Katrina Comes Before Analysis: I Will Get To Roberts
Greetings and Salutations to our regular readers. Yes, we are focusing on Judge Roberts. Hurricane Katrina has the rest of the blogosphere occupied, and there is little we could offer that has not already been said, been thought of, or been considered. We at the Asylum urge anyone who has not, as yet, contributed to the efforts of Hurricane Katrina—if it can be afforded—to please donate. Use the links below to contribute, or call the appropriate numbers to donate. This was a terrible tragedy for this nation, and the money to bring New Orleans back may rival that of 9/11; that is not even calculating the possible death toll arising from this natural disaster. Please help if you can. We are Americans. We take care of our own, and we do not leave people behind.
http://www.catholiccharitiesusa.org/news/katrina.cfm
http://www.redcross.org/
http://www.salvationarmyusa.org/USNSAHome.htm
http://www.feedthechildren.org/site/PageServer?pagename=dotorg_homepage
http://www.ujc.org/
Hugh Hewitt requested this. Glenn Reynolds is running a set of links that is astounding as the blogosphere unites to help the victims of Hurricane Katrina. For those that are interested to see this awesome response can go here. This link will be at the top of Glenn's page all day, but I am giving the specific entry so that if anyone misses it, they can go immediately to it to see a movement that has me on the verge of tears. After seeing the numerous images of the damage, and reading the continuing reports from those in the area, I thought New Orleans was lost for good. I now see hope for the future. She will rise again.
But, now onto business...
Box II: More Appointee Clearances
Judge Roberts cleared quite a few people while in the Reagan Administration, and this box—and the previous one covered by Thomas—deal with a few of those clearances. I will take the "point man’s" lead, and summarize what I have read. As today is a school day for me, and I have a good deal of "homework" to do, I chose this box because it has the least within it. Later tonight, after I am done, I will address the next one not covered by us yet.
The first clearance in this box concerns John G. Weinman. Mr. Weinman was being considered for the position of Commissioner General of the U.S. Government to the 1984 Louisiana World Exposition. This does not sound like a big position, except to the state of Louisiana, but he dealt with it carefully. The president had the authority to make this appointment, and that it would fall under the jurisdiction of the Department of Commerce. All the responsibilities that Mr. Weinman would be assigned came from the Secretary of Commerce. Mr. Weinman was not a controversial nominee, however Roberts did present a warning to Mr. Weinman. In the memo, he wrote:
None of the holdings present an apparent impediment to the conflict-free discharge of the responsibilities of the Commissioner General. Those responsibilities, however, are not precisely defined by statute, and accordingly I advised Mr. Weinmann that he should be alert to possible conflicts and recuse himself should any matter come before him involving any entity in which he had a financial interest. I also advised him to consult the Commerce Department Ethics Officer should he have any questions in this regard during the course of his tenure. Both Ms. Wagner and Mr. Smith agreed that this was the desirable course of action.
Further, Roberts noted that Mr. Weinman was on good terms with both of his senators.
Daniel G. Amstutz stepped up to the plate next. He was being considered for Undersecretary, International Affairs and Commodity Programs, Department of Agriculture. He noted that Mr. Amstutz had recently retired from the firm Godman and Sachs. And other than that there is nothing else in the memo.
As Thomas noted this morning, much of these memos are redacted. Aside from the basics that anyone can see, Judge Roberts does a thorough job in interviewing these people. He addresses their expertise, if it necessary to note due to certain regulations. He addresses each possible "question mark" that a nominee might pose. Whether the possible conflict-of-interest might be through their associations with other firms and businesses, or through their personal finances. And though there are redacted areas, especially where these possible conflicts are questioned, Roberts usually gives a further explanation that gives the reader the ability to discern the possible conflict.
The Bunny ;)
ADDENDUM: After speaking with Thomas, we have agreed that this will be the final post of the day so the above plea for help with the survivors of Hurricane Katrina can be seen by all of our readers, and the links are available.
