Let’s get this straight…An employee disagrees with management regarding core policy. His disagreement is such that he will never reconcile his beliefs with those of his boss. In fact, his major function in the organization is to implement those goals following the boss’s program. He wants to stay on the job, however, and doesn’t leave. His boss decides it’s best not to have this employee as part of the team because the employee has made it clear he doesn’t believe in the team’s goals, nor the route to achieving them.
This is the Paul O’Neill scenario.
Now O’Neill has contributed to a book seeking to disparage the President and the Administration. The major news outlets love it. 60 Minutes got the brass ring by having O’Neill on last night. He has all kinds of allegations. In particular, he got his talking points from Ted Kennedy.
Surprise! The Administration had plans for invading Iraq from the very beginning. My question is one which “intelligent” reporters don’t ask: Do you think that maybe Bush 41 and Clinton had plans for invading Iraq?
O’Neill also claims to have transcripts of National Security Council meetings. My first thought was that the Treasury Secretary isn’t a part of that group. Where did he get the transcripts? My understanding is that they are classified, at a minimum, as For Official Use Only. If he divulges information, will he initiate the kind of investigation called for regarding Valerie Plame?
The American people are so terribly misserved by the primary sources for news in this country. Fox News will have the only folks asking questions like this, and will be accused of right-wing association for doing so.
(Update at BlogsForBush)