She Caught the Junket Virus

On August 21st, 2005, Congresswoman Virginia Foxx, along with hubby Tom, took off for an eight-day excursion to Israel. Total cost? $13,939.24. Paid for by? AIPAC, the "American Israel Public Affairs Committee."

AIPAC? Described by the Center for Media and Democracy as the most powerful pro-Israel lobby: "One strategy adopted by AIPAC for building political support is by organizing tours to Israel. In August 2003, a AIPAC foreign policy associate in Jerusalem told CNSNews.com that in that month alone approximately 10% of the members of the U.S. House of Representatives had visited Israel on their tours. AIPAC is associated with the American Israel Education Foundation (AIEF), which sponsors fact-finding trips for many members of Congress."

AIPAC is not above a little freelance espionage, lest you forget: "In 2004 CBS News reported that an FBI investigation had gained evidence that a senior Pentagon analyst with close ties to Deputy Defense Secretary Paul Wolfowitz and Undersecretary of Defense Douglas Feith had provided a draft presidential directive on Iran to AIPAC that was then passed to the Israeli government."

Back to The Madam and why it should take her eight days to absorb the obvious, and $13,939.24 worth of designer water and luxury suites, when she's always promoted herself as a fast learner. Apparently, the Madam's brain slows down noticeably while junketing.