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Coburn to Senate: I Won't Quit My Weekend Job

By TChris, Section Other Politics
Posted on Wed Apr 06, 2005 at 10:25:55 AM EST
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by TChris

Another Republican doesn't want to follow the rules ... and so he won't. Senate rules prohibit Senators from earning outside income, but Sen. Tom Coburn, an Oklahoma obstetrician, has been delivering babies anyway when he's home on breaks from his day job as a politician. The Senate Ethics Committee told Coburn in December to stop. Coburn agreed not to take new patients, but has continued to give exams and deliver babies.

"No, I am not going to close my medical practice," Coburn, R-Okla., said Tuesday.

Coburn has threatened to cause "all sorts of mischief" if the Senate actually makes him work at his elected job "five solid days a week."

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    Coburn to Senate: I Won't Quit My Weekend Job | 37 comments (37 topical)
    Re: Coburn to Senate: I Won't Quit My Weekend Job (none / 0) (#1)
    by kdog on Wed Apr 06, 2005 at 10:51:22 AM EST
    I wish he'd quit the Senate. Obstetrics is a much more honest proffesion anyways, stick with that one big guy.

    Re: Coburn to Senate: I Won't Quit My Weekend Job (none / 0) (#2)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Wed Apr 06, 2005 at 10:53:49 AM EST
    Activist Senator?

    Re: Coburn to Senate: I Won't Quit My Weekend Job (none / 0) (#3)
    by glanton on Wed Apr 06, 2005 at 10:54:11 AM EST
    That he was elected in the first place tells us all we need to know about the state of the union. Calling for the death penalty for doctors who give abortions. Getting elected. Let him keep delivering babies for all I care, maybe it'll keep him a little distracted from ruining lives with lawmaking, and generally embarassing the nation with his ignorant on-camera comments. We're a runaway train, it seems. What's even the point of voting anymore?

    Re: Coburn to Senate: I Won't Quit My Weekend Job (none / 0) (#4)
    by Jlvngstn on Wed Apr 06, 2005 at 10:54:27 AM EST
    I have no issue with him doing both although saying "if they want me up here 5 days a week" does sound as if he is not working 5 days a week......Great job.

    Re: Coburn to Senate: I Won't Quit My Weekend Job (none / 0) (#5)
    by wishful on Wed Apr 06, 2005 at 10:59:54 AM EST
    Oh the arrogance that One Party Rule covers... Poor boy, insisting that if he is to be held to that quaint concept of working "five solid days a week" for what the taxpayers pay him handsomely to do, then there will be "heck to pay", because he will then "create all sorts of mischief". His benefits alone probably exceed the income of some of his constituents, to say nothing of his expense account. So he will throw a tantrum if he is then asked to actually perform the job requirements. What a crybaby. What a nincompoop. Why do we elect these ne'er-do-wells?

    Re: Coburn to Senate: I Won't Quit My Weekend Job (none / 0) (#6)
    by roy on Wed Apr 06, 2005 at 11:25:49 AM EST
    I lived in Oklahoma 'til a few years ago. Coburn was pretty popular for two reasons: A) Being in touch with the people. Keeping his medical practice going, especially for no profit, helped with this. Being way out in right field also helped. B) Being a hard ass. Okies like decisive, uncompromising action. Often in favor of carefully thought out action. I've tried real hard to defend him in this thread, but I can't find an angle. I think I may have voted for him in 2000. Sorry.

    Re: Coburn to Senate: I Won't Quit My Weekend Job (none / 0) (#7)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Wed Apr 06, 2005 at 11:27:18 AM EST
    Little Tommy Coburn, as he is known in this here state, is just a product of the area in which he lives. I am very familiar with this goon since he is from my hometown and Muskogee is not known for it's numbers of thinkers (don't worry fascist supporters of Tommy, I count myself amongst the dumb). He also thinks that the filibuster is unconstitutional. He stated this in a form letter I received from him last week. Lil' Tommy is dangerous because he REALLY believes he is infallible and close to perfection. If you don't believe me just ask some of his ex-patients. I would be ashamed of Tommy if he wasn't a prime example of an Oklahoman.

    Re: Coburn to Senate: I Won't Quit My Weekend Job (none / 0) (#8)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Wed Apr 06, 2005 at 11:35:33 AM EST
    Funny how they rules will prevent a doctor from practicing medicine but will allow all those with stock portfolios to continue earning money. Which is more likely to influence how one votes, delivering babies or the Dow Jones average?

