THE BRITS' PELOSI IN HOT WATER - AT 7:26 A.M. ET:  I like the way the British handle a political scandal - much more direct and blunt than our own ways.  And it happens that there's a whopper under way in the mother country.  It deals with reimbursement for politicians' expenses.  It seems some of the honorable ladies and gentlemen were putting in for some mighty amounts.  And among those swept up is the British Nancy Pelosi, the speaker of the House of Commons.  Now, this is the way you handle a scandal, from The Times of London:

Michael Martin is to resign today as Speaker of the House of Commons as the controversy over MPs' expenses claims its biggest scalp.

Westminster sources said this morning that the veteran Labour MP for Glasgow North East had decided he should go in the face of yesterday's unprecedented attacks on his authority on the floor of the House and after losing the trust of the Prime Minister.

One Labour MP who directly called on him to go during in the Commons yesterday – David Winnick – welcomed the move. "That is the right and honourable course to take," he said. "His resignation will be the first step in the House recovering its reputation."

Mr Martin is to inform MPs of his decision at the start of Commons business at 2.30pm. He is expected to leave before the summer recess, rather than trying to stay on in the post until the next election.

COMMENT:  Ah, Nancy, you have a role model.  Now our own sweet speaker has made grave charges against our intelligence services, refuses to back them up, tells a variety of versions of the same fibs...and still has her job.  She should look to the Crown for guidance.  Even the Republican attacks on her have been mild, with the exception of the assaults launched by Newt.

Madam Speaker, if you cannot straighten out your stories, and prove your case, then you should join your honorable British equivalent in the wilderness.

May 19, 2009