Thanks to Rod Jetton, “Green Balloons” Has Whole New Meaning

Rod "Green Balloons" Jetton

I cannot make this stuff up:

The affidavit says Jetton and the alleged victim agreed on a safe word — “green balloons” — that could be used to stop sexual relations during the evening.

Instead, the affidavit says, Jetton hit her on the face and choked her before engaging in intercourse. Jetton allegedly said, “You should have said ‘green balloons,’ ” before leaving her home the next morning.

It’s always nice when the trash takes itself out. Good riddance.

From the KC Star:

The Scott County court clerk confirms a felony complaint has been filed against former Missouri House Speaker Rod Jetton for an incident that allegedly took place Nov. 15 in Sikeston, Mo.

Casenet says the complaint was filed today, a class C felony assault carrying a seven-year and/or $5000 penalty.

I do think it’s odd that the pair consensually decided upon a “safe word,” a sort-of acknowledgement that relations were going to get intense enough for such a thing – meaning how can you agree to have rough sex and then say it was assault afterwards? However, his idea of intense may have varied greatly from hers. It’s something that will have to play out in the courts.

I’m not, nor have I been a fan of former Missouri House Speaker Rod Jetton, aka “JediJetton,” simply because I think it’s kooky (and a lot like double-dipping) to be a public servant while also acting as a political consultant.

Jetton closed his firm today:

JEFFERSON CITY | Rod Jetton will shut down his political consulting firm, following charges of felony assault in connection with a sexual encounter with a woman last month.

Jetton, the former Speaker of the Missouri House, released the following statement through his lawyer, Stephen C. Wilson:

“Rod Jetton is announcing that he will be closing Rod Jetton & Associates, his consulting firm.

“He will be leaving politics to deal with false allegations and spend timewith his family. He is confident that when the facts of this case are heard,he will be found innocent.

“Jetton feels that right now he can best help his clients, former employeesand family by closing the doors of his consulting company.

“He expects to finalize his business dealings by the end of 2009.”

The unfortunate thing is that there will likely be some honest and good (I personally don’t believe that all his clients are) Jetton clients (more) who will be caught up in this and will be illogically and unfairly linked to his stupidity.

Newt Gingrich Forgets that He was a Carpetbagger

I cannot think of a more slash-and-burn headline than this:

Two topics Newt Gingrich should avoid dissing others about: Infidelity and Carpetbagging

Excerpt:

Why this is a bizarre charge for Gingrich to make is he himself ran in a district he didn’t live in; and based on my knowledge of Georgia geography, was about an hour from where he lived when he filed for election.

During the 1990s round of redistricting, Georgia picked up an additional seat as a result of the 1990 United States Census. However, the Democrat-controlled General Assembly dismantled Gingrich’s old district, which stretched from the southern suburbs of Atlanta to the Alabama border. Gingrich’s home in Carrollton was drawn into the Columbus-based 3rd District, represented by five-term Democrat Richard Ray.

At the same time, the Assembly created a new 6th District in Fulton and Cobbcounties in the wealthy northern suburbs of Atlanta — an area Gingrich had never represented. However, Gingrich sold his home in Carrollton, moved to Marietta in the new 6th and won a very close Republican primary. The primary victory was tantamount to election in the new, heavily Republican district. Also, Ray narrowly lost to Republican state senator Mac Collins.

Evidently, Newt thought his continued service in Congress was more valuable than electing a Cobb County native to the House. The voters agreed, although I recall Newt’s relocation was not met with universal approval from his new constituents.

I love the total arbitrary nature of politics. Comedy gold. A song for Newt:

Papa was a rolling stone.
Wherever he laid his hat was his home.
(And when he died) All he left us was alone.
Papa was a rolling stone, my son.
Wherever he laid his hat was his home.
(And when he died) All he left us was alone.

My sentiments exactly

We’re taking some heat from party loyalists. Hey flaks – before sending hate emails make sure you can’t be traced to someone’s campaign. We don’t play.

From Bill, read the whole thing:

If you feel you’ve been wronged, email me and show me that you have taken a stand on this issue.  Prove to me that you have shown the spine of Ed Martin, Paul Curtman, Sarah Palin, Fred Thompson, Rick Santorum, Michele Bachmann, and Dick Armey.  For that matter, show the spine of Newt Gingrich who has the courage to support Scozzafava in the face of conservative opposition.  Tell us you support the NRCC’s anointed candidate and that you won’t back down.  That’s courage, too.  But don’t just stand there and send your toadies to write me nasty emails.  That’s cowardly, weak, and unbecoming of an elected official.

If you can prove that you HAVE taken a stand on this issue, I will post a public apology to you by name.  I may not agree with your position, but I will admit your courage on this issue. I cannot, however, vote for you if you remain silent on this issue. And I will not apologize if you did not provably take your stand before 5:00 on Friday. Dana gave you notice.  You should have listened. We will accept no substitute for courage.

People claim to want to rid the party of RINOs, yet when we call for the GOP to do just this we get hatemail. From GOP people. People who eagerly demonstrate more zeal than knowledge when they accuse us of “throwing the baby out with the bath water.” (Almost every email I’ve received has this talking point. Unreal.)

Unfortunately, despite my podcasts of previous shows, websites, et al., there isn’t an instance of me or Bill making such a grandiose universal statement. In fact, I suggest that those who claim otherwise check out my shows, any of them, from last week.

It’s all making me question the sincerity of some who’ve claimed to stand with us and work towards restoring American prosperity.

My latest for Big Government: NY23, GOP, tea parties

Further coverage of the tea party press release and St. Louis presser on dumping the RINOs:

Faith without works is dead just as a movement without works is also dead. It’s time to hijack the GOP away from those who wish to make it a watered-down version of the Democratic party. Just as we told our Democratic elected officials during that long, hot August: “You work for us!” – so also, do those officials in the GOP work for us. Turning their back on your base will afford the GOP the same barn-burning criticism and persecution that the Democrats saw all summer.

We’ve led the way in social media for the GOP since February; we’ve led them in big tent; now it’s time to lead them back to the base.

PJTV interview with Instapundit, Bill Whittle, on NY23 and the tea party

Always a great discussion with Glenn and Bill. Watch it here.