    Re: Coburn to Senate: I Won't Quit My Weekend Job (none / 0) (#9)
    by roy on Wed Apr 06, 2005 at 11:40:33 AM EST
    justpaul, I think you have a fair point, but Coburn isn't in trouble for practicing medicine. He's in trouble for recieving income for practicing medicine. It probably doesn't really influence him, since the money keeps his practice afloat rather than goes into his pocket, but rules are rules.

    Re: Coburn to Senate: I Won't Quit My Weekend Job (none / 0) (#10)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Wed Apr 06, 2005 at 11:45:13 AM EST
    Dang- a lot of fellow Okies here! Tom is pretty blunt and straightforward guy, that is for sure. I think what Sen Coburn is doing may be at odds with the letter of the law, but certainly not with the intent. More power to him, he is one of the best (and only) OB/GYN's in his part of the state.

    Re: Coburn to Senate: I Won't Quit My Weekend Job (none / 0) (#11)
    by kdog on Wed Apr 06, 2005 at 11:46:20 AM EST
    Good point jpaul. Owning stock in companies, especially those subject to regulation or doing business w/ the govt., is a huge conflict of interest. "Paiging Mr. Cheney, Mr. Dick Cheney." As much as I despise his politics, Coburn does important work as a doctor, more than I can say for other elected officials and their supplement incomes.

    Re: Coburn to Senate: I Won't Quit My Weekend Job (none / 0) (#12)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Wed Apr 06, 2005 at 11:47:40 AM EST
    Roy, So you think all those Senators with Wall Street accounts aren't earning money? As the story says, this rule is not hard and fast and it can be waived, although I doubt the committee will do so in this case, even though they should. Delivering babies is not a conflict of interest, and getting paid to do it shouldn't be seen as representing one. It would be good if he would agree to suspend his practice while the issue was hammered out (and he would probably increase the chances of a waiver on this rule if he did), but I can respect his willingness to go the distance and fight for it. It's just a shame that his political affiliation has to be made an issue of. I guess the desire to end "gotcha blogging" lasted for less time than the posting about it did. Oh well.

    Re: Coburn to Senate: I Won't Quit My Weekend Job (none / 0) (#13)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Wed Apr 06, 2005 at 11:48:20 AM EST
    You all don't get it Rules are made by republicans but they don't need to follow them. Da!

    Re: Coburn to Senate: I Won't Quit My Weekend Job (none / 0) (#14)
    by txpublicdefender on Wed Apr 06, 2005 at 11:58:13 AM EST
    I remember when Tom Coburn condemned one of the major networks for showing Schindler's List, unedited. If I recall correctly, he said that by airing it, network television had reached "an all-time low." He went on to say that "the fact that it aired on public television on a Sunday evening during a family time should outrage parents and decent-minded individuals everywhere."

    Re: Coburn to Senate: I Won't Quit My Weekend Job (none / 0) (#15)
    by roy on Wed Apr 06, 2005 at 12:02:20 PM EST
    So you think all those Senators with Wall Street accounts aren't earning money?
    I think your point about Congressmen owning stock is probably correct.
    ...I can respect his willingness to go the distance and fight for it.
    When Coburn says he respects sick people smoking pot for medical reasons while fighting to loosen federal drug laws, I'll respect him accepting oney to deliver babies while asking for a waiver on the Senate rule.

    Re: Coburn to Senate: I Won't Quit My Weekend Job (none / 0) (#16)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Wed Apr 06, 2005 at 12:08:06 PM EST
    I don't pay attention to the rules. Only the little people pay attention to the rules.

    Re: Coburn to Senate: I Won't Quit My Weekend Job (none / 0) (#17)
    by desertswine on Wed Apr 06, 2005 at 12:38:00 PM EST
    "Calling Dr. Howard, Dr. Fine, Dr. Howard... Calling Dr. Howard, Dr. Fine, Dr. Howard... and Dr. Coburn."

    Re: Coburn to Senate: I Won't Quit My Weekend Job (none / 0) (#18)
    by Che's Lounge on Wed Apr 06, 2005 at 12:44:04 PM EST
    Justpaul, Excellent point. Despite our recent disagreements you nailed that one.

