Comments on: When Is A Bribe Not A Bribe?

By: bob r

bob r — Thu, 15 May 2008 15:02:15 +0000

"Iâ€™m not 100% sure, but I believe Bill Clinton would be ineligible to serve in the Court ..."

We should be so lucky. The u.s. constitution does not place _any_ restriction on the _past_ history of people as an eligibility criteria to become a u.s. judge. It does specify that they "... shall hold their Offices during good Behaviour, ..." (Art. III, Section 1.)

Considering the moral qualities of most politicians, I pretty sure the only "Behaviour" that could get someone evicted from office is something that also lands said judge in prison. And I am not so sure that _is_ sufficient -- just that it is a necessary condition.

By: Aaron

Aaron — Sat, 10 May 2008 22:03:07 +0000

Eh. I don’t know about that. It’s a private contract. Is it any worse than giving Hillary a vice presidential slot (in other words, a free ticket to the second highest public office in the land) to get her to drop out? Even if one considers it bribery, I’d it’s the best kind of bribery. After all. Doesn’t let Hillary anywhere near the Oval Office. Any bribery to that end would be just fine with me.

By: Mesa Econoguy

Mesa Econoguy — Sat, 10 May 2008 16:59:33 +0000

Iâ€™m not 100% sure, but I believe Bill Clinton would be ineligible to serve in the Court due to his disbarment as part of his perjury punishment.

He was (and may still be) prohibited from practicing in front of the Court. But who knows? Our legal system is so screwed up it probably would allow a perjurer to serve as an officer and arbiterâ€¦

By: Larry Sheldon

Larry Sheldon — Sat, 10 May 2008 16:54:38 +0000

If the judgeship is part of the intent, then it would be a bribe.

It isn't clear to me why it is important to sort out the label details, isn't "graft" inclusive?

By: dearieme

dearieme — Sat, 10 May 2008 12:01:07 +0000

An article in one of the British papers suggested that part of the pay-off would have President Obama nominate Bill Clinton for the Supreme Court. I do hope they were joking.

By: M. Hodak

M. Hodak — Sat, 10 May 2008 05:47:45 +0000

It could be viewed as an investment. He pays a little now to save a lot later.

By: Mesa Econoguy

Mesa Econoguy — Sat, 10 May 2008 05:38:51 +0000

When Is A Bribe Not A Bribe?

Answer:

When Monica Lewinskyâ€™s cover trail doesnâ€™t involve several Pentagon desk Generals.

But that was a â€œprivate matter,â€ wasnâ€™t it?

If I were a political dirt-digger, perhaps affiliated with some non-Clinton-affiliated organization, I would start with the Pentagon promotions in say, 1997, perhaps in the nuclear non-proliferation intel area.

Hypothetically speaking....

By: Larry Sheldon

Larry Sheldon — Sat, 10 May 2008 01:43:17 +0000

It might be sill.
It might be stupid.
It might be un-necessary.
It might be ill-advised.
It might be wrong in some way.
But it is not (I sincerely hope) bribery.

Bribery is the payment of money to an official (elected, appointed, or hired) to influence the perfomance of official duties by that official.

I hope Shrillary is not an official anything in this transaction.

By: Scott

Scott — Fri, 09 May 2008 21:25:56 +0000

Wow. Does this mean President Obama will let Boeing pay off Lockheed to drop out of the bidding for a particular contract? I love the future.

By: David

David — Fri, 09 May 2008 20:07:03 +0000

Doesn’t the money have to come from the Obama campaign – and be donated to the Clinton campaign. Seems like $11 million should violate limits of McCain-Feingold.

I’m sure I’m wrong on this – because it seems like its been done before…