On the one hand, three cheers for investigations into lawmakers abusing their positions to reward themselves and their contributions, on the other hand thumbs down for recent court rulings that are deterring public corruption investigations in favor of granting special privacy privileges to members of Congress. Go the Politico for more on the Rep. Don Young (R-AK) earmark controversy and the Speech and Debate clause that might save him.

The "Coconut Road" earmark is just the latest in a series of scandals for the longtime Representative. Young is accused of altering language in an bill after it had passed to change the purpose of a transportation earmark to better suit the business interests of a campaign contributor.