Jackson Jambalaya

The New York Post reported six congressmen recently enjoyed a trip to the Caribbean paid for by Citigroup and other corporations. Bennie Thompson, Democrat-Bolton, was one of high-flying politicians who couldn't resist the chance to enjoy some sun and sand in St. Marteen:

"High-ranking members of Congress were flown to a lush Caribbean resort this month for a three-day conference planned and paid for by several of the country's most powerful corporations - a violation of federal ethics rules, critics say. ...
Officials with those companies were observed at the conference - sometimes acting as featured speakers at daily seminars and freely mingling among the pols at social events. Citigroup - which just last week received a massive bailout from the federal government - was one of the conference's biggest sponsors, ponying up $100,000 to help finance the event, according to one of the lobbyists at the gathering.....
But according to House ethics rules, members of Congress and their staffs cannot accept multiday trips from a corporation that "employs or retains a registered lobbyist. Included in this limitation are companies, firms, non-profit organizations (including charities), and other private entities that retain or employ a lobbyist."......
Furthermore, according to House rules, members of Congress must seek prior written permission from the House Committee on Standards of Official Conduct to take free multiday trips. They must also file reports with the Clerk of the House of Representatives listing all financial sponsors within two weeks of each trip.
The filings for the St. Maarten trip were due last Monday. But as of that date, only Rep. Payne's filings were available......
Democratic Congressional Black Caucus members Bennie Thompson of Mississippi and Donna Christensen of the Virgin Islands also attended the conference, but have not yet filed disclosures, nor did they return repeated calls..."
Bennie Thompson's Surfin' & Turfin'

Everyone got it? Ole Bennie goes on a trip paid for by the people who caused this mess and just took a few HUNDRED BILLION dollars from us last week while they tried to use a bogus charity for cover. Congressman Thompson was supposed to get written approval from the House for such a trip but apparently he doesn't need permission from anyone for anything as he jumped at the chance to kick it on the beach while Citigroup and others paid for his little excursion. Read the rest of the story as quite a few of the stories from the Congressmen and corporations involved don't seem to match up that well.

Anyone think THIS will appear in The Clarion-Ledger?

Other Jackson Jambalaya posts on Bennie Thompson:
Bennie Leads Fight Against Making Dockworkers in Sensitive Positions Undergo Background Checks
Bennie Fights Bill Protecting People Who Give Tips about Terrorists From Lawsuits