DC POLITICS-AS-USUAL CONTINUES—

A Louisiana congressman refuses to step down in spite of his being indicted this week on 16 federal charges that could lead to his imprisonment for up to 235 years.

Worse yet, Fox News said yesterday, “House rules do not require Jefferson to step down from his post at this point...”

Even an obscure high school coach is immediately put on a paid leave when faced with far less serious allegations than this congress critter.

One congressman has this sorted out. Steve Kagen, D-Wis. said, "While Mr. Jefferson is entitled to the legal presumption of innocence to which all citizens are entitled, all members of Congress must be held to a higher standard. Congressman Jefferson should consider resigning for the good of the Congress and for the good of the nation."

Exactly! His office should continue to function on behalf of his constituents, but, he, personally, needs to be put out to pasture until this matter is resolved.

And, the House rules need fixed. Period.

Keep in mind this character was allegedly enriching himself from his position of public trust all the while many Louisiana folks continue to struggle with the aftereffects of hurricane Katrina.

Further, for the Republicans to attempt to gain some political advantage from this is pathetic. It was their own ethical lapses that helped cause them to recently lose control of Congress after more than 12 years in power.

From my point of view, there is one good thing in this quagmire.

The prevailing wind here blows from West to East.

Consequently, I cannot usually smell these regular eruptions from the Washington cesspool.