Earlier today, a Texas judge issued an arrest warrant for Republican Congressman Tom DeLay, setting his bail at $10,000. DeLay is expected to surrender to authorities soon, however his lawyers would not comment on when or where he would be taken into police custody. DeLay and his lawyers had hoped to avoid being handcuffed, fingerprinted, and having a mugshot taken. DeLay's lawyers were unable to avoid these normal arrest procedures as they had wished, for the sake of avoiding embarrassment.

I'm unaware what makes Mr. DeLay so special that his pride should exempt him from normal arrest procedures, but I'm glad that he has been taken off his high-horse and not treated like the autocratic ruler he thinks he is. Some partisan Republicans are claiming that the prosecutor, Ronnie Earle, sought to have DeLay arrested in such a manner just to embarass him, although they overlook the fact that these indignities are what everyone has to go through when charged with a crime.

If DeLay was granted special treatment, people might realize that this really is a country split between the rulers and the ruled. Hopefully DeLay will end up in an orange jumpsuit when this is all over with. If he ends up in jail, stripped of his expensive suits and veneer of legitimacy, he will no doubt fit right in among all the other thugs and crooks.