That's the conclusion of A.J. Strata, who examines the complex maneuvers whereby Harry Reid walked away with a over a million dollar profit on a land deal, following government decisions which suddenly added enormous value to the property in question.

So far, the Senate Minority Leader has mainly faced ethics questions about disclosure. But the underlying transaction, based as it is on decisions by government enriching Reid, is far more questionable.

Strata also notices what had struck me all along as most peculiar: Reid is acting entirely contrary to the objectives of his Democrat base. Conservation restrictions on land development are a fundamental tenet of the greenies. By blowing away these restrictions and building a strip mall (!), Reid became a wealthy man.

Isn't this a form of rank hypocrisy? Where, oh where, are the greenies? Rapacious developers are their favorite target.

Because the broadcast networks and newspapers have little interest in the story, it is up to the internet and talk radio to make this an issue. If only David Zucker or another such genius could quickly produce a YouTube video showing all the maneuvers, and ending with a glorious shot of the strip mall despoiling the "pristine" Nevada desert!

Hat tip: Larwyn

Thomas Lifson  10 13 06