The Bunny ;)
UPDATE/ADDENDUM: 3:20 p.m. AZ Time--Truth Laid Bear's registration pages are up. You can log your contribution there, along with whoever recommended your charity, and view the 1000+ blogs that are fully involved in this effort. As of this moment, over $83,000 have been raised so far to 111+ charities. Come on guys, we can do better. Let's get back on the pnones. I'm going back to mine one more time... http://truthlaidbear.com/katrinarelief.php
Thoughts On Today's Efforts
Today, this nation came together in more ways than one. Not only did we open up our wallets to help, but we are keeping up with the information that is coming out of New Orleans. After a tense and violent morning, things are beginning to subside. Though the news media is continuing to repeat that people with rifles were taking shots at helicopters, including emergency EVAC choppers landing on hospitals to get the most critical patients out, there is nothing to corroborate that story. There was an attempt at the Superdome to swarm buses coming into to remove, for lack of a better word, the refugees and displaced to the Houston Astrodome, or other areas that are accepting them.
One National Guard troop was shot this morning during an attempt to either stop looters, or to quell impending violence from armed citizens. (I am not sure which as I have heard this report repeated by talk show hosts and the top-and-bottom of the hour newsbreaks.) The looting is reprehensible. I understand the plight of those without food or water, but anyone snagging a TV or a DVD is not trying to care for their family. They are doing it out of greed. This morning I considered supporting the idea of the governor declaring martial law, and mobilizing all of her National Guard troops. Now, as the day has gone one, and cooler heads seem to be prevailing, I withdraw that. However, this evening will be the crucible for the city. There is no guarantee the thugs will not come out hunting tonight. They may do just that, so God be with the troops, the police, the firefighters, and other rescue workers tonight.
And I hope that the rescue and relief efforts pick up overnight. These people need help. They need our prayers. But most of all, they need the basic necessities that they lost. Do not be stingy. I just got off the phone with my own contribution, and Thomas just finished his second contribution. WE cannot be selfish at a time like this. We cannot lose such a historically significant piece of this nation by letting it devolve into little fiefdoms under the thumb of some temporary warlord. And we cannot walk away from one of the best cities in the nation. New Orleans is a festive and usually happy place. They have a long road to hoe, and they cannot do it on their own. It is up to us. Check out the links above, including the "Truth Laid Bear" link Thomas just put up. They have a list of all the bloggers participating, and they're tracking blogger contributions.
The Bunny ;)...3:45 p.m. AZ Time
UPDATE: Jack Cafferty decided to make an ass out of himself today on CNN's "The Situation Room" with Wolf Blitzer. I decided to hand him his ass. The post is below.
Greetings and Salutations to our regular readers. Yes, we are focusing on Judge Roberts. Hurricane Katrina has the rest of the blogosphere occupied, and there is little we could offer that has not already been said, been thought of, or been considered. We at the Asylum urge anyone who has not, as yet, contributed to the efforts of Hurricane Katrina—if it can be afforded—to please donate. Use the links below to contribute, or call the appropriate numbers to donate. This was a terrible tragedy for this nation, and the money to bring New Orleans back may rival that of 9/11; that is not even calculating the possible death toll arising from this natural disaster. Please help if you can. We are Americans. We take care of our own, and we do not leave people behind.
http://www.catholiccharitiesusa.org/news/katrina.cfm
http://www.redcross.org/
http://www.salvationarmyusa.org/USNSAHome.htm
http://www.feedthechildren.org/site/PageServer?pagename=dotorg_homepage
http://www.ujc.org/
Hugh Hewitt requested this. Glenn Reynolds is running a set of links that is astounding as the blogosphere unites to help the victims of Hurricane Katrina. For those that are interested to see this awesome response can go here. This link will be at the top of Glenn's page all day, but I am giving the specific entry so that if anyone misses it, they can go immediately to it to see a movement that has me on the verge of tears. After seeing the numerous images of the damage, and reading the continuing reports from those in the area, I thought New Orleans was lost for good. I now see hope for the future. She will rise again.
But, now onto business...
Box II: More Appointee Clearances
Judge Roberts cleared quite a few people while in the Reagan Administration, and this box—and the previous one covered by Thomas—deal with a few of those clearances. I will take the "point man’s" lead, and summarize what I have read. As today is a school day for me, and I have a good deal of "homework" to do, I chose this box because it has the least within it. Later tonight, after I am done, I will address the next one not covered by us yet.
