Full Version: A Disturbing Pattern?
Park Police Chief Fired
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- One day after she was fired, former U.S. Park Police Chief Teresa Chambers accused the Bush administration Saturday of silencing dissenting views in the rank and file.
Chambers' departure may not garner the same spotlight as those of former counterterrorism expert Richard Clarke and former Treasury Secretary Paul O'Neill, but it appears to fall into a similar category: officials who leave or are forced out after questioning Bush administration policies....
...National Park Service officials said Chambers broke rules barring public comment about budget discussions and prohibiting lobbying by someone in her position.
Chambers said she did nothing wrong except argue for adequate funding for the Park Police, which falls under NPS authority -- and perhaps fail to understand that she was required to "toe the party line."
"I came from outside and was naive about federal agencies," she said. "I had no idea that's what they wanted me to do. I really believed that's what they wanted, for me to be frank with them."
The Bush administration says the Park Police budget has increased during its tenure, but critics argue that the increase has not offset inflation and additional duties.
According to a study conducted by the nonprofit National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA), the entire park service operates on about two-thirds of the budget it needs -- about $600 million short -- and that about $50 million of that shortfall stems from duties related to homeland security at the so-called "icons."
"Icon" duty refers to protecting locations such as the Statue of Liberty, the Washington Monument and the Golden Gate Bridge from terrorist attack -- duties that fall to the Park Police....
Ok... this is starting to bug me... now, you all know I'm not one of those liberals who attack Bush and the administration all the time. Personally, I have my questions about Clarke's and O'Neil's motives. But this is just bad. Although I don't think it's outright scandalous, it has the markings of a disturbing pattern.
Exposing problems that need to be fixed is sometimes a good way to fix them... what's the problem here?
I imagine the merits board will ensure her reinstatement.
Is this a disturbing pattern of administration damage control?
Also, Beacause of the attention, will anything be fixed in the department?
QUOTE
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- One day after she was fired, former U.S. Park Police Chief Teresa Chambers accused the Bush administration Saturday of silencing dissenting views in the rank and file.
Chambers' departure may not garner the same spotlight as those of former counterterrorism expert Richard Clarke and former Treasury Secretary Paul O'Neill, but it appears to fall into a similar category: officials who leave or are forced out after questioning Bush administration policies....
...National Park Service officials said Chambers broke rules barring public comment about budget discussions and prohibiting lobbying by someone in her position.
Chambers said she did nothing wrong except argue for adequate funding for the Park Police, which falls under NPS authority -- and perhaps fail to understand that she was required to "toe the party line."
"I came from outside and was naive about federal agencies," she said. "I had no idea that's what they wanted me to do. I really believed that's what they wanted, for me to be frank with them."
The Bush administration says the Park Police budget has increased during its tenure, but critics argue that the increase has not offset inflation and additional duties.
According to a study conducted by the nonprofit National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA), the entire park service operates on about two-thirds of the budget it needs -- about $600 million short -- and that about $50 million of that shortfall stems from duties related to homeland security at the so-called "icons."
"Icon" duty refers to protecting locations such as the Statue of Liberty, the Washington Monument and the Golden Gate Bridge from terrorist attack -- duties that fall to the Park Police....
Ok... this is starting to bug me... now, you all know I'm not one of those liberals who attack Bush and the administration all the time. Personally, I have my questions about Clarke's and O'Neil's motives. But this is just bad. Although I don't think it's outright scandalous, it has the markings of a disturbing pattern.
Exposing problems that need to be fixed is sometimes a good way to fix them... what's the problem here?
I imagine the merits board will ensure her reinstatement.
Is this a disturbing pattern of administration damage control?
Also, Beacause of the attention, will anything be fixed in the department?
Moved out of Casual Conversation since this is a real debate 
Is this a disturbing pattern of administration damage control?
Yes, I have always suspected that this was Standard Operating Procedure for the Bush administration. I don't think there is another administration in history that has lost so many people that have come back to speak out against it. On the one hand I am disheartened that this kind of thing continues, on the other hand I'm glad that more people are finally becoming aware of it.
Also, Beacause of the attention, will anything be fixed in the department?
I doubt it, something like this doesn't really equate to something the average American cares about, especially given the other things going on. The second you mention increasing park funding or something to that effect the first thing that happens is people start saying the people calling for the increase are "tree hugging liberals".
Yes, I have always suspected that this was Standard Operating Procedure for the Bush administration. I don't think there is another administration in history that has lost so many people that have come back to speak out against it. On the one hand I am disheartened that this kind of thing continues, on the other hand I'm glad that more people are finally becoming aware of it.
Also, Beacause of the attention, will anything be fixed in the department?
I doubt it, something like this doesn't really equate to something the average American cares about, especially given the other things going on. The second you mention increasing park funding or something to that effect the first thing that happens is people start saying the people calling for the increase are "tree hugging liberals".
