U.S. Representative Joseph Moakley, 74, died today of leukemia. Rep. Moakley served fifteen terms in Congress representing Massachusetts' ninth congressional district, which includes his hometown of South Boston.

I didn't know him. I never met him. But I never heard a bad word about him. He was, by all accounts, a warm, funny, dedicated man who loved his job. He could also be a tough son of a bitch, according to local pols who knew him. He was the kind of guy you would want making decisions about things which affect your neighborhood. He was one of the good guys. And I'm sorry he's gone.

People are cynical about politicians these days. It's uncool to admit to liking one, because that implies trust, and if we haven't learned not to trust these corrupt dingbats by now, we might as well get lobotomies and hand over our frontal lobes to Big Brother. Watergate, the hostage crisis, Iran-contra, l'affaire Monica, the 2000 presidential election debacle, and countless petty crooks like Dan Rostenkowski and Bob Packwood: why should we trust anyone?

Because the bad guys make the headlines. The good guys just keep working.

Mr. Moakley once said that "the problem with Congress is a lot of people get there and think they're there to balance the budget or stop wars -- and that's important. But a lot of them get this attitude about the people who elect us, like they're saying to them, `Don't bother me. I'm a big deal now.' But these people out here, they're my boss. I work for them."

-- Boston Globe

Moakley's colleague, Rep. Jim McGovern, said, "The world is going to miss Joe Moakley. I already do." I like McGovern. I did some opposition research for his campaign in 1998, and I checked up on McGovern while I was at it. He's like Mr. Smith Goes to Washington. Another of the good guys.

The Democrats are beginning to line up to try to fill Moakley's congressional seat. I hope whoever wins is a good guy. But they'll never replace Joe.