Why oh why must I have such deep, dark, cynical, jaded thoughts? Experience maybe?
U.S. Rep. Kevin Brady, R-Woodlands, Texas, listened yesterday as his East Texas constituents aired frustrations over Red Cross and federal responses to the aftermath of Hurricane Rita. Various news accounts indicated Brady was wearing a bullet-proof vest and was guarded by state troopers in response to an alleged threat made against the congressman.
Next, the news apparently reached the rest of the world early today that Brady had been arrested the previous Friday night in South Dakota for driving under the influence. Brady was reportedly there to attend the University of South Dakota homecoming, where he had graduated from college.
Do you see a connection?
It would not be the first time a Texas politician did something rash to gain sympathy from voters. Former State Rep. Mike Martin, a Republican from Longview, was prosecuted for perjury by the now prominent Travis County District Attorney Ronnie Earle. The charges stemmed from Martin arranging to have his cousin shoot the lawmaker to gain sympathy for a planned state senate run. I seem to remember Martin, who was sought for awhile by police, was found hiding in some speaker cabinets. However, I read it was a puppet stage in which he hid. It was way back in 1980s, the time that time forgot.
Now I am not accusing Brady of anything. I just raise the specter that odd things happen in politics. I don’t think a DUI is necessarily going to be a death blow to Brady anyway. Despite the Bible Belt leanings of the East Texas Pineywoods portion of his district, the people can be a forgiving lot if you do your job. After all, former U.S. Rep. Charlie Wilson represented the area for more than 20 years.