PORKBUSTERS UPDATE: More from The Examiner:

It may not be possible for Democratic leaders in Congress to look even more ridiculous on earmarks reform than they do now but they’re doing their best. Take House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s suggestion Tuesday that House members “leave this room today forgetting earmarks.” Her appeal came as House members on both sides of the aisle bashed each other over provisions of the $36 billion homeland security appropriations bill. At issue were provisions to spend tax dollars on such terrorism-fighting essentials as puppet shows and designer hand bags. Pelosi suggested forgetting earmarks would help restore a spirit of bipartisan cooperation in the House.

Forgetting earmarks now won’t change the basic characteristics that make them such a ripe symbol of the culture of corruption that still pervades Congress and underscores its inability to control federal spending. The pork-barrel crowd loves earmarks for several reasons. Most important is the anonymity for the member sponsoring an earmark. Then, recipients don’t have to go through a competitive bidding process once their earmark is approved. Finally, earmarks are handy tools for rewarding campaign donors, lobbyists, special interests, loyal staff aides and even family members. Democrats promised to reform Republican abuses of earmarks but observers across the political spectrum have concluded in recent weeks that nothing has changed since the November 2006 election.

My expectations for the Democrats were modest enough — I just figured they wouldn’t be any worse than the Republicans — but they’ve been disappointed nonetheless. And don’t get me started on the business with the jets.