How B*sh plans to influence gov't policy AFTER 2008

[npincus]

http://www.capitolhillblue.com/wp/2007/01/31/1950

According to this column, B*sh has instructed Gonzales to have cabinet secretaries convert their political appointees (RW zealots) to a SES status before he (B*sh) leaves office. This means these individuals are protected as Federal Civil servants and connot be fired or replaced by whomever follows B*sh- Dem or Republican.

B*sh is a busy little Chimp, working to extend his power and influence long after he's gone from office.

I know Doug Thompson is not popular at DU, but this sounds perfectly plausible. I'd bet on it, and I am not a betting woman.



Even worse, my White House sources tell me that Bush is putting into place a carefully-crafted plan to extend his power and influence over government policy long after he leaves office on January 20, 2009.

Attorney General Alberto Gonzales, at Bush’s direction, is advising cabinet secretaries to convert these political appointees to Senior Executive Service (SES) positions before Bush’s second term ends, giving hand-picked policy makers absolute authority even after the President leaves office.

SES positions are protected by federal civil service, so the policy makers could not be replaced by an incoming President - Democrat or Republican — who follows Bush.

My sources tell me Bush plans to place conservative zealots throughout federal agencies, give them authority to control policy for as long as they hold their jobs, and then convert those appointees to civil service positions that will continue to enforce his wishes for years to come.

Far-fetched? Not at all. Cabinet secretaries have long had the power to convert some key appointees to SES positions although - until Bush signed his executive order granting broad policy making powers to such appointees - they did not have the ability to continue a President’s programs long after he leaves office.

[NYCGirl]

1. Capitol Hill Blue is a pantsload, but it seems if we like what it says, we believe it.

[npincus]

2. and if we don't, we call it a pantsload!

This is a morsel worth exploring.

[NYCGirl]

3. What do you think of this reportage, then? About Bill Clinton sexually assaulting

at least a dozen women?

http://cbn2.tripod.com/rape.html

More on that here:

http://www.villagevoice.com/news/9909,ridgeway,4272,6.html

Then, over the weekend, Capitol Hill Blue, a conservative online news service, alleged additional sexual assaults by Clinton, going back to 1969, one reportedly involving a woman when he was a student at Yale Law School. Follow-up articles based on the report appeared in the Progressive Review in Washington and the Daily Telegraph in London.

Capitol Hill Blue also charged that female students at the University of Arkansas Law School alleged efforts by Clinton to force himself on them while he was teaching there in the '70s. The online service, which gave the names of the women reportedly making the charges, also said a British woman had claimed that she had been assaulted by Clinton while he was at Oxford.


Personally, I don't believe a word Thompson or his "staff" say.

[npincus]

5. I've forgiven David Brock,

I've forgiven Arianna Huffington-- 2 who spewed much vitriol in the direction of Bill Clinton and other Dems, and have since seen the light. Brock was responsible for publishing much heresay surrounding the alleged Paula Jones' sexual harrassment- how could we ever forget? Brock was one of the RW smear machines most prolific contributors. Now he's the President and CEO of Media Matters for America. ( http://mediamatters.org/index )

So Thompson was a rabid conservative who similarly reported the ravings of willing stooges orchestrated by the vast RW conspiracy. I will give him the benefit of the doubt that he's come to the light. If he's working for us, that OK by me.

No one should have to forgive or accept or trust him. For me, I believe in redemption. And what he's written here is scary enough, sounds like something the Chimperor would do, and should be looked into.

[NYCGirl]

6. David Brock wrote perhaps the world's longest mea culpa, "Blinded by the

Right" (and maybe the best-selling mea culpa in history), and Arianna has publicly talked about her having seen the light in Time Magazine, and other places. Also, Brock doesn't report stories, he debunks lies and smears.

I also judge them by the company they keep — they've been showcased and helped out many prominent Democrats.

Thompson seems to me like a guy sitting in his basement — he has no staff to speak of — saying, "Look at me!" His stories never make it out of the CHB light of day, so their veracity can't be judged. He's good at "truthiness", making something sound plausible, but I remain skeptical.

[rinsd]

8. Except Doug Thompson still stands by his bullshit.

"And what he's written here is scary enough, sounds like something the Chimperor would do, and should be looked into."

This is the his whole MO. Write something believible to partisans add the magic phrase of anonymous sources and whalla you got yourself a story.

When Clinton left office his meal ticket was gone (though he did enjoy ripping Clinton for quite for time after he left office)he merely switched gears and began writing about Bush.

[rinsd]

9. Bingo.

Just like the National Enquirer is suddenly respectable when they speak of Bush's secret drinking or marriage problems.

[wakeme2008]

4. As much as I would not normally trust this site this (and a nom)

does sound like Bush.

and when you add the addition of politicial "gatekeepers" last week, I would bet they would be included too..

[JacksonWest]

7. It's not a question of trust, it's a question of spun.

Wake the fuck up. The story is true-it happens with every President. The spin is that he's breaking a story. He's just trying to get a reaction. There is a protection in most government jobs that insulates you from being fired if and when Politicians come and go. These are not top positions-appointed positions.

The same thing happened with Clinton. And to Clinton-remember Linda Tripp?

If you want to fire everyone hired during Bush's administration, or fire all government employees that are not registered Democrats-fine. Argue for that. You'll waste your breath, but argue away. Just don't give this hack writer any more credit for this "story".

[annabanana]

10. A completely believable scenario here....

As a matter of fact, if I were a sociopathic dictator in waiting, this is exactly what I'd do if I was "temporarily" removed from the throne.