Globe Editorial: Delay at bay

[struggle4progress]

April 22, 2005

<snip> GOP members of the House Ethics Committee made a feeble effort to claim the high ground on Tuesday by saying they are willing to look at charges against DeLay. But this was only a bargaining position; they said they would mount a probe of DeLay only if Democrats agreed to new rules for the House Ethics Committee that would allow either party to block any future investigations. In the past either party could initiate a probe.

This is no time to be muzzling the Ethics Committee. The new rules must not stand, and sensible rules must not be bartered away because DeLay is an inviting target.

Since their sleight-of-hand was so transparent, the Republicans have boxed themselves further. They seem to be saying that, if they can't get agreement on rigged ethics rules, they won't conduct an inquiry that they admit is warranted. They cannot sustain this position long. Indeed, the fact that the mounting list of charges against DeLay may finally be investigated is a hopeful sign that his onetime loyalists may be coming to their senses.

Whether this is true of DeLay himself is another question. He has aggressively followed his own advice that the best defense is a strong offense. But it is hard to believe that he thinks he was advancing his cause on Tuesday, when he lashed out at Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy for referencing other legal systems and doing research on the Internet as ''just incredibly outrageous behavior," even as his support in the House was beginning to crumble. Of course, DeLay is not known as someone who pauses for facts. Last weekend in Houston, he told a National Rifle Association convention -- where he was welcomed enthusiastically -- that he felt safe in Texas, where it is legal to carry a concealed weapon. In fact, the Texas crime rate, violent crime rate, and murder rate are all higher than the national average. <snip>

http://www.boston.com/news/globe/editorial_opinion/editorials/articles/2005/04/22/delay_at_bay/

[LatePeriduct]

1. Quotes:

"for referencing other legal systems and doing research on the Internet as ''just incredibly outrageous behavior,"

Yeah, its just horrible Federal judges found out about a fake cult trying to take over. http://houseofscandal.org

:patriot: