I love living in Florida, but we have some strange politicians. Here is the latest news:
Florida Republican Trey Radel is going back to his job in the House of Representatives next week, after getting busted for cocaine possession in November, Politico and others report.
Radel finished a stint in rehab in late December. He is expected back in D.C. when the House returns Tuesday.
Mind you, Radel's signature legislation is a bill to require drug testing for welfare recipients. It reminds one of the old saying "It takes one to know one." How long do you think he will last in the House?
As long as he can curry favors to the big donors and make it seem like he is bringing home the bacon to the Proles, he will have a long life in national politics.
ReplyDeleteRemember that we have an admitted pot-head and cocaine user occupying the White House. Funny how our press never dwelled on these topics found in his own books.
Considering that a majority of adults born after 1960 have smoked pot and/or tried other drugs, I think most are willing to look past an admission of prior use. Getting busted for STILL doing it though, that's a little different deal. I firmly believe W Bush and Bill Clinton did PLENTY of drugs in their younger days. I personally didn't care much about that.
DeleteHi, Max, and Happy New Year.
DeleteYou left out our Dear Leader as far as drug usage, I think.
Jean
That was already stated in Storm's post.
DeleteIn New York City they'd make this guy mayor.
ReplyDeleteNot without a willingness to legalize pot but ban soda, that's how we liberals roll
DeleteMick
ReplyDeleteI don't think it's just Florida's problem. We have "Weird Politicians" in all the states.
As Max says I don't think that most of the public views drug convictions for personal use quite as harshly as they once did.
He may be an embarrassment to some Republicans, but for comedians like Comedy Central's Stephen Colbert, Radel has been another Florida punch line. Shortly after the arrest, Colbert skewered Radel's vote supporting a bill that would have required drug tests for people receiving food stamps. "Now, now, he's not a hypocrite," Colbert said. " 'Cause he doesn't get food stamps from the government — just his paycheck."
DeleteAnd despite his arrest, on that point — his vote to drug-test food stamp recipients — Radel isn't backing down. With remarkable political chutzpah, he announced at his post-rehab news conference that he'd like to take it further — and drug test elected officials.
As a follow up, just read where a man in Sarasota tried to pay for a 12 pack of beer with a 6 ft alligator. The clerk refused and the man was arrested, not for trying to buy the beer, but for abusing a protected species. Only in Florida. Maybe the charge would have been dropped if he agreed to share some of the beer with the gator.
ReplyDeleteMick....We actually have been looking at that area ( Sarasota ) for a possible move.
ReplyDeleteWackos are everywhere.
I recommend Sarasota highly. We live in Manatee County, about 2 miles from the Sarasota County line, best of all worlds. During this winter storm the overnight temperature never got below 39 degrees, this coming week we will break 80 degrees again during the day. My tomato plants are still bearing!
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