No Statue of Limitations on Incompetence

Last week Gov. Fletcher’s public relations flaks again tried to blow smoke to obscure the Attorney General’s investigation of the administrations hiring practices.

From the Herald Leader:

“…..the governor's office released a compact disc containing 590 pages of job recommendations made from 1996 to 1998, which would have been during Democratic Gov. Paul Patton's administration.”

When the AG’s office basically said they weren’t going to waste taxpayer money investigating charges where the statue of limitations had passed. Carla Blanton, Fletcher's director of communications, commented "There is no statute of limitations on hypocrisy."

Well Carla, there also appears to be no statue of limitations on incompetence and stupidity either.

I don’t think any of the public relations advisors will have to worry about who recommends them for their next job. With the performance they have given in this administration their next jobs will probably require them to ask “Would you like fries with that order?”

In spite of the Larry Forgy lawsuit, and other attempted diversions, making a recommendation for a state job is not the issue. Larry Forgy can recommend anyone he wants, Greg Stumbo can do the same, and even Ralph Long can make a recommendation.

The issue is what happens after, what does the person making the hiring decision do with the recommendation.

18A.140 Prohibition against discrimination and political activities.

(1) No person shall be appointed or promoted to, or demoted or dismissed from, any position in the classified service, or in any way favored or discriminated against with respect to employment in the classified services because of his political or religious opinions or affiliations or ethnic origin or sex or disability. No person over the age of forty (40) shall be discriminated against because of age.

(2) No person shall use or promise to use, directly or indirectly, any official authority or influence, whether possessed or anticipated, to secure or attempt to secure for any person an appointment or advantage in appointment to a position in the classified service, or an increase in pay or other advantage in employment in any such position, for the purpose of influencing the vote or political action of any person.

And Carla, that was really stupid and unprofessional to make a comment about hypocrisy in front of the media.

Jeb Bush - Self-Serving Politican

Florida Governor Jeb Bush has just won my vote as the most callous self-serving politician in the United States.

On Wednesday reports appeared about how the religious right was planning to endorse a presidential candidate for the 2008 election.

From USA Today:

“WASHINGTON — Leaders of conservative Christian organizations plan to jointly interview Republican contenders for the 2008 presidential nomination, perhaps even endorsing one of them — steps that could expand their already considerable political influence.”

Two days later Jeb Bush called for an investigation of Michael Schiavo.

From the San Francisco Chronicle

“Miami -- Gov. Jeb Bush asked a state prosecutor Friday to look into the circumstances of Terri Schiavo's collapse, saying a new autopsy report revealed a possible gap between when Schiavo fell unconscious and when her husband called paramedics.”

Once again Bush is attempting to use the Schiavo tragedy to further his credentials with the religious right and enhance his political career.

Anne Lewis, Democratic Senate Campaign Committee, sums it up best.

“When will these people let it go? This case was a horrible personal tragedy and a painful family dispute. It was wrong when the right wing fringe inserted themselves into this very private matter and it's wrong when they won't just accept the outcome and let the family grieve in peace.”

To answer your question Anne, Jeb and the rest will let it go when they believe they can no longer make political capital with the issue.