I want to ignore all that and (like my favourite Mr Obviousman) go straight to the heart of the matter.
First the news…
US Republicans change rule to shield leader if indicted
18.11.2004 2.20 pm
WASHINGTON - Republicans in the US House of Representatives have changed their own rules to allow their powerful Majority Leader Tom DeLay to keep his post even if he is indicted in connection with illegal fund-raising activities.
In a closed-door session, they approved the rule change in a voice vote to allow a leader or chairman to keep his post after an indictment. The leadership would then make recommendations, based on whether the indictment was deemed legitimate or politically-motivated.
Three of DeLay's associates were indicted by a Texas grand jury in September in connection with illegal fund-raising and the prosecutor has said the investigation is not yet finished.
The controversy surrounding DeLay, a Texas Republican, does not seem to have dented his considerable power.
He is credited with helping Republicans increase their majority in the House in this month's elections and many Republican lawmakers feel indebted to him for fund-raising.
DeLay, who has been admonished by the House Ethics Committee three times this year, told reporters he was "not at all" worried about an indictment.
He said the change in party rules was necessary to protect Republicans against the Democrats' "politics of personal destruction".
Democrats complained that Republicans were lowering the ethical bar for leadership.
"Not only did the House Republicans vote to re-elect the most ethically challenged member of Congress in modern history to lead them ... now, in an act of unprecedented shamelessness, the Republicans have apparently changed their own rules to allow Mr DeLay to be indicted for a felony and still keep his job as Majority Leader," said outgoing Rep Chris Bell, a Democrat who lost his seat because of Texas redistricting pushed by DeLay.
"That is a truly pathetic standard of leadership," added Bell, who brought a House ethics complaint against DeLay.
The new rule does, however, require anyone convicted of a felony to immediately relinquish a leadership position.
The vote changes a decade-old rule passed when Republicans wanted to draw attention to the questionable ethics of such powerful Democrats as former Illinois Rep Dan Rostenkowski, who eventually pleaded guilty to mail fraud and was sentenced to prison.
Connecticut Rep Christopher Shays, one of the few Republicans to openly oppose the rule change, said it was a return to "business as usual." He added: "If you are a cop, a judge, a prosecutor, and you are indicted, you step down" and the US Congress should have similar standards.
From Granny Herald...
Now first to clarify –
“…changed their own rules…” These are the rules of the Republican Party, not of the process of government. Well I guess that they are allowed to do that. At least the stench of dishonesty is not being entrenched in the system; only in the party machinery.
Second point to history –
Interesting that the rule being revoked was introduced to give the Republicans a measure of political virtue when the boot was firmly on the other foot. Well I guess that when you have the upper hand you do everything that you are able to maintain the moral high ground. I guess too, that when the tide runs against you then you cut loose anything that might drag the boat down. (Oh what a luverly mixture of political cliché that is… :-D )
So ignore all of the politically righteous indignation. Put aside the interminably tedious politicised emotion. Cast off all of the claptrap, cliché and party propaganda.
What is going to be most interesting of all in this smelly little event is just how the leaders and promoters of democracy, the saintly proponents of the rights of the people of every nation to self determination, the knights against corruption and graft everywhere are going to handle what seems to be more than just cat piddle in the corner of the laundry.
But watch it just quietly disappear into the toilet. DeLay will last this term. There is no doubt that he will DeLay his departure until just prior to the 2008 elections. Then he might even run for President.
He has proven his credentials for that job well…
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