# DeLay indicted **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [September 28, 2005, 4:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/delay-indicted/323877 "2005-09-28T16:51:02Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![Duke\_of\_Rat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ad7895/32.png) [@Duke\_of\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duke_of_Rat)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2005, 2:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/delay-indicted/323877/101 "2005-09-29T14:19:20Z")
> [@Hentor the Barbarian](#): > > No, no, no. I think you’ve uncovered something shocking - there are active Democrats in the state capital of Texas! Holy shit! And they have fundraisers! And they are attended by members of the Democratic party! In the capital of Texas! I guess you missed the part where I said none of it supported any conspiracies. I liked your copier slant _much_ better. ---
**Author:** ![Chance\_the\_Gardener](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/eada6e/32.png) [@Chance\_the\_Gardener](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chance_the_Gardener)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2005, 2:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/delay-indicted/323877/102 "2005-09-29T14:48:55Z")
> [@Stephe96](#): > > What I mean is that if Earle fails to get this conviction and/or this turns out to be a politically-motivated sham indictment, then this little stunt could backfire on Ronnie-boy, as well. Well, if it’s a stunt, then I hope it blows up in his face big time. However, Earle doesn’t have much sleaze in his history, so for the time being, I’ll trust him. Anyway, politically-motivated sham indictments don’t always blow up in one’s face. Just ask Ken Starr. ---
**Author:** ![Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/8edcca/32.png) [@Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hentor_the_Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2005, 3:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/delay-indicted/323877/103 "2005-09-29T15:06:51Z")
> [@Duke of Rat](#): > > I guess you missed the part where I said none of it supported any conspiracies. > > I liked your copier slant _much_ better. No, I saw it. My response to you was only 73.2% sarcasm. It is always a bit of a surprise to hear that there are any Democrats in Texas, let alone active ones. When you get to the idea of being able to describe them as raising funds, and my BS meter starts twitching. I kinda figured that all the Democrats in Texas had been a’rounded up a wuhlago and kicked out, or worse. ---
**Author:** ![Merijeek](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f05b48/32.png) [@Merijeek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Merijeek)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2005, 3:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/delay-indicted/323877/104 "2005-09-29T15:07:03Z")
> [@wring](#): > > do ya think he’ll use this phrase on his resume? > > “2003 to Present - Stupid pointless raving partisan cunt. In this position, I posted prolifically on message boards, parroting the party line. During this challenging time, I stayed on point, never bothering with actual facts or data. I would sidestep and shift, ignoring salient points by the opposition. Many have remarked upon my unique ability to resist logical thought processes.” I think we found our next head of FEMA! Stupid bitch. -Joe ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2005, 3:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/delay-indicted/323877/105 "2005-09-29T15:47:55Z")
> [@Hentor the Barbarian](#): > > I kinda figured that all the Democrats in Texas had been a’rounded up a wuhlago and kicked out, or worse. [Ann Coulter]You mean like killing their leaders, and forcibly converting them?[/AC] ---
**Author:** ![NurseCarmen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/5daacb/32.png) [@NurseCarmen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NurseCarmen)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2005, 3:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/delay-indicted/323877/106 "2005-09-29T15:54:49Z")
Let me test my psychic abilities… > [@](#): > > _said in the future by_ **Tom DeLay** > “Well, that jury of my peers was clearly a group of partisan hacks. That jury has in the past made convictions that went on to be overturned. My conviction is clearly the result of a political smear campaign.” ---
**Author:** ![Stephe96](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Stephe96](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stephe96)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2005, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/delay-indicted/323877/107 "2005-09-29T16:08:40Z")
> [@NurseCarmen](#): > > Let me test my psychic abilities… Instead of the future, why not look to the past? Earle tried this same stunt against Hutchinson in '94 and the judge pretty much laughed him out of court. Earle tried to drop the charges at the last minute but the judge said, “No way” and he was forced to watch as a jury gave Hutchinson a full acquittal. I know a lot of you are all excited about this but I think charging someone with nothing but criminal conspiracy is an odd move. What exactly was Delay conspiring to do? And why not charge him with the actual crimes? ---
**Author:** ![Airman\_Doors\_USAF](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e36b37/32.png) [@Airman\_Doors\_USAF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Airman_Doors_USAF)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2005, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/delay-indicted/323877/108 "2005-09-29T16:09:28Z")
> [@Hentor the Barbarian](#): > > No, I saw it. > > My response to you was only 73.2% sarcasm. It is always a bit of a surprise to hear that there are any Democrats in Texas, let alone active ones. When you get to the idea of being able to describe them as raising funds, and my BS meter starts twitching. > > I kinda figured that all the Democrats in Texas had been a’rounded up a wuhlago and kicked out, or worse. I don’t know why you would think that. If there weren’t any Democrats there would be no need for the gerrymandering a few years ago. Texas has a rather strong Democratic Party. Not like it was back in the LBJ era, but it’s still noteworthy. ---
**Author:** ![Loopydude](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e56c9b/32.png) [@Loopydude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loopydude)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2005, 4:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/delay-indicted/323877/109 "2005-09-29T16:13:07Z")
> [@Stephe96](#): > > I know a lot of you are all excited about this but I think charging someone with nothing but criminal conspiracy is an odd move. What exactly was Delay conspiring to do? And why not charge him with the actual crimes? If criminal conspiracy _is_ the actual crime he committed, I’m not sure what the sense of the objection is here. I’m not saying he did anything for certain (which I surely don’t know), I’m just trying to figure out why it’s “an odd move” to accuse someone potentially guilty of conspiring with conspriracy. It seems the only legal and appropriate move. ---
