Former Gov. McDonnell (R-VA) & Wife Indicted

From the Washington Post: 

Former Virginia governor Robert F. McDonnell and his wife, Maureen, were charged Tuesday with illegally accepting gifts, luxury vacations and large loans from a wealthy Richmond-area businessman who sought special treatment from state government.

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The two were charged with 14 felony counts, including wire fraud, conspiracy to commit wire fraud, obtaining property under color of their official office and conspiring to the do the same.

They were also charged with making false statements to a federal credit union.

McDonnell was also charged with making a false statement to another financial institution, and Maureen McDonnell was charged with obstructing the investigation.

Charges mean the couple could face a maximum of decades in prison, though would likely serve far less if convicted...

Don't blame me, I voted for the other guy.

Gov. Bob McDonnell (R-VA), "I Am Deeply Sorry..."

From the Richmond Times-Dispatch: 

Gov. Bob McDonnell has repaid the roughly $120,000 in loans that he and his wife received from a wealthy donor and expressed sorrow for the “embarrassment” brought upon the state.

“I am deeply sorry for the embarrassment certain members of my family and I brought upon my beloved Virginia and her citizens,” McDonnell said in a statement released today by a spokesman for his private legal team.   

“I want you to know that I broke no laws and that I am committed to regaining your sacred trust and confidence. I hope today’s action is another step toward that end.” 

McDonnell paid back $52,278 for a loan that Jonnie Williams Sr., CEO of Star Scientific, made to  first lady Maureen McDonnell in 2011, and $71,837 for two other loans in 2012 to the real estate business owned by the governor and his sister, according to the release...

...McDonnell strongly indicated that he plans to stay in office while facing state and federal probes relating to his relationship with Williams. 

Between governor McDonnell's corruption, support of invasive/mandatory trans-vaginal ultrasounds and Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli's homophobia, the Commonwealth's republicans have made Virginia a national joke. And we should let them have power in the state because...?

How Gov. McDonnell & AG Cuccinelli Have Stained Virginia

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Visit NBCNews.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

As if I didn't have enough reasons to vote for Terry MacAuliffe instead of Ken Cuccinelli for Virginia Governor.

UNC-Chapel Hill's Mistreatment of Rape Victims

From Think Progress: 

The University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill is now facing a third federal investigation into its sexual assault policies. This time, the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights is investigating allegations that UNC inappropriately retaliated against Landen Gambill, a sophomore at the university, after she publicly came forward about her rape. 

Gambill was one of several students who filed a federal complaint against the university at the beginning of the year, alleging UNC has created a “hostile environment” for rape victims attempting to report sexual crimes. In February, the sophomore faced an honor code violation that claimed she “intimidated” her alleged rapist by publicly sharing the story of her sexual assault — even though she never named him, simply referring to him as an “ex-boyfriend.” Later that year, even after the male student in question had been found guilty of sexually harassing Gambill, he was reassigned to a dorm building “in close proximity” to hers. 

The new investigation will attempt to determine whether those two actions — subjecting Gambill to UNC’s honor court and moving Gambill’s assailant closer to her — constitute inappropriate retaliation. The honor code charge against Gambill, which could have resulted in her expulsion, has since been dropped.

There's an old saying that goes something to the tune of "It isn't the crime, it's the cover-up." I believe this applies here. I honestly can not even begin to fathom how the university, if the allegations are true, would go to such lengths against a victim of rape. I'm assuming some of these officials have daughters. Chances are that they would not stand for such actions against their own children, so why do it to someone else's? This really goes to show how soulless some people can be, in case what happened at Penn State was not indication enough.

Gov. Bob McDonnell's (R-VA) Use of Taxpayer Dollars

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Gov. McDonnell's (R-VA) Woes Get Worse

From the Washington Post: 

Federal authorities are asking Virginia Gov. Robert F. McDonnell’s associates about previously undisclosed gifts given by a campaign donor to McDonnell’s wife that total tens of thousands of dollars and include money and expensive designer clothing, according to people familiar with the inquiry. 

The questions are part of broad federal and state investigations into gifts to the governor and his family and whether McDonnell (R) took official action on behalf of anyone who gave gifts, people with knowledge of the investigation have said. 

The probe already involves a $15,000 gift from wealthy businessman Jonnie R. Williams Sr., chief executive of a major McDonnell campaign donor, for catering at the 2011 wedding of one of McDonnell’s daughters. 

But the people with knowledge of the inquiry, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because of the sensitive nature of the investigation, say the scope is wider than just the wedding gift. The value and nature of additional gifts from Williams, including money provided in several checks, suggest that authorities are exploring a more extensive relationship between Williams and the McDonnells than previously revealed...

Again, I say, "Don't blame me, I voted for the other guy (Creigh Deeds)."

Meanwhile, I am sure that the GOP was looking to Bob McDonnell to possibly run for higher office in the future and be a banner-bearer for the party. Being the leader of a swing state could have stood him in could stead for national office and spreading a conservative message. If these allegations pan out, those hopes could fizzle just like they did for another former Republican Virginia governor, George Allen (though with Allen, it happened because of a racist remark he made while running for a second Senate term in 2006), who many conservatives thought could run for president in 2008.

Corporations Buying Our Privacy

Corporatocracy: ALEC & Political Corruption

The Wrap-Up: February 17, 2012

President Obama's numbers are headed back into positive territory.

Speaking of Obama, here is a look at what his budget may do for American jobs. Republicans, no doubt, will try to keep this from happening in their infinite "wisdom."

Here's a sneak peek into a Santorum presidency (it's looking pretty messy).

Another "Kill the Gays" bill is set to strike an African country.

Good ol' Chris Christie, staying classy as always.

Even though the House had a hearing on contraception, guess who was left off of the panel...

Things are looking increasingly bleak for Gov. Scott Walker (R-WI), and I'm not just to talking about the effort to recall him (though there's that too).

A high school football player tells of his experience of being a gay teenager in rural America.

It's really amazing how  Mitt Romney has done a complete 180 on such a range of issues, including Planned Parenthood.

Pat Buchanan is officially off of MSNBC. It certainly rook them long enough, now for Tony Perkins...

And lastly, Jon Stewart has a go at Liz Trotta (who said on Fox that military women should expect to be raped).

Broken Government: Legal Insider Trading

Insider Trading, Washington Style

How to Buy a Politician

Rep. Paul Ryan: Bought & Paid For

I'm sure Paul Ryan isn't the only politician who is in the hands of business instead of the people. He, however, is one of the primary reason that corporate personhood needs to be utterly abolished. It leads to this type of corruption and it is the people who get the raw end of the deal.