Bye Bye Jay

The sudden Friday resignation of Jay Carney, a resignation that would arrive almost in step with Secretary Shinseki's bon voyage, is a bit of a puzzler. Why now? Why so abruptly?

Say what you may about the sleaziest, most corrupt, most dishonest, most illegal, most abusive administration in US history, they have successfully clamped an airtight lid on secrets. In fairness, the commitment to omerta might have less to do with staff loyalty than to media loyalty. If there is no Gray Lady who wants to accommodate a latter day Daniel Ellsberg, then why bother with the photocopier?

There is a long tradition of administrative hacks jumping ship to write tell alls. Scott McClellan made a fortune with "What Happened." Jay Carney could earn a king's ransom should he care to adopt a policy of truth. "Set for life" has an undeniable appeal that might corrupt even the loyalest of loyalists. Lackeys also have dreams and aspirations.

Reading between the lines, the sudden departure and the staged stage hug from the commander-in-chief suggest some tension. If Carney finds his way to Easy Street, how many Waylon Smithers will follow suit? When all the king's horses and all the king's men find themselves with competent publishing agents, they might not want to put Humpty Dumpty back on the wall.

Mr. Carney, I am not so certain the truth will set anyone free, but I am certain it will make you a wealthy man. Here's to cashing in.

It's Not Shinseki's Fault

OK, I am not the first to say this but it bears repeating. The problem at the VA is not bureaucratic mismanagement, it is bureaucracy per se. To the extent that the president is culpable is the degree to which he endorses bureaucracy as a solution. Yes, our current president supports the primacy of bureaucracy but so too did the administration that preceded this on. And the one before that. And the one before that.

Until America extinguishes her love affair with bureaucracy, the news cycle will be littered with stories of system failure. I don't know if the Fox News Family will ever understand that.

More Sharptonisms

The Washington Free Beacon has released chapter 2 of Al Sharpton's personal struggle with the teleprompter and the English tongue.

Elderly man assulted by police for trying to close bank account

One suspects that 78 year old Arnold Wallace feels put upon. After trying to unsuccessfully to cash two checks at the drive-through window Wallace entered the bank to close out his account. After he became agitated he shouted at the teller and was told to leave. He was then mauled by an off duty police officer who was moonlighting as security at the bank and suffered cuts to his wrists and two broken ribs. The kicker is Wallace was never charged with a crime. Now that's customer service!