Inside the Beltway

No budget cut

We are pleased to see that one Democratic lawmaker is already following the example of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who pledged a new era of ethical correctness on Capitol Hill.

Rep. Alan B. Mollohan, a West Virginia Democrat recently named chairman of an Appropriations subcommittee, has just recused himself from dealing with the Justice Department’s budget.

Good move on Mr. Mollohan’s part, considering the congressman is currently under Justice Department investigation for steering more than $200 million to five nonprofit groups in his West Virginia district.

Speaker Bill

“This is pretty cool,” says Peter, a student at Middlebury College in Vermont.

“I agree. This has totally made my day. I just wonder how they’ll top it for my graduation,” says Sarah, each posting their comments on a college Web site.

What’s all the fuss about?

Former President Bill Clinton, that’s what. Ben Salkowe, writing in the Student Weekly of Middlebury College, reports that Mr. Clinton will deliver Middlebury’s 2007 commencement address on May 27, marking the first address by a modern president to the historic college, founded in 1800.

Mr. Clinton also will receive an honorary doctorate of humane letters degree from the college.

Honor and bury

Rep. Charles B. Rangel, New York Democrat from Harlem, introduced a resolution this week expressing the opinion of Congress that James Brown, the “Godfather of Soul,” shall be recognized for his contributions to American music as “one of the greatest and most influential entertainers of the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s as an American cultural icon.”

Now, if Mr. Rangel only had the influence to see that Mr. Brown gets a proper burial.

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