DeLay "Honored" for his environment record

[johncoby2]

DeLay "Honored" for his environment record

The Bay Area Transportation Partnership, a public organization in the Bay Area Houston area, honored Majority Leader Tom DeLay for his achievements in education, transportation, NASA, and of all things, the environment. Although it is not quite sure what DeLay has done in any of these fields, it didn't stop those in attendance to kiss up to DeLay as he sat at the head of the table grinning like a Congressman who holds all the purse strings. The kissing up was enough to warm the heart of any Susie Chap-stick salesman.

The BATP has recently been questioned for it's obvious lack of political balance, many times looking like a personal political front group and self proclamaided cheerleading section for Tom DeLay. A look at the front table seemed to have many of the same individuals responsible for the other "honoring" events for DeLay.

Dr. William A. Staples from UHCL arranged an event to honor DeLay for his achievements in education just prior to the election in 2004. This event was attended by less than 50 individuals after 7500 invitations had been sent. Outside over 150 protesters greeted DeLay when he arrived.

General Howell, Director of NASA/JSC was also at the head table never missing a chance to give credit to DeLay for his new found commitment to the Space Program or for single handedly launching, flying, and landing the Shuttle.

And Jim Reinhartsen, President of the Bay Area Economic Partnership, another apparent personal political front group, was also at the head table. The BAEP was responsible for honoring DeLay for his support of the Space Program at NASA/JSC just prior to the election in a district that was not his at the time. The event did not pass the smell test and was an obvious political event by the BAEP using federal buildings and attended by General Howell and his staff. Events like this have since been banned from NASA property.

Clearly the BATP has been feeling the heat on the issue, starting the event with comments about how it is nonpartisan and does not favor either party or individual, yet they proceeded to honor DeLay in a Republican lovefest.

It is beginning to be obvious that the BATP has become nothing more than a political tool for Tom DeLay and many more of these "honoring" events will take place especially as the campaign season approaches. Honoring anyone more than 4 times within 6 months is unnecessary especially when it is Tom DeLay for his achievements in protecting the environment, or transportation, or education, or even NASA which DeLay aggressively opposed over his 20 years in Congress. His record is one of complete failure in these area and it is amazing how the members of BATP can praise him with a straight face.

Then again. Money and power can make anyone smile. Or smirk.

[marbuc]

1. Such a joke

like naming Hitler humanitarian of the year, or giving Stalin a Nobel Peace Prize.