I'm torn, and a little mad. What are your thoughts?

[Bertha Venation]

In March '03 an attorney named Stuart left the White House and came to be a partner at the law firm where I'm a legal secretary. I was assigned as his assistant and, to the extent feasible under these circumstances, we became friends. We've shared some good personal discussions, and we have a lot in common. And although he's a member of the religious right, he doesn't march in lockstep with them re: gay Americans & a great many other things, which endears me to him more.

Today's his last day at the law firm. He's leaving for Baghdad on Wednesday, having rejoined the Bush administration as Inspector General of the Coalition Provisional Authority.

The position is not subject to Senate confirmation, and in my opinion it should be. I've no doubt he would be confirmed not because of the Republican majority but because he's eminently qualified for the job.

I know he'll acquit himself honorably, but he is a "Bush Insider" and the fact that such an individual (not Stuart specifically) has been appointed to that position -- an extremely influential one -- without congressional review just makes me that much madder at the administration's underhanded tactics to get what it wants.

Your thoughts?

[Sir_Shrek]

1. Welcome to Washington....

...this is how everyone does it.

[Bertha Venation]

6. Not exactly. Not when it comes to a position like the IG.

"...the <$87b Iraq> bill provides for a much needed inspector general to monitor the Coalition Provisional Authority. But that inspector general would be appointed by the secretary of defense and would not have to be confirmed by the Senate—which has historically used the confirmation process to assure the American public of a nominee’s integrity and credentials." From http://www.tompaine.com/feature2.cfm/ID/9377


Related article
http://news.ft.com/servlet/ContentServer?pagename=FT.com/StoryFT/FullStory&c=StoryFT&cid=1073281036717

[supernova]

2. Well, you can still feel justified anger

over the system that is in play.

But I really can't be mad at your friend for playing the game to his advantage.

[mac56]

3. Wow, that's a tough one.

I agree with Supernova that he shouldn't be faulted for playing the game by the existing rules. Do you know him well enough to discuss this with him?

I'm glad to know you are sure he'll acquit himself honorably. Not true of many Bush insiders, to be sure.

[shance]

4. Thats not true. Thats a copout to allow people to break laws and not

be accountable.

Sure, people will do whatever they are allowed to do or can get away with, until they are stopped.

Its overtime to send the Romanian empire of Washington D.C. PACKING, and oh yeah, from ruining our country with its hedonism, exploitation of offices that are supposed to be sacred, and blatant whoring of our government.

Imagine truly if Jesus came back around for a tour of D.C. ***

[Bertha Venation]

7. forgive me -- I'm not sure I follow your post.

What's a copout?

[patdem]

5. Are all other IG's required to be confirmed by congress

and if so, why not this IG? If not, it is just business as usual?

[Bertha Venation]

8. I don't know --

I've been searching for info on that for weeks, as I've had time, and can't seem to put my finger on just the right source. I do know there was a lot of unhappy talk when the bill was passed and it became known that this IG would be subject neither to Senate confirmation nor to subpoena by congressional committees.

[ewagner]

10. Uncharted waters here...

Evidently there are special provisions here that bypass at least some of the conventional checks and balances.

Take heart however, because if you respect this guy and trust that he will do the right thing(s), then maybe there is reason to hope.

After reading so many of your posts I don't think you are the kind of person who would befriend an unprincipled person. Hope he holds onto his principles.

[Bertha Venation]

11. Thank you. I really do think he'll do right by both countries.

Do I sound like a petulant child? I honestly believe he'll be a great IG. I think he'll do right. But he should have been confirmed because that is the right way to do things! The Bush administration thinks it is divinely excused from public review, and that pisses me off!

[WannaJumpMyScooter]

13. No, as far as I know, only the IG of the GSA is...

I could be wrong though. And not all are Presidential appointees. Some are meritorious positions, and some are hired by the cabinet secretary.

[Bertha Venation]

9. two other related articles

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A33237-2003Dec26.html

http://www.iraqrevenuewatch.org/reports/110703.shtml

[Bertha Venation]

12. kick

[WannaJumpMyScooter]

14. Well, I would be assured to know that there is someone in the

* junta that does not have his head completely up his ass.
And amazed they would take him, if they knew his views.
I wish him the best, that is one big stinky cesspool over there, and it is likely to get worse.

And, I am not sure that IG's get confirmed as a rule.