I'll take "prison time" for 250, Bob

To cap off the week, I didn't want to let this one slip under the radar.

Former Congressman Bob Ney (R-OH) was just sentenced to 2 1/2 years in prison for accepting golf trips, sports tickets, free meals and campaign donations from lobbyist Jack Abramoff in exchange for political favors. The AP article quoted U.S. District Judge Ellen Segal Huvelle as saying, "You violated a host of laws that you as a congressman are sworn to enforce and uphold".

Unfortunately, rather than accept the fact he was a lying, cheating, corrupt politician, Ney pulled out the only card left in the Republican play book: alcoholism. "I will continue to take full responsibility, accept the consequences and battle the demons of addiction that are within me," Ney said, with the defense team also noting his alcoholism became much worse during the investigation. They also had a doctor testify that Ney's alcoholism was a problem as far back as 2001.

I wonder if Speaker Hastert knew ol' Bobby boy was pounding back his beers at 7:30 in the morning and throughout the day, just to keep his shakes under control. Keeping with Goldwater tradition, was Ney also drunk in the House floor? That would explain some of his voting patterns, I suppose. Brilliant!