Are Progressives in California are turning the tables on Darrell Issa?
By louisehartmann
Progressives in California are turning the tables on Darrell Issa. While the Republican Chairman of the House Government Oversight Committee solicits the help of lobbyists and transnational corporations to kill government regulations – an organization known as the Third Lantern is digging up the dirt in Issa’ past – looking into past business and personal relationships.
The goal is to counter any frivolous investigations Issa is planning to launch against the White House with unsavory revelations about Issa’s own background. The group plans to run television advertisements in an effort to, “shine a bright light on Darrell Issa…and to better understand who is this guy who is demanding so many documents and delving into so many investigations.”
While the tactic may seem underhanded – when it comes to taking on the GOP – sometimes you have to beat them at their own game.
Comments
#2
This nation is becoming very depressing for the masses. Suicide has been made a logical decision by the selfish a holes that call themselves captains of industry. This country is being backed into a corner that I fear will lead to drastic and violent upheavals of the people. Soon it will be evident that "leaders" such as Issa are just fine with watching those of us who do not agree with fascist like government going hungry and without shelter and healtcare. GOODBYE AMERICA you are no longer the land of the free, but the pseudo home of the wealthy ( most of them have large overseas estates and compounds). I gave reached the point of total disbelief -all of the values I was taught growing up in 1950's America have been passed over for greed, gluttony, power and all other selfish interests. This NATION IS BEGINNING TO FAIL!
#3
Underhanded is when you make up stuff about the person. Revealing factual, relevant information about a person is totally fair game and important for people to understand exactly who it is they're listening to!
#4
Hypocrisy is an invasive plant. It needs to be seen for what it is.Where else can you go with Hypocrisy? Would the Mormon Church followers have stayed with Joseph Smith if they knew they new of hispast decisions? Would a past Bank Robber is the best person to be president of the bank?Republicans are the party of the self anointed " smartest guys in the room."It's only business, right? The big picture?I don't think it's a matter of being nice or not.Issa’s past association with people that steal automobiles. Not enough evidence to indite him.Christian's don't seem to have a problem calling out the devil or his works.But, NO one can quote the scriptures better than the devil himself!I know I just gendered the devil as male.If industry wishes to buy a politician.They should at least do a background check. Don't you think?
#5
I have been waiting for our side to beat them at their own game...it is way too long overdue!! We can't be nice doormats any longer.
#6
We needn't be low lifes either.
#7
http://thoughtsfromamindfull.blogspot.com/
I am studying environmental economics, only because I am funded by the Pell grant and Illinois Map grant. I make minimum wage for a small business (he's a first time owner with 5 employees), but we are definitely growing. I think Wayne Root is an idiot and a hypocrite, so enclosing a link about my views on taxes.
#8
I don't believe anything will happen to Representative Issa. He is immune to damage because of his great wealth. He could be defeated if Democrats got together to give him a dose of his own medicine, however, Democrats are not that mean-spirited. We prefer to use our resources to promote good ideas rather than to tear down the insanely stupid people such as Representative Issa. He will drink his own medicine. I believe men like Issa sow the seeds of their own destruction. Though it is amazing how hypocritical a Republican can be and still retain his seat in Congress. You would think that Senator Ensign would have been hounded out of office by his own supporters. If any Democrat had admitted an affair with a staffer including a $96,000 hush money payoff, that Democrat would never have a chance. I guess Republicans expect their representatives and senators to be scum.
Philip Henderson, Ethical Magician
#9
That is what they say. Their ends are so noble and we so foul that their any means are justified.
Somebody has to keep the moral high ground or nobody deserves to win.
What we learned from Mahatma Ghandi and MLK is that the means justify the ends.
#10
I get the instinct to take the high road, but we dems/progressives need to stand up and win some of these issues or the high road will be under water. I hope they bring it to him, and our side needs to organize talent in the areas of investigative journalism and computer skills and level the playing field.
#11
When you are dealing with lying thieving RepubliCONS you have to fight fire with fire. What do I expect to find if a complete business and ethics check on Isa is made?; the IRS, if it started back to year one, would find he "stole his money fair and square" just like most corporations and in many cases, even small business; Isa probably owes hundreds of thousands of dollars in his reporting of income taxes. Now that he's "got his" he will go after anyone who stands in his way of making more, regardless of ethics. Isa will line up solidly with Newt Gingrich, Cheney, et al. You'll also find Isa is tied up solidly with people like the John Birch Soliciety; the Koch brothers; the health industry; and the Defense industry, just to name a few. After all, why be a RepubliCON if you can't be with people just like Isa probably is.
