Today, New Jersey Senator Bob Menendez was indicted, along with his wife and three New Jersey businessmen. DOJ alleges that he agreed to take bribes in exchange for using his official position to benefit the three men, as well as the government of Egypt. The Senator and his wife allegedly accepted hundreds of thousands of dollars in bribes, which came in the form of gold bars, cash, and a luxury convertible. Arraignments are set for next Wednesday.
The Pubs are saying that the weaponized Biden DOJ is doing this just to make it look like they are fair and non-partisan. It couldn't possibly be that they go after people who break the law, could it?
It’s becoming less clear that Republicans object to breaking the law… it seems that their concern is simply getting power…methods to wrestle for that power have no limit….EX proposed shooting shoplifters as they come out of the stores….. YES and the media covers these pearls of wisdom!
Oh please he’s been investigated for years, got away once with hung jury and continued to be corrupt. Weaponizatio. Is a loaded word. Really think about it, before saying that. We are not going back because Trumpers want to tear it down take over and be the new oligarchs like Russia. Not for my America! Wake up and read what crazy right wants to do, it’s scarey. Are we perfect no. Get better people in office that want to do the work for all Americans not some.
I presume that the governor has sole authority to appoint a replacement. That might influence his opinion on the matter. I bet that “the Honorable” Senator Menendez will complete his term, but I won’t wager very much. Maybe a nickel. I wonder what odds bookmakers are offering.
Bob is not a dumb guy. If anything, his wife might have some IRS issues regarding the "items". However, the "payments" causes me some concern. That will take some explanation from his wife. Maybe it was time for him to retire anyway. He has been rather cranky lately.
“A jail is generally a short-term facility used to detain individuals awaiting trial or sentencing, or those who have been sentenced to serve a short period of time. Prisons, on the other hand, are long-term institutions that house individuals who were convicted of a crime and have been sentenced accordingly. Jails can be operated by local governments, while prisons are typically run by state or federal authorities. Jails tend to have fewer security measures in place when compared with prisons.”
I so appreciate the thoughtful and respectful comments here noting the differences between jails and prisons--something old prosecutors take for granted, but I really loved seeing y'all tease out all of the nuances here!
I'm not a lawyer. I spent several years with a front row seat through CourtWatchNYC in Manhattan arraignments. I don't know how anyone can be a prosecutor. 😞
I also agree with NJ Governor Phil Murphy. Menendez should resign -- yes, I know one is supposed to be presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty, but if I still lived in NJ I would want to be able to say I respect both of my senators. I keep wondering what Cory Booker is thinking.
Background, he got the senate seat because ‘slippery’ Bob Torricelli got caught ‘greasing the skids’ for the corrupt developers with land on the Jersey side of ‘The Bridge’, aka George Washington Bridge!
They are or have been complicit in so much, that’s probably why they’ve been so quiet. Depending on what the statutes of limitations on certain charges/crimes, they could get a ‘tap on the shoulder’ at any time.
But let’s get dad first. He’s über dangerous & slippery & has a lot more experience & years getting away w/stuff. Get dad, but keep an eye on the spawn.
What does that have to do with the Senate? I know about Jared. What I'm wondering about is your comment "So much crime in the Senate." The thread's been mostly about Menendez.
Yes, it is just my wondering mind. I know we are talking about the Senate with Menendez. My mind just wanders to so much crime that still needs to be addressed. Jared and Ivanka’s I think falls in with emoluments. The T family made so much money while 45 was in office. As one more Senator is charged, I am just disgusted with so much crime. I know things like this have always gone on but it seems like so much more…the justices, etc.
Melendez imho was dirty before, and appears, according to the funds and gold bars, etc. found hidden in clothing pockets at their home, to be guilty now. As a lifelong Democrat I don't believe in allowing this type of behavior slide by anyone in either political party. He should resign and face the consequences just like trump and his ilk. The end. Carry on.
It doesn't matter which party if he has betrayed public trust and abused his power. Government is becoming a wealth concentrator for those who serve in it, using inside information, connections, and privilege to gain for themselves. I hope all voters can agree that party aside, this behavior is not acceptable and ought to carry heavy penalties.
"Uxorem Caesaris tam suspicione quam crimine carere oportet."
Loosely, "Caesar's wife should be free from suspicion, as well as from accusation."
