach out to those Republicans, even the nasties, in the ’06 elections. If the election isn’t close the regime will not be able to steal a third election.

ABC has only reported what their sources said, so at this point I don’t think there’s really conclusive evidence that anybody has lied one way or another. I won’t be surprised either way… though I’d be slightly less surprised to hear of Hastert being mixed up with the corruption scandal than I would be to hear ABC is reporting inaccurate information.
I also doubt ABC has lied. Perhaps their sources will turn out to be false, but I seriously doubt anybody is sitting around ABC going “gee, lets make up a story about this!”

Hastert and the rest of the Gaggle of Crooks, Thieves, Liars and Con- Artists (Congress), is getting so nervous about the FBI being hot on their tails that they’re actually circling their wagons and defending each others’ actions in an unprecedented show of support accross party lines because they know they will soon be hung out to dry.

Republicans are funny. Like ABC said “hey, lets completely make up a story to make Hastert look bad, even though it will easily be proven fake after a short while and then we’ll all look like idiots. Yeah, that sounds like fun.”
Come on conservatives, if you have enough brains to change the channel on your remote to Fox News, then you have enough brains to know is this day and age the networks aren’t going to make up something completely false. If the report turns out not to be true, it is much more likely it was fed to them by some sources out to sabotage the MSM and make them look bad. Just like with Isikoff and that Koran story where a White House official confirmed it but then retracted himself after the story was published and left Newsweek appearing biased. Their war on information is at the forefront of conservatives’ (weak) attempts to hold onto power. They NEED the MSM to look biased in hopes more viewers will watch state run TV (ahem* Fox News *ahem) and they will do whatever it takes to try and make this happen.

Didn’t we already know that members of Congress were being investigated for having possible ties with Abramoff. I don’t understand what is new to this story that hadn’t already been reported before. It’s like the NSA story the New York Times broke last December. Now the USA Today is reporting the same story and acting like they broke the news to everybody. Hello, we already new that!

Anonymity has been historically granted by journalists both MSM and independent to sources who have a reasonable proven fear for their lives or the lives of colleagues and families. This is nothing new and is a moot point. Pointing the finger at these sources rather than the perps smacks of the Rove syndrome where the victim/whistleblower is attacked and savaged in an attempt to blow smoke over the crime(s).
Given the crimes of the present administration, I say where there is smoke it is definitely worth pursuing. Good luck and good hunting.
Robert S. Finnegan
Managing Editor
Southeast Asia News

If the FBI isn’t investigating Hastert
when he takes action for an out of state Indian tribe right after it gives him $26,000 at a fundraiser at Abramoff’s restaurant, then it should be.

Despite a flat denial from the Department of Justice,headed by Bush crony Alberto Gonzalez that this story is not true doesn’t mean other more honest members of law enforcement are not investigating Hastert! When has the Doj and the FBI ever told each other what is going on anyway.It is about time some ticked off members of the FBI started to clean up this house of criminals anyways.As for the liberal left picking on the honest? right,don’t make me laugh,my side is hurting!

Given how much pleasure Democrat Jefferson’s criminal problems must be giving the Repub’s to offset the barrage of press coverage about Abramhoff and the Repub’s “culture of corruption,”I was initially baffled when I read that Hastert was so upset by the FBI’s raid on the congressional office of Dem. Jefferson that he personally complained to Bush. Given the Repub’s complete lack of concern regarding ethics, law or fairness for others, it just did not ring true that Hastert would be so upset merely because this “poor” Democrat’s civil rights were being violated, (particularly after the feds apparently found $90K of marked bills in Jefferson’s freezer). However, Brian Ross’ story provides the missing link: Hastert’s afraid that his office and home are next to be searched.

Did Dan Rather move to ABC?

I think the average citizen reserves judgment on these matters. Most are skeptical of the integrity of politicians and reporters. Everyone has an agenda. There is certainly little sense of decency or fair play exhibited by anyone — press or pol.