#12
This is GREAT! Investigate the investigaters FIRST. Ask the question, "do they have credibility?". Are they leading by example? I'd sure bang out the message that he moved his company manufactureing to China. How bout some interviews with the Americans who USED to have jobs before he fired them and outsourced? And what about the circumstances surrounding the suspicious fire at his factory, would love to hear what the inestigators have to say about the timing and strategic benefit that resulted. I'm sure the list goes on. If he's going to turn up the heat, then it should be turned up under him too. If he gets cooked as a result, so be it.
#13
It is beyond me how elected people can be so out of touch and egomaniacal (sp) that they totally disregard what's happening in their own Country, States, Cities, Communities. I have a nonprofit org. that rescues food, uses foodbanks, and see's on a daily basis the needs and the pulse of this Nation. It is like a child crying out for help and not being heard...in fact heard and ignored. There will be a time to face these crimes, and the judge will be their own "Self." What goes around certainly will come around.
#14
I agree with all of you BUT in order to make the Republicans listen we MUST talk in their own LANGUAGE, for they do not know the meanings of DECENCY , CONSCIENCE, and play their game as they do not know any other game!
#15
I say play their game and beat them at it,this guy is a crook just like the rest of the republicans.
#16
Darryl Issa is a criminal with little or no conscience. Should we as a just society treat sociopaths with fairness and equal rules? It is such a loaded question. We progressives like to think of ourselves as upholding high values and fairness for all and it obviously pains us to sink to Issa's level with this kind of investigation. But it is a good thing that we are at least talking about this question. Most republicans do not sit around debating about the morality of their actions.
The ends justify the means for republicans that is how they have been winning this class war for the last 30 years. I think that most of us have tried to stick to the higher ground all along thinking that if we gave the conservatives what they wanted that they would back off. But they keep coming for more and more and I truly believe that they are plundering and pillaging America until there is nothing more to take. At this point so many of us have lost our spirits feeling downtrodden and beaten.
So in order to take our country back I believe we are going to have to stoop to the same tactics as the republicans. We can't let these thieves go on any longer.
#17
"when it comes to taking on the GOP – sometimes you have to beat them at their own game."
Exactly right and it is about time this statement was said...over and over again. You cannot just play middle of the road with these guys. Unless you are fighting hard for ultra left you will always wind up settling for mostly what "they" (the GOP) want. Let's get back to forming communist parties and demonstrating in the streets. These wealthy bastards won't be budged unless they are scared that a real revolution is at hand. That's what it took to get the gains of the FDR period...preceding that there were massive strikes and violent demonstrations. If in Egypt, why not here?
#18
Both Obama and Hillary have made statements supporting the demonstrators in Egypt...and now Iran...and it all sounds so hypocritical (although it is good they are siding with the demonstators). I say hypocritical because if it were happening in America...in the US...what do you think they would say then? They'd call out the National Guard and military to suppress the crowds.
By the way this is funny: Steve Bridges as Obama:
http://www.stevebridges.com/obamavideos-promo-july2010-lg.html
#19
Yea ! Publish or perish. Telling the truth about someone is not hypocritical. It is just business and who better to understand business than the Repube neocons. I recently signed onto John Boehners Face
Book profile as Speaker. I think everyone should. Using a tried and true Karl Rove Tactic every progressive should bombard Johnny with your heartfelt concerns, criticisms, and rants, two or three times a day just to let him see his 75% of the people speaking out. Let him have a piece of your mind.
He and they need to hear from us. Let freedom ring, blog, and email your thoughts. C'mon.
#20
"Both Obama and Hillary have made statements supporting the demonstrators in Egypt...and now Iran...and it all sounds so hypocritical (although it is good they are siding with the demonstators). I say hypocritical because if it were happening in America...in the US...what do you think they would say then? They'd call out the National Guard and military to suppress the crowds."
Really? Did you just make this up? Critical thinking involved here?
'Rats Live on No Living Star' Guess what this is? Nonsense! But a Palindrome! Funny...Palin is also in this word! Also in Palindromery. Coincidence?
When you can prove that President Obama and Hillary Clinton would call out the National Guard, provide the proof. When you just spew out idiotic accusations such as this, best you address only the Palinesque no-nothings who would swallow your gibberish whole without any proof - except for the fact that it sounds good.
#21
InvestiGate--investigating the investigator
This is something I was wishing for months ago, because the man is a convicted felon and is dirty. An investigation of his role in the Davis recall might just link him with the Texas Energy company's ripoff of California leading up to the recall--and the voting fraud in 17 CA areas during that election. And that could pull in the whole Bush crime family--maybe even the Olsen-Scalia link that led to Bush's selection as president. One can only hope..
I call it InvestiGate--investigating the investigator.
