Standing for Change in the Courts? Good Luck.

Sen. Jon Kyl (R-Ariz.), explaining that he wants to know about any "matters that would demonstrate a lack of respect for the law," asked the trio about "bad debts, late payments . . . credit cards, student loans, taxes, tickets . . ."

White said that she is clean on most counts and that "I try to abide by the rules of the road at all times, and at times I have had lapses and have received tickets, yes. . . ."

". . . I did have a few speeding tickets a long time ago," Kethledge admitted.

"I've definitely sped and paid my tickets," Murphy said. He also humbly confessed to once being told by the IRS that he owed more money, which he quickly paid.

Kyl seemed satisfied, but Sen. Arlen Specter (R-Pa.) later grilled White.

"Judge White, you testified that you, quote, abide by the rules of the road, sometimes you have not, close quote," Specter said. "Could you expand upon when and under what circumstances you have not?

"I have tried to abide by the speed limit," White answered. "There are times when . . ."

"Have you, on occasions, not abided by the speed limit?" Specter asked. "You mentioned that."

"Yes, sir," White confessed, "there are times when I have exceeded the speed limit."

"Anything else related to the rules of the road?" Specter asked.

Leahy came the rescue. ". . . I hope we do not set a standard that nobody can be a federal judge if they've ever driven over the speed limit," he said. If senators were similarly judged, "it's going to be a pretty darn empty chamber around here."

Wait a minute! What about jaywalking? Not fully stopping at a four-way late at night?

Thanks, I'm Comfortable Here

On that note, Rep. Vito Fossella (R-N.Y.), with his arrest for drunk driving and his confession to fathering a child with his longtime mistress, becomes immediately eligible for membership in one of the most exclusive clubs in Congress: "The Guys Who Just Won't Leave Caucus."

The membership might include, to name a few: Sen. Larry Craig (R-Idaho), who's serving out his term this year even though he pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct in that sting in the Minneapolis airport bathroom; Sen. David Vitter (R-La.) of D.C. Madam fame; Rep. Rick Renzi (R-Ariz.), who was indicted in February for embezzlement and receiving payoffs; Rep. William "Cold Cash" Jefferson (D-La.), indicted on charges of soliciting bribes; and Rep. John Doolittle (R-Calif.), retiring but still around, who has been linked to criminal lobbyist Jack Abramoff.

Munny for Our Teechurs

The Senate Appropriations Committee announced yesterday it is putting $400 million into the FY 2008 supplemental for rural schools, explaining that: "Without this funding, almost 7,000 teachers and other educational staff will be layed off across the country as of June 30. . . ."

How Do I Look?

After Wednesday's column about a plan at the Department of Housing and Urban Development to renovate offices and relocate key officials -- who are a bit busy these days dealing with the housing mortgage mess -- acting Secretary Roy Bernardi toured the building and talked with employees. Yesterday, he asked local union officials to submit an alternative proposal, which they say will be cheaper and less disruptive.

Stay tuned.