I announced a few days ago that every week I would publish a scumbag of the week. I intend to break up this mirage of collective power within congress and focus on the individuals. Many people have reminded me congress is unpopular. Our current congress has an approval rating of 9%. The worst record in American history. We do not have a few bad apples potentially spoiling the batch. We have a stench of rot permeating the House and Senate. I present the ribbon cutting of the first scumbag!
Mike Rogers (R) Michigan 8th District
Ingham County, Livingston County, and Oakland County
Prominent City: Lansing/East Lansing
Years in Congress 2001-Present
Seat is up for election in 2014
I regret to inform that Mike Rogers was not originally the debut article for this premiere. However, I decided to bump him up to the front since I read a few articles of what he has been up to this week. Remember that famous 18 hour filibuster Rand Paul gave over the right to drone U.S. citizens? Remember how it ended with Eric Holder saying they would not drone U.S. citizens? Well, it appears nobody tweeted Mike Rogers. Maybe he was stuffing himself at Obama’s dinner party the night Rand Paul stood against unconstitutional drone strikes.
Money quotes of this week:
From politico
“The President’s May 2013 policy changes for U.S. targeted strikes are an utter and complete failure and they leave Americans’ lives at risk,”
“Individuals who would have previously been removed from the battlefield by U.S. counterterrorism operations for attacking or plotting against U.S. interests remain free because of self-imposed red tape. While we are busy pondering more ‘transparency,’ our intelligence professionals are left paralyzed because of totally incoherent policy guidance,”
The Obama administration is considering a drone attack against an American believed to be associated with al Qaeda, current and former officials said, reflecting recent changes in U.S. policy governing the use of such strikes.
A review of the case began in the summer, when the Central Intelligence Agency concluded that the individual being monitored met the criteria for a drone strike, a former U.S. official said. The officials wouldn’t provide the person’s name, but said the individual has been involved in plotting attacks against the U.S. The person is located in Pakistan, one official said.
You might remember in 2011, when the United States assassinated American citizen Anwar al-Awlaki in Yemen, they also assassinated his American citizen 16 year old son.
So what is Mike Rogers Most known for during his time in congress? Something that effects every single person reading this right now. Mike Rogers was the sponsor of the CISPA bill.
Unfortunately for the American people CISPA was only temporarily stopped. You might not have heard that is passed the House on April 18, 2013 because this image appearing all over your t.v programming and computer screens:
Here is Mike Rogers in an interview on April 25, 2013 supporting the unconstitutional questioning of Tsarnaev without being read his Miranda Rights:
Mike Roger is also the Chairman of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, its primary function is to oversee the activities of United States Intelligence Community, Directed by James R. Clapper. Here is a video of Mike Rogers defending the NSA:
“You can’t have your privacy violated if you don’t know your privacy is violated.” -Mike Rogers
Don’t get all bitchy and tell me to go fuck myself but please proof-read and correct the incorrect word usage before posting all over the place.
Apart from that, good start. Short, sweet and to the point.
I_S
Stephanie Shepard
Author
February 12, 2014 7:19 am
I wrote this out quickly following the other article. I have found since writing these two articles, you get frustrated really easily.
IndenturedServant
February 12, 2014 7:25 am
I get easily frustrated? Shit, I could not care less but figured I’d give you a bit of constructive criticism to help in your goal of reaching a wider audience. Like I said, TBP can be your proving ground.
I_S
Hope@ZeroKelvin
February 12, 2014 8:34 am
“Legislative Scumbags”…..
Hmmmm…..
Such a “target rich enviroment”, so difficulty to choose, let me see….
Bostonbob
February 12, 2014 9:22 am
Steph,
I like the premise of your article, and at least you have the balls to contribute to TBP, just continue to work on your writing. It takes time and practice. I will look forward to your future contributions.
Bob.
Westcoaster
February 12, 2014 2:34 pm
Stephanie, let me suggest Diane Feinstein as your next scumbag since she’s in lockstep with Rogers and drools whenever she thinks of spying on Americans.
Both are P-O-S and need to be far removed from the political scene, IMO.
