A reader asks a fine question in Sunday’s Opinion Line: “Why is Tom DeLay smiling so big in his mug shot? Does he think our criminal justice system is a joke?” As the Houston Chronicle noted, the congressman’s “booking photograph on conspiracy and money-laundering charges Thursday looked more like a campaign glossy than the mug shot of someone accused of felonies preparing to make his first court appearance.” There is plenty of reason to think that DeLay ultimately will emerge unscathed from the prosecution of Travis County District Attorney Ronnie Earle, but with the giddy public face DeLay has been wearing through ordeal, he seems to be mocking the rule of law.
Posted by Rhonda Holman
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22 Comments
I’d say it’s because he’s planning on replacing the judge with one he’s already bought and paid for.
How many people travel to their booking on a private jet?
Gee, do ya think DeLay knew a big smile in his “mug shot” would drive libs like Rhonda nuts? Good for Tom DeLay!
What makes you think DeLay will walk? There are persistent rumors that one of the corporate donors rolled on him, there are emails and cashed checks.
He’s smiling so people can’t use his mug shot in campaign ads.
Don’t forget that our own Rep. Todd Tiahrt received $10,071 in PAC money Tom Delay. Should he give back the possibly illegally gained money?
Perhaps Tom DeLay’s big smile is especially directed at us Kansans.
Remember Westar Energy’s former bosses, headquartered in Topeka, more accurately called co-conspirators, gave a generous contribution from the shallow pockets of Kansas ratepayers to Mr. Delay’s political cronies for a “seat at the big table.”
Perhaps that table will soon be located in the “big house,” a prison someplace where Mr. Delay and Westar’s former top executives appear to be headed.
I’m hoping they roast him, but considering who’s in control, I bet he walks. There’s too much money and power involved to let Delay go down. And as we all know, when it comes to money, there’s no limit to what Delay’s party will do. Look for Delay to get a change of venue (a la Kay Bailey Hutchenson), his case will be heard in front of a republican judge with the “proper” credentials, and the Bugmeister will get off. When criminals are in control of the government, criminality goes unpunished.
He’s smiling because he knows you’re right, Jubal!
Sad straits these republicans have come to. I can remember when theirs was an honorable party. Now, honor means nothing, only that they win matters. The republican party has become the party of corruption, cronyism, bribery, and criminality.
One may smile and smile and be a villain.
I don’t know about this one. My guess is there is a lot more dirt to be known about DeLay.
Now I do go along to an extent with the idea that his power cronies may help him walk. That seems the way things usually work. Particularly these days.
But it is important to remember just who and what De Lay is. He is a neocon. Those folks eat their own. Indeed, some ofthe very fellow neocons DeLay used the laundered money to support are even now jockeying to pemanently replace him or at least distance themselves from him. If there is a “De Lay was wronged, we want our speaker back!” fund I’ve not heard of it.
In any case, it’s lose lose for him.
This one goes out to Tom Delay To the tune of “Smile while your heart is breaking”
Smile….while your friends are running……
Smile …..though no help is coming
Say, JR, just exactly what is a neocon?
I’m really not hip, to this new politically correct jargon, that’s being tossed around today. I just want to know, “If somebody, walks up to me and calls me a Neocon; Do I hit’em or bend ‘em over a table?”
Actually JR there is a Delay defense fund going. But you’re right in that there is a power struggle going on for his position. There’s also something big going on that we’re just starting to hear really starting to rumble. The Abramoff scandal has deep roots that are starting to show. How far will that spread? Recall there’s murder involved in that one. And we’re just days from the results of the grand jury investigation results in the Plame leak case. Top that off with the hurt feelings on the religious right over the Miers nomination, and we have a pretty explosive situation. Then there’s the Frist scandal, Noe and his coins, etc. Can the conservatives keep a lid on all this and keep the whole sorry mess from exploding at the seams?
Josh said,
“He’s smiling so people can’t use his mug shot in campaign ads.”
You’re probably correct. If so, it’s a samrt move.
Abramoff investigation looks like it will definitly pull Delay into it.
In many ways Abramoff is like the plamegate fiasco. How high up will it go? There is an investigation into why a prosecutor in Guam was demoted in 2002 after opening a criminal investigation of Jack Abramoff
Nixon is not rolling over- he’s giggling in his grave as we blog.
Always thought Nixon could’ve use a few more giggles.
He’s flipping us off.
Tom is smiling so big cause he is the world bigest homosexual. He is so happy to go down to the big house. He requested a first night stay with Big Bubba!Signed Smiling Tom!
Very funny story. One side says the prosecuter is a loon. The other says Delay is a criminal. Again, the MSM is printing stories with no proof on either side.Be patient. The story will die a natural death.
Maybe De Lay is smiling because that come what may, shrub….er bush will issue him an executive pardon. Of course, if mr bush is impeached…….
The sooner that this guy, Delay is federally indicted the better. Republican liability. He looks like a crook, he seems to act like a crook.
Ed Friedemann: Are you dating Tom Delay. ?? You act like a real loser.
Tomas…What makes you say things like that?