Congressman Kline stands with Tom Delay

Who is Minnesota 2nd District Congressman John Kline trying to kid? In Sunday's Star Tribune he defends the recent house vote to allow Tom Delay to retain his position as Majority Leader if he is indicted for a crime. Congressman Kline expects us to believe in the purity of their actions. Kline drinks ultra-partisan kool-aid and asks us if we want a sip. But we know it's poison.

First he minces words:

First and foremost, the House Republican Caucus ethics rule to which you refer was not repealed, it was revised.

Repealed, revised. I see. Thank you for clarifying, Congressman Kline. But not to worry. Repeal is to revise as mince is to outright Lie:

When the original rule was passed, requiring any member under indictment to step down from a position in party leadership, no one considered the possibility of a rogue district attorney bent on partisan political persecution. Unfortunately, Travis County District Attorney Ronnie Earle has demonstrated his commitment to doing just that by adding Majority Leader Tom DeLay to the long list of Republican lawmakers he has targeted throughout his career.

Texan Ronnie Earle has been the District Attorney for Travis County for thirty years. In that time, he has prosecuted 12 Democrats and 3 Republicans. Isn't that a hilariously long list of Republicans?

Kline thinks we will gobble up this spin-soaked slop. He has no respect for any of his constituents. But it get's worse:

Sadly, it has become necessary to take steps to address the reality of political manipulation of the process and the constitutional right of every American to be considered innocent until proven guilty. Tom DeLay has not, in fact, been indicted. Does he not deserve the same basic rights afforded the rest of us?

As the Congressman notes, Delay has not been charged with anything. So in answer to his asinine rhetorical question: Yes, Tom Delay deserves exactly the same basic rights as the rest of us who haven't been charged with anything. Our not so rhetorical question to the Congressman is this: Why does Tom Delay deserve more? But maybe I've got Congressman Kline all wrong. Maybe he is saying we all deserve to operate under the Delay Ethical Model. Maybe Kline supports letting indicted pedophiles continuing to work in daycare centers. Maybe he supports letting indicted embezzlers continuing to work as accountants. Maybe he supports letting indicted drunken drivers continuing to drive. What do you think, Congressman? Maybe you could author additional legislation to preemptively soften the blow of breaking the law for all of us? It'd be especially helpful in setting an example for our kids.

Congressman Kline, you are the company you keep. Delay is the rogue. Let your editorial stand as a testament to your character when Tom Delay goes down in flames. You have shown your love of money and your contempt for the decency and intelligence of the Minnesotans you represent.