Department of Financial Security
by matt at 6:15 am on September 28th, 2004 in Bush Man Date
For the last few years, when the name of Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge came up, the default accusation was always “incompetent” or “political hack.” Well, it’s time to to add “terrorism profiteer” to the rotation.
In a recent financial disclosure document, Ridge reported holdings in:
• Microsoft
• Unisys
• General Electric
• Sprint
• Raytheon
• Baxter International
• Merck
• Pfizer
• Oracle
What do these companies have in common? They all hold contracts with the Department of Homeland Security. While it is encouraging that Ridge can at least put two and two together to figure out that these companies will be ringing up some sales, it seems he’s never heard of a blind trust or anything else involving ethics.
The kicker:
In response to a late afternoon telephone inquiry, DHS spokesman Brian Roehrkasse first said the department did not have enough time to answer questions about the disclosure form. Pressed further, he shouted an expletive to a reporter and hung up.
Later, in a second telephone conversation, Roehrkasse said, “I don’t know where we are in the process. I don’t know . . . I can’t validate any information you’ve got,” and repeated a string of expletives.
Again, Roehrkasse is the spokesman for the Department of Homeland Security.
Maybe the President should have allowed Ridge to step down when he admitted that he wanted to move to the private sector to make more money.
Or maybe “getting rich inside the government” is the new “getting rich outside the government.”
After all, say it with me…”It’s OK if you’re a Republican.”
jenett.radio on 30 Sep 2004 at 10:22 am
How disturbing!
Ridge Reports Investments in Homeland Security Contractors. “Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge had…