Bush expresses sorrow over ex-aide's charges

[Coexist]

http://www.sptimes.com/2006/03/12/Worldandnation/Bush_expresses_sorrow.shtml

<snip>
WASHINGTON - President Bush on Saturday said he was shocked and saddened to learn that former domestic policy adviser Claude Allen was charged with theft over allegedly receiving phony refunds at department stores.

"When I heard the story last night, I was shocked, and my first reaction was one of disappointment, deep disappointment - if it's true - that we were not fully informed," Bush said. "Shortly thereafter, I felt really sad for the Allen family."

Allen, who had been the No. 2 official at the Health and Human Services Department, was named as domestic policy adviser at the White House in early 2005. He resigned abruptly on Feb. 9, saying he wanted to spend more time with his family.

<snip>
The night of Jan. 2, after an alleged incident at the Target in Gaithersburg, Md., presidential spokesman Scott McClellan said Allen called White House chief of staff Andy Card to tell him what had happened. The next morning, Allen spoke in person with Card and White House counsel Harriet Miers.

[Berserker]

1. The only thing that confuses chimpy

is why Target has not apologized to Claude Allen yet.

[Rufus T. Firefly]

2. He's disappointed in Claude...

His thinking was so small-scale. "Five thousand dollars? That's all he stole?"

Small potatoes compared to the rest of the junta.

[barbaraann]

3. Card and Miers visited him in prison?

Whoa, that's not appropriate. He doesn't work for the White House any more!

[Uben]

6. No, he doesn't work there......

...but, this was just the requisite visit to assure him there would be dire consequences should he decide to relate any confidential administration info to anyone. You know, inform him of the dangers of fires, explosions, and freak auto accidents. Standard operational procedure.

[barbaraann]

7. Oh, I just noticed it said in person instead of in prison.

I'm sure that whenever it was they made it clear to him he had better keep his mouth shut.

[kurth]

4. Yep. Sorry that he got caught!

[Zambero]

5. Petty shoplifting pales compared to other high crimes

The guy's probably another compulsive clepto in need of therapy, whereas the "disappointed" Mr. Bush and those wielding real influence in his corrupt lying administration have a list of offenses and omissions that render an offense on the order of Allen's insignificant by comparison. Ironic that Allen's front page shoplifting sprees will likely be prosecuted to the full extent while Bush-Cheney-Rove-Rice-Rumsfeld-et al continue to wreck the country with impunity, courtesy of an enabling see-no-evil GOP congress.

[bleedingheart]

8. one wonders why Mr. Allen did something so stupid..

the people living down there compete heavily in the "keeping up with the Joneses..." game.

[calmblueocean]

9. What is with these people?

Why does it seem like Republicans are *compelled* to commit crimes?

[Coexist]

10. it is the devil making them do it

he will be saved and all with be right with the world once again.