Poetic justice somewhere here. Hastert knew he was in hot water and hurried to defend the civil rights of a congress totally blind to the civil rights of the nation. It was a self serving move and he’s being punished big time. This story was leaked in the manner of the horse’s head sent as a threat by the Godfather. Lotsa luck Dennis. Like the media that remains silent on all the important issues that are vital to this country, it’s no fun when the shoe is on your own foot….

this is just the start of abramhoff’s long, long list of republican representatives who have worked on legislation for cash. just wait and see.
keep up the good work brian – your work is on the right track or they wouldn’t fight so hard to damage your credibility.

Let’s see! Jefferson’s office gets raided and there is a sudden “alertness” by congress members that maybe privacy should not be compromised. It’s ok for ordinary US citizens to be “watched”, but not congress members. Maybe they have something to hide and maybe they will get caught with their hands in the cookie jar. Hastert is expendible in this administration even though he is 3rd in line to the presidency (scary thought). This is not a gov’t of the people, by the people and for the people, but a plutocracy of the rich, by the rich and for the rich.

Fake but accurate. Isn’t that the CBS standard?
If you can’t win at the ballot box, just smear and indict. In the words of a recent presidential hopeful and election loser (who by the way served in Vietnam), BRING IT ON. :D

Ironic that Hastert has come out against the FBI invading Congressman Jefferson’s office knowing that they will be knocking on his door very shortly

This story is a FLAT OUT LIE. Why don’t reporters out their sources when they are given bogus information?

It is frustrating and rather disgusting listening or watching a media which attempts to manipulate the news rather than simply reporting it. Reporting the rumors relating to show biz or conflicting medical drug studies has blurred the purpose you are meant to serve.
The press has quickly overtaken the status usually reserved for lawyers.

The DoJ has issued a second denial of Hastert being under investigation:
“With regard to reports suggesting that the Speaker of the House is under investigation or ‘in the mix,’ as stated by ABC News, I reconfirm, as stated by the Department earlier this evening, that these reports are untrue,” Deputy Attorney General Paul McNulty said in a statement issued shortly after midnight Thursday.”
I wonder of ABC will issue a second affirmation?
The two denials from the DoJ have come with names and positions. How about ABC’s source? Is it credible and how can we tell?

I am a conservative Christian who has rarely voted R and can no longer vote D. We have lie, cheat and steal voting machines where I am so really have a hard time voting anymore.
My favorite posts in this blog are those of
blue,
Chris,
SherAn
Elizabeth
bobby jones
Bob
Eric
Jandi
Robert S Finnegan
Tom Gordon
This is a classic left / right thread. I think it is getting boring now.
I believe as Professor Antony Sutton said…
“The battle is not between right and left; it is between us and them.” …
The corruption in all branches of government and all of Congress and Senate is SYSTEMIC.
The kinds of changes needed are foundational and structural and relate to getting off the Federal Reserve, getting back to the Constitution and small federal government and eliminating lobby money and campaign contributions completely.
Leaks are deliberate and journalists have known about deliberate leaks and used them for decades.
Journalists are better referred to as “whores of the press” as the late Sherman Skolnick did.
All of our media are owned by 5 companies and all of those companies want to destroy the sovereign U.S.A. and construct a world government and empire, with death and slavery for all.

The Dept of Agriculture Director will end up being president after the dust settles on this multi-faceted corruption.
The “Conservative party” -good one, pray tell what are they conserving? Democracy for the rest of us?
Build a fence around DC and call it the newest Fed pen for failed and criminal conservative “policy” ie., illegal war, illegal wiretaps, ect.

“Never let the facts get in the way of a good story” appears to be ABC’s latest motto.

One thing most don’t realize is there is no real Democrat or Republican… It’s all the same party, and this wouldn’t be happening if the government that rules inside our “government” wasn’t trying to clean house. The media is just the filter for that informantion.

For those of you complaining that Al Gore in fact did have the majority of votes in 2000, wrong!
Al Gore finished with 48.38% of the popular vote. That is under 50%, and thus not a “majority”. It is called a plurality.
You’re the same people that are complaining about “not reading it very carefully”.
Don’t you libs ever get tired of being wrong?