The first clearance in this box concerns John G. Weinman. Mr. Weinman was being considered for the position of Commissioner General of the U.S. Government to the 1984 Louisiana World Exposition. This does not sound like a big position, except to the state of Louisiana, but he dealt with it carefully. The president had the authority to make this appointment, and that it would fall under the jurisdiction of the Department of Commerce. All the responsibilities that Mr. Weinman would be assigned came from the Secretary of Commerce. Mr. Weinman was not a controversial nominee, however Roberts did present a warning to Mr. Weinman. In the memo, he wrote:
None of the holdings present an apparent impediment to the conflict-free discharge of the responsibilities of the Commissioner General. Those responsibilities, however, are not precisely defined by statute, and accordingly I advised Mr. Weinmann that he should be alert to possible conflicts and recuse himself should any matter come before him involving any entity in which he had a financial interest. I also advised him to consult the Commerce Department Ethics Officer should he have any questions in this regard during the course of his tenure. Both Ms. Wagner and Mr. Smith agreed that this was the desirable course of action.
Further, Roberts noted that Mr. Weinman was on good terms with both of his senators.
Daniel G. Amstutz stepped up to the plate next. He was being considered for Undersecretary, International Affairs and Commodity Programs, Department of Agriculture. He noted that Mr. Amstutz had recently retired from the firm Godman and Sachs. And other than that there is nothing else in the memo.
As Thomas noted this morning, much of these memos are redacted. Aside from the basics that anyone can see, Judge Roberts does a thorough job in interviewing these people. He addresses their expertise, if it necessary to note due to certain regulations. He addresses each possible "question mark" that a nominee might pose. Whether the possible conflict-of-interest might be through their associations with other firms and businesses, or through their personal finances. And though there are redacted areas, especially where these possible conflicts are questioned, Roberts usually gives a further explanation that gives the reader the ability to discern the possible conflict.
The Bunny ;)
ADDENDUM: After speaking with Thomas, we have agreed that this will be the final post of the day so the above plea for help with the survivors of Hurricane Katrina can be seen by all of our readers, and the links are available.
The Bunny ;)
UPDATE/ADDENDUM: 3:20 p.m. AZ Time--Truth Laid Bear's registration pages are up. You can log your contribution there, along with whoever recommended your charity, and view the 1000+ blogs that are fully involved in this effort. As of this moment, over $83,000 have been raised so far to 111+ charities. Come on guys, we can do better. Let's get back on the pnones. I'm going back to mine one more time... http://truthlaidbear.com/katrinarelief.php
Thoughts On Today's Efforts
Today, this nation came together in more ways than one. Not only did we open up our wallets to help, but we are keeping up with the information that is coming out of New Orleans. After a tense and violent morning, things are beginning to subside. Though the news media is continuing to repeat that people with rifles were taking shots at helicopters, including emergency EVAC choppers landing on hospitals to get the most critical patients out, there is nothing to corroborate that story. There was an attempt at the Superdome to swarm buses coming into to remove, for lack of a better word, the refugees and displaced to the Houston Astrodome, or other areas that are accepting them.
One National Guard troop was shot this morning during an attempt to either stop looters, or to quell impending violence from armed citizens. (I am not sure which as I have heard this report repeated by talk show hosts and the top-and-bottom of the hour newsbreaks.) The looting is reprehensible. I understand the plight of those without food or water, but anyone snagging a TV or a DVD is not trying to care for their family. They are doing it out of greed. This morning I considered supporting the idea of the governor declaring martial law, and mobilizing all of her National Guard troops. Now, as the day has gone one, and cooler heads seem to be prevailing, I withdraw that. However, this evening will be the crucible for the city. There is no guarantee the thugs will not come out hunting tonight. They may do just that, so God be with the troops, the police, the firefighters, and other rescue workers tonight.
And I hope that the rescue and relief efforts pick up overnight. These people need help. They need our prayers. But most of all, they need the basic necessities that they lost. Do not be stingy. I just got off the phone with my own contribution, and Thomas just finished his second contribution. WE cannot be selfish at a time like this. We cannot lose such a historically significant piece of this nation by letting it devolve into little fiefdoms under the thumb of some temporary warlord. And we cannot walk away from one of the best cities in the nation. New Orleans is a festive and usually happy place. They have a long road to hoe, and they cannot do it on their own. It is up to us. Check out the links above, including the "Truth Laid Bear" link Thomas just put up. They have a list of all the bloggers participating, and they're tracking blogger contributions.
The Bunny ;)...3:45 p.m. AZ Time
UPDATE: Jack Cafferty decided to make an ass out of himself today on CNN's "The Situation Room" with Wolf Blitzer. I decided to hand him his ass. The post is below.
posted by Syd And Vaughn | 1:20 PM
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