#22
I believe the Democrats have finally started to realize what's going on... I hope it's not too late. We must fight fire with fire and this guy promises to be a forrest fire.
#23
I bet everyone on this blog has heard about President Clinton and "other women". Well, there are four or more books that talk about GHW Bush and other women, but the Dems never try to destroy other politicians. We need to fight fire with fire or else they will continue to make us look like terrible people.
Read Character by Gail Sheehy. She is the author who helped the 9-11 Wives to get a hearing on 9-11 because we weren't supposed to know what the Bush Administration did in relation to 9-11.
It is time for the Dems to demand the truth - but always say what is true as you know it from books, newspaper, and other sources.
#24
I too believe this is a good strategy. If this man is hell-bent on tying up Congress with investigations, then lets make sure there is a price to pay for such poor leadership. Let the investigator be investigated and let the fallout of investigations on the tax payers dime slime them as well. I still remember the sickening investigations against Clinton's sexual behavior. At the time I said, "do they not understand that this is damaging respect for the Presidential office both at home and abroad?" They wanted their pound of worthless flesh and the esteem and honor of the office of the presidency of the US has never recovered.
The GOP are short-sighted, mean spirited and do not consider what is good for the country; coroporate toadies never do.
#25
Hmmmm, makes me think of Bill Clinton for some reason. What's good for the goose, is good for the gander!
It seems to me that the Dems keep playing the traditional role of politics while the right wing extremists have created a new playing field. The Dems have lost that game. Maybe they are learning the new rules of the game.
#26
I posted my original comment (see above) on Facebook and Buzzflash with a link to Tomm's article. Got a question from one of my consevative friends to the effect of "what exactly is Issa accused of?" Here's more on the subject:
Here's more on this:
Liberals launch anti-Darrell Issa
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0211/49521.html
Dan Newman (of The Third Lantern): “The purpose of the Issa Files is to shine a bright light on Darrell Issa, his past and his present, in a very fact-based and document-based manner to give the public a chance to learn the facts and see the documents that speak to Issa’s character and credibility and lack thereof,....make sure the public has a chance to investigate the investigator. To understand what he’s made of....
From New York Magazine: Democrats Give Darrell Issa the Credit of Trying to Take Him Down
http://nymag.com/daily/intel/2011/02/democrats_give_darrell_issa_th.html
Called the Third Lantern (awesome!), the group will be dedicated to investigating his controversial personal and business history. Its "Issa Files" website will attempt to sow seeds of doubt into the investigations that Issa himself plans to conduct into Barack Obama and his policies....
Come on, guys. This is a guy who's been indicted for stealing a car, who once fired someone by putting a gun on the table, who was arrested for carrying a concealed weapon, and who was once accused of burning down a building for business purposes. Is this really necessary? You're only making him seem more legitimate by making a fuss of trying to do to him what he's already perfectly capable of doing to himself.
#6 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Darrell_Issa
Issa dropped out of high school and enlisted for a three-year tour in the Army....A fellow soldier, Jay Bergey, claimed that Issa stole his Dodge Charger in 1971 while they were serving together and that, the day after he confronted Issa, the car was found abandoned on a nearby expressway.
After receiving a hardship discharge in 1972...Twice during that year he was arrested. In March, Issa and his brother William were charged with stealing a Maserati from a dealer's showroom in Cleveland. n December 1972, police in Adrian pulled Issa over for going the wrong way on a one-way street and, [discovered] a .25-caliber Colt automatic handgun inside an ammunition box, along with a military pouch containing 44 rounds, a tear gas gun and two rounds for that. Issa was charged with carrying a concealed weapon; ultimately he pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of possession of an unregistered firearm. He was sentenced to six months' probation and paid a small fine...In 1976, he returned to active Army service as an officer....A week before he was discharged, he and his brother were arrested again on theft charges....Issa bought the Mercedes back from the dealership for $17,000 in February; in August, the case was dropped
car alarm manufacturer Steal Stopper was struggling badly, and he took control of it by foreclosing a $60,000 loan...But early in the morning of September 7, 1982, the offices and factory of Quantum and Steal Stopper in the Cleveland suburb of Maple Heights, caught fire.... The initial theory was that it was electrical, but the insurance company came to doubt the theory when a fire analysis report it commissioned outlined evidence that the fire could be arson.
#27
@medanrand:
Ewww! I hit a nerve did I? Ever heard of the Democratic National Convention in Chicago in 1968? How many did the National Guard or Chicago police shoot that day? And it is kind of silly of you to demand any kind of "proof". I was just expressing my belief of what would happen in the event of civil unrest in the US...like the demonstrations of the people against the corrupt regimes that drove the people deeper into poverty while enriching the upper classes (ie: the super criminals that got away with screwing the people). Same thing is happening here in Amerika. It may not yet be quite as bad as in Egypt but it will be eventually. Again, that is my belief...I don't have to provide you with proof. How can you provide "proof" of something that will happen? You speak non-sense!
