On little cat feet

The Bush administration is always trying to slide things past us. Clear-cutting old growth woods is allowed under the "Healthy Forests Act." Under the Clear Skies law, pollutants can be belched into the heavens. But this one is unique, as it isn't the oh-so-cute names that cover up what is being done, it is the bureaucratic ordinariness of it that hides it away.

Try this one on:

Memorandum of May 5, 2006

Assignment of Function Relating to Granting of Authority for Issuance of Certain Directives
Memorandum for the Director of National Intelligence

By virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the United States, including section 301 of title 3, United States Code, I hereby assign to you the function of the President under section 13(b)(3)(A) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (15 U.S.C. 78m(b)(3)(A)). In performing such function, you should consult the heads of departments and agencies, as appropriate. You are authorized and directed to publish this memorandum in the Federal Register.

/s/ George W. Bush

OK, how dull does that sound? Everyday Washington techospeak, right? WRONG. First all all, the players. The Director of National Intelligence is John Negroponte. He is an interesting character. Negroponte is to death squads as trailer courts are to tornados. There is not necessarily a cause and effect relationship, but where Negroponte goes (El Salvador, Iraq) death squads generally follow.

And just what authority is being granted? Why, the authority to exempt issuers from the internal accounting control and recordkeeping provisions designed to reduce the risk of accounting fraud. On what grounds? Why, NATIONAL SECURITY of course! care to anticipate the beneficiaries of such largesse? Halliburton, perhaps?? Wait and see.