Do all of the House staffers posting comments here really think this whole Rathergate comparison works? Give me a break. Denny Hastert ain’t the president and Brian Ross ain’t Dan Rather.

Wahh! They’re not covering the Jefferson story anymore! ONE GOOD BAD DEMOCRAT in this WASH OF REPUBLICAN CULTURE OF CORRUPTION AND WE ONLY GET TWO DAYS OF AIR TIME.
WAHHHHHH!!!!

I wish I could protest ABC by not watching World “News” Tonight, but I stopped watching 7 or 8 years ago. I hope they keeping making up stories like this. Nothing advances the cause of conservatism more than the lies of the drive by media. Regards, Louis

This is great! Another false but accurate story. Could you guys write a false but accurate about a Democrat congressman? That would prove that you guys are really not bias.

A) Hastert joins Pelosi in standing up to the FBI on behalf of a Democrat.
B) Annonymous source at FBI puts out story smearing Hastert.
C) Democrats, unable to see past the angry hateful smoke coming out of their ears, can’t remember anything before B.
There’s gratitude for ya.
Speaking of ABC, when is someone at ABC News going to realize that they’re just being used by their “source” at the FBI? There’s no investigation involving Hastert at the FBI, because if there were, NO LIBERAL would want to compromise it. Use your brain … or borrow one.

Even with DOJ denial you guys are still going ahead with the story, using anonymous sources??? Haven’t you guys learn anything from Dan Rather?
By the way, why not have an anonymous “Law enforcement sources” say this is the next Watergate? Yeek.

Now that the “Executive Branch” is investigating members of the “Legislative Branch”, Congress is worried about the “Executive Branch” over stepping its powers. However, when the “Executive” is investigating millions of citizens and writing laws, exempting itself from laws and interpreting laws (which is what the Judicail Branch should be doing, right?) there was no need to worry. It serves these guys right to have Bush turn on them just as he has the Constitutiton.

The time has come to take this country back from the elite corperate wreckers and shut down media like this one… look this is ABC, this is just a plan to turn the people away from the real needs, the need to impeach bush and cheney and corperations like the carlyle group, ABCNBCCNN, put them on trial for what they have done to this country. Put them in prison for what they have done to this country.

Republican corruption is 10 times 10 times treble 10 compared to the “Demonizedcrats” but this math is far too difficult for most Bush supporters to figure out. That they were lied to and can’t admit it lends credence to the “dumbing down” of America event that now appears quite correctly in effect. Knowledge hurts their little brains and causes them to lash out at brilliant men like Gore and Carter and accept a “moron” in the White House. Guess what the trickle down theory is after that occurs?

The Hastert and Pelosi argument for a separation of powers generated congressional marbel-walled sanctuary is a novel idea regarding criminal justice. One would think they suggest Abramhoff’s mistake was in the location of his payoffs –outside rather than inside–the halls of congress. While this gang of two exhorted their defense of the constitution, it was significant that no US Senator shared their soap box proclaiming congressional immunity… or is that impunity.
Were a Justice of the US Supreme Court to run a rackets game from his or her chambers, a constitutional warrant would allow search and seizure for evidence of this crime. The real issue is to narrow the warrant to search for evidence of the crime and execute the warrant in a fashion that does not exceed it’s scope nor violate recognizable priviledged information. No crime should go unpunished because of the criminal’s status, or stage. Would anyone be surprised if they learned the FBI tapped the Congressman’s phones as part of its investigation ? If he set up the deal from inside his congressional office would the H&P team claim his use of government property protected because he called from inside his office ? How far would they carry their immunity argument ? Thought there may be legitimate issues about the reach of executive power, but they’re not present in this case. Corruption should never be given dignity by virtue of the office of the offender.

Brian keep up the good work! It’s not always easy to tell the truth…especially in this knee-jerk-reaction Republican land we find ourselves in.

