DeLay Resigns Post; 9/11 Worker Dies

Tonight I bring you a DOUBLE post. If you have a comment on both stories, please make separate comments.

DeLAY RESIGNS LEADERSHIP POST

Tom DeLay permanently resigned his post as House Majority Leader, but will seek re-election to the House of Representatives when his term expires this November.

Tom DeLay, who held the Majority Leadership post for 3 years, faces illegal campaign finance charges in the state of Texas. Under Congressional rules, he has to step down until his indictment is over.

DeLay said at a press conference at Sugar Land, Texas, his home district, that:
[about giving up his Majority Leader job] it's "too important to be hamstrung by personal distraction.", and
[about running for re-election] "I plan to run a very vigorous campaign, and I plan to win."

A new House Majority Leader is expected to be elected as soon as Congress reconvenes on January 31.

I think we all expected that he would permanently step down after he was indicted and had to step down. I wonder though why exactly he did. If he was confident that he would be acquitted, why would he step down permanently. DeLay did a BIG No-No, and he knows it. If politics doesn't get in the way, which it very well could, DeLay should be convicted.

But keep in mind there are those people who will do virtually anything to try to keep DeLay in Congress. They will try, because come election time, voters in Texas, and maybe outside of Texas, will remember what Tom DeLay did. And if DeLay gets convicted, there will be repercussions at the polls.

As I type this, I am watching FOX News. The Anchor of "Heartland", John something-or-other, is literally praising Tom DeLay, saying he is, without a doubt, the best Congressional leader in recent times. Thanks for the "Fair and Balanced" reporting, FOX News!


9/11 RESCUE WORKER DIES FROM RESPIRATORY ILLNESS

A retired NYC Detective, who was involved in the rescue efforts at Ground Zero, died from a respiratory disease related to the recovery efforts.

Former Police Detective James Zadroga died at his home Thursday, at his home in New Jersey. He is believed to be the first 9/11 rescue worker to die from the dust and debris, which was floating in the air around Ground Zero.

The President of the Detectives' Endowment Association, Michael Palladino, who made the announcement, also said Unfortunately, I do not think he is going to be the last."

Zadroga, just like all of those other brave heroes at Ground Zero, spending hundreds of hours picking through the rubble, looking and hoping they would find survivors. Only five survivors were found after thebuildings collapsed. (Including a guy who rode the building down from the 83 floor!)

Palladino said that Zadroga, who spent up to 16 hours a day in the month after the attack, developed black lung disease and mercury in the brain. He also developed shortness of breath, as well as other respiratory problems. He retired on disability in 2004.

James Zadroga left behind a four-year-old daughter. His wife died of cancer in late 2004. It was not reported where his daughter will live now.

Several registries, tracking Ground Zero workers' health, have reported that the rescuers have worsened in the recent years.

I was hoping that this wouldn't happen, or if it did, it would take decades. Unfortunatly, it appears that this will not be the case.

-Adam