It is Our Business
From Cut on the Bias:There's a lot of concern over 9/11 Commission member Jamie Gorelick's conflict of interest - specifically, that she wrote a memo requiring a separation between the CIA and FBI that later became a hot-point of discussion. Some say that disconnection had a role in why we didn't know that the 9/11 attacks are coming. And now Gorelick is sitting on judgment about what went wrong. It is an obvious conflict, and apparently she has recused herself on that part of the deliberations.
But while I think her conflicts are a major concern, and the attention is warranted, I'm today most annoyed at Commission Chair Thomas Kean, former Republican governor of New Jersey (which is to say, not much of a Republican at all). When questioned on Fox News about Gorelick and other possible conflicts in the commission, Kean said that everyone should "Stay out of our business."
Stay out of our business??
Excuse me?!
What this commission decides is my business, as an American and a taxpayer. If conflicts bias the commission to find that certain things are not problems - when really they are - then yes, it's definitely my business because my safety and the future of my country are at risk. His attitude is damaging, and certainly makes me think his point is more about arrogance than transparency.
Matt's Chat
I'd have to agree. Not a bright move on the part of Chairman Kean. This Commission's credibility is on the line here...Mark's Remarks
Mr. Kean, I now humbly ask for YOUR resignation, in addition to Ms. Gorelick's. You sir, have lost sight of the mission of this commission, and the mission of government in general. It is the people's business, all of government, sir, and you should be ashamed of yourself. Not only for this latest comment, but for allowing important duties of the commission to become nothing more than a circus with applause, laughs, and boos characteristic of lame WWE matches put on by Vince Mcmahon. Sir, you need to step aside. Better yet, disband this farce of a commission, which is already without credibility and mission, as it has been hijacked by hacks who care only for the politics of self-promotion, not getting at the truth.
