You're doing a heck of a job, Stickler!

[giza]

Federal mine safety official's credentials questioned

Richard Sticker, the Mine and Health Safety Administrator is under fire. It seems that prior to getting that job, he was a mining executive who oversaw mines which had on-the-job fatalities and an incident rate which was "twice the national average".

Even more astounding, his nomination to the position was rejected twice by Congress. President Bush's response, rather than to find someone a little more qualified, was to go around Congress by making a "recess appointment" when Congress was not in session.

It's almost like history is repeating itself.

I get the distinct impression that Bush's appointees are less qualified professionals, and more likely self-involved bullshit artists who are looking for a cushy job.

Comments

[simbab.livejournal.com]

I get the distinct impression that Bush's appointees are less qualified professionals, and more likely self-involved bullshit artists who are looking for a cushy job.

It's not so much an impression with me as it is a big honking 800 pound gorilla yelling and beating his chest, shaking the ground.

Honestly at this point no one should be surprised that at every level of government, the Republican philosophy of the fox watching the henhouse is the favored management theory.

What should surprise people (and make them angry) is that he continues to get away with appointing former industry insiders hacks to watch over their buddies. Without so much as a disapproving tsk-tsk from the media.

[antimon.livejournal.com]

bush has appointed more losers *mostly from texas* then anyone certianly in my life time, every decision bush has made has had less then good results.

He's running the office more like Class president then a country one/\.

[silver-huskey.livejournal.com]

It's just bad timing for the President and the interests that he serves. These greed driven choices are coming back around to bite them in the asses. I'm sure if another disaster happened tomorrow that involved another Government organization and it was poorly handled, we'd be hearing about another questionable appointee. =/ Way to go Government, you once again put the interests of a few over the well being of many. And it takes a disaster to find out an inkling of the truth.

[baphnedia.livejournal.com]

Well, it should make people angry - but the Media is Not Allowed to Criticize Bush or his Activities. And yes, we can all point to Iraq and some other news-things that they've 'criticized', however;

After 9/11, several ancient (and well-loved, the best in their business) anchors, Walter Cronkite comes to mind) criticized the official story of 9/11. Within four months, the three biggest names in news resigned, retired, or otherwise disappeared from the media. I personally don't know how the strangle on the media is in effect, but evidence of this stranglehold continues to show it self, as the occasional anchor rebels by ripping up Paris Hilton stories on live TV to show their disdain for the state of the news media.

[baphnedia.livejournal.com]

Bush isn't the first one to do this at all, by far. Personally, I expect that any politician or elected official will play favorites and do some shady things to help their friends. Bush seems to have pushed the extent of this to a whole new level; using EVERY opportunity to help his friends.

[baphnedia.livejournal.com]

Oh - forgot to say this:

If I were to ever make the mistake of becoming a politician, I would do the same - in helping my friends. But, desired traits such as competence would also be a requirement.

[antimon.livejournal.com]

I do not have issues with him helping his friends per se....it's just unfortunate his friends are more incompetent then most other peoples were;)

[baphnedia.livejournal.com]

Ditto. :)

[wildw0lf.livejournal.com]

People working for the Bush Administration are dropping like flies. Snow is the latest to go, followed earlier by Gonzales a week or so ago.

It's amazing that Congress can not approve a candidate for a position, but then Bush can do a end run around Congress. I guess this shouldn't be too amazing, as he's done a end-run around the Constitution.