Open your ears; for which of you will stop
The vent of hearing when loud Rumour speaks?
I, from the orient to the drooping west,
Making the wind my post-horse, still unfold
The acts commenced on this ball of earth:
Upon my tongues continual slanders ride,
The which in every language I pronounce,
Stuffing the ears of men with false reports.
I speak of peace, while covert enmity
Under the smile of safety wounds the world:
And who but Rumour, who but only I,
Make fearful musters and prepared defence,
Whiles the big year, swoln with some other grief,
Is thought with child by the stern tyrant war,
And no such matter? Rumour is a pipe
Blown by surmises, jealousies, conjectures
And of so easy and so plain a stop
That the blunt monster with uncounted heads,
The still-discordant wavering multitude,
Can play upon it. But what need I thus
My well-known body to anatomize
Among my household? Why is Rumour here?

Notice that it wasn’t a “Breaking Story” when Dem Sen. William Jefferson was found with $90,000 in his freezer?
ABC, CBS and NBC are nothing but paid shills for the Democratic Party and the left wing.

There’s a lot of partisan sniping going on in this thread. I think our main concern should be making sure justice is served. If that means Hastert is indicted, so be it. The important thing is that we root out the corruption in Congress, whether it be Democratic (Jefferson) or Republican (DeLay, Duke Cunningham, etc.).
Both parties appear to be corrupt; which one is more corrupt is immaterial at this point. Keep score if you want, but the fact remains that neither party is clean; in fact they both appear to be drenched in wickedness. It time to throw the bums out.

Associated Press Just reported ANOTHER denial by the DOJ, NOT BEING INVESTIGATED AND NOT “IN THE MIX”. Guess what Ross, they used their own names as well.
“With regard to reports suggesting that the Speaker of the House is under investigation or ‘in the mix,’ as stated by ABC News, I reconfirm, as stated by the Department earlier this evening, that these reports are untrue,” Deputy Attorney General Paul J. McNulty said in a statement issued shortly after midnight Thursday.

The only people more evil than Republicans are Democrats. Return America to her Constitutional roots!

I think ABC got taken on this one. Hastert complains vehemously about the raid on Rep Jefferson’s office being unconstitutional and the nest day a “source” says he (Hastert)is under “investigation”? Sounds like payback to me.

All smoke and mirrows,to put screws to Hastert and back under control of Bush and cronies.

The detractors of this story once again demonstrate their inability to discern the work of a credible watchdog with a long record of excellent reporting. No doubt, most of these folks hang on every word of the ludicrously dishonest Limbaughs and O’Reilly’s of the world.

ABC’s only defense to its biased reporting is that Hastert being “in the mix” is somehow different than Hastert “is under investigation”. “In the mix” is meaningless and thus is not news. It is just gossip.
Oh where was Mary Mapes when Brian Ross needed her?

Time to clean house literally, forget about parties, we are the crux of our nation’s history…corruption, wiretapping, lies, injustice, torture, these things are wrong regardless of party. I can’t see how any of these can be justified…we as people should be up in arms and correct our spiraling out of control government. This situation is terminal for all of us…voting might not be enough for the American people!

All Hastert has to do to defend himself is file a libel suit against Ross. If he doesn’t there’s something there. Remember Barry Bonds? Why didn’t he file a libel suit?

Remember who Doctor Strangelove was? He’s alive and well, masquerading as the VP, also known as tricky dicky. Hastert’s going down hard, along with Delay. And the bonus will be watching tricky dicky in his impersonation of an honest person at Scooter’s trial. Does Libby know how to fall on his sword (yet)?

The logic Brain Ross and ABC are using to defend this story means every politican Abramoff donated to is under investigation and should have been ABC’s lead story months ago.
A fair comparsion to judge ABCs liberal bias would be their coverage of Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid’s Abramoff donation connection involving more money.

Keep on Reporting the truth, no matter where it leads. 1st rule in Investigative Journalism. Glad to see someone still attempts to do their job. But one has to admit, those on the “under investigation” list is becoming longer and longer and longer. It’s about time.

