Ken Lay Revisited

From the (Madison) Capital Times:

Few will question the appropriateness of indicting Lay.

Many, however, have questioned why Lay is only now being called to account. Why does it take so long to bring white-collar criminals to justice? Why is it that if a petty thief stole the sign in front of Enron's headquarters he would, in all likelihood, have been arrested, tried and jailed by now, while Lay, who stands accused of stealing the hopes and dreams of Enron employees and stockholders, has only begun to face the consequences of his alleged wrongdoing?

Is it because Lay was a "Bush Pioneer" - a top contributor to the 2000 campaign of George W. Bush? Is it because Lay gave so generously to the fund that paid for the Bush-Cheney campaign's fight to prevent a full recount of Florida ballots following the disputed 2000 presidential vote? Is it because Lay and Enron did so much to cover the costs of the 2001 Bush-Cheney inaugural? Is it because of Lay's close personal friendship with Bush and his history of business ties to Cheney?