Steppin' out- Steppin' in it

RIPPED FROM THE HEADLINES Column May 23
May 23, 2009 by jekitchell 
» Former South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun leapt to his death, leaving a suicide note explaining his shame for being accused of accepting bribes. Americans were stunned at the news. Not that he committed suicide. They were shocked at a politician that felt shame.
» That would never happen in America. Being investigated for illegal acts here would get you a book contract and your own television show.
» The Nancy Pelosi/CIA battle continues, with the Speaker of the House insisting the CIA lied to her and Leon Panetta defending the Agency’s reputation for telling the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth whenever it’s absolutely- sometimes- occasionally- on a need to know- eyes- only basis.
» It is a fine line they are walking in trying to reveal secret documents on the subject of torture/enhanced interrogation techniques. On the one hand, sound decisions can only be made when all the facts are studied. On the other hand, revealing techniques only serves to help potential enemies counter-train their operatives in the future. Congress and the CIA are both struggling with the most important priorities of the issue: What will help them keep their job.
» The Speaker is not getting much support from fellow Congressmen in her fight with the CIA. Even the Secret Service has given her a new code name: Jason Bourne.
» President Obama and former Vice President Dick Cheney both gave speeches on the subject of National Security this week. Watchers debated which gave the best speech. Obama won hands down for eloquence, inspiration and diction. Cheney scored for penetrating analysis, steadfast logic and biting sarcasm. He scored extra points for using no expletives and not shooting anyone.
» All of the California Propositions went down in defeat in this week’s special election. Voters were handed the disastrous budget to solve and overwhelmingly nixed tax increases, service cuts, money shuffling, financial finagling, political wrangling, public relation contretemps, and media manipulation. Now state legislators can settle down and get back to normal: making secret back-room deals out of the public eye.
» Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger now has to decide whether to follow through with his threat to fire thousands of state workers and add more furlough days to the rest. The solution will be difficult and elusive. He and the State Legislators must work night and day, forsaking personal comforts, focused with single-minded intensity,consider every option, and think outside the box to fix this nightmare in time for the 2010 election campaign season.
» County and city governments aren’t immune. The State plans to raid local coffers to fill gaps in the budget and nobody is happy about it. School is nearly out for the year and summer recreation programs are being cancelled for lack of funding. What will the kids do all summer? Hey, my lawn needs mowing….
» Some teachers are getting pink slips at the end of this school year because districts say they are broke. The districts have had to contract a well-known consulting firm to help them figure out why they have no money.

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