    Re: Coburn to Senate: I Won't Quit My Weekend Job (none / 0) (#19)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Wed Apr 06, 2005 at 12:48:26 PM EST
    Hey Gerry, I guess you missed the point. He isn't a "blunt speaker". He is an incredibly deluded and self righteous individual. Obviously he only thinks rules apply when they don't hinder him making money. Now you tell me, is this the kind of person you want representing you in the senate instead of someone like Brad Carson (who, by the way, is the more traditional conservative between the two)? Of course you do, and that is why Oklahoma will always be just one step above a third world country.

    Re: Coburn to Senate: I Won't Quit My Weekend Job (none / 0) (#20)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Wed Apr 06, 2005 at 12:55:17 PM EST
    Sherman writes - "I am very familiar with this goon since he is from my hometown and Muskogee is not known for it's numbers of thinkers..." I'm going to assume the number is 1834. Now, if you go back home, the number will then be.....1834.

    Re: Coburn to Senate: I Won't Quit My Weekend Job (none / 0) (#21)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Wed Apr 06, 2005 at 12:57:53 PM EST
    Not to be outdone in Oklahoma home spun idiocy Rep. Tom Cole has said today that being for the Bush Social Security plan is like being an advocate of the Civil Rights Voting Act. His quote was something to the effect of "it is something that not everyone wins at, but it sure makes you feel good" or something like that.

    Re: Coburn to Senate: I Won't Quit My Weekend Job (none / 0) (#22)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Wed Apr 06, 2005 at 01:01:15 PM EST
    That is all those Senators do, is to earn outside income. Income from Citibank, Wal Mart, MBNA, etc.

    Re: Coburn to Senate: I Won't Quit My Weekend Job (none / 0) (#23)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Wed Apr 06, 2005 at 01:08:48 PM EST
    PPJ, wtf does that last post mean? I am sure it was quite witty in your mind, but the mind of a chimp doesn't translate well into english. It would help you a great deal to remember that the next time you try to make a funny comment, a biting comment, or whatever the hell you meant by that 1834 crap. Does the 1834 number refer to the population size, then if so you are off by about 30,000+ people. But I suppose a know it all like yourself can't be bothered by facts. Or is 1834 the equivalent of 30,000 in Chimpspeak? If you were trying to imply that I wouldn't be counted among the great minds that have come out of a backwaters dive like the Skog then I guess you missed the part in the post where I included myself in the legion of the dumb. You know, the group of which you are the supreme leader. PPJ, A Mental Midget duking it out with his left leaning Intellectual Betters.

    Re: Coburn to Senate: I Won't Quit My Weekend Job (none / 0) (#24)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Wed Apr 06, 2005 at 01:18:08 PM EST
    But I suppose a know it all like yourself can't be bothered by facts.
    to obvious, you have to be snarky with papa!
    A Mental Midget duking it out with his left leaning Intellectual Betters.
    much better! 6 no a 7, not exactly original, but the timing.

    Re: Coburn to Senate: I Won't Quit My Weekend Job (none / 0) (#25)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Wed Apr 06, 2005 at 01:23:54 PM EST
    For some reason, Coburn's reminding me a lot of our homeboy James Traficant (but without the convictions, if you get my drift).

    Re: Coburn to Senate: I Won't Quit My Weekend Job (none / 0) (#26)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Wed Apr 06, 2005 at 02:25:04 PM EST
    I'm assuming a good deal of the people who visit this site are lawyers or law students. If so check out our law school humor blog. http://barelylegalblog.blogspot.com

    Re: Coburn to Senate: I Won't Quit My Weekend Job (none / 0) (#27)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Wed Apr 06, 2005 at 02:49:45 PM EST
    We don't have a government that knows how to follow rules Right Or left, its all in the game. sadly the people will pay for this in the end. sad fact 2005.

    Re: Coburn to Senate: I Won't Quit My Weekend Job (none / 0) (#29)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Wed Apr 06, 2005 at 05:54:55 PM EST
    The scary part is that those in the house and senate (and Whitehouse esp) are willing to treat running a nation as a part-time job with lifetime perks. Maybe we should mandate a 40 hour week for them. If he worked as hard at being a govt. official as he does as a doctor, he might know the laws regarding his conduct as such.

