Soros Rebukes Speaker Hastert's Explanation

Mr. Hastert appears to be unashamed, and his letter of explanation, released through the speaker’s office Wednesday, was unapologetic. In this letter, Mr. Hastert appeared more concerned about where Mr. Soros’ money is going to than about where it came from–clearly a different question. He said that he hadn’t referred to drug cartels but to Mr. Soros’ use of his money to fund organizations such as the Drug Policy Foundation, the Open Society and others that would decriminalize narcotics, “which I believe will exacerbate an already troubling situation in America.” Mr. Hastert also objected to Mr. Soros’ founding of a society called the Project on Death in America, which he called Project Death America, “dedicated to promoting euthanasia in America.”

On Thursday, Mr. Soros fired back, repeating his demand for an apology. Mr. Hastert’s “clear intention” on the Fox television program, “was to suggest that I get money from illegitimate or criminal sources, a charge which you know to be untrue. He also denied that the Project on Death promotes euthanasia. He said that its director, Dr. Kathleen Foley, “is one of the foremost critics of euthanasia in the United States.”

“Your conduct does not reflect creditably on the House of Representatives,” was his parting line.

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Contact Bob Keane with questions and comments at: [email protected].