Heads Roll Only Privately?

Ronald Bailey | June 6, 2003

The apparent firing of Howell Raines and Gerald Boyd is a refreshing example of people who screw up being held responsible for their screw ups. Of course, this almost never happens with Federal public servants. Famously Janet Reno "took responsibility" for the bonfire at the Branch Davidian compound in Waco and went on to serve as U.S. Attorney General for another seven years. And FBI Acting Deputy Director Larry Potts received a letter of censure for mismanaging the FBI's attack on the Weaver family at Ruby Ridge. FBI director Louis Freeh was so disappointed with Potts' performance that he recommended that Potts be promoted to Deputy Director of the FBI before the ink he used to sign the letter of censure was dry. Finally, under the pressure of a Congressional investigation, Potts did step down, though Louis Freeh remained head of the FBI until 2001. For the Feds, taking responsibility evidently means that they are very sorry they got caught.

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Steve in CO|6.6.03 @ 3:07AM|#

While in the military I worked with Civil Servants and private contractors. I learned very quickly not to waste time with the CS folk if I actually wanted to get something done. I also witnessed a few contractors get let go (sacked) for poor performance. Saw many a civil servant do much worse and they are still eyeing a comfy retirement.

The joke among them is that it would take an "act of Congress," to fire them. Talk about insentive.

:-

Steve in CO|6.6.03 @ 3:08AM|#

incentive that is ... sorry for the typo(s).

:-)

James Merritt|6.6.03 @ 3:42AM|#

Reno only began to take "responsibility" for Waco when her political aspirations in FL came to naught. Of course, I don't know how much of the FL dynamic was influenced by echoes of Waco. Maybe a lot, maybe not so much. But we voters really need to have a longer memory, along with the fortitude to "shun" those who volunteered to take responsibility for heinous deeds, but never really followed through. At least the voters should hold them accountable, as it is clear that the good-cop bad-cop game of the US political system is increasingly unlikely to do so.

Croesus|6.6.03 @ 3:56AM|#

James,

Reno said she took full responsibility soon after the final actions at Waco. I remember the press conference as well.

Here's a nice chronology of the events:

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/waco/timeline.html

Croesus|6.6.03 @ 4:13AM|#

Occupiers propose new media code in Iraq - http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/national/apmideast_story.asp?category=1107&slug=Iraq%20Media

|6.6.03 @ 4:20AM|#

Civil "Servants" reminds me of early rockets.
Can't fire 'em, can't get 'em to work.

outsider|6.6.03 @ 4:28AM|#

In the private sector, Enron, Global Crossing, etc., loose their investors a few million dollars -- they get sacked, convicted, thrown in jail.

In the public sector, state & federal gubmint loose tax victims' money, or squander it, to the tune of several billion dollars (that's with a "b") -- they get re-elected.

Voters gets exactly what they deserve.

Gilbert Martin|6.6.03 @ 4:45AM|#

"In the public sector, state & federal gubmint loose tax victims' money, or squander it, to the tune of several billion dollars (that's with a "b") -- they get re-elected."

Billions with a "b"?

It's more like trillions with a "t" - as in the trillions that have been spent (wasted) on the transfer payments created by the so-called Great Society's "war on poverty" programs.

|6.6.03 @ 6:32AM|#

Amen, Gilbert! So-called "War on Poverty" created MY poverty.

|6.6.03 @ 8:00AM|#

"In the private sector, Enron, Global Crossing, etc., loose their investors a few million dollars -- they get sacked, convicted, thrown in jail."

No, actually Martha Stewart gets attacked by the ole gavel. Far's'I'ken can reeecall, ole Kenny Lay still be walkin' 'bout a freeman.

Ever so funny who gets dragged into court, and who doesn't, isn't it? I shall now also point out that no one seems to be willing to sign the government's books, unlike executives in public companies are now expected to do. Isn't that...interesting?

Jim N|6.8.03 @ 12:03PM|#

Croesus, despite what she has said, Reno has not taken responsibility. There have been no consequences to her for what happened.

|6.9.03 @ 8:59AM|#

Jim N: Croesus was just addressing an earlier claim that Reno claimed she took responsability only after her political campaign in Florida was failing/failed.

The fact of the matter is, of course, the took "responsability" in name only. Something worthy of punishment occurred, and anyone who was responsible should have beared that punishment...but none was meaningfully meeted out. Same goes for Ruby Ridge. In that instance the rules of engagement were rewritten to be proactively hostile and snipers ordered to fire on individuals which were not posing any active threat, amongst other attrocious acts, and only the slightest of slaps on the wrist were ever really applied.

No one took responsability for their wrongdoing, and no one was meaningfully punished for it. That in itself puts far more heads on the chopping block, and means even more people who did wrong will just get away with it. In short, there is no meaningful accountability in the FBI or Justice Department - those in charge may do as they please and suffer no real consequences..

david f|6.9.03 @ 12:07PM|#

greetings,

as a cubs fan, it pains me to hear similiar actions taken by our valliant illinois group in the house, led by that relativist clintonite, Gutirrez, who was willing to forgive our favorite corker because he owned up to making a mistake.

yet another example of great public leadership.

WAIT 'TIL NEXT YEAR!!!

drf

Jim N|6.9.03 @ 12:45PM|#

Plutarck, that was pretty much my point. She said that she took responsibility, but what sort of punishment was meted out? This, I think, was James' point as well.

SUV|3.2.04 @ 12:33PM|#

Have you seen the new suvs that the auto industry has unveiled? These new suv models are incredible!! I definitely recommend checking them out at your local suv dealers. Even if they aren't in your budget you can buy used suvs that you can afford! If you look around you find suv prices that are within your budget.

Iturralde Lucilla|9.10.04 @ 12:24AM|#

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