Thursday, September 11, 2008

Sex, Drugs, and Rockin' Oil

 
I think we've probably all felt a little quiet and reflective today. I found myself starting to veer over into the sad lane, dwelling on the images and thoughts of 7 years ago. So I decided it was time for a little righteous indignation to get me back on track. Not about what happened that day, because that has faded into a sort of sick awe that people can perpetrate such atrocities. No, I'm righteously pissed about this:
 
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- U.S. government employees received improper gifts from energy industry representatives, and engaged with them in illegal drug use and inappropriate sexual relations, according to a report issued Wednesday.

A report says government officials accepted gifts from oil and gas company employees.

The report was issued by the Interior Department's inspector general after a $5.3 million investigation "uncovered recreational marijuana and cocaine use" by "a handful" of Interior Department staff, and found two federal employees "engaged in brief sexual relationships with representatives from companies doing business" with the department.

Two Interior Department employees "received combined gifts and gratuities on at least 135 occasions from four major oil and gas companies with whom they were doing business -- a textbook example of improperly receiving gifts from prohibited sources," Inspector General Earl Devaney says in a letter to Interior Secretary Dirk Kempthorne accompanying the report.

Randall Luthi, head of the Minerals Management Service at the Interior Department, said the public had not suffered financial losses as a result of the employees' behavior.

The public hasn't "suffered financial losses"?! I wonder how many contracts were awarded unfairly because of "favors granted?" Talk about being in bed with Big Oil!

What the HELL is going on, people?
 
Are people this greedy,this sleazy, and this corrupt that they believe it is perfectly acceptable to engage in this type of behavior? Are the oil companies turning a blind eye to what is happening within their ranks because they're raking in money hand over fist? Is our government looking the other way while its employees play?
 
I wonder what that exact tipping point is when people who have been working for a living decide that since everyone else seems to be doing it, they'll do it, too. What is that switch that flips when someone who has devoted their life to public service in the government decides that they have enough power that they can do whatever they want? And why do they always seem to think that they'll never get caught?
 
Whether it's money slipped under the table; a trip to a ski resort; cheating on your wife with the new intern or your videographer; or using your clout to try and get your creepy brother-in-law fired...it all smacks to me of people thinking that they are above the rules that most of us live by. They somehow come to believe that they are better and smarter than the huddled and unwashed masses, and despite evidence to the contrary, they go on thinking that they won't get caught. In this age of technology and surveillance cameras AND The National Enquirer, let me tell you: chances are pretty good that you will eventually get caught, and it will probably be pretty embarrassing.
 
What has happened to us, to our integrity...to honesty? What has happened to what should be our common goal of making the world a better place?
 
What have we lost?
 
<deep breath> There. I feel better now.
 

 

18 comments:

Anonymous said...

It is very very sad that nowadays we do not seem to be able to trust anyone in goverment depatrments...Over here it is the very same, there have been so many leaks in information it unbelievable...Love Sybil xx

http://journals.aol.co.uk/sybilsybil45/villagelife/

Anonymous said...

Feel better? Remind me never to get on Beth's wrong side (winks)...as for those who feel they are above the law and any type of moral compass. My description for events of today works here as well, utter senselessness...

Things like integrity, respect and honor no longer seem to be worth their weight in gold. That realization is a hard one to swallow. Perhaps if more people stood up and said enough, as well as enforcing the realization that there will be repercussions for these actions...

(Hugs)Indigo

Anonymous said...

it unfortunately happens all across the board; not just in government but in private businesses, etc. Pride, greed, arrogance; you name it. We lost integrity, honesty, honor, morality. For any illegal activity done here, I hope the people are punished according to laws broken and I hope people take accountability for their poor choices and actions

betty

Anonymous said...

No one is above the law!  Good entry.
Missie

Anonymous said...

This is one of the many reasons I think all terms in government should have a limit. If the reps keep changing, maybe it would discourage this sort of pandering to special interests.   Estela

Anonymous said...

... Billy Joel said it ... 'Honesty is such a lonely word' ... but another truism is that power corrupts ...

... this incident resembles what happened here with out Mayor, trading power and influence for personal gain and benefit ... irratting to put up with it, not because it is wrong, but because it means that 'we' aren't important or pretty enough for someone to want to fanagle with ..! :0)

Anonymous said...

Now we know why the oil companies are getting away with the high prices we are paying.  I've often wondered why the government couldn't intervene on our behalf.
Now I know.  Just as we are about to elect a new President, maybe we should pray alot that the right man is elected.  Whoever he turns out to be, he will have a big job getting things put right, if he does the job as it should be done.
'On Ya' - ma

Anonymous said...

There is very little decency left I think in Government and politics and Big Business.  Very good entry.  I will enjoy reading your though provoking entries.  I've added you to my favorites!  Linda

Anonymous said...

I don't think there's very many decent people left in this ole world!  All I know to do is pray, pray, & pray.  We are in need of a God Fearing President!  

Hollie

Anonymous said...

I heard the details this morning on NPR, and it is amazing the extent of this.  How could this go on for so long?  Makes me think that the Supervisors/Managers were involved, if not the main culprits.

Anonymous said...

I agree girl , you said it ..
hugs
Sherry

Anonymous said...

Amen Sister! I thank you for the information, I have been out of the loop the last few days. After reading this I realized you are Ken's Cat's Pajamas, and that you are truley passionate about the greater good in this world.

WRITE ON,

Wes

Anonymous said...

i got three emails about this. Must have been a hell of a blowjob for them to do something this awful. XO

Anonymous said...

I heard all of that to and wondered what in the world is happening to our world.  Lucy

Anonymous said...

MONEY unfortuenlty makes the world go round. Some people will do anything to get more and more of it. Oil is the big monster in this. It is a shame!! ..hugs, Christine

Anonymous said...

I hadnt heard this. But nothing surprises me

Ellen

Anonymous said...

Well said. I am continually amazed at the arrogance  that leads people who should know better to believe that they may engage in reckless, unethical, and illegal behavior that violates all principles of decency, not the least of which is their duty owed as public servants to the rest of us.--Sheria

Anonymous said...

Gosh, I hadn't heard about this.  Hmmm, it does astound me these people think they won't get caught.  
Lisa