September Madness

Currently making the e-mail rounds... (click to see full-size image, and believe me, you want to)

Open for business.

There's a lot of talk about the influence of special interest money over political decisions in Washington. But it's not really such a black-and-white quid pro quo. It's not like lobbyists give lawmakers PAC contributions and take them out to fancy dinners and actually get specific legislative favors in return.

Except for when they do.

Rep. Ney Admits Selling Influence (WP)

Comment from a friend: "How much more could you possibly degrade the halls of Congress. I mean, sure, you could get caught having sex with a donkey in a committee room, and that would be unseemly. But it wouldn't violate the public trust like this."

The proprietor of West Virginia

OK, so King Coal may not literally own the Most Unhorizontal State in the Union. But he's about to buy it.

Don Blankenship, CEO of Charleston-based Massey Energy, last week "announced plans to wrest control of at least one chamber of the state Legislature from the majority Democrats in November."

In coordinated press appearances, Blankenship declared war on several dozen lawmakers seeking re-election. He pledged to devote millions of dollars from his personal wealth to "change the leadership of the West Virginia House of Delegates" while also targeting several Senate seats."--AP

For a little background on Massey Energy's track record in West Virginia, check out this CBS story. You may also want to pay a visit to the Ohio Valley Environmental Coalition.