"California State Sen. Don Perata said Friday he will introduce a bill next week that would levy a 5-cent tax on every bullet sold in California.  Perata, D-Oalkand, said he wants the money to pay for hospital trauma centers, some of which are facing budget problems.  "There's no reason why the general public should be paying for gunshot victims.  It is an avoidable injury.  It is a preventable injury and therefore I think it's fair to fix a very small tax on the sale of bullets," Perata said."

Webmaster note: Typical liberal approach to a "problem" ... I wonder what percentage of the gunshot victims don't pay for their own treatment. I wonder why Mr. Perata doesn't put forth a bill to require the shooter to pay those hospital bills?  I wonder why the people of California continue to put these clowns in office.

"I have done my job as a congressman.  I have conducted myself as a gentleman and dignified."; Gary Condit, U.S. Representative from California after losing the primary election to a former aide.  Condit's bid to keep his central California seat was dominated by the disappearance of 24-year-old Washington intern, Chandra Levy.  Condit, 53, admitted he had an affair with Levy, according to Washington police sources.

Webmaster note: Only in California could your conduct be considered gentlemanly.  The amazing thing is that over 6,000 voters in the 18th Congressional District apparently agreed with you.  Good riddance, lowlife.

"It's about 200 paces from the awning of [U.S. Representative (D) TX] Sheila Jackson Lee's Capitol Hill apartment to the marbled steps of the Cannon House Office Building, where her office is. ... In a city that consistently ranks among the nation's worst for commuting, Jackson Lee would seem to have it made.  But apparently it's not convenient enough.  Jackson Lee is routinely chauffeured the one short block to work--in a government car, by a member of her staff, at the taxpayers' expense.  And apparently in violation of House rules."

Webmaster note:The people of Houston, TX must be proud of the way their representative spends our tax money.  Want to bet this practice never stops?

"U.S. Rep. James A. Traficant Jr., facing a bribery trial next week, has sued the government for $250 million alleging that his civil rights were violated and asked that the trial be put on hold.  He alleged that federal agents conspired against him and "engaged in a long-term vendetta to selectively prosecute" him in retaliation for his acquittal in 1983 on federal corruption charges.  Traficant, who is in his ninth term, is facing trial Monday on 10 charges that include bribery and racketeering.  He is accused of accepting gifts and favors from businessmen in exchange for lobbying federal agencies on behalf of their companies.  If convicted of all charges, he could face more than 60 years in prison and $2 million in fines."

Webmaster note: Allegations do not equal guilt ... but it will be interesting to see how this one turns out.

The $40 Billion spending measure in the wake of the terrorist attack on New york City was approved 96-0 by the Senate and 422-0 by the House, which extended its roll call so members could attend a memorial service at the National Cathedral. The Senate then passed the resolution authorizing the use of military force was approved 98-0, followed by the House, 420-1.  The lone "no" vote came from Rep. Barbara Lee, Democrat from Alameda, California, who asked her colleagues to "think through the implications of our action today so that it does not spiral out of control."

Webmaster note: A quote from her web site ... "I am strongly in favor of protecting this country's national defense, but I am strongly opposed to the increased military expenditures of the Defense Appropriations bill. I voted against this measure, spoke out against it on the floor, and will continue to oppose such measures. I am particularly disturbed by the massive funding for the National Missile Defense program. "  It's nice to know where you stand, Babs!

Two prominent Bay State Democrats questioned President Bush's leadership style yesterday, cracking the veneer of bipartisan unity Congress has shown in the wake of the twin terrorist attacks.  ``It's not a question of what he's saying,'' said U.S. Rep. Richard Neal (D-Springfield). ``The content is fine. But the blandness with which it is delivered has caused considerable reaction.''  [Meanwhile] U.S. Rep. Martin T. Meehan (D-Lowell) scoffed at reports Air Force One was targeted by terrorists - the reason Bush aides have put forth to explain why the president delayed his return to Washington after Tuesday's attack on the Pentagon. ``I don't buy the notion Air Force One was a target,'' said Meehan. ``That's just PR. That's just spin.''

Webmaster note: The pipsqueaks come to the fore to criticize better men than they ... men with real responsibility.

Rep Dick Gephardt (D - Missouri) told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch Friday that "I do not believe [Rep. Condit D - California] was candid and forward" in the ABC interview. "He stayed in this zone of being evasive. ... I didn't hear candor, I didn't hear an apology." Gephardt said he would talk to House colleagues about what steps to take -- and that might include making Condit relinquish his seat on the important House Intelligence Committee." "What he said last night was disturbing and wrong," Gephardt said. "I think it fell way short. It all adds to the general perception that politics are no-good and politicians are a bunch of bums."

Webmaster note: Wellll, Dick?

Rep Dick Gephardt (D - Missouri) said Democrats "did what was right" when Congress raised income and gas taxes in 1993 under President Clinton, adding "I'll do it again" if the Democrats win control of the House in next year's midterm congressional elections.  "Let me tell you something. I'm glad we did what was right in 1993, and I'll do it again because I believe in being fiscally responsible with the taxpayers' money," he said.  Gephart was (also) a fierce opponent of Mr. Bush's 10-year, $1.35 trillion tax cut package and tried to scale it back considerably.

Webmaster note: And he wants to be your President!

Democrat Representative Gary Condit, 53, of California made a phone call to the parents of Chandra Levy amidst a sea of new allegations, including that in the months prior to her disappearance April 30, a smitten Levy saw her married hometown congressman more than once a week and called him on a private number that would automatically page him.  Condit, through a written statement and through his lawyer, has said that he and the intern were nothing more than good friends.

Webmaster note: Are we going to be hearing "I did not have sex with that woman, Chandra Levy" in the near future?

"Rep. James Traficant, D-Ohio, was indicted Friday by a federal grand jury in Cleveland, law enforcement sources told CNN.  The 10-count, 130-page indictment includes charges of bribery, tax evasion, racketeering, conspiracy and obstruction of justice, the officials said.  He has been rumored for months to be considering a switch to the Republican Party and voted for Republican Dennis Hastert of Illinois for House speaker earlier this year."

"Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the Congress, on behalf of the American people, extends its birthday greetings and best wishes to Ronald Reagan on his 90th birthday." ... H. J. Res. 7

 Seven Democrats chose to NOT recognize the event of Ronald Reagan's 90th birthday by casting votes of "Present" in the House of Representatives.  The complete vote was 410 - 0.  Voting Present" were Peter DeFazio (D-OR), Eddie Johnson (D-TX), Barbara Lee (D-CA), Loretta Sanchez (D-CA), Pete Stark (D-CA), Maxine Waters (D-CA), and Lynn Woolsey (D-CA).  The measure was passed unanimously in the Senate.

Webmasters Comment: It's an enormously petty act to withhold a vote to simply acknowledge a former president's 90th birthday.  Partisanship such as this is disgusting to this citizen.  SHAME ON THOSE SEVEN!

Rep. Ernest Istook, Oklahoma Republican and chairman of a subcommittee that oversees the White House budget, today will ask another federal agency not to grant former President Bill Clinton's request for $650,000 to lease an entire floor of a swank Manhattan office building — a sum that exceeds the annual amount spent on all other ex-presidents combined.  "We appropriated the money that they asked for," Mr. Istook said on ABC's "World News Tonight." "Now they're saying, 'Oh, we're actually wanting three times that amount but we're not even going to bother to come back to you to ask for it.' " The GSA pays for one office per ex-president for life. Gerald Ford's costs $99,000, Jimmy Carter's $93,000, Ronald Reagan's $285,000 and George Bush's $147,000.