We need better scandals

News item: Attorney General Alberto Gonzalez resigns on August 27, 2007



In the article Connecting the Dots, we pointed out why only a grossly distorted view of facts and history could discern the trees of scandal within this political forest. Yet it was enough to stop the wheels of progress and derail a much needed makeover for the Justice Department. And you thought Bush was too stubborn to surrender.

Public service has taken its toll on a remarkably high number of executives in this administration. Every time I see a John Ashcroft or a Karl Rove bail out, it's evident that at least in part, it's because they don't need the kind of aggravation that comes with trying to do the right thing--or in many cases, undo the wrong thing. The staff at the Justice department as well as those at the UN and the State department had come to enjoy their positions with no regard for accountability. The one attribute that characterizes most leaders as they charge up a hill, is the fact that they have as many arrows in their backs as in their fronts. That comes with the territory. Yes, the arrows come from the sides, too when you are a republican. The press will seldom stay out of an otherwise fair fight, when it involves a republican leader.

Take a look at this list of scandal-tainted victims: Tom DeLay, John Bolton, Paul Wolfowitz, John Ashcroft, Gonzalez, Harriet Miers, Donald Rumsfeld. All of these individuals fought their respective systems, and have only dissilusionment to show for their troubles. Some who fought the good fight continue that fight, and I give them credit for that (Dick Cheney, Condi Rice, John Roberts, and many more). All of these individuals are just that, individuals, standing up for what they believe is right.

Contrast that with the conspiracy-centric nature of scandals from the previous administration:

Whitewater, Filegate, Travelgate, The Vince Foster Murder, the Paula Jones affair, Cattlegate, Nannygate; we could go on. These are surely far better scandals than any we are getting today. And note few of these have a primary "conspirator" -- Thos Clintons sure knew how to put a team together. Along with the more recent Sandy Berger and William Jefferson indiscretions; they all make much better crises of leadership stories than any that can be ascribed to the current administration.

It was still bloody unnecessary for the president's lieutenants to take all the heat, but that's what happens when you leave staff in important places that can become problems later, as Bush did by not firing all 93 of the US attorneys. But also, it should be clear by now that in the preparation for future leaders, all candidates should be issued iron underwear prior to being allowed to take the job.