a rare public embarrassment

Much to my surprise, the House of Representatives has actually brought charges against the lovable but corrupt Charles Rangell, the Adam Clayton Powell of today. The Gray Lady is surprised as well: in today's paper, David Kocieniewski terms the event "a rare public trial of the Democratic Congressman this fall, a potential embarrassment for the Democratic leadership during the election season." How funny! Congress does something right for a change, and that's an embarrassment? I'm impressed that the House has that much sense of shame. Blue skies! -- Dan Ford

Pain is pain, he says

The nation's chief tax writer will face a Congressional inquiry for, among other things, not paying his taxes in full. Isn't that a hoot? Perhaps the Secretary of the Treasury will appear as a character witness. Blue skies! -- Dan Ford