The "I" Word

I hope this story is true. Not because it appears that the search of Congressman William Jefferson’s office was conducted properly, and not because it appears that the howls of protest from Congress about the search have no basis in fact, and not because – as the Professor notes – this “vigorous” reaction from Congress may mean that there’s more going on here than meets the eye.

No, I hope the story is true because it will mean that these three men – the highest ranking law enforcement officials in the country – possess something that seems to have disappeared from political discourse these days. Unlike the Mary McCarthy’s of the CIA, who prefer to stay in the shadows and leak classified information, or the retired Military Generals, who criticize the current administration’s handling of the war effort from the safety of their armchairs, without fear of personal consequences, these three men are putting their jobs publicly on the line for something they believe in.

And that means they possess something the rest of the political world could use a massive dose of right now. Integrity.

That’s why I hope this story is true.