Interior Department officials, while handling billions of dollars in oil and gas royalty payments, engaged in illicit sex with industry employees and accepted meals, drinks, ski junkets and golf outings from major oil companies, internal investigators reported Wednesday. Full Story »
Posted by Mike LaBonte
It is good journalism from the standpoit that it is reporting "facts" gathered by an investigatiing committe, most likly the key members of which were appointed by the administration in power. Balance can only be presented by stating attempts to obtain input from the other side, who in this case do not politically "defend" the actions nor wish to amplify public awareness in the political year. Accuracy falls on the report contents being reported as a breaking news item. More than one report is cited. Corporate spokespersons were contacted regarding their participation (gifts etc.). The fact that most comments are from Democrats speaks to the "Hot Potato" syndrome. Neither Republicans nor complicit corporation Reps are going to participate other than by "canned" public relations damage control comments. I perhaps would have included at least a short reference to another Dept. of Interior function that also has been abused but has been expunged from the news. See Below.
The Department of the Interior is also the Department that Jack Abramoff had to work with during his days with Ralph Reed and others to manipulate the casino deals.
The link page comments:
U.S. Department of the Interior Home Page
The Mission of the Department of the Interior is to protect and provide access to our Nation’s natural and cultural heritage and honor our trust responsibilities to Indian Tribes and our commitments …
Point out that it is the department of the interior that has responsibility for all natural resources: i.e. Water, Oceans, Coasts, Waterways, Borderlands, Parks, Indian affairs, Conservation. Given two major corruption scandals in the same department, the breadth of such activities may be suspect. When event are isolated (in this case by specific group function..oil) then the OVERALL PATTERN for the cabinet level performance is masked. For example, without accusations, begs the question what kind of dealings have been made with Coal Operators regarding environmental regulations for mine drainage or reclamation?