Letter to Tom DeLay

"The Hammer" (R) Rep. Tom DeLay is not only wanting to impeach the judges who ruled to maintain the "seperation of powers" and to keep the "rule of law" but now he is threatening them. Does this man have no sense of morals or decency?? I thought that he came from a party of "compassionate conservatism" and "family values." Where does inciting hatred and threats fit into "family values?"

According to the Washington Post, DeLay's exact quote is as following: "The time will come for the men responsible for this to answer for their behavior." The Post article goes on to say that DeLay wants to form a committee to look into the rulings of these judges. Oddly enough though Representative DeLay does not seem to want a committee to form in Congress to look into his OWN ethical behavior in regards to campaign finance laws. Hmmm. Now don't you find that interesting?

(D) Senator Frank Lautenberg was so bothered by DeLays comments against the judges in the Schiavo case that he sent a stern leader to the Republican leader saying the following:

April 1, 2005

Tom DeLay
Majority LeaderHouse of Representatives
Washington, DC 20515

Dear Majority Leader DeLay,

I was stunned to read the threatening comments you made yesterday against Federal judges and our nation’s courts of law in general. In reference to certain Federal judges, you stated: “The time will come for the men responsible for this to answer for their behavior.”

As you are surely aware, the family of Federal Judge Joan H. Lefkow of Illinois was recently murdered in their home. And at the state level, Judge Rowland W. Barnes and others in his courtroom were gunned down in Georgia.

Our nation’s judges must be concerned for their safety and security when they are asked to make difficult decisions every day. That’s why comments like those you made are not only irresponsible, but downright dangerous. To make matters worse, is it appropriate to make threats directed at specific Federal and state judges?

You should be aware that your comments yesterday may violate a Federal criminal statute, 18 U.S.C. §115 (a)(1)(B). That law states:

“Whoever threatens to assault…. or murder, a United States judge… with intent to retaliate against such… judge…. on account of the performance of official duties, shall be punished [by up to six years in prison]”

Threats against specific Federal judges are not only a serious crime, but also beneath a Member of Congress. In my view, the true measure of democracy is how it dispenses justice. Your attempt to intimidate judges in America not only threatens our courts, but our fundamental democracy as well.

Federal judges, as well as state and local judges in our nation, are honorable public servants who make difficult decisions every day. You owe them – and all Americans – an apology for your reckless statements.

Sincerely,
Frank R. Lautenberg

**GOI Comment*** Special thanks to Raw Story for posting the letter. If I was a Republican I would be utterly and completely ashamed that this reckless, and dangerous man was leader of the Republican party in the House of Representatives. I urge all my Texas readers to vote this man out of office in the coming election of 2006. Whether you are Republican, Democrat, Independent, Libertarian or Green, this guy needs to go.

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