It's absolutely unacceptable that a person enjoying the public trust and supposedly working from a position of power and privilege for the benefit of the people behave in such a way as to even get within sniffing distance of charges such as those just filed against Menendez. That he somehow evaded legal accountability in 2015 and again finds himself indicted removes all ambiguity.
I don't care about the legal technicalities. I don't care about the politics or political affiliations. I don't care about all the "traditions" and "rules" and other ass-coverings that Congress invokes to pretend that criminality, incompetence, and anti-Americanism doesn't exist within its feckless, pompous, self-serving ranks. Menendez is scum. Banish his corrupt ass in shame immediately and reflect deeply on how such a slimeball could have (a) risen to such power and (b) existed, even thrived, in Congress for so long. Then do better. ~Much~ better.
Trust me, if you have seen the photos of Mr. and Mrs. Menendez at the White House state dinner in 2022, "Caesar's Wife" that lady ain't. From all reports that marriage was made futher from heaven than the Taj Mahal. A pair of crooks finding each other. "Birds of a feather, flocking together."
Is anyone else sick of seeing cleavages with more and more of breasts exposed? Is this a prominent element our political world now? Yikes! How do we shield our eyes?
Perhaps the dress’ bust line limit was exceeded by twice the expectation of the designer, who had a much younger person in mind when making the design!
Properly, “…uxorem” as it is a clause of a sentence. “Uxor Caesaris …” is the proper form if the clause should stand independently as a correct complete sentence. Latin School Boy
Fascinating. So.... doesn't this set the precedent, or perhaps open the floodgate is a better term, for indicting Clarence and Ginny Thomas and Samuel Alito for taking bribes? Who would serve as a judge if and when that happens?
The electorate is on autopilot. He was voted in by his state to serve in 2018. The Democratic party should have seen the writing on the wall and not chosen him to carry the party banner. If we don't cull out corruption or the appearance of corruption, we only have ourselves to blame. Our leaders should lead with integrity and choose the supporting players such that they are people of integrity. We as voters should insist on it.
Being a former resident of ‘Jersey’, I can’t feign offense at the implication of your comment. Hudson County, where he started his career, has a history of some of the most adept political Bosses!
Once again it's not his background. It's the background of the electorate that accepts it. When men exert there power of women and touch what they shouldn't touch without permission, a group of people will accept it. They say, "Boys will be boys." But is that the behavior we want men to model? "I can do this because you can't stop me. I'm more powerful than you. I can destroy you." They choose the laws they will abide by and ignore any they find inconvenient. But the real crime is we don't care.
Our elected officials are corrupt or just taking advantage of their office and the knowledge and power it brings them because we allow it. Civil servants are not allowed the appearance of impropriety. Elected officials should not be allowed the appearance of impropriety either. An FBI officer lost his job because he expressed a political opinion to a close associate. There was a time when elected officials resigned their offices when morally shamed. Then people were shamed without proof and Americans saw the improper use of shame as the act of power it was. How can we return to responsible accountable leadership if all the tools to remove someone are delegitimized?
I say let him stay until he's convicted. That's what Republicans would do. We lost Al Franken for much much less, and we keep hurting ourselves (Democrats) when many votes on even non-controversial legislation are close calls. You'd think that after his prior investigation and hung jury, he would have at least attempted to clean up his act, but instead, it looks like he doubled down. I'm thinking he's an idiot, but at least he's our idiot.
This isn't anything like Franken. This guy's a crook. Leaving him in place hurts us, too. His replacement would presumably be a Democrat, so hell yeah, get rid of him.
The NJ Governor is a Democrat. It's highly unlikely he would appoint a Republican to serve out Menendez's term. And quite frankly the statements of Mr. Reinstein and Mr. Reynolds would be better found in the Fweedumbassery Kawkuss.
I disagree, the Governor can replace him. Phil Murphy is a Democrat and from what I have read and heard about him is he is fair and honest. Let him appoint an interim Senator to complete the term
George Santos was indicted and, while removed from committees, is still serving in Congress. I say they both resign, but if Santos isn't, then I'm not convinced Menendez should either.
Those abusing their public office should have their fines doubled, like traffic tickets in a construction zone.
Why do I have this visual of Clarence Thomas dancing a slower version of MC Hammer in his office...
“I told you, homeboy
You can't touch this
Yeah, that's how we livin', and ya know
You can't touch this...”
