Mark Russell used to joke, “If you call your opponent a politician, it's grounds for libel.”

But I must admit I was amazed as the minions of the McShane machine mobilized to march against Northwest Citizen, rout out Servais and silence the speaking of anything less than flattering to the master and mistress.

All this blather about libel and slander; don't they understand libel is a representation that conveys an unjustly unfavorable impression.

It was however an absolute howl to read the innumerable anonymous statements by whomever, if even there be reason to count them. Recognizable of course were the usual suspects. Why are the worst hypocrites the most self-righteous?

Of course Elizabeth Britt, who fashions herself the Ms Manners of political correctness, got up on her soap box to lament the ugliness of attacks on present and former community leaders, particularly Kremen, McEachran, and the McShanes. Hell she even resurrected her old wise guy friends, or whatever they called themselves. Britt piously tells us, "... launching personal attacks against others just to cause them harm is very ugly behavior."

All this from one who not only delivers the cheap shot for her pals, but provides the cover of anonymity to her allies who wish to start really vile rumors about their political enemies. How many months did her diatribe last after McShane lost the mayoral race? Has it even ended?

What could be more hilarious than Lisa McShane playing the victim of “political libel” after a career of successfully putting her horse first across the line with a last minute sneak attack on the competition.

Goose or gander, get used to it. You're going to get roasted sooner or later. Hey, till now, Lisa's been about the most effective operator in these parts. Maybe it's not so easy to work the magic when you're being watched more closely.

Sorry if it upsets the Dems. They need to realize there's nothing particularly noble about such strategies. But the righteousness of these people is just overwhelming. Attack! Slander! Libel! Where do they get off?

Not only did they try to start the rumor that Dan Pike was beating his wife, at the close of the campaign they were spreading some other story about Pike “stalking” one of their female comrades.

Britt even let one of her pals post some tripe suggesting Pike engaged in perverted acts in front of their friend's house.

And then she's got the gall to worry that Dan and Lisa's kids might read that someone finds their parents' motives self serving.

I'm sorry, but this is a political machine. Next they want to return their pal Laurie to the council. And isn't it just a hoot that Dan McShane now admits he's in fact considering a run himself? How coy. That ought to dampen anyone else's interest and set the stage for the draft.

Lisa ran Carl Weimer's campaign; though it's not clear she runs him now. She of course got Bob Kelly on without his even having to break a sweat. And Ken Mann? He started off working for the machine. Has he become his own man?

There apparently are a lot of people ready to let the McShanes be the gatekeepers to political office. And quite a little crowd hoping to share in the spoils.

Is it really any better than the Realtors and Building Industry folks holding the reigns on a Sam Crawford? Have they made it impossible for independent people to make it on their own?

But watching the McShanes recoil from criticism, and their astonishingly well orchestrated counter attack, I'm reminded of the old English proverb, “Character is easier kept than recovered.”

“Ill deeds are doubled with an evil word. The sting of a reproach is the truth of it.” William Shakespeare