I had a problem with the United States Congress spending time holding hearings on steroid use by baseball players. Was that really within their (the Congress) purview? Was that really something that required their official interjection?
But, suggesting that the Terri Schiavo case was something requiring Congressional oversight takes the cake. This story from the New York Times make me squirm with the realization of how sleazy American politics has become (or, indeed, has always been). And, once again, the sleaziest of the sleazy is Tom Delay.
For Republicans, it was a chance to try to carve out new territory in the "culture of life" issues so paramount to passionate religious conservatives, who have flooded Congressional offices with messages beseeching help in keeping Ms. Schiavo alive. For Democrats still struggling in the wake of their defeat in the November elections, the case offered a way to portray their newfound willingness to move to the center on such issues.
And for Representative Tom DeLay, the House majority leader facing inquiries into fund-raising improprieties in Texas and potential violations of House travel rules in Washington, taking a prominent role in rallying conservatives to the Schiavo cause also provided a sudden distraction from his troubles.
"To friends, family and millions of people praying around the world this Palm Sunday weekend: do not be afraid," said Mr. DeLay, who interjected himself forcefully into the case, in a pointed religious reference during a Friday news conference. "Terri Schiavo will not be forsaken."
Does this man have no decency?
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