My other first take is that the Oath our public officials are taking is just not working. What do they think it is, some EULA from Microsoft that you just scroll down quickly and hit “agree” without reading, because, what’s the point, no one reads these things anyway? Might as well be a screaming car alarm in L.A., or worse, Kitty Genovese, it seems calculated that they realize most of the time, no one is watching or cares to speak up.
John, I used to live in Rep Duke Cunningham's district in CA. He was dealt with quite harshly for his bribery conviction. I think he got eight years in jail.
As did I also live in California’s 50th Congressional District. Even then I thought his prison term should have been doubled, if just for perjury on his Oath of Office. Even while in prison he received his Navy and Congressional pensions, later reneged on his plea, and was pardoned by Trump in 2021....
Menendez sounds guilty as sin to me, so I hope they can prove the charges and force him to resign and suffer the consequences. He's not someone we need in our party.
It all comes back to the money. The Citizens United decision must be overturned. We need a constitutional amendment that states that corporations are not people and money is not speech.
The Pubs are saying that the weaponized Biden DOJ is doing this just to make it look like they are fair and non-partisan. It couldn't possibly be that they go after people who break the law, could it?
Of course they have to say something. It’s helps continue their narrative and deflect from their own crimes.
Yes, we know. I was referring to Joyces' sense of humor, if you missed my comment of a few days back.
Sorry, I missed it. Very good!
Just....wow.
It’s becoming less clear that Republicans object to breaking the law… it seems that their concern is simply getting power…methods to wrestle for that power have no limit….EX proposed shooting shoplifters as they come out of the stores….. YES and the media covers these pearls of wisdom!
Oh please he’s been investigated for years, got away once with hung jury and continued to be corrupt. Weaponizatio. Is a loaded word. Really think about it, before saying that. We are not going back because Trumpers want to tear it down take over and be the new oligarchs like Russia. Not for my America! Wake up and read what crazy right wants to do, it’s scarey. Are we perfect no. Get better people in office that want to do the work for all Americans not some.
I am tempted to not respond, but... The tRumpers say "weaponized", not me. Irony and humor are healthy. You have to calm down.
A few days back I said something of Joyce's sense of humor that I appreciate in these crazy times.
"When the going gets tough, the tough keep their sense of humor."
OK?
Damn, not his first indictment. I agree with the NJ governor, the senator needs to resign.
I presume that the governor has sole authority to appoint a replacement. That might influence his opinion on the matter. I bet that “the Honorable” Senator Menendez will complete his term, but I won’t wager very much. Maybe a nickel. I wonder what odds bookmakers are offering.
Bob is not a dumb guy. If anything, his wife might have some IRS issues regarding the "items". However, the "payments" causes me some concern. That will take some explanation from his wife. Maybe it was time for him to retire anyway. He has been rather cranky lately.
Not dumb? How do you define dumb? He’s been looking over his shoulder for decades due to his connections with the ‘moneyed players’ in Hudson County!
Well, he was smart enough to stay out of jail until now. Guess he got greedy.
WHAT⁉️
The senator needs to go to jail.
Prison. Jail is only a holding place until a prison sentence is handed down.
Here’s a full answer.
“A jail is generally a short-term facility used to detain individuals awaiting trial or sentencing, or those who have been sentenced to serve a short period of time. Prisons, on the other hand, are long-term institutions that house individuals who were convicted of a crime and have been sentenced accordingly. Jails can be operated by local governments, while prisons are typically run by state or federal authorities. Jails tend to have fewer security measures in place when compared with prisons.”
https://www.firststepalliance.org/post/jail-vs-prison
That's not true. Shorter sentences can be served in jail.
You’re right.
I so appreciate the thoughtful and respectful comments here noting the differences between jails and prisons--something old prosecutors take for granted, but I really loved seeing y'all tease out all of the nuances here!
I'm not a lawyer. I spent several years with a front row seat through CourtWatchNYC in Manhattan arraignments. I don't know how anyone can be a prosecutor. 😞
I also agree with NJ Governor Phil Murphy. Menendez should resign -- yes, I know one is supposed to be presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty, but if I still lived in NJ I would want to be able to say I respect both of my senators. I keep wondering what Cory Booker is thinking.
Background, he got the senate seat because ‘slippery’ Bob Torricelli got caught ‘greasing the skids’ for the corrupt developers with land on the Jersey side of ‘The Bridge’, aka George Washington Bridge!
Franken did in way less awful circumstances.
So much crime in the Senate. Wonder if we’ll ever get Jerrod and Ivanka.....
I wonder that too.
