Difference between revisions of "Nancy Pelosi"
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[[Image:Nancypelosi.jpg|thumb|right|Madam Speaker Nancy Pelosi]] | [[Image:Nancypelosi.jpg|thumb|right|Madam Speaker Nancy Pelosi]] | ||
| − | '''Nancy Pelosi''', M.C. is the Representative for the 8th [[Congressional District]] of [[California]] and is the current [[Speaker of the House]](2007-), succeeding [[J. Dennis Hastert]]. She is | + | '''Nancy Pelosi''', M.C. is the Representative for the 8th [[Congressional District]] of [[California]] and is the current [[Speaker of the House]](2007-), succeeding [[J. Dennis Hastert]]. She is the ninth richest of 435 members of the House.<ref>http://www.opensecrets.org/pfds/CIDsummary.asp?CID=N00007360&year=2005</ref> |
==Criticism== | ==Criticism== | ||
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In 2003, the Pelosis and the development partnership finally hired some lobbyists and put a few government employees on the pay role. This caused the commission to cave and give up their fraud investigation as long as the course agreed to host a charity golf tournament for children.<ref>Barry Witt, "Help for Cordevalle," San Jose Mercury News, June 13, 2003.</ref> | In 2003, the Pelosis and the development partnership finally hired some lobbyists and put a few government employees on the pay role. This caused the commission to cave and give up their fraud investigation as long as the course agreed to host a charity golf tournament for children.<ref>Barry Witt, "Help for Cordevalle," San Jose Mercury News, June 13, 2003.</ref> | ||
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| + | ===Zinfandel Lane=== | ||
| + | According to opensecrets.org, nearly half of Pelosi's assets are tied up in a Napa County, California vineyard called Zinfandel Lane. Capitolnews.com has reported Pelosi only employes non-union laborers and does not provide health coverage for her workers. In addition, it is beleived illegal aliens have been exploited by Pelosi on the work farm, as well as a general question surrounding paying a basic livable wage for many of societies most vulnerable.<ref>[http://www.capoliticalnews.com/s/spip.php?article13 Does Pelosi’s Non-Union Vineyard Use Illegal Aliens?]Monday 30 October 2006.</ref> | ||
===Boy Scouts=== | ===Boy Scouts=== | ||
Revision as of 04:32, April 6, 2007
Nancy Pelosi, M.C. is the Representative for the 8th Congressional District of California and is the current Speaker of the House(2007-), succeeding J. Dennis Hastert. She is the ninth richest of 435 members of the House.[1]
Criticism
CordeValle Golf Club and Resort
Nancy Pelosi has one of her largest investments in a private golf development partnership called Lions Gate Limited. The Santa Clara County Planning Committee approved a plan for them to build a 275-acre golf course 30 minutes south of San Jose, but only under strict conditions. They agreed to allow 60% public usage of the course and to abide by strict environmental rules, since a number of endangered species were present in the area. The club opened in 2000 and did very well, making $250,000 for each member and $400,000 for corporations.[2]
But then the Planning Commission took at look to see if the guidelines had been followed. First of all, only about a dozen non-members had been actually able to play on the course, a far cry from 60%. CordeValle had also set up obvious anti-public rules, such as requiring people to call seventy-two hours in advance and pay close to $300 for 18 holes. Upon investigation, the Commission learned that nonmembers would be told that the club was "full" and turned away even when the club was relatively empty. There were a series of public hearings on the matter and it was concluded that Lion's Gate was in clear violation of the agreement they had made[3].
During the hearings, it was learned that Lion's Gate had also ignored many of the environmental regulations they were responsible for. The ponds that they needed to make in order to preserve two species of lizard and turtle were not built. And only one mandatory annual environmental report had been submitted in seven years[4]. In 2004, a county report complained that improperly abandoned wells and urban pollutants from the resort were causing water quality degradation in the area. [5]
In 2003, the Pelosis and the development partnership finally hired some lobbyists and put a few government employees on the pay role. This caused the commission to cave and give up their fraud investigation as long as the course agreed to host a charity golf tournament for children.[6]
Zinfandel Lane
According to opensecrets.org, nearly half of Pelosi's assets are tied up in a Napa County, California vineyard called Zinfandel Lane. Capitolnews.com has reported Pelosi only employes non-union laborers and does not provide health coverage for her workers. In addition, it is beleived illegal aliens have been exploited by Pelosi on the work farm, as well as a general question surrounding paying a basic livable wage for many of societies most vulnerable.[7]
Boy Scouts
Nancy Pelosi tried to pass legislation making it illegal for Boy Scouts to use public facilities like schools. This move was brought on by her disapproval of the Boy Scouts not allowing homosexuals to lead the children.
Trip to Syria
Despite strong reservations about interfering in sensitive international diplomatic negotiations, and requests not to do so, Pelosi traveled to Damascus, Syria in April 2007 to meet with Syrian Ba'athist leader Bashar Assad. Pelosi indicated at a press conference that she had carried a message from the government of Israel. Pelosi told reporters the meeting "enabled us to communicate a message from Prime Minister Olmert".
The Israeli Prime Minister's office stated Olmert told Pelosi that Israel continued to regard Syria as "part of the axis of evil and a party encouraging terrorism in the entire Middle East." The Jerusalem Post reported sources at the Prime Minister's Office said, "Pelosi took part of the things that were said in the meeting, and used what suited her." [8]
The trip was praised by terrorists as "brave". Members of the Islamic Jihad have said Pelosi aligns to their views about terror much better than Bush and Dr. Condoleezza Rize. [9] Khaled Al-Batch, spokesman for Islamic Jihad, which along with Al Aqsa Martyrs Brigades has taken responsibility for every suicide bombing in Israel for the past two years, expressed hope Pelosi and the Democratic Party will pressure Bush to create dialogue with Syria and Middle East "resistance movements" and prompt an American withdrawal from Iraq.
References
- ↑ http://www.opensecrets.org/pfds/CIDsummary.asp?CID=N00007360&year=2005
- ↑ Barry Witt, "Cordevalle club not living up to 60 percent language," San Jose Mercury News Jan. 10, 2002.
- ↑ Barry Witt, "Cordevalle Update," San Jose Mercury News, May 8, 2003.
- ↑ Barry Witt, "What to do on CordeValle; open it up to the public, or open up it's wallet", San Jose Mercury News, August 7, 2003
- ↑ File 5950-68-28-94P, Lions Gate Limited Partnership Staff Report, San Jose Planning Commission, August 5, 2004, and November 4, 2004 (same file name)
- ↑ Barry Witt, "Help for Cordevalle," San Jose Mercury News, June 13, 2003.
- ↑ Does Pelosi’s Non-Union Vineyard Use Illegal Aliens?Monday 30 October 2006.
- ↑ PMO: Pelosi did not carry any message from Israel to Assad, Yoav Stern and Amiram Barkat, Haaretz Correspondents and AP, 5 April 2007.
- ↑ Terrorists endorse Pelosi's 'good policy of dialogue', Aaron Klein, Israel News, 04.05.07. "Palestinian terror group members call US House speaker's visit to Damascus 'brave' and hope for talks with Iran; ‘I think the Democratic Party can do things the best,’ Islamic Jihad member says"