In the last few weeks, we've learned that several Nixon staffers and appointees have actively sought to hide the Nixon Administration's involvement in E.Coli-Gate. Jack Cardetti and Jeff Mazur, both top Nixon aides, lied to the public about their awareness of the tests. After revising their story several times, they have a new line: we knew, Nixon didn't.
But is that really plausible? They received considerable help from up top.
Joe Bindbeutel, a Nixon appointee to the DNR, tried to take sole responsibility for E. Coli-Gate. Shortly afterwards, he was promoted by Nixon to a six figure job in the Administrative Hearing Commission. Why would he lie about this, unless he knew someone was covering his back?
Jeff Mazur has similarly been promoted to be the Governor's liaison to the DNR. This promotion was largely pragmatic - it moved John Watson, Nixon's Chief of Staff and the former DNR liaison, out of the line of fire.
Jack Cardetti was also rewarded: Nixon overlooked the fact that he lied to the public at least three times about his knowledge of E.Coli-Gate. Political careers have ended for far less.
Nixon was running interference in other ways, and not just by stonewalling the Senate investigation into E.Coli-Gate.
On the day Susanne Medley's interview transcript was released, hich she revealed the Nixon Administration knew about E.Coli-Gate, Nixon prematurely announced an initiative to clean up the Lake of the Ozarks.
How do we know the announcement was premature? The plan lacked basic specifics, like where funding would come from and how much was needed. Functionally, it was little more than an outline. Finally, it appeared virtually out of thin air. Nixon would have you think the timing was a coincidence.
Then came Brownwater. After Nixon was caught telling the public about beach closures that never existed, it was discovered that a separate set of test results had been concealed. Nixon went on a big PR offensive, and so far, three DNR employees have been 'suspended'. Given the enormity of their transgressions, they're getting off pretty light - despite Nixon's tough talk to the press.
A cynical observer might conclude that Nixon is being easy on them in exchange for their silence on E. Coli-Gate. You'd probably be right.
Even then - Brownwater makes a stark comparison with E.Coli-Gate. You have two virtually identical crises - the biggest difference being that one involves the Nixon Administration.
On one? No direct answers, no action. On the other? Lots of grandstanding... but at least he did something.
Brownwater offers a tiny glimpse - even if it is inauthentic - about what a responsible and honest administration would have done with E. Coli-Gate. Nixon's actions aren't consistent with how an innocent man would behave.
But is that really plausible? They received considerable help from up top.
Joe Bindbeutel, a Nixon appointee to the DNR, tried to take sole responsibility for E. Coli-Gate. Shortly afterwards, he was promoted by Nixon to a six figure job in the Administrative Hearing Commission. Why would he lie about this, unless he knew someone was covering his back?
Jeff Mazur has similarly been promoted to be the Governor's liaison to the DNR. This promotion was largely pragmatic - it moved John Watson, Nixon's Chief of Staff and the former DNR liaison, out of the line of fire.
Jack Cardetti was also rewarded: Nixon overlooked the fact that he lied to the public at least three times about his knowledge of E.Coli-Gate. Political careers have ended for far less.
Nixon was running interference in other ways, and not just by stonewalling the Senate investigation into E.Coli-Gate.
On the day Susanne Medley's interview transcript was released, hich she revealed the Nixon Administration knew about E.Coli-Gate, Nixon prematurely announced an initiative to clean up the Lake of the Ozarks.
How do we know the announcement was premature? The plan lacked basic specifics, like where funding would come from and how much was needed. Functionally, it was little more than an outline. Finally, it appeared virtually out of thin air. Nixon would have you think the timing was a coincidence.
Then came Brownwater. After Nixon was caught telling the public about beach closures that never existed, it was discovered that a separate set of test results had been concealed. Nixon went on a big PR offensive, and so far, three DNR employees have been 'suspended'. Given the enormity of their transgressions, they're getting off pretty light - despite Nixon's tough talk to the press.
A cynical observer might conclude that Nixon is being easy on them in exchange for their silence on E. Coli-Gate. You'd probably be right.
Even then - Brownwater makes a stark comparison with E.Coli-Gate. You have two virtually identical crises - the biggest difference being that one involves the Nixon Administration.
On one? No direct answers, no action. On the other? Lots of grandstanding... but at least he did something.
Brownwater offers a tiny glimpse - even if it is inauthentic - about what a responsible and honest administration would have done with E. Coli-Gate. Nixon's actions aren't consistent with how an innocent man would behave.
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