Surrounding himself with the best people

Remember when George W. Bush was running for president the first time. Remember how he couldn't name the leaders of Pakistan, India or even Canada? The message from the GOP and the media was "So what if he' s not the sharpest knife in the drawer, he'll surround himself with the best and brightest. Besides, who would you rather sit and have a beer with, Dubya or Al "Pointdexter" Gore?" How's that one working out for you, America?

One of the central figures in the latest in a long line of scandals, the firing of eight U.S. attorneys for political reasons. ( Some were too dedicated to pursuing corruption among Republicans, others didn't move fast enough in investigating Democrats to suit their Republican rivals) is a woman named Monica Goodling, the Justice Department's liaison to the White House. She's the one who is taking the 5th (freedom from self-incrimination) in her testimony to Congress. Forget for a moment that the whole country should be mortally embarrassed that the Justice Department's representative to the White House is so afraid that her testimony about how she did her job is liable to land her or her boss in prison -- is she one of the best and brightest America has to offer?

Here's a bit of her bio from the McClatchy Newspapers.

"Goodling, 33, is a 1995 graduate of Messiah College in Grantham, Pa., an institution that describes itself as "committed to embracing an evangelical spirit." She received her law degree at Regent University in Virginia Beach, Va. Regent, founded by Christian broadcaster Pat Robertson, says its mission is "to produce Christian leaders who will make a difference, who will change the world."

Let me get this straight: she has a degree from Praise the Lord and pass the jello bible school (Ranked the 4th best comprehensive college in the northeast by US New and World Report, no smoking or drinking allowed) and a law degree from Pat Robertson's bible university and Rapture readiness center and at the grand old age of 33 she is a senior official at the Justice Department?

What's next, a home-schooled surgeon general? A high-school dropout as Secretary of Education? (Mike Harris already tried that in Ontario)

I got my ecclesiastical credentials by sending $20 to an address I got out of the back of Rolling Stone -- I guess it's just a matter of time before I'm appointed Pope. Good thing I look good in hats.

The Custer Doctrine

Apparently the U.S. Navy has taken its rules of engagement either from the Japanese defenders of Okinawa who fought to the second-last round and then killed themselves or Gen. Custer's final engagement at Little Big Horn.

"The U.S. Navy rules of engagement say we have not only a right to self-defence but also an obligation to self-defence," Horner explained. "(The British) had every right in my mind and every justification to defend themselves rather than allow themselves to be taken. Our reaction was, 'Why didn't your guys defend themselves?'"

Lt. Cmdr Gung Ho needs to give his head a shake. A pair of inflatable Zodiacs full of men and women armed with rifles and side arms can't really be expected to fare too well against a half-dozen patrol boats armed with heavy machine guns. The term Swiss cheese comes to mind. But at least they wouldn't be a bunch of effete British nancy boys.