Ridge spent time off in Arizona with lobbying firm's chairman

[quaoar]

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/news/archive/2005/01/12/national1410EST0595.DTL

PETE YOST
Associated Press Writer
(01-12) 14:56 PST WASHINGTON (AP) --

As the Homeland Security Department was starting up, Secretary Tom Ridge twice stayed overnight at the Arizona home of a wealthy friend who ran a lobbying firm that was aggressively expanding its homeland security business.

The Blank Rome firm, whose chairman is former Ridge fund-raiser David Girard-diCarlo, hired two of Ridge's aides to lobby the new department, and some of the firm's clients eventually landed lucrative contracts, according to documents and interviews.

Homeland Security officials told The Associated Press they believe Ridge acted ethically because he paid his own way on the trips in November 2002 and April 2003 and never discussed business with Girard-diCarlo.

Some ethics experts say the ties may have created the appearance of a conflict of interest -- something President Bush has ordered his appointees to avoid.

[tanyev]

1. IOKIYAR

It's OK If You're A Republican.

Edit to add link to Paul Krugman's excellent commentary:
http://www.commondreams.org/views05/0107-25.htm
Worse Than Fiction
by Paul Krugman

I've been thinking of writing a political novel. It will be a bad novel because there won't be any nuance: the villains won't just espouse an ideology I disagree with - they'll be hypocrites, cranks and scoundrels.

[radric]

3. Actually I think you could stick ...

something like this on most politicians of all stripes in DC. Most Reps and Dems are bought and paid for by special interests..

[tanyev]

4. Yes, but the Republicans are especially

prominent right now since they control all the branches of government. Add to that their obsession with morals and their Glorious Leader's admonishment to avoid even the appearance of impropriety, and you have hypocrisy of epic proportions. Do you hear this being denounced by right wing pundits? No, they are falling all over themselves to defend their heroes. Obviously, it is OK if you are a Republican.

[UpInArms]

8. this "admonishment"?

Memorandum
January 20, 2001

MEMORANDUM FOR THE HEADS OF EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENTS AND
AGENCIES

SUBJECT: Standards of Official Conduct

Everyone who enters into public service for the United States has a duty to the American people to maintain the highest standards of integrity in Government. I ask you to ensure that all personnel within your departments and agencies are familiar with, and faithfully observe, applicable ethics laws and regulations, including the following general principles from the Standards of Ethical Conduct for Employees of the Executive Branch:

(1) Public service is a public trust, requiring employees to place loyalty to the Constitution, the laws, and ethical principles above private gain.

(2) Employees shall not hold financial interests that conflict with the conscientious performance of duty.

(3) Employees shall not engage in financial transactions using nonpublic Government information or allow the improper use of such information to further any private interest.

(4) An employee shall not, except as permitted by applicable law or regulation, solicit or accept any gift or other item of monetary value from any person or entity seeking official action from, doing business with, or conducting activities regulated by the employee's agency, or whose interests may be substantially affected by the performance or nonperformance of the employee's duties.

(5) Employees shall put forth honest effort in the performance of their duties.

(6) Employees shall not knowingly make unauthorized commitments or promises of any kind purporting to bind the Government.

(7) Employees shall not use public office for private gain.

(8) Employees shall act impartially and not give preferential treatment to any private organization or individual.

(9) Employees shall protect and conserve Federal property and shall not use it for other than authorized activities.

(10) Employees shall not engage in outside employment or activities, including seeking or negotiating for employment, that conflict with official Government duties and responsibilities.

(11) Employees shall disclose waste, fraud, abuse, and corruption to appropriate authorities.

(12) Employees shall satisfy in good faith their obligations as citizens, including all just financial obligations, especially those -- such as Federal, State, or local taxes -- that are imposed by law.

(13) Employees shall adhere to all laws and regulations that provide equal opportunity for all Americans regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, or handicap.

(14) Employees shall endeavor to avoid any actions creating the appearance that they are violating applicable law or the ethical standards in applicable regulations.

Executive branch employees should also be fully aware that their post- employment activities with respect to lobbying and other forms of representation will be bound by the restrictions of 18 U.S.C. 207.

Please thank the personnel of your departments and agencies for their commitment to maintain the highest standards of integrity in Government as we serve the American people.

GEORGE W. BUSH

[baby_bear]

9. Employees shall act impartially ...

Employees shall act impartially and not give preferential treatment to any private organization or individual.


Hey, Dick....


b_b

[TahitiNut]

10. "special interests"??? (I just love that term.)

What "special interests" are we talking about?

Women whose wombs are under attack?
Minorities whose access to good jobs, good schools, and the ballot box are under assault?
Workers whose job opportunites are shrinking along with their pay?
Teachers who must buy school supplies out of their own pockets?
Gays and lesbians who're deprived the same legal rights as others?
People who don't have access to adequate health care?

... or ...

The most advantaged and least taxed?
War profiteers?
Polluters?
Exploiters of national resources?
Those who profit from human illness and injury?
The indolent multigenerational rich who live off the labors of others?
... and other hogs at the trough?


It always amazes me that such widely differing constituencies are lumped together under the blanket term "special interests" ... a bit like dog turds and Baby Ruth bars.

[Just Me]

2. Another facet of fascism: Rampant Cronyism and Corruption.

And, my oh' my is it rampant with the Busholini regime!!!!

[quaoar]

11. You have it all wrong

I'm sure it's just a coincidence that this firm hired two of Ridge's aides and then the firms clients got lucrative contracts. Just one of those unfortunate coincidences. Because our fine government would never do anything sleazy. No sirrrreeeeee. That's those nasty Democrats when Clinton was president.

[SillyGoose]

5. Yeah, sure

Homeland Security officials told The Associated Press they believe Ridge acted ethically because he paid his own way on the trips in November 2002 and April 2003 and never discussed business with Girard-diCarlo.

Note to Homeland Security Officials: Good try, guys. Try telling me something I might actually believe next time. :eyes:

[Supersedeas]

6. and he never ever ever discuss any bit or bite of bidness

[UTUSN]

7. Plus Hoo-Haw Time in Hawaii. Guess He Wasn't So Humble n/t