In speaking of his avoidance of military service, Tom DeLay did offer the explanation attributed to him in W's message. The summary of his extensive legal difficulties is based on numerous journalistic accounts.

The astute movie buff will recognize the inspiration for the bell jar horrors as coming from James Whales' comic-horror masterpiece, The Bride of Frankenstein.

For an explanation of the source of Mr. DeLay's social perspectives and ethics, the reader would be best advised to apply to the Congressman himself.

Some of my insights into the character of The Honorable are derived from the primary newspaper in DeLay's district, The Fort Bend Star, and the wonderfully funny, crypto-political web site: The World's Most Dangerous Beauty Salon, Inc. , whose slogan is: "It's Ugly. It's Expensive. And It's All Yours".

Both publications have been known, on occasion, to slip over the line of neutral discourse.