Laundered Bill


You know, I hope Dollar Bill benefits, just as every other citizen should, from all the guarantees and protections the Constitution and statutes, and his elective office provide in his upcoming trial...of course, his position, salary, and whatnot will go a long way towards hiring the kind of counsel who can actually level the playing field that way.

I'm even hoping for a speedy trial, so he can clue ALL of us in on the "honorable explanation" that's supposed to be forthcoming re: the cold cash.

But what's utterly UNFORGIVABLE has been his insistence on remaining in office at a time when, even in the very unlikely event he might "beat the rap," the mere appearance of impropriety should have been quite enough reason to do right thing and RESIGN. The LAST thing New Orleans needed for the past 20 months was a Representative who, on the face of things, seemed to embody the region's reputation for corruption. Hell, that reputation is at least one reason why he won his election (See the Oyster-Adrastos Theory). Mr. Jefferson had the opportunity to step aside in the interests of his city and region. He chose to look out for Numero Uno, and to hell with everything else.

What's genuinely sad is that, as best as I can tell (I never followed his career that closely, and I've got my own creep congresscritter to keep an eye on)...anyway, as best as I can tell, Mr. Jefferson is truly a rags-to-riches case of someone who, at least at the beginning, overcame long odds and succeeded on his merits. Now, quite honestly, it hardly matters whether or not he's actually guilty of the charges against him...history will judge him as a selfish bastard.

Well, Mr. Jefferson, you made your bed...