The U.S. Senate convened on January 7, 2000 to count
the Electoral College votes and declare Republican
George W. Bush the official winner and new President
of the United States.

Vice President Al Gore, the loser, had the Constitutional
duty as President of the Senate to make the official
declaration.

Al Gore's runningmate, Senator Joseph Lieberman, and
their good friend Senator Ted Kennedy, could not bear
the agony of this final symbol of defeat.

In their despair, the two Democrat Senators decided to
go to a bar and have some drinks. It was Saturday, the
Jewish Sabbath, and Senator Lieberman decided to let
Ted Kennedy drive.

"After all," Senator Lieberman thought, " how could matters
possibly be any worse than they already are?"

They arrived at the bar safely, but after leaving the bar,
Ted Kennedy drove off the road and crashed into the river.
Both Senators were killed in the accident.

Ted Kennedy went straight to Hell and was never seen again.

Joe Lieberman went to a waiting area just outside the pearly
white gates of Heaven, where he saw numerous veterans in
uniform, each carrying an American flag, being waived on
through the gates.

Finally, Lieberman was called into a special hearing room
where he was greeted by the Angel who would review his
record.

"Senator Lieberman," the Angel said, "You have some
accomplishments and mitzvahs in your record, including your
public criticism of President Clinton's adultery, perjury, and
numerous lies. Also, you publicly criticized Hollywood and the
entertainment industry for promoting sinful behavior of all kinds.
However, you failed to vote for conviction during impeachment.
And you solicited and accepted large political contributions
from those same Hollywood special interests that you criticized."

Senator Lieberman thought to himself, "I still have a good
chance of getting into Heaven."

But then the Angel continued. "And more recently, you
violated the commandment against stealing when you
helped Al Gore and the Democrats in their efforts to steal
the 2000 Presidential Election!"

Senator Lieberman, a lawyer by profession, looked down,
thought very carefully, and then looked up and responded,
"Yes, that is true, but even though we tried very hard, we
were unsuccessful, and no theft actually occurred."

To this, the Angel replied, "And then you violated the
commandments against lying and bearing false witness
when you accused George Bush and the Republicans of
trying to steal the election. And you also denied thousands
of military men and women their lawful right to have their
votes counted, while at the same time you stated publicly
that every vote must be counted!"

Lieberman's face turned bright red as he waited to hear
his fate.

The Angel then announced, "Senator Lieberman, your fate
will be decided by a tribunal of veterans, the ones you saw
entering the gates earlier!"

Lieberman's face turned white as a ghost.
He thought for a moment, and then he smiled.

"I request a change in venue!" he told the Angel.

"Are you sure?" asked the Angel.

The Senator responded confidently, "Yes, I am sure!"

"Okay," the Angel replied, "then you can go to Hell!"