U. S. Rep. Tom Feeney, R-Oviedo, prides himself on his intricate knowledge of procedural rules and regulations governing legislative conduct and behavior. 

Thus, it is always difficult to believe his professed ignorance of the rules each time he is caught in a perceived ethical lapse. 

Feeney has proudly trumpeted knowledge of intricate policies and procedures since his years as speaker of the Florida House, continuing to do so since subsequently being elected to the United States House of Representatives in 2002.

Examples of Feeney's knowledge of the rules, and how to manipulate them, include his stance taken as Florida House Speaker during the confusion following the 2000 presidential elections. 

During that time, Feeney led an effort that considered having the legislature presumptively elect Florida's electors rather than waiting for the normal electoral process to sort out the results of the actual election.

Since being elected to Congress in 2002, Feeney has constantly brought attention to the rules governing Congress' behavior, as well as providing creative interpretations of the United States constitution that are ingeniously crafted to support his respective positions.

All of this points to Feeney having the ability to understand rules and regulations, and the application of such.  Sadly, however, his understanding of the latter seems to be limited solely to being applied to the behavior of others rather than his own.

Feeney's latest selective lapse of intelligence relates to two golfing junkets that were taken in violation of House ethics rules.  Feeney allowed lobbyists to pay for his trips, and that is a no-no.

Upon his transgressions being brought to light, however, Feeney immediately proclaimed ignorance, saying he had been duped and misled by others who told him it was alright to take the trips under the circumstances that existed.

Given Tom Feeney's knowledge of the rules, and his proud proclamations of such knowledge in the past, it seems hard to believe he has suddenly lost his ability to understand what such rules mean.

In cases such as these, instead of claiming to be a dummy, it is perhaps more advisable that Tom Feeney simply "dummy up."

Silence would serve his case much better than the nonsense he has thus far uttered.