This is why I never trust ABC. As a fellow journalist, I know when it comes to ethics, it is better safe than sorry.
The timing of the story seems more than coincidental. I noticed Jefferson’s story (a known scandal by a democrat) has disappeared from your headlines, while the Hastert rumors are headline news. So you have two cases of legislative misconduct, one of which is regarded as fact, with the perpetrator condemned by even his own party, and the other whose name has been defended by everyone, even the justice department… and you run the second story front and center?

David:
“Hey right-wingers, without the MSM, people would still think there are WMD’s in Iraq ….”
Blogs and the Daily show
have a lot more to do with that, the MSM is responsible for pandering to the WH for 4 years and letting them get away with murder.

The problem with alleged “investigative journalism” is the reliance on too many unnamed sources. At many times, these stories are based on a single, unnamed source. There used to be a working rule with this that if you couldn’t verify the information with someone else you didn’t run with it. If you think I’m trying to side with a particular party, I’ll make it clear for you too. I have little to no use for either party at the moment. Neither party offers anything that appears to be leadership.

Warren G. Harding, would not roll over in his grave…he would merely cough and clear his throat at the corruption in Bush’s cabinet. It’s been going on for quite sometime….Delay, Hastert, Abramoff….etc….etc. Hastert is directly in the main loop of things on the HILL..guys like Brian Ross are more than credible they are believable. When does it all end? Let’s get some air spray in the hallways of the capitol!

What happens to hastert’s credibility if and when the story ends up being totally false?

Ah the old whiny liberal bias comes out from all the dittoheads again. For the love of God, please try to think for yourselves. Pretty simply is the pathetic executive branch trying to embarass the equally pathetic legislative branch and vice versa. All because the legislative branch is rightly worried they are going to gets their heads handed to them in November. I find it really funny when right wing nut jobs get into a slap fight. More and more the republican party is starting to resemble a bunch of teenage girls.

And who says the media is “liberal” anyways? Cause Rush (Pills) Limbaugh told you so? Gimme a break. Most media companies sport neocon ownership.
Quit listening to the Pigman spew his oxycontin-induced hallucinations!
Get a Grip, America!

The fact that Hastert is so upset about Jefferson’s office being raided and his response to this story makes me think he believes he has something to hide and be worried about. Rather than rely on the House Ethics Committee, I think the FBI should do spot check raids of congressional offices. If they can check school lockers, maybe it is time to check these offices. They are public offices, after all. I am sick of the corruption. These are the same sneering jerks who said we didn’t have an expectation of privacy because of 9/11. Now they cry when they don’t have it for themselves. I don’t have pity for a group of people who have so pathetically abused and ignored their office and responsibility to conduct oversight and demand accountability from the executive branch. They sat on their butts and ignored or excused lie after lie from this administration, all the while feeding at the trough. They made their pact with the devil, and now it looks like he is coming to collect.

“Further, it is important to realize that Brian Ross is almost single handedly keeping close tabs on this White House/Congress. We should be damn grateful to have someone, anyone helping to expose the crimes being committed in the name of the people of America. He has my support and admiration. We need about 200 more Brian Rosses.”
Yeah… and if I should ever see him investigate and attempt to bust a Democrat in the White House/Congress using “anonymous sources” then I might actually believe he and his organization were credible and not just volunteer operatives of the DNC.

This sounds familiar….someone in a powerful position that denies any wrong doing and then pressures the media to retract. Brian Ross is one of the best investigative reporters in the Country. Keep up the good work. Remember, Nixon put pressure on the Washington Post to retract their story too. The media fulfill a valuable watchdog role in a democracy.

I am sick of the right-wing “stand by them at any cost” folks. It is quite clear that this administration and the Republican party are a “win at all costs” “side-step the law” and “to Hell with the public” party. Many of them are involved in scandals, bribery, using funds for private use, and the folks who defend this action(right-wingers) I bet would sream bloody murder..if this type of activity was going on in the companies where they work..and they found out about it. Liberal bias MY foot..they are corrupt, crooked, and the cracks are beginning to leak.
Kenn

When are we real Americans gonna wake up and smell the coffee! I would put my hard earned on 80% of Congress and the House being on the take and totally crooked. They(Dems and Pubs) are screwing the public they are supposed to serve. We need to get rid of earmarks, give the president line item veto(yes, I would give it to a Democrat), and have a relevance test of every bill passed. ie, every line of each bill must be relevant to the main thrust of the bill. No more ANWAR drilling in a defense bill for example. The founding fathers would be horrified at what has become of the system they created.

