The writer to whom ash replies was nearly as prolific a correspondent as she was – before she let her subscription expire and gradually phased out reading the editorial pages. As far as she knows he is still defending all things conservative. This exchange occurred long before the man in question tacitly admitted ash had it right:
Let's see, what was that politician's name?
As I read and hear about the "get Tom Delay at all costs even if it takes three grand juries" money laundering indictment, a question occurred to me, and I am trying to remember a name.
There was a story a few years ago about a politician of some prominence. This politician took some hefty cash campaign contributions from some dirt-poor Buddhist monks, who he knew couldn't possibly pony up the cash on their own. What was his name?
Steve Sullivan
Springfield
I'm not sure what point letter writer Steve Sullivan is making in his comments of October 8. Here's my take on the matter.
Sullivan alludes to Ex-vice president Al Gore, who was investigated up one side and scrutinized down the other for one fundraising incident in 1996 from the moment it was discovered at least through the 2000 election, costing him dearly in real time. Five years later Mr. Sullivan resuscitates it to compare and contrast with the self-inflicted legal and political entanglements of Texas Representative Tom DeLay, a man who was provoked into office by inconvenient regulations disallowing his exterminating company from running ripshod over the environment in order to maximize profits.
In subsequent decades, Mr. DeLay has risen through the ranks of the Republican establishment with ruthless, thuggish tactics, in the process making indentured servants of fellow House members through quid pro quo "I get you elected, you owe me all your votes" arrangements, gradually growing giddy with power and the spoils of his own success. Ultimately, feeling exempt from rules applying only to lesser mortals and impervious to the consequences of throwing his weight around for the sake of it, DeLay taunts fate in the person of Texas prosecutor Ronnie Earle by allegedly money laundering and committing other state financing offenses. But rather than pursue actual lawbreaking, according to Mr. Sullivan, Mr. Earle should refrain from indicting Mr. DeLay because Al Gore is not serving time for an event nine years ago from which no clear conclusions were reached.
Good grief, Mr. Sullivan. That's a more creative - and desperate - defense of Tom DeLay than anything proferred by his attorney. I recommend you consider relocating to Sugarland, Texas, where to support your guy in his next election bid, since he won his last one by the smallest margin ever. It would appear that even if you haven't, his constituents are finally catching on to the likes of him.
Democrats the ones who behave like thugs
I don't know why ash (letters, Oct. 11) got so upset with my recent letter.
Ronnie Earle is an extremely partisan Democrat under pressure to take Tom DeLay down. It is on the record that Earle attended a Democrat fundraiser where he promised to “get” Mr. DeLay. This is blatant prosecutorial misconduct. It took Mr. Earle three grand juries in the most Republican-hating left wing county in Texas to achieve what he has.
His legal counterparts are known to have questioned his actions on a number of occasions. Face it, DeLay is an effective Republican who helped end the iron grip of the Democratic Party in Texas - and you hate his guts for that reason.
Thuggish tactics? That is how Democrats operate. Just ask any woman who dared to complain about Bill Clinton's sexual assaults. Recall the 2004 election. It was Republicans who had the tires on their vans slashed. It was Republican campaign offices that were shot up. It was Republican campaign offices and staff who were physically attacked by gangs of Democrat thugs.
As regards Al Gore: He was not investigated. He was protected by the obedient Clinton lap kitty, Janet Reno. If you recall, the Justice Department always demanded that all other investigations stand aside - while she collected and hid the evidence or let the statute of limitations run out. The Buddhist temple crime was clear cut, yet good old Al was never in any danger.
Just like the people responsible for the illegal acquisition of the 900 or so FBI background files of Republicans by the Clinton administration. A major crime with an “investigation” that conveniently went nowhere.
Steve Sullivan, Springfield
Steve’s way too easy, so here’s my last word on the subject:
First, Steve, beware of ascribing motives and feelings to others. “Upset,” for instance, as opposed to amused. You have no idea what emotion triggers the response of one letter writer to another. And “hate his guts because he’s effective” would be plagiarism if the Republican playbook were copyrighted. The weakness of the argument begs no response.
From there, it gets even easier. Al Gore is irrelevant. I thought I made that clear. Oh, maybe I did, though anyone desperate enough to drag him into the equation would refer to an incident from 1996 as “a few years ago.”
“Corrupt Democrats” is selective condemnation at best, hopelessly behind the times at worst (see l996). In fact, in today’s atmosphere, considering the numerous Senate, House, and Administration (and who controls all three?) scandals, it perilously ignores reality, as some Republicans are reportedly fond of doing.
So it’s really a shame when reality intrudes. It also veers on the tragic when one values power over truth, and winds up with neither.
That would be Steve, supporting the guy who doesn’t deserve it, and with such snarly superiority! (oops, I presumed I could read Steve’s tone through the rhetoric). No matter, Tom DeLay has exposed himself in all his vicious glory, and if Steve doesn’t realize Prosecutor Ronnie Earle is merely the messenger, not the antagonist in this morality play, far be it for me to educate him on the ways of karma.