Stephanie Shepard
Author
February 12, 2014 2:45 pm
Westcoast- She is on my radar. That bitch is crazy.
Anonymous
February 12, 2014 3:12 pm
Takes one to know one.
SSS
February 12, 2014 5:42 pm
“She (Senator Diane Feinstein) is on my radar. That bitch is crazy.”
—-Stephanie
Concur. Sic ‘er.
In addition to becoming another lap dog of the intelligence community (she’s chairwoman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence; Mike Rodgers is her counterpart in the House), she insanely blocked 13 (!!!!) solar plant and wind farm projects on 1,000,000 acres of the Mojave Desert in her home state of California. Are you kidding me? She represents a state that passed a fucking law that 1/3 of its energy must come from renewable sources by the year 2020, and she turns around and deep-sixes projects that will help her state achieve that goal.
One of her publically stated reasons for opposition to the solar and wind projects was “the visual effects that the projects will have on travelers on Route 66” which goes through the Mojave. Jesus Christ. Has anyone here ever travelled through the Mojave? It’s so fucking butt ugly that I’d WELCOME the sight of a solar and wind project just to break up the boredom of looking at that barren landscape.
“That bitch is crazy” is being much too kind.
Anonymous
February 12, 2014 6:13 pm
Great. 434 more weeks to go of this shit. I suppose then it will start on senators.
SSS
February 12, 2014 6:29 pm
As for Mike Rodgers, I can only say that a worse example of the House Select Committee on Intelligence might be Peter King (R) of New York, who sounds and acts as if he’s on the NSA’s payroll.
But here’s a primer for TBPers on the House and Senate intelligence committees. They, and some of their select staffers, are ALL cleared Top Secret/SCI (Special Compartmentalized Intelligence) plus some other sensitive TS programs. SCI is most often used in human intelligence, the James Bond stuff to put it in layman’s terms. All of which means they get to hear some pretty sexy intelligence information behind closed doors.
It can be, and is, a captivating experience for those elected officials, because the intelligence organizations can and do brief them on successes that will NEVER reach the light of day in the public domain. Certain events that hit the headlines are a favorite, because the intelligence community, particularly the CIA, can brief them on “here’s what really happened.” It’s a huge “wow” factor for members of the intelligence committees. I know. I was a part of several such covert action projects that ended up being front page headlines, always missing a few key details. Funding for our activities was NEVER a problem.
The downside is that intelligence committee members can fall prey to these success stories and lose their perspective on why they are there: to guard against excesses, particularly when American citizens are concerned. Mike Rodgers needs to remember that, and so does Peter King.
SSS
February 12, 2014 6:37 pm
“Great. 434 more weeks to go of this shit. I suppose then it will start on senators.”
—-Anon
Give it a rest. The title said “legislative” scumbag of the week, so it can skip back and forth between the House and Senate. So that would be 534 weeks, not 434. And how do you know the author of this series considers everyone a scumbag?
And your contribution to TBP articles is what, sir?
Anonymous
February 12, 2014 6:42 pm
Comic relief, smartass.
indialantic
February 12, 2014 6:55 pm
Keep up the good work, Stephanie. I like what you’re doing.
Stephanie Shepard
Author
February 12, 2014 8:23 pm
SSS- I knew you would have all the rage to share of these pricks lol. Feinstein needs to go. It is time someone put Granny in the home along with Pelosi. Those are going to be some long articles. I don’t know as much as Peter King, but he will probably be high on the list.
indialantic- Thank you.
“And how do you know the author of this series considers everyone a scumbag?”
I don’t think all of them are. I think Washington is broke. Even those that would do good for the benefits of their State have to play by the rules of Washington. Even Ron Paul didn’t have a perfect record.
El Coyote
February 12, 2014 9:52 pm
Anonymous says:
“Comic relief, smartass.”
you are neither a comic nor a relief, check out bb and then go kill yourself, at least bb knows not to get pissed off when his humor falls flat.
Don’t get all bitchy and tell me to go fuck myself but please proof-read and correct the incorrect word usage before posting all over the place.
Apart from that, good start. Short, sweet and to the point.
I_S
I wrote this out quickly following the other article. I have found since writing these two articles, you get frustrated really easily.
