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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsCoke-Busted GOP Congressman Just Voted to Drug-Test Food Stamp Users
Trey Radel (R-Fla.), the freshman member of Congress arrested for cocaine possession late last month, backed a GOP plan to make food-stamp recipients pee in cups to prove they were drug-free and hence worthy of eating.Radel, a noted hip-hop expert and sex-themed web domain-name speculator, allegedly got stung trying to buy bumps of Big C from an undercover DEA agent in DC's tony-ish Dupont Circle. But a month before he sought to ride the white pony with the college kids in Northwest, he was neck-deep in the House's messy debate over whether to continue federal food-stamp benefits to needy families.
That debate culminated in Radel's vote for a bill that would have authorized states to withhold food stamps from applicants who didn't submit to a drug urinalysis. Which is pretty interesting, given that a similar plan in Radel's home state, championed by Florida Gov. Rick Scott, ended up as a disastrous waste of taxpayer money and a violation of impoverished welfare applicants' Fourth Amendment rights.
During Congress' debate over the pee-test amendment, Rep. Jim McGovern (D-Mass.) presciently implied that his conservative colleagues were high as hell:
But tragically, Radel didn't pay attention, 'cause he was on that dust. (Allegedly.)
MORE:
http://gawker.com/coke-busted-gop-congressman-just-voted-to-drug-test-foo-1468175133?utm_campaign=socialflow_gawker_twitter&utm_source=gawker_twitter&utm_medium=socialflow
Coyotl
(15,262 posts)That might get rid of more than enough Republicans to re-establish a Dem majority.
Meanwhile, where's that House Republican Ethics Comm.?
LuvNewcastle
(16,860 posts)It's a pretty common misconception that alcoholics and other drug addicts share.
HockeyMom
(14,337 posts)Sorry, their wives do, like the Fraud Governor.
cali
(114,904 posts)gopiscrap
(23,765 posts)typical repig m.o.
madrchsod
(58,162 posts)i wonder who ratted him out to the cops?
glowing
(12,233 posts)Ichingcarpenter
(36,988 posts)I guess they had information from the NSA that followed his activities? Was there any legal wiretaps? Seems that part of the story is lacking.
You know this story should be much more than his conviction and his hypocrisy which is important but other aspects are too.
The democratic progressives in congress should run with this but the media will not.
Pretzel_Warrior
(8,361 posts)Ichingcarpenter
(36,988 posts)but you wouldn't have commented if I didn't
stir something in your normal box one dimensional linear thinking.
You know systems theories prove that everything is connected as are you in the schema of reality and science.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Systems_theory
Pretzel_Warrior
(8,361 posts)drug case to an NSA political spying case based on zero evidence. I'm calling you on your bullshit.
Ichingcarpenter
(36,988 posts)which were not reported or revealed in the news report.
I would like to see the DEA reports for transparency because they had to find it out someway that he wanted the blow.
but you don't like that do you ?
Someone tapped him or observed him outside of the DEA
alone.
Now...... just answer those questions with links.
Maybe you can asked your buddies at the NSA.
I'm sure your FOIA will reveal everything.
Pretzel_Warrior
(8,361 posts)Response to Pretzel_Warrior (Reply #20)
Post removed
Laelth
(32,017 posts)-Laelth
Gothmog
(145,666 posts)Proving that the Good Ole US of A wont get shown up by anyone, Republican congressman Trey Radel of Florida has been arrested on cocaine charges.
Way to go, USA.In the statement, Radel said he realizes the disappointment my family, friends and constituents must feel. Believe me, I am disappointed in myself, and I stand ready to face the consequences of my actions.
The arrest, he said, has a positive side. It offers me an opportunity to seek treatment and counseling, he said.
Yeah, lets keep a positive light on the fact that youre a rightwing Republican making choices about peoples lives for them while youre. on. freekin. cocaine.
Populist_Prole
(5,364 posts)Even though he was constantly railing about drug use, especially accusing the poor of being poor by being dissolute drug users and supported military-like war on drugs from the get-go.
FreeJoe
(1,039 posts)he wanted to do it because he has felt the agony of drug addiction and wanted to put the testing in place not to punish those people but to as a way to ensure that they get the help and care that they need.
Pretzel_Warrior
(8,361 posts)And when his constituent writes to him in the future about questionable votes with the question, "Are you on crack?" it won't be a rhetorical device but an actual serious question.
Hopefully this tea party asshole's relieved of his duties in 2014 if not before.
Rex
(65,616 posts)I mean, if we want to keep with the 'fair and balanced' notion of laws should apply to everyone equally. They do live on our dime.
Just a random monthly test (like I had to do for 3 years) would suffice. Not asking too much am I?
Granted I was a private contractor, but they got money from the govt and therefore had to follow the rules.
Pity, I have no doubt many Congress critters would refuse to pee in a cup, screaming human rights violations and other supremely ironical words of amusement.
Ichingcarpenter
(36,988 posts)I did have to pee in a cup as a taxi driver to see if I smoked pot.
Pretzel_Warrior
(8,361 posts)Congress should be drug tested. If you don't reply to this, I will take it as your agreement.
Rex
(65,616 posts)I'm all in.