Rep. Mark Steven Kirk (R IL-10).

Republicans Blackmail Tel Aviv University
Rep. Mark Kirk (R IL-10)

-- Ira Forman

The Chicago Sun-Times and Jewish Telegraphic Agency reported this week that a staffer for Republican Congressman Mark Kirk (IL) sent an e-mail this July to Tel Aviv University's American Council President threatening that the University National Chairman Robert Schrayer's support for Kirk's opponent Dan Seals "can have a very bad effect on the university."

She followed that threat with another: "Revenge is a dish best served cold."

According to the articles, Schrayer viewed the e-mail as a "blind threat that because he [Kirk] is on the appropriations committee, that Tel Aviv University could be hurt."

Revenge? Blackmail? From a paid Republican Congressional staffer?! You'd think that this was the storyline to an episode of The Sopranos when, in fact, all you're watching is regular order for the Republican Congress.

In case you were wondering, Congressman Kirk never fired the staffer! She continues to collect her paycheck at taxpayers' expense.