To his credit, and unlike many of his colleagues, Congressman Jim Moran has never masqueraded as an earmark reformer only to secretly fight behind the scenes for the status quo.  Indeed, he once infamously declared that he intended to "earmark the s**t" out of one bill.

Well, the ever-classy Congressman Moran got his name in the newspaper again this morning in another article about earmark reform.  This time, he discusses why he thinks this year's appropriations bills should be considered under closed rules.  In other words, no amendments striking individual questionable earmarks would be allowed.  From this morning's Roll Call:

"If the Republican leadership can't control them then there will have to be closed rules," said Rep. Jim Moran (D-Va.)... Moran said Democrats have the ability to prevent "a handful of right-wing nuts" from engaging in filibuster-by-amendment.

Interesting how in less than two years we've gone from the "most honest, open and ethical Congress in history" to one that may not even allow debate or votes on whether to spend taxpayer dollars on a Mule and Packer Museum or a Woodstock Hippie Museum.  If wanting to openly debate whether federal taxpayers should fund John Murtha's next earmark for his defense-contractor campaign contributors makes me a "right-wing nut," I'll plead guilty.