If Hastert is not guilt of anything, he should be demanding that the DoJ and FBI investigate.
Anyone forming an opinion of innocence or guilt, at this time, is an idiot.
No one has enough facts to make such a decision.

I can’t believe ABC is backing up its story of a Hastert investigation by stating “members of congress, including Hastert, are being investigated.” Does this mean all congressmen are under investigation? Talk about a weasle worded response. The DOJ usually issues a “no comment” for an active investigation and a strong denial when there is no investigation. What part of no know ABC not understand from the DOJ?

I wonder why the republicans cried out of liberial bias, whenever any of their congress or senate get in trouble with law. I hope they stand up to face the prolem they cause themselves.

Remember when Ross Perot said “Its time to clean out the barn”? More than ten years later, corruption in government is still a way of life. Too bad
the “sheeple” don’t get it.

I just read Brian’s article on the Jefferson case.
He also quotes un-named Federal offcials as his sources for that story.
Funny how I do not see the neo-cons blasting him for doing so.
One word springs to mind… hypocrites.

If he really did write that letter (and he doesn’t deny THAT) and really did have that fund raiser (again, not denied) then the FBI would be remiss to not investigate. This isn’t a statement that something illegal was done. It is a statement that the FBI is actually doing its job.
I have to laugh every time that the right wing claims to be victims. It is completely absurd. They are in control of all 3 branches of Government and still claim to be oppressed. Are they oppressing themselves?
As far as the media goes, there is an atmosphere of fear and intimidation today that filters everything we see and hear with a decidely Right slant.
The annoying thing about Republicans, which is incredible they get away with it, is the way they handle allegations. They attack the motives and character of the accuser without ever actually addressing the allegations.

This is journalism at its best. Regardless of what the right wingers think, it’s the job of journalists to weed out corruption and let the public know when their elected officials, Republican and Democrat, aren’t acting in their best interests.
Do more work like this and the public will once again respect the fourth estate.

LOL!
So many posts on this thread blaming ABC for GOOD reporting!
LOL!
Now Hastert himself as much as admits that Justice is looking at him:
http://news.yahoo.com/fc/US/US_Congress
Typical neo-CON playbook: Blame the media until you are in handcuffs.
GO ABC! DO YOUR JOB!

Without unnamed sources there would be no investigative reporting, anybody remember “deep throat”…come to think about it he was an FBI source too !! The hell with building a fence around Washington, I say build a wall around it and fill it with water !

William Jefferson D La. is caught with his hands in the cookie jar and ABC goes after Hastert, how convenient. The Hillary love affair with the press will be a sight to see.

Look at all the rubber stamp conservatives who will defend this ruling class of Republicans regardless of what happens. The dyke has been leaking for some time now folks and your denial to this point will look even more silly when the dominos start falling.
Countdown to November….

If we did truly have a liberal media, there would have been a regime change in the USA by now. Instead we hear about American Idol and other NON-news every day. Hastert? Sure he’s got it coming like many of the other pigs at the trough. Dem or Rep doesn’t matter, we’ve got to take the big money out of the game or this will go on forever
Do you honestly believe that the media is MSM is unbiased? I can give you a perfect example of just how malicous and biased they can be. Last Saturday, the announcement of the formal government was the lead story on FOX News at the top of the hour but over at CNN Headline News, it was buried five stories in and was mentioned only after announcing more violence in Iraq. Also, the argument about MSM supposed conservative company status makes no sense whatsoever to me. Any sane person can clearly see the bias. Now who still thinks they are not?

If you don’t want to mention the names of the sources, maybe you could let us know who thier husbands or wives are?

