L'ennesimo episodio di corruzione coinvolge un membro del Congresso statunitense alla vigilia delle elezioni di mid-term. Questa volta, però, non aspettatevi che i mainstream media muovano un dito: il deputato è democratico....

Does this mean that Harry boys indiscretions should cast a light on the whole Democratic party? In light of how adamantly the Democrats have postured about investigating Hastert for Foley's emails and instant messages, the answer would be yes. Silly i...

These high ethical standards are “supposed” to govern our actions as we are to be a light upon the world.

Perfectly true, and completely unremarkable. I don't think any Christian group feels otherwise, and the tone here will likely rub them the wrong way. We sometimes forget that we are expressly forbidden to be self-righteous.

I mention this because if he is a member in “good” standing, and is found to have some impropriety here, he can and should be excommunicated from the church.

Conviction of felony is normally prima facie cause for excommunication from the Church. However, if some of the comments here are to be believed, no felony was committed.

It's been some time since I served in a bishopric, so I haven't seen the latest edition of the Church Handbook of Instructions; but the old version stated that technical violations of complex regulations, arguably arising from the the difficulty of understanding and complying with said regulations, are not necessarily grounds for Church discipline.

I don't recall any discussion in the Handbook of the ecclesiastical consequences of violating Senate rules.

We don't know all the facts, but from what I've heard so far, there's a good chance that there's no grounds for Church disciplinary action.

(Please, no jokes about multiple wives, we don’t believe in polygamy)

It would be more accurate to say that we believe God has withdrawn His permission for anyone to have more than one living spouse. A fine distinction, perhaps.

I think being a member of the Senate AND an LDS member means you lead your life personally and professionally in a manner that exemplifies your faith.

I absolutely agree. But I distrust politicians enough that I cringe at the thought that anyone would judge our faith by the actions of an LDS politician.

I doubt serious members of any other faith feel otherwise about their politicians.

the valley — an hour northeast of Las Vegas — is on its way to becoming a real estate development of historic proportions, with as many as 159,000 homes, 16 golf courses and a full complement of stores and service facilities. At nearly 43,000 acres, Coyote Springs covers almost twice as much space as the next-largest development in a state famous for outsized building projects.

...

Helping make Coyote Springs come alive was an alliance between a multimillionaire developer and one of the highest-ranking members of Congress: Nevada Democrat Harry Reid, the Senate minority leader and a member of the powerful Senate Appropriations Committee.

The relationship between developers such as Harvey Whittemore and politicians such as Reid is especially close in Nevada, home to a small fraternity of movers and shakers, powerful demands of rapid population growth and a huge amount of federally owned land.

Over the last four years, Reid has used his influence in Washington to help the developer, Nevada super-lobbyist Whittemore, clear obstacles from Coyote Springs' path.

At one point, Reid proposed opening the way for Whittemore to develop part of the site for free — something for which the developer later agreed to pay the government $10 million.

As the project advanced, Reid received tens of thousands of dollars in campaign contributions from Whittemore. The contributions not only went to Reid's Senate campaigns, but also to his leadership fund, which he used to help bankroll the campaigns of Democratic colleagues.

Whittemore also helped advance the legal careers of two of Reid's four sons. One of the two, Leif Reid, who is Whittemore's personal lawyer, has represented the developer throughout the Coyote Springs project, including in negotiations with federal officials.

Whittemore, solidly built and well over 6 feet tall, is a partner in Nevada's biggest law firm and a veteran lobbyist for the state's gambling, liquor and tobacco industries.

This is nothing more than a blatant attempt to divert our attention from the Foley scandal and y’all know it. So just stop, okay? Ain’t gonna work.

LOL! Great irony there, Len.

Uh, you were being ironic on purpose, right?

Harry Reid is a LDS (Latter Day Saint/ Mormon) for those that don't know what an LDS is.

As a member of this church, I can tell you that we Mormons are held to very high ethical standards.

(Please, no jokes about multiple wives, we don't believe in polygamy)

These high ethical standards are "supposed" to govern our actions as we are to be a light upon the world.

I mention this because if he is a member in "good" standing, and is found to have some impropriety here, he can and should be excommunicated from the church.

I think being a member of the Senate AND an LDS member means you lead your life personally and professionally in a manner that exemplifies your faith.

Clearly, if these allegations are true, marks a turning point in Senator Reid's spiritual career as well.

Nice profit but not extraordinary by Las Vegas real estate standards over the last seven years.

Indeed. The amount gained can't be out of the ordinary for the area that's seen insane levels of the growth over the past decade.

Does anybody really believe that these "lawmakers" don't have lawyers who watch over these deals and ensure that every i is dotted and every t crossed?

This is nothing more than a blatant attempt to divert our attention from the Foley scandal and y'all know it. So just stop, okay? Ain't gonna work.

Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid collected a $1.1 million windfall on a Las Vegas land sale even though he hadn’t personally owned the property for three years, property deeds show.

This whole article looks like a hit job. A "$1.1 million windfall"? What is that? If I was his accountant, I'd be looking at a $610 thousand capital gain, which would get preferential tax treatment, over seven years. I guess that's a "windfall". Nice profit but not extraordinary by Las Vegas real estate standards over the last seven years.

That's right. The LLC would not be liable for any taxes (unless it filed a tax return as a corporation, which it likely wouldn't). It would issue a Form K-1 to Harry Reid personally, with a copy to the IRS, of course, and he would be liable for Federal income tax on the profit. The article stated the property was transferred to the LLC at its original cost, which would be the tax basis when the property is sold.

What a surprise. Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) hung up on the AP when questions got a little too close for comfort about his ethical dealings on a land deal that netted a sweetheart $1.1 million deal....

Who, by the way, was seen standing next to a leader of NAMBLA at a San Francisco parade.

Oh teh noes! I hope she knows cooties are an airborn disease and was inoculated.