They are or have been complicit in so much, that’s probably why they’ve been so quiet. Depending on what the statutes of limitations on certain charges/crimes, they could get a ‘tap on the shoulder’ at any time.
But let’s get dad first. He’s über dangerous & slippery & has a lot more experience & years getting away w/stuff. Get dad, but keep an eye on the spawn.
Yes, I agree. Let’s get Dad first. Maybe when we are about half way with him we can get the spawn and maybe they will cooperate for the other half.
Hopefully so. Seems to be difficult currently, with the GOP House such disarray and total lack of leadership.
https://time.com/6313894/biden-impeachment-jared-kushner-saudi-wealth-fund/
In senate, house and stench court! Let’s face it, most politicians run for office so they can ENRICH themselves!
Jared and Ivanka weren't in the Senate. What crimes are you referring to? There's plenty of sleaze to be sure, but most of it's legal.
I am talking about his business in Saudi Arabia.
What does that have to do with the Senate? I know about Jared. What I'm wondering about is your comment "So much crime in the Senate." The thread's been mostly about Menendez.
Yes, it is just my wondering mind. I know we are talking about the Senate with Menendez. My mind just wanders to so much crime that still needs to be addressed. Jared and Ivanka’s I think falls in with emoluments. The T family made so much money while 45 was in office. As one more Senator is charged, I am just disgusted with so much crime. I know things like this have always gone on but it seems like so much more…the justices, etc.
Melendez imho was dirty before, and appears, according to the funds and gold bars, etc. found hidden in clothing pockets at their home, to be guilty now. As a lifelong Democrat I don't believe in allowing this type of behavior slide by anyone in either political party. He should resign and face the consequences just like trump and his ilk. The end. Carry on.
The whole gold bars thing takes this out of the ordinary AFAIC.
Ditto what Bill said. 👊🏽
It doesn't matter which party if he has betrayed public trust and abused his power. Government is becoming a wealth concentrator for those who serve in it, using inside information, connections, and privilege to gain for themselves. I hope all voters can agree that party aside, this behavior is not acceptable and ought to carry heavy penalties.
"Uxorem Caesaris tam suspicione quam crimine carere oportet."
Loosely, "Caesar's wife should be free from suspicion, as well as from accusation."
It's absolutely unacceptable that a person enjoying the public trust and supposedly working from a position of power and privilege for the benefit of the people behave in such a way as to even get within sniffing distance of charges such as those just filed against Menendez. That he somehow evaded legal accountability in 2015 and again finds himself indicted removes all ambiguity.
I don't care about the legal technicalities. I don't care about the politics or political affiliations. I don't care about all the "traditions" and "rules" and other ass-coverings that Congress invokes to pretend that criminality, incompetence, and anti-Americanism doesn't exist within its feckless, pompous, self-serving ranks. Menendez is scum. Banish his corrupt ass in shame immediately and reflect deeply on how such a slimeball could have (a) risen to such power and (b) existed, even thrived, in Congress for so long. Then do better. ~Much~ better.
Trust me, if you have seen the photos of Mr. and Mrs. Menendez at the White House state dinner in 2022, "Caesar's Wife" that lady ain't. From all reports that marriage was made futher from heaven than the Taj Mahal. A pair of crooks finding each other. "Birds of a feather, flocking together."
Is anyone else sick of seeing cleavages with more and more of breasts exposed? Is this a prominent element our political world now? Yikes! How do we shield our eyes?
Perhaps the dress’ bust line limit was exceeded by twice the expectation of the designer, who had a much younger person in mind when making the design!
Hum… I suppose if ya got it, flaunt it. I’m old fashioned and I like being old fashioned.
I dunno, I am too but I never like the cleavage one sees when a guy bends over. Some things are best left to one's imagination.
🤣👏
My idea of fashion is much closer to Sen. Fetterman's. ;-)
Ouch! Simply a ‘motivated contessa’ standing by her man! Perhaps Gini Thomas is her idol!
Or as Doonesbury would say, "guilty, guilty, guilty"
🙏
Properly, “…uxorem” as it is a clause of a sentence. “Uxor Caesaris …” is the proper form if the clause should stand independently as a correct complete sentence. Latin School Boy
Fascinating. So.... doesn't this set the precedent, or perhaps open the floodgate is a better term, for indicting Clarence and Ginny Thomas and Samuel Alito for taking bribes? Who would serve as a judge if and when that happens?
Those who don't take bribes, hopefully.
