is this right?

[cassandra and sara's daddy]

unless i married one of you buzzards without remembering it you lack the power to annoy

The Tiffany issue matters because on a gut level it says "I'm not one of you peons.  We're nobility."  It doesn't matter whether he indulges his wife, it matters whether the perception is that he places that indulgence above the higher virtues required for public service.

it also matters because if it happened as he described he committed a crime

[longeyes]

That too, yes, definitely, if so.

Newt, to this observer, looks like a man who is way too satisfied with himself.  He exudes this--or he would if he were capable of raising a sweat.  No one doubts his acumen on the philosophy of statecraft, but that won't win the day for him.  The broad votership doesn't cotton to the guy.

[Perd Hapley]

so a republican and his wife having a zero interest acct from a company with legislation pending is not an issue?  even when typical interest is 21%?  how come?

Probably because nothing criminal was mentioned in the bit of article you posted. Leave it to you to invent the technique of reverse cherry-picking.

[Jamie B]

Newt is a prime example of someone who is intelligent, but lacks wisdom.  Bill Clinton was similar in that way, but with more base cunning.

Yup, that covers my thoughts.

[Gowen]

Ok, I'm wrong.  It states that Bill was impeached.  I guess there is a difference.

[Regolith]

it also matters because if it happened as he described he committed a crime

What crime, exactly? I have yet to see that specified.

[Perd Hapley]

What crime, exactly? I have yet to see that specified.

You should read the last half of that article in the OP. Well, shoot, here it is:

As it turns out, the deal might be a little too good...and possibly a felony.

Tiffany's charges its normal customers a hefty 21% interest rate on their credit accounts. Gingrich paying 0% interest could represent an unreported gift from the company to both Newt, the former Congressman, and wife Callista, who was a high level staffer for the House Agriculture Committee.

Why does that matter? The Agriculture Committee monitors the Forest Service, which oversees mining, including silver mining, in federal forests. During the time Callista Gingrich worked for the House Committee, she carried a balance in the account (representing an interest-free loan). Tiffany's mines silver on public lands, so keeping a staffer with the pull of Callista Gingrich happy could pay off dearly for the company.

Adding to the madness is the fact that Newt Gingrich's former top staffer is now a lobbyist for...wait for it...Tiffany's!

http://www.benzinga.com/generallifemisc/movers-shakers/11/05/1118337/newt-gingrich-turns-embarrassment-into-potential-crimin

[Perd Hapley]

I just noticed the picture that goes with that article. The woman is being asked which is larger, an elephant or the moon. She did not choose the moon.

[RoadKingLarry]

so a republican and his wife having a zero interest acct from a company with legislation pending is not an issue?  even when typical interest is 21%?  how come?

Please educate me on the law that defines what interest rate a private company has to charge a private citizen on a charge account.
As to how much influence Newt has on pending legislation when he does not cast a vote how would that different than any other lobbiest?

[cassandra and sara's daddy]

i take it you didn't read the link?  and/or are unfamiliar with the rules governing what ,how, from who and how much a gov official is allowed to take in bribes gifts?  or is it your position newt and wife 3 were unaware?  what with him teaching as well as lecturing on government eyhics i find that unlikely  ymmv

[makattak]

so a republican and his wife having a zero interest acct from a company with legislation pending is not an issue?  even when typical interest is 21%?  how come?

It should not have mattered before he admitted to a possible conflict of interest for his wife- not that it doesn't matter now that he's gone and stepped in it.

[roo_ster]

I have had interest-free credit from vendors before, while other customers paid the sucker bad credit risk rate.  Not for the amount Newt had, but zero interest rate lines of credit are neither illegal nor unprecedented. 

Heck, many companies have 90 day terms and some have 120 day terms that are zero interest.

Also, remind me, again, what current elected or appointed office Newt or Newt's wife holds that would place him under the requirements of elected, appointed, or hired gov't employees?  Oh, right, that would be NONE.

The author of the piece is either a nitwit or mendacious and trying to get the ignorant spun up.

[cassandra and sara's daddy]

details details


During the time Callista Gingrich worked for the House Committee, she carried a balance in the account (representing an interest-free loan). Tiffany's mines silver on public lands, so keeping a staffer with the pull of Callista Gingrich happy could pay off dearly for the company.

