WHY TOM RIDGE IS UNFIT FOR PUBLIC OFFICE
From Sunday's very long Washinton Post article on Homeland Security insecurity, which features among other lapses contractors robbing the Federal government blind:
As chief of the Homeland Security Department, Ridge grew frustrated by the drumbeat of bad news contained in the audits, particularly from his department's own office of inspector general, according to Ervin. Twice last year, Ridge summoned the inspector general to his office to complain about his reports, according to Ervin.
Ridge was particularly upset with one report documenting problems with a visa-waiver program and another describing difficulties with terrorist watch lists, Ervin said.
"He said he regarded the reports as being unduly critical," said Ervin, whose political appointment expired in December and who now works at a District think tank. "He was trying to make his displeasure known."
Ridge said he never asked Ervin to "modify or mollify" his reports. But he objected to Ervin's methods.
"I said, 'Do you feel obligated to send every report to the Hill? Does everything you do have to end up in a press release?' " (WaPo link)
Apparently not much.
According to this report, the First Lady recently rolled up her sleeves and sat down with some former gang members in Los Angeles seeking answers.
The article doesn't say if she got any answers, but it does say she had to rush back to her posh Beverly Hills hotel for a TV interview and a wardrobe change before catching a limo to a local GOP fundraiser. It also mentions that she's helping transform government by firing the White House chef and looking for someone who can make barbecue.
Ridge said he never asked Ervin to "modify or mollify" his reports. But he objected to Ervin's methods.
"I said, 'Do you feel obligated to send every report to the Hill? Does everything you do have to end up in a press release?' " (WaPo link)
