DeLay is all about checking the balance.

I came across an interesting letter from senator Frank Lautenberg of New Jersey from April 1st to Tom DeLay.

Some calmer heads are prevailing in the senate. Who is listening to them though?

"April 1, 2005
Tom DeLay

Majority Leader
House of Representatives
Washington, DC 20515
Dear Majority Leader DeLay,

I was stunned to read the threatening comments you made yesterday against Federal judges and our nation?s courts of law in general. In reference to certain Federal judges, you stated: ?The time will come for the men responsible for this to answer for their behavior.?

As you are surely aware, the family of Federal Judge Joan H. Lefkow of Illinois was recently murdered in their home. And at the state level, Judge Rowland W. Barnes and others in his courtroom were gunned down in Georgia.

Our nation?s judges must be concerned for their safety and security when they are asked to make difficult decisions every day. That?s why comments like those you made are not only irresponsible, but downright dangerous. To make matters worse, is it appropriate to make threats directed at specific Federal and state judges?

You should be aware that your comments yesterday may violate a Federal criminal statute, 18 U.S.C. ?115 (a)(1)(B). That law states:

?Whoever threatens to assault?. or murder, a United States judge? with intent to retaliate against such? judge?. on account of the performance of official duties, shall be punished ?
Threats against specific Federal judges are not only a serious crime, but also beneath a Member of Congress.

In my view, the true measure of democracy is how it dispenses justice. Your attempt to intimidate judges in America not only threatens our courts, but our fundamental democracy as well.

Federal judges, as well as state and local judges in our nation, are honorable public servants who make difficult decisions every day. You owe them ? and all Americans ? an apology for your reckless statements.

Sincerely,
Frank R. Lautenberg"

[Thanks to Democratic Underground.]

Okay, here's the apology.

"WASHINGTON- House Majority Leader Tom DeLay, R-Texas, stepped up his attack on federal judges Thursday, telling a gathering of religious conservatives that the judiciary has "run amok" and demanding that Congress assert authority over the courts.

The judiciary branch of our government has overstepped its authority on countless occasions, overturning and in some cases just ignoring the legitimate will of the people," DeLay said. "But I also believe the executive and legislative branches have neglected the proper checks and balances on this behavior ... Our next step, whatever it is, must be more than rhetoric."

Intervention by the Congress, however, does not sit well with some conservatives.

John J. Pitney Jr., a political scientist at Claremont McKenna College and a former Republican congressional aide, said: "A lot of conservatives may strongly disapprove of what the courts are doing but don't think it's proper to punish judges for the decisions. They regard that as a breach of separation of powers."

Even Congress' attempt to influence the Schiavo case prompted a strong rebuke by one of the judges deciding the matter. Circuit Judge Stanley F. Birch Jr., appointed to the court by President Bush's father, said, "Congress chose to overstep constitutional boundaries into the province of the judiciary. Such an act cannot be countenanced."

Republican lawmakers too are splintered over whether to take on the judicial branch of government. On Tuesday, Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, R-Tenn., distanced himself from DeLay, saying he thought the judges in the Schiavo case had given her case a "fair and independent look."

Wow, even the spineless jellyfish is backing away from DeLay!

Here's the corruption!

Maybe, it has something to do with the stench of corruption waffting off of DeLay.

The WaPo reported DeLay took money from Russian business men trying to influnce the U.S. governemnt.

The NY Times reported on DeLay's family getting half a million dollars from his PAC.

And then, as if all this and the threat of an indictment in Texas hanging over his head wasn't enough, there is the Indian casino scandal involving one of his "closest and dearest friends" Jack Abramoff.

I hope the republicans in congress keep pushing this fight against the judiciary. Just ride that train straight out of power!!!

Even David Brooks for christsake thinks DeLay and his buddy on K-Strret Grover Norquist have gone too far!