Keep up the good work. Go after any congress person who’s taking money, Repub, Demo, Indy, whatever. The sooner we have truthful people with a grain of concious in congress, the sooner this country will grow up. And it’s been too long coming…

Well, I’ve read all of the posts and it seems as though the many members of the flat earth society have checked in with their wacky left-wing, liberal media conspiracy theories. I think that the Presidency of Bush II will end in the same manner as the Presidency of (I was out of the loop on that) Bush I, in a flurry of presidential pardons.

Think about it.
When was the last time a National Press Club luncheon started with the pledge of allegiance? This notion that there is good press and bad press when it comes to “reporting” on national politics is bunk. Nothing is so gray as the motives in this game. The last stand of good reporting on national politics brought down a gravely corrupt U.S. government and a maniacal president.
Anyone seen that once aired–on PBS–documentary on the extremely close ties between national press figures and the national pols? The chill it brought would make anyone think twice about believing any MSM reporting. In this doc, there is a scene shot at a very cozy cocktail party, at the W.H., displaying a stunning juxtaposition of press and political figures. It was wilting. [I can't unearth the title through several tilts at Google--but maybe somebody else can.]
The people running these outlets have different interests than you or I. Don’t think otherwise for one second.
The founders inserted a clear delineation between church and the state–because nothing good can come from interference by religious figures in the affairs of state. Think Pat Robertson or Jesse Jackson.
They also inserted a clear delineation between the military and state–because nothing good can come from interference by military figures in the affairs of state. Think MacArthur or Benedict Arnold.
These separations are bi-directional and include the ability of churches and the military to be free from politically motivated governmental straits.
The founders did not insert a clear delineation between the press and state…and well, has anything good come from _interference_ by the MSM and its press figures in the affairs of state. Think Al Franken, Rush Limbaugh, Dan Rather or Bill O’Reilly.
No argument here is being made for any censorship or prior restraint.
Just a hypothesis that much more of the “reporting” on the affairs of state has been so warped and perverted by this and other powerful groups–that it’s come to resemble the operations of a propaganda machine. And what good can come of that?
Clearly and unfortunately no one had this in mind as a critical risk to the republic–or smarter people than you or I would have crafted a way to insert a delicate separation.
First amendment protection asserts the right of the individual to speak freely about whatever they wish–free from state interference and retaliation. It affords no protection for those who’s communication creates a clear and present danger. Nor does it afford protection for those that pass on rumor, innuendo or vicious gossip. Those are unprotected and are civil torts to be dealt with through libel and slander.
So…how about it. Any thoughts on a constitutional amendment for the “separation of press and state”. A step towards responsible coverage of the affairs of state and not reprehensible news making who’s aim is to alter the state.
Think about it.

don’t worry, you Bush lovers; he just sealed the docs pertaining to Jefferson and I think he’ll stall any investigation by the JD into Hassert;
Want to bet he will?

There’s a lot more here than scandals, believe me. I live in Illinois and was in a family for more than 26 years who joined Organized Crime only this wasn’t any ordinary crime system. My life’s experience in this crosses with many of the famous criminals who have been in the news for more than a year. However, I’m not the only one, as there are many others who also can tell you more. One is a close friend who’s life experience with this criminal system is equally shocking and one that someone really needs to surface for all to see.
Behavior says everything and watching Hastert jump up and down is most telling that something else is much more important! Better fasten your seatbelt!

I’d be pretty disappointed if the FBI didn’t have a government official that has received money from Abramoff under investigation. That would strike me as a cover-up. Hastert got money through an Abramoff fund raiser. That’s just a fact that all sides agree to.
The Justice Dept. needs to investigate that. If nothing else, they need to investigate it to clear him of any wrongdoing. An investigation is not necessarily bad. Now, if someone reported that he was guilty of a crime or that the FBI was preparing to bring criminal charges… that would be quite another matter. I understand Hastert wishes to avoid even the appearance of impropriety and be distanced from Abramoff, but suggesting a legal action based on what has been reported to date seems a bit premature.

if you want to keep abreast on this issue, go to a real news gathering source.

