AM Feed - April 19: Scotty Beams Out
Hot Topics
- White House Press Secretary Scott McClellan announced his resignation from his position in the Bush administration this morning. The task of handling public relations for the White House had become increasingly difficult in recent months, as scandals mounted, policy decisions broke down, and the vice president shot a man in the face. McClellan’s dismissive, haughty style complicated matters, as did his spewing of whatever lies Rove and his other superiors told him to spew. [link]
- So far, rumors of a “staff shake up” have yielded few fresh ideas for the Bush White House: Yesterday President Bush tapped yet another insider for a position in his administration. Current US Trade Representative Rob Portman will be shuffled over (if and when he’s approved by the Senate) to replace Joshua Bolten as the budget director. The administration has long ago lost any sense of forward momentum – and simply rearranging insiders instead of entertaining fresh ideas doesn’t look to be a real solution. [link]
- A recent report issued by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) has found that the Bush administration has failed in the important task of increasing cooperation among federal agencies on the topic of sharing counterterrorism information in order to keep this country safe. In the more than four years since 9/11, legislation has been passed and multiple speeches have been delivered – but the results have been muddy. Rather than acknowledge the findings, Director of National Intelligence John Negroponte attempted to dismiss the report. [link]
Quote of the Day
“There can be no more compelling evidence that the price gouging and market manipulation which has produced record oil prices is out of control, and is working to serve the forces of individual greed and corporate gluttony at the painful expense of millions of American consumers.” – Sen. Byron Dorgan (D-ND), speaking out against the $400 million retirement package offered to Exxon Chairman Lee Raymond
Morning Snark
- Where will Scott McClellan go from here? Six words: Reality TV show with David Gregory.
Comment
- I love how the Republican administration pays lip service to accountability by ordering these government agencies to engage in oversight and then when they do so and their findings are contrary to the administration’s way of doing business, the reports are summarily ‘dismissed.” And I can’t get over how Bush handed the oil companies these huge tax credits (our hard earned tax dollars) and then Exxon, in the same fiscal year, hands over this $400 million retirement package – that’s our tax dollars he’s getting!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
— jen Apr 19, 12:08 # - With the republicorporations in control we really should just send our tax monies directly to the oil companies. Or we could cut out the middleman and send a check directly to Dick Cheney and the entire Bush “family”.
And I think our government is dilligently trying to bust those damned little gas stations involved in all of that price gouging. Why they probably made an extra $20 last year off of us tax paying citizens.
— MO Apr 19, 16:43 # - In classic revolution the preliminary word is, “The king is not being served by his ministers, so let’s get rid of the lot.”
That rarely improves things, so the next and final movement is getting rid of the king.
Our kings’ ministers my be loosers, but, again in the classic pattern, it is King George, Prince Dick, Princess Condi and the rest of the upper echelon that need to be removed.
Impeach!
— Charles H Hensel Apr 19, 17:37 # - I second that motion!
— jen Apr 20, 08:07 # - I vote to impeach the lot of them.
— Rosalie Stern Apr 20, 09:05 # - Nevermind impeachment, I say INDICT the lot for war crimes, for insider trading, for torture and renditioning !!!!!
— MO Apr 20, 09:09 #
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