text: will hastings actually chair the house intelligence committee ?? in 1988 hastings was a federal judge.  he was convicted by the senate of conspiring to accepts bribes. (a particular type of conviction that didn't bar him from holding future office)  this required a majority vote of the senate and the evidence was clear that he was willing to sell leniency for cash.  pelosi herself voted to convict.  now she is on the verge of appointing him to one of the most sensitive positions a congressional rep can hold.  how can anyone justify this ???? the chances are rare