5 years after indictments, DeLay's trial finally begins...

[cynatnite]

AUSTIN, Texas – Former House Majority Leader Tom DeLay, one of the most polarizing politicians of the Bush years, is finally getting his day in court, five years after being charged with illegally funneling corporate money to help elect Republicans to the Texas Legislature.

Jury selection begins Tuesday, but it's at neither the time nor the place that DeLay sought. The trial will be in Austin, the most Democratic city in one of the nation's most Republican states, and testimony is set to start on the eve of Election Day.

DeLay was once one of the most powerful Republicans in Congress. As the No. 2 leader in the House, he earned the nickname "the Hammer" for his heavy-handed style in bringing recalcitrant members of the GOP into line for votes.

But the criminal charges in Texas, as well as a separate federal investigation of his ties to disgraced former lobbyist Jack Abramoff, forced DeLay to step down as majority leader and eventually to resign after representing suburban Houston for 22 years.

DeLay has been pressing for a trial for years, but appeals of pretrial rulings have repeatedly slowed down the case.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20101025/ap_on_go_co/us_delay_trial

Here's hoping the cockroach gets his due.

[lunatica]

1. May his trial be long and painful and may they find him as guilty as he is

[KatyaR]

9. Here, here....

I hope he's absolutely MISERABLE.... :bounce:

[gratuitous]

2. "DeLay has been pressing for a trial for years"

No he hasn't.

[bluesmail]

5. You can say that again.

:evilgrin:

[Stinky The Clown]

3. Please pinch me. I must be dreaming. Bug man on trial? How sweet the sound.

[Frustratedlady]

4. Well, well...will he be tap-dancing around the truth, since he's such a pro.

How wonderful Texans have a reminder of "The Way We Were" on election day.

Let's hope it gives them some hesitation before they make their mark or pull the lever.

[pacalo]

6. I have a sincere question -- don't *hammer* me:

Will the Supreme Court's recent Citizens United ruling help this wingnut's case? That's the first thing that popped into my head, considering the timing.

[ProgressiveEconomist]

7. "Testimony is set to start on the eve of Election Day" -- GREAT timing, for a change

This should be a last-minute reminder to voters of Republican election finance strategy--getting concentrated huge sums from a handful of corporate and ultrawealthy "sponsors", while Democrats generally get small sums from thousands of ordinary people.

But I wonder how much press this story will get before most people actually go to the polls--or don't.

[FiveGoodMen]

8. "I wonder how much press this story will get before most people actually go to the polls"

Well, if history is any indicator...

"A damning admission: New York Times concealed NSA spying until after 2004 election"

http://www.wsws.org/articles/2006/aug2006/nyti-a22.shtml

[ThomWV]

10. He'll cry like a baby when it comes time for sentencing

Not like 'my Martha'.