Censorship: The LaHood family business
Bernard Schoenburg’s column in the State Journal Register includes an interview with U.S. Rep. Ray LaHood. He predicts a primary victory for Judy Baar Topinka and Joe Birkett, despite a massive smear campaign by conservatives. But it’s this passage about LaHood’s son that I found most interesting:
SAM LaHOOD, who turns 31 on Wednesday, has a master’s degree in Middle East studies from American University in Beirut, Lebanon. As part of his work for the State Department, the younger LaHood accepted an assignment in Baghdad that began Sept. 1.
“He says it’s the most interesting job that he’s ever had,” the congressman told me. His son lives in the Green Zone, a protected area in the city, and his job is help escort members of the press covering the SADDAM HUSSEIN trial.
“He’s been in the courtroom with Saddam every time Saddam has made an appearance,” LaHood said.
Sam LaHood also has the job of approving pictures of Saddam to be used in newspapers.
In other words: Sam LaHood is a government censor.
It’s all so clear now. That’s why the senior LaHood refused to vote for the bill that would protect bloggers from having to prove they aren’t getting money from political campaigns. The whole family suffers from a genetic dispostion toward telling people what they do and do not have a right to say and print.
All the family needs now is for LaHood’s other son to get the job of federal U.S. Attorney for central Illinois. That way, it will be a member of the LaHood family who tosses my ass in federal prison for not filing disclosure statements, which new Federal Election Commission rules could require me to do if I have the audacity to link to a candidate’s Website.
Sadly, no Democrat has yet filed to fun against LaHood in the 2006 election.
Hat tip to Jeff Trigg.
Billy Dennis is a former reporter and editor at small daily and weekly newspapers in Illinois and Missouri. He comments on media, news and politics. He also owns and operates 
It doesn’t surprise me. Personally, I loved Ray’s comments about “conservatives” smearing Topinka /Birkett. We have Birkett still sticking to his guns on the Nicarico murder even though all evidence points away from his prosecutions. Ray votes with DeLay over 90% of the time, changes rules to protect the Dirty DeLay, and sells out the 18th District to appease his wealthy handlers. BTW Waterworth did file this morning. Hopefully he’ll run a better race.