I get easily frustrated? Shit, I could not care less but figured I’d give you a bit of constructive criticism to help in your goal of reaching a wider audience. Like I said, TBP can be your proving ground.
I_S
“Legislative Scumbags”…..
Hmmmm…..
Such a “target rich enviroment”, so difficulty to choose, let me see….
Steph,
I like the premise of your article, and at least you have the balls to contribute to TBP, just continue to work on your writing. It takes time and practice. I will look forward to your future contributions.
Bob.
Stephanie, let me suggest Diane Feinstein as your next scumbag since she’s in lockstep with Rogers and drools whenever she thinks of spying on Americans.
Both are P-O-S and need to be far removed from the political scene, IMO.
Westcoast- She is on my radar. That bitch is crazy.
Takes one to know one.
“She (Senator Diane Feinstein) is on my radar. That bitch is crazy.”
—-Stephanie
Concur. Sic ‘er.
In addition to becoming another lap dog of the intelligence community (she’s chairwoman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence; Mike Rodgers is her counterpart in the House), she insanely blocked 13 (!!!!) solar plant and wind farm projects on 1,000,000 acres of the Mojave Desert in her home state of California. Are you kidding me? She represents a state that passed a fucking law that 1/3 of its energy must come from renewable sources by the year 2020, and she turns around and deep-sixes projects that will help her state achieve that goal.
One of her publically stated reasons for opposition to the solar and wind projects was “the visual effects that the projects will have on travelers on Route 66” which goes through the Mojave. Jesus Christ. Has anyone here ever travelled through the Mojave? It’s so fucking butt ugly that I’d WELCOME the sight of a solar and wind project just to break up the boredom of looking at that barren landscape.
“That bitch is crazy” is being much too kind.
Great. 434 more weeks to go of this shit. I suppose then it will start on senators.
As for Mike Rodgers, I can only say that a worse example of the House Select Committee on Intelligence might be Peter King (R) of New York, who sounds and acts as if he’s on the NSA’s payroll.
But here’s a primer for TBPers on the House and Senate intelligence committees. They, and some of their select staffers, are ALL cleared Top Secret/SCI (Special Compartmentalized Intelligence) plus some other sensitive TS programs. SCI is most often used in human intelligence, the James Bond stuff to put it in layman’s terms. All of which means they get to hear some pretty sexy intelligence information behind closed doors.
It can be, and is, a captivating experience for those elected officials, because the intelligence organizations can and do brief them on successes that will NEVER reach the light of day in the public domain. Certain events that hit the headlines are a favorite, because the intelligence community, particularly the CIA, can brief them on “here’s what really happened.” It’s a huge “wow” factor for members of the intelligence committees. I know. I was a part of several such covert action projects that ended up being front page headlines, always missing a few key details. Funding for our activities was NEVER a problem.
The downside is that intelligence committee members can fall prey to these success stories and lose their perspective on why they are there: to guard against excesses, particularly when American citizens are concerned. Mike Rodgers needs to remember that, and so does Peter King.
“Great. 434 more weeks to go of this shit. I suppose then it will start on senators.”
—-Anon
Give it a rest. The title said “legislative” scumbag of the week, so it can skip back and forth between the House and Senate. So that would be 534 weeks, not 434. And how do you know the author of this series considers everyone a scumbag?
And your contribution to TBP articles is what, sir?
Comic relief, smartass.
Keep up the good work, Stephanie. I like what you’re doing.
SSS- I knew you would have all the rage to share of these pricks lol. Feinstein needs to go. It is time someone put Granny in the home along with Pelosi. Those are going to be some long articles. I don’t know as much as Peter King, but he will probably be high on the list.
indialantic- Thank you.
“And how do you know the author of this series considers everyone a scumbag?”
I don’t think all of them are. I think Washington is broke. Even those that would do good for the benefits of their State have to play by the rules of Washington. Even Ron Paul didn’t have a perfect record.
Anonymous says:
“Comic relief, smartass.”
you are neither a comic nor a relief, check out bb and then go kill yourself, at least bb knows not to get pissed off when his humor falls flat.