Bye-bye Brownie!

Well, one head has rolled, anyhow. TIME for a few more, too. I wonder if Brown is the only sacrificial lamb the Repubs are willing to offer up?

[Happy Monkey]

I don't think the head has quite rolled yet, officially. He's reassigned back to the desk, to let someone else manage the onsite operations.

In effect, it's a good thing, but there may be some reluctance to actually fire "Heckuva Job Brownie".

Yeah, word has it that he'll ultimately resign, but who knows? I imagine that there will be insider pressure for him to just bow out, rather than force Jr. to fire him which would be an embarrassment of major order for W. The fact that Brown has lied about his professional background sure doesn't help matters.

[Urbane Guerrilla]

For once your language is restrained, Marichiko. This is a good thing.

Here's the real test, though: who would you pick as Brown's replacement?

After all, if carping and abusing Republicans is all you ever do, that is the kind of reputation that will cling to you as stubbornly as dried pitch. Actually coming up with something constructive -- ah, there's the brain-work.

Let's open this to everyone; no reason Marichiko has to do all the work.

[tw]

Originally Posted by Happy Monkey

I don't think the head has quite rolled yet, officially. He's reassigned back to the desk, to let someone else manage the onsite operations.

Does it really matter after the barn has completely burned to the ground? Its a given that he could only continue to obstruct the clearing of burned timbers; that around Monday, someone else was clearly running the show.

[richlevy]

Originally Posted by Urbane Guerrilla

For once your language is restrained, Marichiko. This is a good thing.

Here's the real test, though: who would you pick as Brown's replacement?

After all, if carping and abusing Republicans is all you ever do, that is the kind of reputation that will cling to you as stubbornly as dried pitch. Actually coming up with something constructive -- ah, there's the brain-work.

Let's open this to everyone; no reason Marichiko has to do all the work.

Well, if Bush really wanted competency over absolute loyatly, he could rehire James Lee Witt. The only problem is that Witt used to work for Clinton. He was responsible for instituting real preventative measures to forestall future disasters.

Another problem is that he has a very good private practice, and I doubt he has much respect for Bush. Why would someone want to end up like Colin Powell, trotted out as proof that competent people exist in the administration but marginalized to the point where his advice goes completely unheeded?

Bush's two choices are to pick another political yes-man or someone competent. Unfortunately, picking anyone competent runs the risk of embarrassment when the adminstration does something stupid again, like reshuffle funding away while noone is looking. The only solution is to pick an active duty military officer who cannot legally challenge the president or a former officer like Powell who still maintains the practice.

Competent people know a bad situation when they see one, and right now getting someone really good for the job will be a challenge.

P.S. Well speak of the devil.. I didn't see this until after I posted this message.

Originally Posted by Urbane Guerrilla

For once your language is restrained, Marichiko. This is a good thing.

Ah hemm! Just what are you smoking, Sir?

[Urbane Guerrilla]

Drinking rooibos-herbal-blend tea, actually. Didn't know the effect was that visible.

[Happy Monkey]

Originally Posted by marichiko

The fact that Brown has lied about his professional background sure doesn't help matters.

Well, it gives Bush something other than the heckuva job he did as grounds for firing.

[wolf]

Originally Posted by Urbane Guerrilla

Here's the real test, though: who would you pick as Brown's replacement?

I'll do it. I'm not busy Tuesday.

[tw]

Originally Posted by wolf

I'll do it. I'm not busy Tuesday.

I hope you all appreciate the irony of what wolf has just posted. Her credentials for the job are even better than Brownies's - the still current Director of FEMA.

[richlevy]

So, UG we agree on two things.

1) Brown was a very bad choice.
2) Rooibos-blend tea. I buy mine from Trader Joe's.

You have asked a very good question of us liberals, but of course the question is academic. Our conservative president is the one who has the real choice, after failing miserably the first time. Where will he find someone with the conservative credentials he seems to require, with the compassion to have chosen public service in the past, with the individualism and command presence needed to organize effective relief, but who will not challenge presidential authority when the President or someone else in the adminstration tries to do something stupid again?

Clinton had a very effective FEMA chief. Bush Sr. had one who ran into a little trouble with Andrew, but nowhere near as f**ked up as Brown.

Maybe you should direct your questions to the White House.

[Undertoad]

The choice and promotion of Brown is the worst failure of the administration IMO.

If it is to be a CEO administration, judge it by the response of those people who have been delegated to do the actual heavy lifting.

[richlevy]

Originally Posted by Undertoad

The choice and promotion of Brown is the worst failure of the administration IMO.

If it is to be a CEO administration, judge it by the response of those people who have been delegated to do the actual heavy lifting.

Well, it is the CEO administration. Unfortunately, the CEO's that come to mind are Kenneth Lay, Bernard Ebbers, and Richard Scrushy.

Too bad I don't have a VCR, a time machine, and a ticket to the Kerry-Bush debates.

[jinx]

Originally Posted by rich

2) Rooibos-blend tea. I buy mine from Trader Joe's.

Do they have Numi brand there? I don't get out to whole foods enough to keep a good supply anymore. I prefer Honeybush, but like Rooibos (blend? why?) for variety