Feinstein Wants Pentagon Investigation of Alleged Gitmo Burrowers
Remember the case of Kathie Olsen, the Bush political appointee who's now safely ensconced in a suspiciously junior position at the same agency where she was once the No. 2?
Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) thinks she's uncovered a similar situation at the Pentagon's Office of Detainee Affairs, where former Bushies are still involved in politically sensitive debates over the Guantanamo Bay prison. Feinstein wrote to Defense Secretary Robert Gates on Wednesday seeking an inquiry into whether two political appointees "have been improperly converted to career positions within the Department of Defense." From her letter:
I ask that you immediately review the circumstances behind the conversion of these positions and the hiring of any former Bush administration appointees as career or temporary officials within the Office of Detainee Affairs.
Feinstein did not unmask the alleged burrowers, but the AP reports that they are deputy assistant defense secretary Sandy Hodgkinson and special assistant Tara Jones.
According to the AP, Hodgkinson retains the right to convert to a civil service position based on her prior work for the State Department -- making her situation similar to the one TPMDC reported on at the National Science Foundation. But Jones seems to be a special case, resigning as a political appointee last month before mysteriously re-emerging as a "temporary" civil service employee.
As he follows through with plans to close Guantanamo by next year, President Obama has enough challenges already without Bush political loyalists remaining in the mix.
















I smell future "damaging" leaks to the press.
February 6, 2009 11:06 AM | Reply | Permalink
My civil service friends say that there are ways to neuter these people. Bureaucratic infighters know all the tricks, they should be able to put them in a windowless office w/no phone in short order.
February 6, 2009 11:21 AM | Reply | Permalink
Just fire them. The Repugnants are big on "right to work" which is really right to fire. So fire them.
February 6, 2009 11:27 AM | Reply | Permalink
Something tells me that someonw who as recently as 2006 came to defend the indefinite detention without trial of those at Gitmo is not a job qualification that the POTUS or Defense Sec Clinton would considerr a ringing endoresment.
http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Sandra_Hodgkinson
And Jones is in hot water for being apart of the propaganda pentagon machine where they used former gernerals and other former Defense Department personell to sell the Iraq war.
Before joining the policy office, Jones worked several years on a Pentagon public affairs program aimed at persuading military analysts to generate favorable news coverage on the war in Iraq, conditions at Guantanamo and other efforts to combat terrorism.
The program has since been shut down amid fierce Capitol Hill criticism and investigations into whether it violated Pentagon ethics and Federal Communication Commission policy.
Jones declined to be interviewed.
February 6, 2009 11:29 AM | Reply | Permalink
So... is Feinstein suggesting passing laws prohibiting this in the future? Of course not, because this will be repeated this administration also.
Too bad these so called "representatives of the people" have no desire to investigate and punish folks who actually promote, condone and practice torture, rendition, and stomping on our nation and Constitution (and applicable laws)...
Also too bad "WE THE PEOPLE" are so brainwashed we believe we need to continue putting these same mobsters in positions where they can do such horrendous deeds... IMHO
February 6, 2009 11:40 AM | Reply | Permalink
Seems simple to me.
If you leave government and have no active role in politics, you aren't going to be investigated for war crimes.
Burrow yourself in and try to hang on and/or advance the Bush doctrine? Get ready for an indictment and jail time.
That should shake the trees.
February 7, 2009 12:09 AM | Reply | Permalink
I hope someone is sniffing for burrowers at Treasury. The anonymous leaks re: Dodd to NYT, WSJ have a familiar smell, and seem connected to nicely to GOP talking points.
March 19, 2009 12:49 PM | Reply | Permalink