Wow...beyond funny.

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lysander

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Day late and a dollar short I say.... :p

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- With his chief political aide under investigation as part of a probe into the public unmasking of a CIA operative, President Bush is sending his staff back to school -- ethics school.

Bush is requiring his executive office staff to attend refresher courses on ethics and handling classified materials, according to a White House memo.

"The President has made clear his expectation that each member of his Executive Office of the President (EOP) staff adhere to the spirit as well as the letter of all rules governing ethical conduct for EOP staff," states the memo sent to Bush's staff.

Staff members with security clearances will attend mandatory sessions next week, and those without security clearances will attend mandatory sessions the following week.

The memo went to all EOP staff, which numbers about 3,000, White House spokesman Scott McClellan said.

The refresher course comes as Bush's top aide, Karl Rove, is under investigation and as Vice President Dick Cheney's former chief of staff, I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby, faces indictments in connection with the outing of a CIA operative.

Libby, who resigned October 28, pleaded not guilty Thursday to charges of perjury, obstruction of justice and making false statements.

Libby is accused of lying to a grand jury and FBI agents about where he first learned Valerie Plame's identity and what he later told reporters about her.

Plame is the wife of former diplomat Joseph Wilson, who had openly criticized the Bush administration.

Libby is not charged with deliberately disclosing the name of a covert agent, which is a federal offense.

Bush has declined to talk publicly about the investigation. On Friday, he deflected questions about Libby and Rove at the Summit of the Americas in Argentina.
 
Bush's false pretenses?

"Now, let's imagine the future. What if he [Saddam] fails to comply and we fail to act or we take some ambiguous third route which gives him yet more opportunities to develop this program of weapons of mass destruction? Well, he will conclude that the international community has lost its will. He will then conclude that he can go right on and do more to rebuild an arsenal of devastating destruction. And someday, some way, I guarantee you, he will use the arsenal” - Bill Clinton, Meet the Press, February 17, 1998 ."

"Earlier today I ordered America's armed forces to strike military and security targets in Iraq. They are joined by British forces," Clinton said.

"Their mission is to attack Iraq's nuclear, chemical and biological weapons programs and its military capacity to threaten its neighbors," said Clinton.

Clinton also stated that, while other countries also had weapons of mass destruction, Hussein is in a different category because he has used such weapons against his own people and against his neighbors.

- Bill Clinton, December 16, 1998
www.cnn.com/US/9812/16/clinton.iraq.speech/
 
The refresher course comes as Bush's top aide, Karl Rove, is under investigation and as Vice President Dick Cheney's former chief of staff, I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby, faces indictments in connection with the outing of a CIA operative.
Spin and wishful thinking. Libby was not indicted for 'outing a CIA operative' as this statement leads you to believe. He was indicted for lying under oath, which has yet to be proven.
And what's wrong with refresher courses?
 
Nothing is wrong with a refresher course. However, "refresher" implies you had ethics (or took a class) to begin with. I could care less what spin each party wants to put on things....I just find it hysterical that this particular administration is hosting ethics refreshers. I would have found the same thing hysterical if Slick Willy had done it.

Ethics + Washington = Intractable laughter
 
It is not funny, it is a silly post based on parroting the LameStreamMedia's endless obsession of hating Bush. Think, mister, think: name me one person in Bush's entire administration who has been found guilty of anything. Libby's inditement isn't even based on the "crime" that Fitzgerald was ordered to investigate.
 
Equal opportunity my friend. The party hacks had their shots at Ole' Billy Boy's administration when he was on the throne...it's only fair that King George and his cronies endure their share.

Think, mister, think: name me one person in Bush's entire administration who has been found guilty of anything.

Anyone familiar with the OJ Trial should understand that there is a HUGE difference between being guilty and being "found guilty."

I didn't write the article...would you prefer a less "Biased Liberal Media" version? How about here: Fair and Balanced

Maybe the Bush Apologists would like to use the following memo as a guide for their investigation of the current adminstration...I think it outlines the appropriate standard of conduct quite clearly:

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
 
I think it is good leadership to try to ensure there are no loose cannons around the White House.
 
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