Michael Brown, like Abramoff and Cunningham, threatens to squeal.

I like to think of it as poetic justice for the Bush Republicans. With the amoral Karl Rove leading the pack, they've risen to power by appealing to the most cunning and cowardly elements in the party. Now that things are falling apart, they're learning the hard way that those willing to do anything to get ahead... will do anything to get ahead.

Former disaster agency chief Michael Brown is indicating he is ready to reveal his correspondence with President Bush and other officials during Hurricane Katrina unless the White House forbids it and offers legal support.

Brown’s stance, in a letter obtained Wednesday by The Associated Press, follows senators’ complaints that the White House is refusing to answer questions or release documents about advice given to Bush concerning the Aug. 29 storm.

In a Feb. 6 letter to White House counsel Harriet Miers, Brown’s lawyer wrote that Brown continues to respect Bush and his “presidential prerogative” to get candid and confidential advice from top aides.

The letter from Andrew W. Lester also says Brown no longer can rely on being included in that protection because he is a private citizen.

“Unless there is specific direction otherwise from the president, including an assurance the president will provide a legal defense to Mr. Brown if he refuses to testify as to these matters, Mr. Brown will testify if asked about particular communications,” the lawyer wrote.

He learned well from the likes of Rove. And there's something genuinely satisfying about seeing blackmailers hoist by their own petard.