The problem with the Bush administration, writ small

I read a story today from Ken Ward at the Charleston Gazette, courtesy of truthout.org. It just illustrates all of the problems with the Bush administration. It will get no play anywhere because it's a fairly obscure story, but it's telling.

Our Dear Leader has nominated Richard Stickler as the head of the Mine Safety and Health Administration. Richard Stickler's nomination was returned without a vote twice previously, an indication that the Senate considers him totally unacceptable. Stickler was faced with vigorous opposition from the mine-workers' union UMWA, among others--Stickler is a mining-industry insider who managed mines that were among the most-frequently cited for safety violations.

The nomination was rejected twice, so what does The Decider do? Finds someone else, right?

(A hollow voice says, "Fool.")

Of course not. He waits until the Senate recesses and then resubmits the nomination, creating a recess appointment that's going to leave Stickler in the position, according to the article, until the end of 2007.

This is typical of how Bush operates. It's disgusting. It's like putting Jesse James in charge of bank security. Or the fox in charge of the henhouse. It perfectly displays Bush's total disregard for the will of the people.