In the world of the Secret Service, there is little or no room for error. While the recent security failures at the White House are totally unacceptable, the agency's statements playing down the severity of the incidents are the most shameful part of this disturbing series of events. When are people going to learn? Was the Watergate break-in the crime of the century? No. Was the cover-up? It was up there. Is someone's own job security or self interest so worthy of protecting that we overlook what's most important for our own country? Potential whistle-blowers should always be heard, whether or not their grievances turn out to be valid. It is a monumental fail when top administrators do not address problems the rank and file has undoubtedly known about for some time. Someone at or near the top isn't listening and just protecting their own turf. Call it a serious issue with "the culture", but this type of Secret Service crisis played out with the Veterans Administration scandal.
President Obama was roundly criticized by conservatives for mentioning the Ferguson, Missouri troubles in his UN speech or "apologizing for America." Don't they know that acknowledging problems openly in our messy democracy is what's exceptional about America? North Korea touts its leaders as divinities and Saddam Hussein once boasted of 99% voter participation in one-sided elections. All's apparently well there! Stop trying to act perfect. Thoughtful and caring criticism should be encouraged.
No comments:
Post a Comment