Great question 👏
The electorate is on autopilot. He was voted in by his state to serve in 2018. The Democratic party should have seen the writing on the wall and not chosen him to carry the party banner. If we don't cull out corruption or the appearance of corruption, we only have ourselves to blame. Our leaders should lead with integrity and choose the supporting players such that they are people of integrity. We as voters should insist on it.
I thought his background was a NJ thing. He was that way when he was in the House. Politics attracts a different breed, I guess.
Being a former resident of ‘Jersey’, I can’t feign offense at the implication of your comment. Hudson County, where he started his career, has a history of some of the most adept political Bosses!
Once again it's not his background. It's the background of the electorate that accepts it. When men exert there power of women and touch what they shouldn't touch without permission, a group of people will accept it. They say, "Boys will be boys." But is that the behavior we want men to model? "I can do this because you can't stop me. I'm more powerful than you. I can destroy you." They choose the laws they will abide by and ignore any they find inconvenient. But the real crime is we don't care.
Our elected officials are corrupt or just taking advantage of their office and the knowledge and power it brings them because we allow it. Civil servants are not allowed the appearance of impropriety. Elected officials should not be allowed the appearance of impropriety either. An FBI officer lost his job because he expressed a political opinion to a close associate. There was a time when elected officials resigned their offices when morally shamed. Then people were shamed without proof and Americans saw the improper use of shame as the act of power it was. How can we return to responsible accountable leadership if all the tools to remove someone are delegitimized?
I say let him stay until he's convicted. That's what Republicans would do. We lost Al Franken for much much less, and we keep hurting ourselves (Democrats) when many votes on even non-controversial legislation are close calls. You'd think that after his prior investigation and hung jury, he would have at least attempted to clean up his act, but instead, it looks like he doubled down. I'm thinking he's an idiot, but at least he's our idiot.
This isn't anything like Franken. This guy's a crook. Leaving him in place hurts us, too. His replacement would presumably be a Democrat, so hell yeah, get rid of him.
The NJ Governor is a Democrat. It's highly unlikely he would appoint a Republican to serve out Menendez's term. And quite frankly the statements of Mr. Reinstein and Mr. Reynolds would be better found in the Fweedumbassery Kawkuss.
I disagree, the Governor can replace him. Phil Murphy is a Democrat and from what I have read and heard about him is he is fair and honest. Let him appoint an interim Senator to complete the term
And whoever Murphy selects will be immediate 2024 front runner. A free for all primary is an opportunity for Rs.
I like the way you think, Joy
Let him finish his term unless convicted because we need the Dem vote. It's what the GOP would do. I'm tired of Dems running scared.
He needs to resign, period.
George Santos was indicted and, while removed from committees, is still serving in Congress. I say they both resign, but if Santos isn't, then I'm not convinced Menendez should either.
He thought he was bullet proof, that he was so powerful that no one would try again.
Those abusing their public office should have their fines doubled, like traffic tickets in a construction zone.
Why do I have this visual of Clarence Thomas dancing a slower version of MC Hammer in his office...
“I told you, homeboy
You can't touch this
Yeah, that's how we livin', and ya know
You can't touch this...”
My other first take is that the Oath our public officials are taking is just not working. What do they think it is, some EULA from Microsoft that you just scroll down quickly and hit “agree” without reading, because, what’s the point, no one reads these things anyway? Might as well be a screaming car alarm in L.A., or worse, Kitty Genovese, it seems calculated that they realize most of the time, no one is watching or cares to speak up.
John, I used to live in Rep Duke Cunningham's district in CA. He was dealt with quite harshly for his bribery conviction. I think he got eight years in jail.
As did I also live in California’s 50th Congressional District. Even then I thought his prison term should have been doubled, if just for perjury on his Oath of Office. Even while in prison he received his Navy and Congressional pensions, later reneged on his plea, and was pardoned by Trump in 2021....
This obviously needs to change. The oath of office is sacred!
Menendez sounds guilty as sin to me, so I hope they can prove the charges and force him to resign and suffer the consequences. He's not someone we need in our party.
I’m sure Republican law makers are outraged at the DOJs action! Oh wait........
IF FOUND GUILTY, at this time, with this Senate make up, guilty would be treachery... a much deeper wound that just a crime.
He seems like a GOP fellah.
It all comes back to the money. The Citizens United decision must be overturned. We need a constitutional amendment that states that corporations are not people and money is not speech.