Is Bill Frist's behavior = Martha Stuart's behavior?

[Coda]

SEC Chairman Recuses Self from Frist Probe
Monday, September 26, 2005

Frist Defends Questionable Stock Sale
WASHINGTON — The new chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission, Christopher Cox (search), said Monday that to avoid a potential conflict he will not participate in the agency's investigation of the sale of HCA Inc. stock by Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (search).

Cox, who was in Congress for 16 years as a California Republican and left the House to assume the SEC job last month, had been a member of the GOP leadership in Congress for the past 10 years.

"Because of my service in the congressional leadership for the last 10 years, I have recused myself in this matter," Cox said in a statement. "The purpose of the recusal is to avoid any appearance of impropriety in the (SEC's) consideration of this case."

Cox's statement was the first public acknowledgment by the SEC that it is investigating Frist's sale of stock in HCA, the big hospital operating company founded by his family.

Frist's sale of the stock from several blind trusts this summer came about two weeks before the company issued a disappointing earnings forecast that drove its share price down almost 16 percent by mid-July.

On Friday, the Nashville, Tenn.-based HCA (search) said it had received a subpoena from federal prosecutors asking for documents the company believes are related to Frist's sale of company stock. Frist's office said that prosecutors and SEC investigators had contacted the senator's office about the sale.

Frist sold the stock at a time when insiders in HCA, the nation's largest for-profit hospital company, also were selling off shares worth $112 million. Aides to the senator, a Tennessee Republican, say he sold his shares to avoid any appearance of a conflict of interest.

Documents show that Frist was updated several times about his investments in HCA and other transactions even though they were held in blind trusts. Despite the updates, Frist insisted in public statements afterward that he didn't know what was in the trusts, specifically denying knowledge of his HCA holdings.

Cox said in his statement that his recusal from the SEC's inquiry covers "any future action" requiring deliberation by or a vote of the SEC commissioners as well as any management responsibilities he might have related to it.

As SEC chairman, Cox normally would receive updates from agency attorneys on the course of an investigation and would vote along with the other four commissioners — two Republicans and two Democrats — on any enforcement action to be brought or settlement to be reached. Having excused himself at the outset, he would be unable to have any knowledge of or involvement in the Frist stock inquiry.

President Bush chose Cox, a free-market conservative and former securities lawyer, in June to lead the SEC after the surprise resignation of then-chairman William Donaldson.

[Dr Dave]

Martha Stewart got a tip at a cocktail party. Frist got a tip from his brother, who was the CEO of the company and is still on the Board of Directors. So it's all right. He was just lucky, is all. I mean about the stock price.

[lynn]

I think Martha was dating the head of the pharma co. but since they weren't actually related I guess it doesn't count. She may not be Republican, but I find that hard to believe.

[jesus marion joseph]

[QUOTE=Dr Dave]Martha Stewart got a tip at a cocktail party. [QUOTE]

I heard she got the whole thing! (rimshot)

Seriously, though, who the hell believes these "blind trusts" anyway? And Frists's explanation is pretty weak, as well. Martha did her stint; Bill should begin assembling a grey wardrobe as well.

[Dr Dave]

Originally Posted by lynn

I think Martha was dating the head of the pharma co. but since they weren't actually related I guess it doesn't count. She may not be Republican, but I find that hard to believe.

They were dating? Then it counts. But when it's your brother, it doesn't count. Unless it turns out that someone other than Senator Frist's brother might have given him inside information on the stock's potential performance. And then, whoever that person is, it won't count either. Because Bill Frist is a Senator, and not only that but a Republican Senator and not only that a Christian Republican Senator. He cannot possibly have done anything unlawful! He is doing God's will up there in the Senate! God Bless America!

[rollhead]

Martha Stewart isn't an elected official, so I don't think her mendacity is quite as threatening to the common good.

In January 2003, Frist said in a television interview, "I think really for our viewers it should be understood that I put this into a blind trust. So as far as I know, I own no HCA stock…I have no control. It is illegal right now for me to know what the composition of those trusts are. So I have no idea.” That wasn't true. The Associated Press reports that "just two weeks before those comments, the trustee of the senator's trust, M. Kirk Scobey Jr., wrote to Frist that HCA stock was contributed to the trust. It was valued at $15,000 and $50,000." Even if investigators determine Frist's recent sale was legal and ethical, Frist needs to explain why he lied to the public about his trusts.

-- American Progress

[rollhead]

Originally Posted by Dr Dave

... Because Bill Frist is a Senator, and not only that but a Republican Senator and not only that a Christian Republican Senator. He cannot possibly have done anything unlawful! He is doing God's will up there in the Senate! God Bless America!

Well said. In a nutshell, Republicanism is Greed Annointed by God.

[Doc Martin]

Originally Posted by Dr Dave

Because Bill Frist is a Senator, and not only that but a Republican Senator and not only that a Christian Republican Senator. He cannot possibly have done anything unlawful! He is doing God's will up there in the Senate! God Bless America!

Did you know The HCA, ia a corporation in which Majority Leader Frist is a major shareholder and founded by his father and brother is also a company that performs for-profit, abortion-on-demand for hypocritical Republicans that always fail to practice what they preach.


Frist is typical of the current crop of neocon publicans in congress: blatantly, unapologetically corrupt, cronyist, hypocritical liars, con men, & thieves.

[groover]

Originally Posted by lynn

I think Martha was dating the head of the pharma co. but since they weren't actually related I guess it doesn't count. She may not be Republican, but I find that hard to believe.

Actually, she's a Democrat, and contributes significantly, I believe. That's possibly why she got nailed and Frist probably won't.

[Dr Dave]

Originally Posted by Doc Martin

Did you know The HCA, ia a corporation in which Majority Leader Frist is a major shareholder and founded by his father and brother is also a company that performs for-profit, abortion-on-demand for hypocritical Republicans that always fail to practice what they preach.


Frist is typical of the current crop of neocon publicans in congress: blatantly, unapologetically corrupt, cronyist, hypocritical liars, con men, & thieves.

By the same token, I've managed to stick it out for 55 years on this fuckin' planet, and I have yet to meet, or hear of, a woman who "demanded" an abortion.

[rollhead]

Originally Posted by Doc Martin

Frist is typical of the current crop of neocon publicans in congress: blatantly, unapologetically corrupt, cronyist, hypocritical liars, con men, & thieves.

Damn, I can't think of a single thing to add to that as long as "greedy" is covered by your list.

[Doc Martin]

Originally Posted by rollhead

Damn, I can't think of a single thing to add to that as long as "greedy" is covered by your list.

Fixed

Originally Posted by Doc Martin

Frist is typical of the current crop of neocon publicans in congress: blatantly, unapologetically corrupt, cronyist, hypocritical liars, con men, thieves and greedy bastards.

[rollhead]

Originally Posted by Doc Martin

Fixed

Behold! Perfection!