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While the political power brokers "ooh and aah" over the damage "Foleygate" has done to the GOP's chances of retaining control of Congress this election, hardly a glance is spared for the Senate minority leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.)

"Foleygate," of course, refers to the troubles of former Congressman Mark Foley, (R-Fla.), who, when last we looked, was exuberantly being feted by the mainstream media as the straw that will break the back of the Republican "Religious-Right" in November.

That may or may not happen, as unforeseen events can take place between now until November 7. And as circumstances have it, something has.

Enter the Democratic Senate minority leader, Harry Reid. Outspoken, slanderous, and an accomplished demagogue as well as myopically partisan, Reid has developed an entire career outside his Senate duties in Washington. .

As recent reports have highlighted--though not by the same liberal press that devotes seas of ink to anything the reflects negatively on Republicans--Senator Reid is turning out to be the Donald Trump of the Senate, acquiring and selling land for substantial profit. He is also a living testament to what it means to wield political influence.

But it seems a few legal questions have began to dog the senator from Nevada, specifically about those substantial and, might one say, copious amounts of money he has made over the years through less-than-transparent methods.

Now one needs to ask, has anyone heard of these ethically questionable and ongoing actions by a sitting United States senator? Has cable television devoted full segments of prime air time, or imported a panel of political "experts" to delve into Senator Reid's land grabs? Has anyone seen MSNBC's Chris Matthews blow a blood vessel in his head lambasting Reid over his behavior?

Unless you listen to talk radio such as Rush Limbaugh, or regularly use the Internet as a source of news, the answer is no. Matthews and company save their condemnations only for the GOP.

If not for the "alternative" or "new" media as the above is called, most would remain blissfully unaware to the very questionable doings of Senator Reid.

Reid's outside-the-Senate moonlighting was first bought to light on June 22, 2003, by a two-part article run by the Los Angeles Times. The article is lengthy and detailed, but here are the money lines:

"At least 17 senators and 11 members of the House have children, spouses or other close relatives who lobby or work as consultants, most in Washington, according to lobbyist reports, financial-disclosure forms and other state and federal records. Many are paid by clients who count on the related lawmaker for support.

"But Harry Reid is in a class by himself. One of his sons and his son-in-law lobby in Washington for companies, trade groups and municipalities seeking Reid's help in the Senate. A second son has lobbied in Nevada for some of those same interests, and a third has represented a couple of them as a litigator.

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