IE... Executive Privlidge is NOT a "Get out of Jail Free" Card...

You are quite right. A subpoena should have equal power for any citizen.

However, a senate membership is quite often a get out of jail free card. William Jefferson is a great example. Here you have an absolute crook. $90,000 in what is most likely bribe money is found in his freezer. However since the police are under the justice department and Jefferson is under the legislative department he got a free pass on his nefarious actions.

Last I heard that particular investigation was still ongoing... hadn't heard anything about it being dropped...

Doesn't seem to be working out for Ted Stevens tho...

http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/03/31/scotus.congress.raid/

He is allowed to go through the papers that were confiscated and take out whatever he deems is privileged. I some how doubt he will leave any incriminating evidence behind.

He best hope he doesn't miss anything... lest he be crowned the reigning ass-hat...

From the above blog:

The Senators and Representatives...shall in all Cases, except Treason, Felony and Breach of the Peace, be privileged from Arrest during their Attendance at the Session of their respective Houses, and in going to and returning from the same; and for any Speech or Debate in either House, they shall not be questioned in any other Place.
Bribery, however, is clearly a felony, and the Constitution expressly provides that Congressmen are not immune at all from felony arrest. The Constitution says nothing at all about searches incident to a criminal investigation, and it certainly provides no immunity from them. The only "immunity" the Constitution provides for Members is that they will not be hindered from attending a session of Congress for any reason except criminal acts. By contrast, both Republican and Democrat leaders in the House are asserting what appears to be a blanket grant of immunity, contrary to our Constitution and our laws.

Good to see this sort of thing happening.

Put that in your pipe and smoke it... What was that about activist judges?