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- Opinion: Benghazi triggers a major credibility crisis May 18, 2013 · 49 comments
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- Opinion: Scandals undermine trust in Obama May 19, 2013 · 34 comments
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- For Kansas basketball, recruiting never ceases May 20, 2013
- KU student killed in crash on U.S. Highway 59 May 17, 2013
- Lawhorn's Lawrence: A night of partying in Oread May 19, 2013
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- Two Topeka men shot in Lawrence early Sunday morning; police seeking persons of interest May 19, 2013
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Opinion: Benghazi triggers a major credibility crisis
Was Clinton's confirmation routine? Kerry's? Bork was the exception.
Miller wasn't Bush's guy. Miller was a 25 year veteran of the IRS, covered by civil service. His interim promotion to head of the IRS was for 210 days, a number established long ago, to prevent interim from becoming permanent without confirmation. If Bush appointed him to some post years ago, I'm unaware of what position that would be. But head of the IRS it wasn't.
I would dispute your characterization that Congress has more power. As in this case, and in recess appointments, which typically last a year, the President simply bypasses Congress if Congress holds up controversial appointments.
May 20, 2013 at 7:16 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Opinion: Scandals undermine trust in Obama
Wrong. He was involved in the cover-up.
May 19, 2013 at 6:48 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Opinion: Benghazi triggers a major credibility crisis
That term you keep using, a joint decision, makes it sound likes it's an equal thing. Do you seriously believe Hillary Clinton was Congress' choice? Do you seriously believe Kerry was Congress' choice? Or for that matter, just about any Cabinet post? Or head of just about any agency? And of course, that's as true today for Obama as it was for Bush during his tenure and Clinton's before. These are all the President's people, unless some really big skeleton is in their closet. Then Congress says no. But barring that skeleton, confirmation is routine.
May 19, 2013 at 3:10 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Gas prices approach record highs
I ride my bicycle past the gas stations all the time, seeing gas prices soar. I'm seldom outraged though.
May 19, 2013 at 2:48 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Opinion: Benghazi triggers a major credibility crisis
Jafs, I can't explain why one of my posts was removed, I'll restate my position. I actually think Obama has handled this whole thing pretty well. And of course, I see no reason for him to resign. I think the behavior of Congress has been as bad as it has been predictable. Republicans looking to blame Obama for everything from the Linbergh kidnapping to high treason. Democrats are apologizing, as if nothing at all happened. What really happened is what really happened, and the mark of this President will be how he handles the mess.
That said, I hope all who defend Obama now will recall this when the next multinational corporation is involved in some scandal, some major mess up. When the CEO testifies that is was the responsibility of underlings, and that he didn't know of the specific wrongdoing, will all those wanting to give Obama a free pass now give that CEO an equal free pass? Will the CEO be vilified with the familiar refrain that he should have known? Or will one standard be used for the CEO and another for the head of the executive branch?
May 19, 2013 at 1:51 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Opinion: Benghazi triggers a major credibility crisis
Bad example, really? Let's look at George Bush. He didn't do a good job, did he? He he's getting a retirement package better than mine, better than yours. Brownback will get a great retirement package, so will Kobach. And in the end, Obama will get a pretty decent golden parachute, despite his apparent lack of success.
And while private sector CEO's packages frequently are bigger than those of government's, as long as it's not my money, I really could care less.
May 19, 2013 at 1:18 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Opinion: Benghazi triggers a major credibility crisis
Jafs, I actually think Obama is handling this whole thing pretty well. Certainly I don't think he should resign. And I think Congress' hearings were nothing but political posturing, Republicans trying to put all blame on Obama and Democrats trying to defend him, no matter what. I just jumped into this conversation because wees' comments were so far off base, suggesting that the IRS and CIA were stand alone agencies and not under the executive branch.
I don't believe any President can know all the day to day works in the entire executive branch of government. That's precisely why there are many layers of managers between him and the actual workings of all those agencies. However, I hope you will remember that when some very large multinational corporation in involved in some major cluster f### and the CEO says he was unaware of the specific details. He's likely telling the truth. However, will you hold him responsible with the familiar comment "he knew or should have known". A more consistent position would be to not blame him for the cluster f###, rather how did he respond to it. Obama's response has been fine, in my opinion. Should he have known, well, just like the CEO, no one can know everything.
May 19, 2013 at 1:12 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Opinion: Benghazi triggers a major credibility crisis
Let me give you the most simple example I can think of. The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff must be nominated by the President and confirmed by Congress. So, that makes them co-Commanders-In-Chief, right? No. That title rests squarely on the President's shoulders. And if the as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs behaves in a manner inconsistent with the military's mission, the President fires him. That might include nothing more than a difference of opinion, without any specific wrongdoing. As head of the executive branch, the President always commands that power. And whether you or wess want to admit it, the CIA and IRS, just like the FBI and the Dept. of Education, just like Homeland Security and Health and Welfare, they are all part of the executive branch.
May 19, 2013 at 1 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Opinion: Benghazi triggers a major credibility crisis
Really!!!!
The Supreme Court operates in the same way. So it's your contention that the Supreme Court is a "joint operation", not Democratic appointees or Republican appointees? All these 5-4 decisions are "joint" decisions, reflecting the equal powers given to the justices by a President of one party and a Congress of the other party? Really?????
May 19, 2013 at 9:11 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Opinion: Benghazi triggers a major credibility crisis
The President is like any CEO. Ultimate responsibility is his, whether he knows the exact day to day operations.
May 19, 2013 at 9:07 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )