The only thing more pathetic than (now) former state senator Jim Marzilli's love life ("Hey, lady, do you shave down there?") is the reaction of his fellow state senators.

Lacking the courage to take any action whatsoever, Sen. "Leader" Terry Murray acts like Marzilli's decision to crawl under a rock on his own accord is something for Massachusetts to be proud of.

"In deference to the need for public trust on matters before this great institution, Jim Marzilli has made the right decision for the Massachusetts Senate, the citizens of the Commonwealth, and himself," she wrote. "While the Senate deals with the conduct of another member, Jim Marzilli's resignation will begin the process of restoring the public's trust in their government. As we have stated previously in our strongest voice, Dianne Wilkerson should follow this example and resign immediately." (empasis added)

What "process," Terry?  The "process" of you and the other people who had the power to throw him out any time instead standing around with your thumbs up your ethics hoping he'd just go away?  Why should the "public trust" you anymore today for something you DIDN'T do yesterday--defending the integrity of state government by tossing this clown?  Or for something you won't do tomorrow--getting rid of Dianne "Cash Bra Only" Wilkerson?

This is "the process of restoring the public's trust?"  No, this is Sen. Murray hiding under the desk while her office is being looted, then--when the robbers have taken everything they want and fled--locking the door behind them and bragging that she chased them away.

The rest of Beacon Hill is just as gutless.  Senator Steven A. Baddour, a Methuen Democrat said, "I think he did the right thing by stepping down. Clearly him staying on was eroding the public trust, not only in the Senate but in government. Hopefully this begins a process of bringing some credibility back to the institution."

Sen. Baddour, if Marzilli was "eroding the public trust," then why didn't you lead an effort to expel him?  Oh, yes, your timorous acceptance of his continued chairmanship really "brings back some credibility."  Pathetic.

Oh, and where is Gov. Patrick?  Remember the guy who ran for governor on the "hope and change" platform?  The guy who said Beacon Hill would never be the same once he walked into the Governor's office?  The guy who promised a new kind of politics?  He's under the same desk as Terry Murray.

It wouldn't have cost Massachusetts one penny for Gov. Patrick to walk out on the State House steps and demand Marzilli's expulsion.  It wouldn't cost him one penny to demand Wilkerson's immediate expulsion tomorrow.  But he won't.  Why should he? After all, he endorsed Marzilli for re-election.  He campaigned hard for Dianne Wilkerson, too.

And besides, it's not like Gov. Patrick's going to pay a political price with the voters.  What--Massachusetts is going to vote for a Republican?  Yeah, right.

Dianne Wilkerson, like Jumpin' Jim Marzilli, will remain a state senator until she decides to quit.  Sal DiMasi will stay Speaker until he's arrested or decides his friends are ready to cash out.  The blatant corruption of this one-party kleptocracy will continue, the tolls will rise, the taxes will increase, the state employees will keep their cushy pensions and make-work jobs, and the voters of Massachusetts will vote 70-30 to keep it that way.

That's not a prediction.  That's an observation.