Dead Man Walking

I thought this might be a good time to remind people about Dennis Hastert, since many people seem to think that he’ll be resigning as Speaker of the House shortly over the Mark Foley scandal cover-up scandal.

Hastert’s voting record:

• 2006 Based on a point system, with points assigned for actions in support of or in opposition to National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws’s position, Representative Hastert received a rating of -20.
• 2005 Based on a point system, with points assigned for actions in support of or in opposition to National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws’s position, Representative Hastert received a rating of -3.
• 2005 Representative Hastert supported the interests of the Drug Policy Alliance 0 percent in 2005.
• Given a D rating by Vote Hemp (Dec. 2003)

Just a couple of the bills he has sponsored:

• H.AMDT.886 to H.R.4300 (1998) Amendment requires the Director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy to develop a 10-year master plan for the use of mycoherbicides to control narcotic crops in the United States and internationally
• HR2610 (1997) “Not later than March 1, 1998, the Director shall submit to Congress a long-term plan for reducing the population of illegal drug users in the United States by December 31, 2001, to 3 percent of the population of the United States or less.”

Hastert on medical marijuana:

“The recent dialogue on so-called ‘medical marijuana’ sends an ambivalent message to our kids about the dangers of marijuana…. The way some have constructed this debate sends the wrong signal to our kids about drug use.”

Ah, yes… Medical marijuana: bad signal to kids. Congressmen having IM sex with kids: no big deal.
In August, 2004, Hastert slandered George Soros on national television:

“You know, I don’t know where George Soros gets his money. I don’t know where – if it comes overseas or from drug groups or where it comes from,” Hastert mused. An astonished Chris Wallace asked: “Excuse me?” The Speaker went on: “Well, that’s what he’s been for a number years – George Soros has been for legalizing drugs in this country. So, I mean, he’s got a lot of ancillary interests out there.” Wallace: “You think he may be getting money from the drug cartel?” Hastert: “I’m saying I don’t know where groups – could be people who support this type of thing. I’m saying we don’t know.”

I had my own dream rebuttal to Hastert (and it may have been prescient).
Lies about marijuana on the Speaker of the House website:

• More than 10,000 scientific studies show that marijuana is a hazardous, addictive drug.
• Among other symptoms, marijuana usage can cause premature cancer; coordination and perception impairment; mental disorders, including depression, hostility and increased aggressiveness; memory loss; reproductive disabilities; and immune system impairment.
• Smoking marijuana is more carcinogenic than smoking cigarettes.
• The marijuana currently sold on the streets is up to 25 times stronger than the versions sold a generation ago.
• Twelve to 17 year-olds who smoke marijuana are 85 times more likely to use cocaine than those who do not. Sixty percent of adolescents who use marijuana before age 15 will later use cocaine.

Don’t let the door hit you in the ass.