**Author:** ![Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/8edcca/32.png) [@Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hentor_the_Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2005, 4:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/delay-indicted/323877/110 "2005-09-29T16:13:53Z")
> [@Airman Doors](#): > > I don’t know why you would think that. If there weren’t any Democrats there would be no need for the gerrymandering a few years ago. Texas has a rather strong Democratic Party. Not like it was back in the LBJ era, but it’s still noteworthy. And Ann Richards wouldn’t have been governor just before Bush. And there wouldn’t have been any Democrats to walk out on the gerrymandering bullshit. I was making a joke. ---
**Author:** ![Stephe96](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Stephe96](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stephe96)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2005, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/delay-indicted/323877/111 "2005-09-29T16:17:58Z")
> [@Loopydude](#): > > If criminal conspiracy _is_ the actual crime he committed, I’m not sure what the sense of the objection is here. I’m not saying he did anything for certain (which I surely don’t know), I’m just trying to figure out why it’s “an odd move” to accuse someone potentially guilty of conspiring with conspriracy. It seems the only legal and appropriate move. OK, but what was the conspiracy for? I realize conspiracy itself is a crime…but isn’t it usually part of a _bigger_ crime? I’m just asking what the bigger crime was here. And why wasn’t he charge with _that_? ---
**Author:** ![Frank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Frank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2005, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/delay-indicted/323877/112 "2005-09-29T16:20:37Z")
> [@Stephe96](#): > > Instead of the future, why not look to the past? Earle tried this same stunt against Hutchinson in '94 and the judge pretty much laughed him out of court. Earle tried to drop the charges at the last minute but the judge said, “No way” and he was forced to watch as a jury gave Hutchinson a full acquittal. He was not laughed out of court. The judge ruled against him on an evidence issue, and Earle chose not to proceed. The judge then ordered an acquittal. Are all the cases listed in post #49 in this thread “stunts”? I’m fascinated by your ability to phrase things in the smeariest possible fashion. Is this something you do naturally, or are you copying things from some blog or something? ---
**Author:** ![Loopydude](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e56c9b/32.png) [@Loopydude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loopydude)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2005, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/delay-indicted/323877/113 "2005-09-29T16:23:39Z")
Um, the crime is conspiracy. What they were allegedly conspiring to cover up is a form of money laundering of private contributions in violation of Texas election code. Again, I’m confused by your question. Have you been reading the news? ---
**Author:** ![Frank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Frank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2005, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/delay-indicted/323877/114 "2005-09-29T16:24:43Z")
> [@Stephe96](#): > > OK, but what was the conspiracy for? Violating fund-raising laws. I assume that Earle feels he has sufficient evidence to prove that, but not sufficient to prove the violation itself. It’s not all that uncommon for people to be tried solely on conspiracy charges. ---
**Author:** ![Stephe96](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Stephe96](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stephe96)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2005, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/delay-indicted/323877/115 "2005-09-29T16:25:12Z")
> [@Loopydude](#): > > Um, the crime is conspiracy. What they were allegedly conspiring to cover up is a form of money laundering of private contributions in violation of Texas election code. Again, I’m confused by your question. Have you been reading the news? Then why not charge him with the money-laundering? ---
**Author:** ![Loopydude](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e56c9b/32.png) [@Loopydude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loopydude)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2005, 4:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/delay-indicted/323877/116 "2005-09-29T16:26:53Z")
I would imagine because it was the Party, if you will, as an entity, that was doing the laundering. ---
**Author:** ![Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/8edcca/32.png) [@Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hentor_the_Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2005, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/delay-indicted/323877/117 "2005-09-29T16:31:58Z")
> [@Stephe96](#): > > Then why not charge him with the money-laundering? Because the crime is “violating state election laws,” a felony. Why charge him with something else? What is the state law regarding “money laundering,” and why would it be more appropriate? More to the point, read any single fucking article on the matter and you wouldn’t have these moronic questions. Is this some sort of diversionary tactic? Rehashing DeLay’s crime, and how it is and is not like other crimes, really is just putting out there repeatedly that DeLay is a criminal (allegedly). Or have you really no idea because all you read is right-wing nut blog bullshit? ---
**Author:** ![Stephe96](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Stephe96](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stephe96)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2005, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/delay-indicted/323877/118 "2005-09-29T16:33:33Z")
> [@Hentor the Barbarian](#): > > Because the crime is “violating state election laws,” a felony. Why charge him with something else? What is the state law regarding “money laundering,” and why would it be more appropriate? > ? OK, so why not charge him with ‘violating state election laws?’ ---
**Author:** ![Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/8edcca/32.png) [@Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hentor_the_Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2005, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/delay-indicted/323877/119 "2005-09-29T16:40:30Z")
> [@Stephe96](#): > > OK, so why not charge him with ‘violating state election laws?’ Probably because the evidence can show that he conspired with others to violate state election laws. Thus criminal conspiracy. You tool. ---
**Author:** ![Stephe96](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Stephe96](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stephe96)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2005, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/delay-indicted/323877/120 "2005-09-29T16:45:16Z")
> [@Hentor the Barbarian](#): > > Probably because the evidence can show that he conspired with others to violate state election laws. Thus criminal conspiracy. You tool. So he “conspired” to violate election laws but he didn’t actually violate election laws. Well, maybe. As I said, good luck with all that. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/delay-indicted/323877.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/delay-indicted/323877.md?page=7)