I don't know whether I have said it here, but I have been of the opinion lately that the present investigatory feeding frenzy in DC will result in the business of government becoming a perpetual investigation into the sex lives of the members thereof. Much the same view was suggested by a Doonsbury cartoon this past Sunday or the one before it.

Today's news has mention of Henry Hyde, Republican of Illinois and Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee (the one deciding on whether to proceed with impeachment) having an affair back in the 60's. The woman was married to somebody else at the time, as was Hyde, so they were practicing double adultery for 4 years.

Hyde dismisses the thing as a "youthful indiscretion" and a smear campaign.

Youthful indiscretions, at whatever age they occur, and smear campaigns _do_ sell newspapers. Expect to see more, many more, of these.

Let's see, over 500 members in the House and 100 in the Senate, most of them alpha males of middle years: that should keep the pages full through the next decade. Gary Hart is carrying a lantern, looking for an honest man.

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