SO SAD – AT 4:58 P.M. ET:  Tom DeLay, once one of the most powerful men in Washington, will be going to prison.  From Fox:

AUSTIN, Texas -- A judge has ordered U.S. House Majority Leader Tom DeLay to serve three years in prison for his role in a scheme to illegally funnel corporate money to Texas candidates in 2002.

The sentence comes after a jury in November convicted DeLay on charges of money laundering and conspiracy to commit money laundering. DeLay was once one of the most powerful men in U.S. politics, ascending to the No. 2 job in the House of Representatives.

The former Houston-area congressman had faced up to life in prison. His attorneys asked for probation.

COMMENT:  A fair sentence, I think.  And it shows that no man is, or should be, above the law.  Tom DeLay did some fine things as majority leader, but he, like some other Republicans, including Vietnam air hero Duke Cunningham, also made some serious mistakes.

We hope he serves his term without incident and tries to rebuild his life in an honorable manner.

January 10, 2011