Taking the Fifth for Conservative Values

Two well-dressed, polite, young, white males last week went before Senator McCain's committee and invoked their fifth amendment privilege against giving self-incriminating testimony a couple dozen times. Shawn Vasell evidently looks more all-American than he is. He has some history of disrespect for the law, so his demeanor at the committee belied the apparent arrogance of his behavior. Kevin Ring, who may or may not be the author of a paean to Supreme Court member Scalia, also respectfully resorted to the Fifth Amendment. His appearance before the committee was anything but "Brilliant. Colorful. Visionary. Tenacious. Witty." The Senate Indian Affairs Committee Oversight Hearing on Indian Lobbying video is currently located on page 4 of the C-Span directory. Although other information about these two young men might lead one to label them as smug, wealthy members of the Republican elite, they certainly gave a virtuoso rendition of contrition Wednesday. Mr. Grosh, the lifeguard who was the figurehead for a fake thinktank and who appeared at the hearing without a lawyer, was, on the other hand, refreshingly honest and courageous. Needless to say, he is not an elite Republican. In the words of Delay's buddy, Abramoff, "Give me five!"