This article was re-printed in the Buzzflash Mailbag on 9-29-05

As the title exemplifies, politics in these United States has changed dramatically since the days of President Truman.

“in an address at the National War College on December 19, 1952 Mr. Truman said, “You know, it’s easy for the Monday morning quarterback to say what the coach should have done, after the game is over. But when the decision is up before you — and on my desk I have a motto which says The Buck Stops Here’ — the decision has to be made.” In his farewell address to the American people given in January 1953, President Truman referred to this concept very specifically in asserting that, “The President–whoever he is–has to decide. He can’t pass the buck to anybody. No one else can do the deciding for him. That’s his job.”

http://www.trumanlibrary.org/buckstop.htm

Truman, a great President who understood that ultimate responsibility for running this great country was squarely in the President’s bailiwick – and he didn’t shirk his responsibility or attempt to “pass the buck” when problems arose in his administration.

In today’s political atmosphere, where times have changed drastically since Truman’s days, Vice-President Dick Cheney pretty well summed up this administration’s attitude when:

On Tuesday, Cheney, serving in his role as president of the Senate, appeared in the chamber for a photo session. A chance meeting with Sen. Patrick J. Leahy (Vt.), the ranking Democrat on the Judiciary Committee, became an argument about Cheney’s ties to Halliburton Co., an international energy services corporation, and President Bush’s judicial nominees. The exchange ended when Cheney offered some crass advice. “Fuck yourself,” said the man who is a heartbeat from the presidency.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A3699-2004Jun24.html

Yep, times are changing, and the attitude in Washington is different as the “Buck” seems to stop anywhere and everywhere other than where it should –– at the desk of George W. Bush. The problem is, there are so many “Bucks” being passed around in Washington these days that we have to wonder if Carl Rove is running at top speed to keep up with a never-ending shuffling of the “Buck” – and so far, it hasn’t stopped anywhere it should – however, we can take some pleasure in knowing that the “Buck” is drawing ominously closer to the Commander in Thief – where it eventually has to stop by simply following the chain of command.

If we take stock of the latest situation in Washington, it appears as if the Presidency is under siege, as Bush’s house of cards appears to be falling faster than the buildings did in the great San Francisco quake; what we have left is an administration in total disarray, top governmental positions are being abandoned at a pace never before seen in American politics, and President Bush is faced with diminishing polls and support within his own party. Let’s take a tally of the recent “Bucks” that have, or are in the process of being passed, manipulated, and spun into everything other than the truth.

Carl Rove – The President’s chief political adviser – Under Investigation for CIA Leak

Bill Frist –Senate Majority Leader – Under SEC Investigation for insider trading.

Tom DeLay – House Majority Leader – Indicted for Conspiracy

Michael Brown – FEMA Director – resigned under fire for gross incompetence.

David Safavian – OMB’s administrator of federal procurement policy – resigned & arrested, alleging he lied to investigators and obstructed an investigation.

Lester M. Crawford – Commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration – resigned

Robert C. Bonner – Commissioner for U.S. Customs and Border Protection – resigned.

“He and the Bush administration have been at odds over his support for using civilian “minutemen” along the U.S.-Mexico border to assist border patrol agents.”
http://www.cnn.com/2005/POLITICS/09/28/bonner.retirement/index.html

CRONYISM – America is watching as Bush makes appointment after appointment to unqualified political hacks and friends – as demonstrated by another unqualified individual who is to lead the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency under the Department of Homeland Security. See the remarks made in regard Julie Myers, and read what “qualifies” her for the job.
http://michellemalkin.com/archives/003576.htm

CRONYISM II – America is also watching the White House as contracts for Iraq, Katrina and Rita relief appear to go, almost unchallenged, to Bush’s political friends and corporations that supported his rise to power. It seems that Bush has an uncanny ability to allow his friends and political cohorts to profit from the misery of war and natural disasters – thus the Russians refer to him as “The Master of Disaster”.

The above is a “short list” of the political and moral/ethical tragedies that have occurred under Bush’s Presidency – and it doesn’t seem to be slowing down. In fact, as America wakes-up and examine this Presidency in detail – even more corruption and pure, unadulterated incompetence are becoming evident on a daily basis. Republicans that are up for reelection should take note – America is watching – and if everyone in the House and Senate do not act to curb this insanity immediately, in a non-partisan manner, there will be many Republicans who will be looking for employment in the private sector after 2006.

My Mother has always reminded me, even when I was a child, “That when you lie down with dogs, you get fleas.” If there is truth in those words, then it would be advantageous for all of those whom have been in contact with George W. Bush to immediately seek medical attention and report to their nearest Veterinarian for a flea dip and treatment with Frontline or another proven method of killing fleas. On the other hand, Impeachment is probably the only treatment that will cure this infested and corrupt administration.

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