    Re: Coburn to Senate: I Won't Quit My Weekend Job (none / 0) (#30)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Wed Apr 06, 2005 at 07:20:21 PM EST
    Sherman- Until the national Democratic Party wakes up and realizes haow far gone they are from what Oklahomans define as Patriotism, morality, and common sense, it will be increasingly difficult for ANY democrat to win here outside of little dixie (which, you must admit, is the most corrupt corner of the state). Plus, being a small state, why the hell would we want a Senator from the minority party, particularly when that party's leaders are seen as out of step with the state? Carson was dead man walking when Coburn announced. He had a tough road to win anyway, and Coburn cut his base.

    Re: Coburn to Senate: I Won't Quit My Weekend Job (none / 0) (#31)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Wed Apr 06, 2005 at 09:57:32 PM EST
    Sherman - I am LOL. And if you couldn't catch on to that gentle dig in the ribs, I guess I was closer to being right on target than I knew. DA - I have offerred you the job as being my secretary, but, alas, you have refused. Besides, it is well known that I don't always use a spell checker. So, if you want to run around pointing out my typos and spelling and english gaffes, go ahead. I mean that is so productive, don't ya know?? But wow. Talk about not having a social life. Just leave the family out. 'K? V2 - Just think. If they're not in session, the possibility for mischief is greatly reduced. et al - He's probably providing much needed medical services to an area that has no OBYGN's due to the high cost of insurance, driven up, of course by that channeling champion, ex-VP candidate, and good ole multi millionare boy, John Edwards!!

    Re: Coburn to Senate: I Won't Quit My Weekend Job (none / 0) (#33)
    by glanton on Thu Apr 07, 2005 at 12:22:35 AM EST
    PPJ: You know you don't really believe the ridiculous insurance rates fall primarily at the feet of the lawyers. It is the insurnace companies themselves, man! It is the fact that people either have to pay the premiums or be screwed, there's no other option. You're only spouting GOP Talking Points blaming our health care Catastrophe on the lawyers, it's a way for them to not address the problem and keep lining insurance company pockets. You know better. Without people like Edwards (he's not my favotire by any stretch but your attack was just straight out of the Dubya/Rush/Hannity playbook of lies and its disturbing to see you sink so low) we'd still have what we have now, fat cat insurance execs bleeding others dry, but we'd also have no consequences for malpractice. What a great world that would be.

    Re: Coburn to Senate: I Won't Quit My Weekend Job (none / 0) (#34)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Thu Apr 07, 2005 at 06:13:49 AM EST
    DA - You're still justifying, I see. Keep trying. BTW - You msised an seplling error. Don't fall behind. You need something to talk about. Psycho babble suits you well. glanton - As for the comment, I was kidding. It was a perfect opportunity to take a double shot. But insurance rates? I don't know, but lawsuits do have some effect. A more likely problem is that fear of lawsuits causes defensive medicene. Which means too many expensive machines that are under utilized and can't be paid for. That puts any business under.

    Re: Coburn to Senate: I Won't Quit My Weekend Job (none / 0) (#35)
    by Che's Lounge on Thu Apr 07, 2005 at 06:58:21 AM EST
    If spelling is a factor here I'm deeeed in the water.

    Re: Coburn to Senate: I Won't Quit My Weekend Job (none / 0) (#37)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Thu Apr 07, 2005 at 02:20:16 PM EST
    DA - If we had some psycho, we have some psychobabble if we had some babble.

    Re: Coburn to Senate: I Won't Quit My Weekend Job (none / 0) (#39)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Thu Apr 07, 2005 at 05:31:35 PM EST
    Your being here always supplies an infinite amount of the former, the latter only occurs when you say stuff like "Michael Schaivo wanted to kill Terri for an unknown reason"(Paraphrase ed). Thanks for more laughs, PPJ.

    Re: Coburn to Senate: I Won't Quit My Weekend Job (none / 0) (#40)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Thu Apr 07, 2005 at 08:20:13 PM EST
    DA - Paraphrase? That means you say what you thought someone said. Glad to oblige. It's onvious you need.

    Re: Coburn to Senate: I Won't Quit My Weekend Job (none / 0) (#41)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Thu Apr 07, 2005 at 08:21:14 PM EST
    DA - Meant to ask. Why not a link?

    Coburn to Senate: I Won't Quit My Weekend Job | 37 comments (37 topical)