Heads Roll Only Privately?

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.