Oh, yeah. That’s not a typo. Of course, at this point, “there is no evidence” that the Dhimmicrats knew Saddam was paying their way, although it’s hard to believe no one asked, “Hey, who is paying for all this?” And the guys came back and asked for a “diplomatic solution.”

Saddam Hussein’s intelligence agency secretly financed a trip to Iraq for three U.S. lawmakers during the run-up to the U.S.-led invasion, federal prosecutors said Wednesday.

The three anti-war Democrats made the trip in October 2002, while the Bush administration was trying to persuade Congress to authorize military action against Iraq. While traveling, they called for a diplomatic solution.

Prosecutors say that trip was arranged by Muthanna Al-Hanooti, a Michigan charity official, who was charged Wednesday with setting up the junket at the behest of Saddam’s regime. Iraqi intelligence officials allegedly paid for the trip through an intermediary and rewarded Al-Hanooti with 2 million barrels of Iraqi oil.

The lawmakers are not named in the indictment but the dates correspond to a trip by Democratic Reps. Jim McDermott of Washington, David Bonior of Michigan and Mike Thompson of California. None was charged and Justice Department spokesman Dean Boyd said investigators “have no information whatsoever” any of them knew the trip was underwritten by Saddam.

“Obviously, we didn’t know it at the time,” McDermott spokesman Michael DeCesare said Wednesday. “The trip was to see the plight of the Iraqi children. That’s the only reason we went.”

Both McDermott and Thompson are popular among liberal voters in their reliably Democratic districts for their anti-war views. Bonior is no longer in Congress.

Far be it from me to call these guys liars, because I do not have the evidence that they knew, but I find it hard to believe that these guys decided to go to Iraq and never questioned how they’d get there - it’s not free to fly, you know. I’ve never heard of an international flight being free. You can’t just decide to go to Iraq, walk to the airport, climb on a plane, and leave. You have to buy a ticket. You have to present said ticket at the gate, etc. Thus, when you decide to take a trip, at some point the question has to be asked: “Who is going to pay for this? You? Me?” Now, maybe the Congressmen do not call up United themselves, but somebody has to make the call. As a Congressman, do you ask your aide? “Hey, get me and these two Congressmen tickets to Iraq next week.” And then the aide - or somebody - buys the tickets.

What is the other scenario, that they got free tickets? Someone just called up out of the blue and offered tickets? Seems unlikely, but I suppose it is plausible. I would still expect a Congressman to inquire as to where said free tickets were coming from.

At any rate, I would expect our members of Congress to know where money coming into their campaign is coming from, and I would expect them to know where money for perks is coming from. If somebody buys you a ticket, find out who, etc.

More at Ace, Hot Air.

Popularity: 8% [?]

Bookmark to:

Hide Sites