1.04.2006 | "honest services"

In headlines more appropriate for the outbreak of war or the discovery of a cure for cancer, we learn of the improprieties to illegalities of another scumbag lobbyist, one Jack Abramoff. Joy reigns supreme this morn among the Democrats and their in-house propaganda machine, a/k/a the mainstream media.

There are many stories in today's WaPo, but the gist seems to be contained in this graphic. One amusing story, with a headline that is almost a parody of the obvious, tells us in its headline that "GOP Leaders Seek Distance From Abramoff." Shocked I am, I tells ya.

In the category of isn't-it-amusing-that-this-is-a-crime, one of the charges against Abramoff is that he was "depriving the public of the honest services of Rep. Bob Ney (R-Ohio)." No, Ney wasn't kidnapped and held for ransom by Abramoff. Rather, Abramoff got Ney to forget about his "honest service" by "corruptly offering" money, meals, trips and entertainment.

Bob Ney apparently did not have free will. He apparently was so enthralled by Abramoff that he simply couldn't say no. Not that I'm defending Abramoff; he comes across as just another bottom-feeder. But how can you cause an otherwise honest man to go crooked?

This is the ultra-cynical view that says that every man has his price. I'd normally agree with this view, but the low price paid simply paints Bob Ney as easy and crooked. I hope he gets to serve some hard time and becomes best buds with some Aryan brothers in lockup. Along with his angel Abramoff.