In today's Chicago Tribune (a newspaper, by the way, that has endorsed every Republican candidate for president for the past 100+ years), there was an editorial skewering Tom Delay and House Republicans for their revision of their own ethics rules. Three of Delay's associates are currently under indictment in Texas for corrupt dealings, and there is a fear that Delay may soon be indicted as well.

Heretofore, the Republican rules required the removal of any party leader from his leadership position if he were indicted for a felony that carried a penalty of 2 or more years imprisonment. Now, in a closed-door session and by secret vote, they have amended their own rules to allow such a person to continue in his leadership position while under indictment.

Delay, who goes by the nickname "The Hammer" for his heavy-handed ways, once observed: "There are two kinds of people in this country--loyal Americans and liberals."

So much for improving governmental ethics.

Joe B.