REPUBLICANS MISPLACE THEIR SPINES

The Chicago Tribune reported today that House Republicans voted to change a rule they had enacted in 1993 in order to protect embattled Representative Tom DeLay, that tiny little former exterminator from Texas. The new rule was approved by a voice vote in a closed door meeting of House Republicans. In effect, it states that a party committee would review any felony indictment of a party leader to determine if was "politically motivated" before requiring the representative to step down. The old rule, enacted 11 years ago by the Republicans would require DeLay to give up his seat upon indictment. At least some of the Republicans were against the new rule, but the spineless majority prevailed.

DeLay has not yet been indicted, but several close associates have, and insiders in Congress think there is an indictment with DeLay's name on it. Ronnie Earle, a Democrat, is District Attorney in Davis County Texas and is investigating alleged campaign violations that allowed Republicans to win several Texas legislative seats in 2002. DeLay has been already been admonished twice by the house, once for asking FAA officials to track an airplane with Texas Democrats aboard during a 2003 redistricting battle. DeLay, in a stroke of master hypocrisy, said that Democrats were engaged in the politics of "personal destruction". The former exterminator was one of former President William Clinton's most savage critics and didn't hesitate to engage in the politics of personal destruction against Clinton. What goes on comes around little man.

CELEBRITY JUSTICE...

Interesting lawsuit involving two celebrities out in LaLa land. Jim Belushi has filed a 4 million dollar lawsuit against Julie "Catwoman" Newmar accusing her of conducting a campaign of harassment to drive him from his Brentwood, California home. The lawsuit claims that Newmar has destroyed Belushi's property, made defamatory statements to neighbors and even spied on Belushi family get togethers. Belushi claims that Newmar's actions have caused him great emotional distress. No word from Newmar just yet. No real comment on this lawsuit, save to say that as a young boy who watched the original Batman growing up, Julie Newmar looked great in the Cat outfit.

And what the hell is going on with Liza Minnelli? Minnelli, who has already been accused of beating her estranged husband, David Gest, is now facing allegations that she also beat a former bodyguard. M'Hammed Soumayah, the singer's former guard, sued her last month, and alleged that she frequently beat him. Minelli, in response, has filed a countersuit, for breach of contract and breach of fiduciary duty. And I was so sure she and Gest would live happily ever after.