Perhaps you’ve asked yourself how the Bush administration could make so many decisions with no apparent regard for ethical standards. Well, wonder no more.
…President Bush earlier this month ordered refresher lectures on general ethics rules, including those governing the protection — and leaking — of classified information. Not that there was any problem, but it’s always good to keep up on these things.
As for the rest of the executive branch, we thought we’d check in with the director of the U.S. Office of Government Ethics, the person who “provides overall direction to the executive branch ethics program and is responsible for ensuring that OGE fulfills” its obligations.
We checked the Web site: “Vacant, Director.” “Vacant, Special Assistant to the Director.”
In fact, the job of director has been vacant since December 2003.
Usually they find some conservative toady for a job like this, but it’s telling the administration has been satisfied leaving the office without leadership for nearly two years. It’s a testament to the emphasis the Bush gang places on government ethics.
Of course, it’s not too late to pick someone who’ll meet the president’s standards. I hear Duke Cunningham is looking for work….