Is this a disturbing pattern of administration damage control?
I think there was a thread in Environmental Debate about the budget cuts to the National Parks system, but anyway…
Back in May, a memo was issued to all National Park superintendents to make “service level adjustments”. Translated, that means cutting back personnel, closing visitor centers on holidays, cutting back on maintenance of public facilities, even closing the parks a day or two a week. They were also told to do it all “quietly”.
It looks like Theresa Chambers paid the price for disobeying the admonishment to keep quiet and “toe the party line”.
A group of retired Park workers have been working tirelessly to fight for funding for the parks, but it looks as if our National Parks aren’t a priority in Washington.
Also, Because of the attention, will anything be fixed in the department?
No, I don’t believe anything will be fixed until this administration is out of office.
I think there was a thread in Environmental Debate about the budget cuts to the National Parks system, but anyway…
Back in May, a memo was issued to all National Park superintendents to make “service level adjustments”. Translated, that means cutting back personnel, closing visitor centers on holidays, cutting back on maintenance of public facilities, even closing the parks a day or two a week. They were also told to do it all “quietly”.
QUOTE
“He suggested that if you feel you must inform the public ... not to directly indicate that ’this is a cut’ in comparison to last year’s operation,” she continued. “We all agreed to use the terminology of ’service level adjustment’ due to fiscal constraints as a means of describing what actions we are taking.”
…said the memo illustrates a broader attempt to sugarcoat facts while stifling people. MSNBC Story
…said the memo illustrates a broader attempt to sugarcoat facts while stifling people. MSNBC Story
It looks like Theresa Chambers paid the price for disobeying the admonishment to keep quiet and “toe the party line”.
A group of retired Park workers have been working tirelessly to fight for funding for the parks, but it looks as if our National Parks aren’t a priority in Washington.
QUOTE
(January 2004)Washington, D.C. - The White House has declined to meet with representatives of 183 concerned National Park Service (NPS) retirees who today sent President George Bush a letter expressing grave concerns that "actions are being taken in the Department of the Interior and the National Park Service that are short-changing, ignoring or violating the long-standing legislation and policies comprising the mission of the National Park Service." In particular, the retirees highlighted recent troubling developments at Yellowstone, Grand Teton and Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Parks as examples of the Department of the Interior abandoning its core mission of conservation. RPS Article
Also, Because of the attention, will anything be fixed in the department?
No, I don’t believe anything will be fixed until this administration is out of office.
Well it funny you say that about the 'tree hugging' Cube because that funding also goes to security, in part, guarding monuments... so if it gets out that the Washington Monument or the Golden Gate Bridge is being understaffed, will it catch the regular Joe's attention?
QUOTE
Is this a disturbing pattern of administration damage control?
Yes, I believe it is. I'm going to assume that this is not the sole reason that Mrs. Chambers was fired, that there was perhaps some things that led up to this. But the fact of that matter is that the Bush administration is not looking good by firing people who three years ago supported the admin. This incident makes the Bush Admin. look like they fired her over something as trivial as questioning the budget allocation and asking for money that is sorely needed.
If one can't so much as question the establishment without consequences then we might as well be living under a dictator. Who also has silenced his opposition? Surely not the man we recently took out of power over in the middle east. Ok, I know that's not a fair comparison, Saddam killed his opposers and Bush just kills their careers. But the basic idea is the same: trying to create an environment in which only people who agree with you are present, and instilling an air of hostility for those who might question.
I personally think this is odd that Bush would fire some one so far down the command chain because of questioning. Anyone who has ever gone to an introductory college level psych. class knows that appointing a devils advocate is necessary to foster better ideas; otherwise stagnation and groupthink occur.
It sounds to me like Bush is getting tired of people second guessing him, so he's trying to create an admin. of yes-men.
QUOTE
Will anything be fixed in the department?
No, too little attention will have been brought before the public too late for anything worth while to happen. What is Bush going to do for the Parks division in the next 4 and half months? Probably nothing.
QUOTE(Titus @ Jul 10 2004, 08:10 PM)
Well it funny you say that about the 'tree hugging' Cube because that funding also goes to security, in part, guarding monuments... so if it gets out that the Washington Monument or the Golden Gate Bridge is being understaffed, will it catch the regular Joe's attention?
One would hope it would, but I have doubts because it has already been around the news block once for the Golden Gate Bridge anyway. As recently as last year there was a permanent detail of soldiers assigned to the Golden Gate Bridge. One day they were just gone and there was a story in the news that they were pulling out due to budget constraints. It didn't get much attention at the time.
QUOTE
The California National Guard will pull its contingent of 50 men and women on Friday, after more than two years of helping to protect the famous span.
The decision was approved by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger despite repeated appeals by bridge district officials to keep the soldiers there.
The decision was approved by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger despite repeated appeals by bridge district officials to keep the soldiers there.
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