I voted for Obama and Hillary once and they both turned out to be useful idiots for the same upper classes who have screwed the working classes for over 30 years. I won't vote for them again...they blew it with me...they think that they can be re-elected because we progressives have no other choice. But yes we do....we can either elect a 3rd party candidate...someone a lot more progressive...or we can let the Republicans win and then watch the nation crumble even further and the Republicans would get the blame (except on Faux News where they are never fair and balanced anyway) and there surely would be massive demonstations in the streets in Amerika by then. And it would sure be about time. A massively, really pissed off American populace demonstrating in the streets would possibly require pulling all of those National Guard and soldiers out of foreign quagmires back to quash the demonstrators. Can you visualize helicopter gunships hovering over major US cities? Fire! Fire! And instead of a dozen innocent Iraqis and Reuters reporters, or children in the streets, they'd be causing more "collateral damage" upon our civilians too. It's all just a matter of time. They are well practiced.
#28
Sometimes you just have to hit the bottom and struggle for your very survival before you get so tired of the political faux promises our revolving-door politicians make pretending to work for us. I believe that is just where Amerika is headed. For over 30 years we have been on that downward spiral and, just like a frog happily sitting in a pan of lukewarm water, we have been complacently listening to and believing the lies of the politicians controlled by the wealthy classes. As long as the temperature of the water was only tweaked up a notch or two, slowly, each time the frog was thinking it was quite comfortable still. The wealthy have, after over 30 years of dismantling our economic well-being...constant reduction in wages and benefits...getting workers to invest in the "long term" while the rich worked stealthily to sell short and make instant profits at the detriment of the stability of their companies and general welfare of their employees...then rigged the stock markets to wipe out all those retirement savings plans....selling people on the idea that you'd better buy a big expensive home now because the prices will inevitably rise...while knowing, and planning, for the bursting bubble. The Democratic party, with a few exceptions, has been nothing but yet another smoke and mirrors subterfuge tool to keep the masses in their place while the wealthy continue to increase the heat.
Yes, the temperature is just under boiling now and the frog is dying or already dead. Too late to jump out or protest. Me Dan Rand is still looking for "proof".
#29
“Ever heard of the Democratic National Convention in Chicago in 1968? How many did the National Guard or Chicago police shoot that day? And it is kind of silly of you to demand any kind of "proof".”
This is A non-sequiter! 1968? So, in 2011, Obama and Hillary are going to call on the National Guard because in 1968 the National Guard was called?
You didn't hit a nerve - you didn't hit anything!
Just a bunch of nonsense from someone who should study a bit more Logic...oops sorry, that word is not in your lexicon anyway.
And America is spelled AMERICA not Amerika! You also never voted for Hillary as she never ran for President except in a primary. And I sincerely doubt you even voted for Obama. And I also believe you are a Repub Plant and A Palin fanatic. But then I need, what is it that you say YOU don't need...PROOF! But then again, if YOU don't need PROOF for anything, why should I?
Actually, like Fox Noise, who, by the way, NEVER, EVER needs any proof at all for anything and who just make stuff up on the fly, I really think you are an Al Qaeda sympathizer spreading lies! Proof – 'who needs proof for something that's going to happen'! Your words, not mine.
#30
All these people keep saying "we have to play the Republican game".
NOT SO! Republicans INVENT dirt when it isn't there!
THAT is the line Democrats do not cross.
#31
Hey, Dan Rand....
Ever hear of the Wisconsin uprising? It's happening now...and when the bus loads of trouble-making Teabaggers, headed toward Madison, the clash with the demonstrators there may very well be the excuse to call out of the National Guard....maybe not...we'll see. But I've heard that calling out the National Guard has already been on the table. And no I am not a Repub or a supporter of Sarah Palin or the Tea Baggers. But I am also not in support of useful idiots that continue to think that our political system can work for the majority of Americans anymore....and that if we can only re-elect Obama that everything will be ok. Obama is a Republican. He lied to us...he's not a real Democrat...he's really a Republican...pretty obvious to most of us now. Our political system is broken and it is corrupt. The only thing that will change it, eventually, is more of what is happening in Madison and other places around the world.
#32
I'm not in favor of investigating his private life. If we do that we are nothing better than Republicans. His business dealings and acts as an ostentsible public servant are fair game.
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Playing dirty seems to be the only thing that cons understand. This tactic should be used against all the cons.