Hey look, everyone!  We sure don't need that independent ethics office in the U.S. House when the existing ethics committee -- made up of members of the House -- police themselves so bravely.

They're launching a probe into the conduct of Rep. Rick Renzi!  The efficiency is unparalleled!  Oh, except Renzi is already under federal indictment and the Justice Department -- you know, the one that fired nine U.S. Attorneys for a reason I can't recall, yes THAT high-functioning Justice Department -- is already investigating Renzi.

In fact, the ethics panel will likely cede any further investigation to the feds.  And the Renzi story and FBI investigation of his questionable land deal broke nearly a year ago.

But don't worry, members of the House!  We still believe that you can police yourselves!  Keep sticking this evidence in our face, and we'll surely realize the folly of trying to impose ethics on such a tough-on-crime bunch that acts with such speed and gumption.

UPDATE: Speaker Nancy Pelosi is pushing her caucus to act on ethics reform and today she sent this letter to Minority Leader John Boehner, saying that she plans to bring the issue to the House floor "soon." Our sources tell us that that should be interpreted as "this week." But before she'll do that, the House Democrats have to come around on an independent ethics office, along with enough House Republicans. Even if common sense and good governance are on our side in this fight, history is not. Anyone with a handset and dial tone should be calling their Representative today and telling them to step up and act on ethics reform to avoid looking ridiculous.