the lack of integrity in political leaders

I'm amazed that our leaders in Washington, with a straight face, give the excuse of 'it was for political reasons' for improper statements.

The current 'show' of confirmation hearings of Judge Alito continue to dismay. In 1985, when he was applying for a job in the Reagan administration, his job app bristles with bigotry and bragging about being in a Princton club that was set up to worry about minorities and women getting more rights on campus. Asked about it yesterday, he alternated between not remembering being in the club (come on!) and saying that the app was written to get a political job, therefore the statements in it weren't really how I feel, just what I said to get the job. AND the senators don't call him on it!

Judge, were you lying then, or now?

In other words, in DC, it's ok to lie for poticial advancement. Surprise. It's just a shame it's such an accepted excuse.