RUBY RIDGE . . . SPECTER VS. JUSTICE

Arlen Specter's decision to go ahead with Senate Ruby Ridge hearings despite an Administration request to delay until its criminal investigation is complete "is both understandable and political," saysTIME's Elaine Shannon."As a presidential candidate, Specter of course wants to maximize his television exposure; but we shouldn't lose sight of the fact that this murky, deeply troubling incident has yet to be adequately investigated, and the Justice Department could be accused of stonewalling. Members of Congress are legitimately under pressure to examine this incident." Nonetheless, if the hearings are held this fall, many witnesses will likely cite the ongoing criminal investigation and plead the Fifth Amendment. "Specter won't get good testimony and it will be embarrassing for the FBI," Shannon predicts. The Justice investigation probably won't be finished before Christmas.