Read more: http://www.benzinga.com/generallifemisc/movers-shakers/11/05/1118337/newt-gingrich-turns-embarrassment-into-potential-crimin#ixzz1ODaUN5N3



nitwit?  perhaps  but they read the research

[TommyGunn]

i take it you didn't read the link?  and/or are unfamiliar with the rules governing what ,how, from who and how much a gov official is allowed to take in bribes gifts?  or is it your position newt and wife 3 were unaware?  what with him teaching as well as lecturing on government eyhics i find that unlikely  ymmv

Wait a minute.  Newt is a private citizen now, isn't he?   

[makattak]

Wait a minute.  Newt is a private citizen now, isn't he?   

In this case, his wife was still in the employ of the House of Representatives. The conflict of interest was not his, but his wife's.

[TommyGunn]

The story was Newt buying stuff for his wife.  His wife may be a "public employee" but if Newt (private citizen) is the one with the account and doing the buying and gifting, so what?
Atleast that's my understanding.
I don't really give a * since I have no plans to vote for him or support him.  I suppose if I cared I would say this atleast makes him look "elitist" in the eyes of many.  I rarely care about that, per se, (it may admittedly lead to other bad actions that should concern everyone) but if you're thinking of running for office, that can be a bad thing these days.

[makattak]

The story was Newt buying stuff for his wife.  His wife may be a "public employee" but if Newt (private citizen) is the one with the account and doing the buying and gifting, so what?
Atleast that's my understanding.
I don't really give a * since I have no plans to vote for him or support him.  I suppose if I cared I would say this atleast makes him look "elitist" in the eyes of many.  I rarely care about that, per se, (it may admittedly lead to other bad actions that should concern everyone) but if you're thinking of running for office, that can be a bad thing these days.

If you gave $200,000 to the wife of a congressman who regulated your company, would that be considered a bribe?

This is a similar situation. (Should it turn out to be as it appears.)

[TommyGunn]

I suppose.  However, I still won't vote for newt. 

[RoadKingLarry]

None of this changes my opinion of the man.





I still ain't gonna vote for him.

[cassandra and sara's daddy]

whats curious to me is this is a man who teaches ethics and he fails so boldly.  is it stupidity?  or arrogance?

[cassandra and sara's daddy]

it seems no big deal
http://www.businessinsider.com/was-newt-gingrichs-500000-tiffanys-bill-actually-a-lobbying-gift-2011-5

[roo_ster]

whats curious to me is this is a man who teaches ethics and he fails so boldly.  is it stupidity?  or arrogance?

Really? (Note, no sarcasm intended.)  He teaches, like in a classroom or a seminar or some such, an ethics course?

For a congresscritter, he barely registered on the Corrupt-O-Meter, but I can think of a only small handful from both parties for whom such an endeavor would not elicit guffaws.  Kinda like the Roman Catholic I used to work with who has 7 kids.  He & his wife taught the rhythm method birth control for newly married RC couples.   

Next:
Mike Tyson teaches "Triple Self-Improvement Threat: Verbal Judo,  Non-Violent Conflict Resolution, and Financial Management."

[Jamisjockey]

whats curious to me is this is a man who teaches ethics and he fails so boldly.  is it stupidity?  or arrogance?

Totally common in DC. Best way to become a millionaire in this country is to do a stint as a US Congressman, Senator or staffer.  Write legislation benefitting your investments.  Take bribes intrest free accounts from Tiffany's, place your gay lover into GSO's, or send pictures of your junk to college coeds.  Just another day in Soddom on the Potomac.

[erictank]

Totally common in DC. Best way to become a millionaire in this country is to do a stint as a US Congressman, Senator or staffer.  Write legislation benefitting your investments.  Take bribes intrest free accounts from Tiffany's, place your gay lover into GSO's, or send pictures of your junk to college coeds.  Just another day in Soddom on the Potomac.

Only 1 "d", I believe (but IAN a Biblical scholar).  Otherwise, depressingly correct.

[longeyes]

Newt has a lot of bright academic theories about how to run a society and an economy but without moral men and women to act them out they are otiose.