R ants

What is it with this "unvarnished advice" crap? Has anyone ever heard a bigger load in this country's history? It ranks right up there with Nixon's "I am not a crook" speech. Actually, I have very few arguments with that statement. Richard Nixon wasn't, technically, a crook. He was a liar. Big difference.

So, according to George Jr. and Dick Cheney, no one will give them the straight shit unless they're assured they can do it anonymously. I got news for you, boys, anyone who'll only give advice under those conditions will provide nothing but shit, and none of it straight.

Anyone who's followed these rants must think I'm one opinionated bastard. Well, I am, but not in real life. Out there in the real world, people unload with what I consider unmitigated horseshit, and I smile and nod. It doesn't cost me anything, everyone's entitled to their opinion, and I lose nothing by not disagreeing with them. Not disagreeing doesn't necessarily mean I agree, however. Most of the time, I just don't see the need to shoot others down or get into some godawful argument. Life's too short for that. I use this forum to put forth my views on whatever, and, if you don't agree with it, that's fine. Email me with a long diatribe about why you don't agree, or why you think I'm wrong, and I'll most likely ignore you. Like I said, life's too short.

The important thing to remember, though, is that, if I'm going to take a stance on an issue, I'll own up to that fact. Anything I'd only be willing to say anonymously, I won't say. Dick Cheney would have us believe the powerful leaders of some of the largest energy concerns on the planet won't hold to that same simple credo. Why not? Are they cowards? Do these men, hailed as visionary leaders, dynamic leaders, fear that they'll be somehow diminished, or punished, or ridiculed, if they are forced to acknowledge the advice they provided on an issue they, supposedly, have such great expertise on?

I ask again: Are They Cowards?

Something our fine prez and vice prez have forgotten, the thing the General Accounting Office keeps harping on with their lawsuit, is that this whole energy advisory committee thing involves public money. The government officials who met with these energy leaders, be they elected or appointed, were paid by the United States government with funds obtained through the federal income tax as well as revenues generated by other federal taxes. They met in buildings and offices erected and maintained with those same public funds. They met to develop federal policy which could end up costing the country billions of dollars to implement as well as increased energy costs for every single American who contributed funds to allow these meetings to take place.

Dubya is all for screaming "Accountability!" when he's talking about cutting funding to programs he doesn't like. Shouldn't that accountability be across the board?

The arrogance of politics dictates that these people, insulated in their little world of power and privilege, forget that they are mere employees, hired by the electorate to perform specific tasks. What sane employer would give his employees what essentially amounts to a blank check, allow them to proceed with no oversight, then fail to insist on some sort of final report, a detailed report, to show that the funds were put to the best possible use? Not a single one of the industry leaders involved in this advisory committee would tolerate the people working for them to operate in the manner we've been assured is the only way to achieve positive results.

Release the names of every energy industry operative who was involved with this advisory committee.

Release a complete list of all times and dates this committee met, along with meeting minutes, detailed reports, and notes.

And never forget, George Bush, Jr. and Dick Cheney, that we, as your employers, don't have to tolerate this sort of slipshod, arrogant, half-assed excuse for performance from our employees. It isn't tolerated from our superiors in our places of business, and it won't be tolerated in yours.

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