The MSM is feeling their oats and coming out of their shell they hid in during this run-up to corruption which the republicans are all about and not even bashful in saying so. Hastert knows he and his “rummyheaded” losers are sinking fast and no amount of “Hush Bimbo”, Bill O’Really, and “Shun” Hannity obfuscation shows, mis-informing the willing, will ever halt this long overdue “sea change”…see ya repubs would’nt want to be ya…

Can you say Dan Rather?
Wont they ever learn?

Great Reporting! Ignore the fascists.

I don’t know about you guys, but where I work, there is a policy that “your” desk, pc, etc is in fact, company property. If my employer suspected me of doing something unlawful or even unethical, I would not have a leg to stand on should he decide to search “my” office.
Same goes for Hastert, Jefferson and the rest of them. It’s a PUBLIC OFFICE, paid for by OUR TAX DOLLARS – To hell with the squealing, if there’s reason to believe they’re abusing their position, then “their” workplace equipment is fair game. Especially being that they are *supposed* to be public servants. They get more than enough perks, and evasion from justice & equal treatment is NOT one of them.
Chuck, Dave, Ironic Eh, ISOG.. I enjoyed your posts. This one from Watching also hits the nail on the crook:
‘The fact that Hastert is so upset about Jefferson’s office being raided and his response to this story makes me think he believes he has something to hide and be worried about. Rather than rely on the House Ethics Committee, I think the FBI should do spot check raids of congressional offices. If they can check school lockers, maybe it is time to check these offices. They are public offices, after all. I am sick of the corruption. These are the same sneering jerks who said we didn’t have an expectation of privacy because of 9/11. Now they cry when they don’t have it for themselves. I don’t have pity for a group of people who have so pathetically abused and ignored their office and responsibility to conduct oversight and demand accountability from the executive branch. They sat on their butts and ignored or excused lie after lie from this administration, all the while feeding at the trough. They made their pact with the devil, and now it looks like he is coming to collect.’
Very VERY, well said. Someone ought to print that out and send it to Hastert, Jefferson, Pelosi, and anyone else trying to advocate double standards here..

We need confidential sources in journalism!
Why??
Because the enemy is usually us, as we so effectively display here tonight!
Don”tcha love example in action?

This is why cable news has replaced network news in the US.
Posted by: Mark Haines
The highest rated show on FAUX news (O’Reilly) has less than 1/3rd the viewers of any of the major (NBC, ABC, CBS) evening news program.

I love how right-wingers make their threats and accusations… until the criminal is convicted.
Then, they fade away…
I hope Hastert does file a libel suit… then it will be “put up or shut up” time for all participates in this ugly mess.

Well it’s nice to see that ABC has joined the ranks of CBS. I haven’t watched CBS since Dan Rather took over from Walter Cronkite over 20 years ago. His bias was palpable. Now that ABC has lowered its standards to match those of CBS, please join me in a boycott of ABC.

The Republican administration and their lackeys are criminals. They have gotten away with it for years and now that they are getting their caught with their hands in the cookie jar, they scream with rigteous indignation.
The pathetic part of all of this is that there are people in this country (I wont call them Americans) who would argue that the America described in the Federalist Papers is a “liberal” plot to destroy this country.
Who in their right mind couldn’t imagine (and *that* is basically what the story is all about) that the Republican Speaker of the House did not have some illegitmate involvement with a convicted lobbyist who coveted favors with the Republican majority?

I agree with Hastert’s opponent, John Laesch. Wether Hastert is under investigation or not isn’t the point. The point is he SHOULD be under investigation. After receiving $21,000 from Jack Abramoff, Hastert signed a letter to the Sec. of Interior blocking the building of Indian casinos; This is obvious corruption.

one day i hope to be as lucky as u and help out other ppl and things and find important stories to investigate and share with the world .. last wk my teacher asked us to write about out a paper about our hero and i picked you.. i guess because i am interested in becoming an investigative reporter.. do u have any advice for me on how to make it to where i want to be in life? please write back soon. Elizabeth Scilabro