Problem With Appointees and Czars

Preview For Sunday 020611

Hey folks,

Happy Sunday to you. Glad you made it. Welcome to the Big Sunday Edition of the OPNTalk Blog. I am your Provocateur of thought, Peter Carlock, and we are fully loaded today.

Some of my more Liberal Friends asked me why I had such a problem with the Obama Czars, and Appointees. "Every President does it." Maybe that's the problem. Doesn't mean it is EVER right. The Problem with Czars and Appointees is no Vetting. No one knows who these people are. No one knows what they get paid. No one knows if they are even qualified to run a Hot Dog stand, let alone represent the US, and or, run a Major portion of Government.

Case in Point? U.S. Ambassador to Luxembourg Cynthia Stroum. Here is a chick that is Wealthy, successful Business Woman. But does that mean she is qualified to represent the US as an Ambassador to Luxembourg? No of course not. But she is a Friend of Obama, and she raised and gave a lot of money to his Campaign. So Obama gives her a cushy Diplomatic job in Europe.

Problem is, she is a DISASTER. She, like most Liberals, were power hungry, self absorbed Bully. Without a single clue as to what Reality is.

According to an internal State Department report released Thursday, less than a week after she quit, Stroum's management of the U.S. Embassy in the tiny country was abysmal. The report says her tenure of about one year was fraught with personality conflicts, verbal abuse and questionable expenditures on travel, wine and liquor.

Stroum's case illustrates the pitfalls that presidents can face when they appoint non-career diplomats to ambassadorships as a reward for their political support.

The Luxembourg embassy "has underperformed for the entirety of the current ambassador's tenure," said the report, which was prepared last fall before she resigned abruptly. "At present, due to internal problems, it plays no significant role in policy advocacy or reporting, though developments in Luxembourg are certainly of interest to Washington clients and other U.S. missions in the NATO and EU communities."

She was found to be a typical Liberal. All about herself and what SHE could get out of it. She didn't care about those that worked for her, nor those she was suppose to be representing. According to this AP Piece..

But the report paints a picture of a corrosive atmosphere at the small embassy, with the ambassador running roughshod over staff, threatening to read their e-mails, largely concerned about job-related perks and involved in improper purchases.

The situation was so bad that the inspector general recommended that the State Department dispatch medical personnel to Luxembourg to test the stress levels of embassy employees. It said at least four staffers quit or sought transfers to Iraq and Afghanistan during her tenure, unusual steps for diplomats assigned to a modern, Western European capital.

"The bulk of the mission's internal problems are linked to her leadership deficiencies, the most damaging of which is an abusive management style," the report said. "She has followed a pattern of public criticism of colleagues, including (deputies), who have not performed to her satisfaction."

"Those who have questioned or challenged some of the ambassador's actions state that they have paid a heavy price in the form of verbal abuse and been threatened with dismissal," it said.

Sounds familiar does it not? Look at this Country after 6 years of Liberal Leadership and 2 years of Obama. According to CBS News - U.S. Ambassador Cynthia Stroum Called "Bullying, Hostile" in State Department Investigation Posted by Brian Montopoli

One way that presidents reward their biggest donors is by offering them plum ambassadorships. Which is why it wasn't surprising when the Obama administration tapped Cynthia Stroum to be U.S. ambassador to Luxembourg.

Stroum, a businesswoman and philanthropist, had been a major bundler for Barack Obama's 2008 presidential campaign, raising more than half a million dollars for the then-candidate.

It appears that her fundraising abilities did not translate to diplomatic success, however: According to a scathing State Department probe out Thursday (PDF), Stroum was seen by most employees as "aggressive, bullying, hostile and intimidating."

My Problem with Czars and Appointees is simple. Have you ever even heard of this Chick before? Yet she was a full U.S. Ambassador who was "aggressive, bullying, hostile and intimidating." Spending $3,400 of your money on Wine and Liquor. I know that's a Drop in the bucket when talking government waste, but if we had Vetted her. If there was a process for these people to go through, then I doubt she would have even passed. Just because EVERYONE {President, Politician} does it, doesn't mean it's right. These people are who they are, and when you give them Free Reign, this is what you get.

Coming right up today?

World food Prices Reach Record High Levels
Obama Issues NEW Global Warming Rules, But Not For Friends and Supporters
Dads Helping With Kids, Conflicts Rise With Moms
With Obamacare MANY Will Lose Coverage
DLA For Sunday 020611
IWA For Sunday 020611


All this coming right up. But I do have to ask you a question. Is this REALLY a good thing? I know, get ready to call me a Racist. But it IS an Honest Question. New Jersey Owes Population Growth to Latino Community

Between 2000 and 2010, New Jersey's Latino population grew from 1.1 million to 1.6 million, and the Latino share of the population grew from 13.3% to 17.7%. Latinos are now the state's second-largest population group.

"Nearly one in five New Jerseyans is Latino. In order to ensure the state's future prosperity and well-being, New Jersey's policies must promote the economic, social and civic progress of the Latino community," said NALEO Educational Fund Executive Director Arturo Vargas. "The state's leadership must be accountable to its growing Latino population."

The increase in New Jersey's Latino population was responsible for the state's overall growth during the last decade. Between 2000 and 2010, the Latino population grew by 39.2%, while the non-Latino population declined slightly by 0.8%.

"During the 2010 reapportionment, New Jersey lost a congressional seat, and that loss might have been greater had there not been a substantial increase in the state's Latino population. As New Jersey now undertakes it 2011 redistricting, those who draw its maps must recognize Latino population growth by ensuring the new maps allow Latinos to effectively choose their elected leaders," added Arturo Vargas. "The Voting Rights Act of 1965 (VRA) prohibits states from creating districts which may dilute and or divide the votes of Latinos and other underrepresented groups. We call on New Jersey to strictly comply with VRA's requirements during this year's redistricting process."

The Census 2010 data also reveal significant Latino populations in many of New Jersey's largest cities, with Union City having the greatest share of Latinos (85%)

Now NO WHERE does it indicate if they are talking about LEGAL Citizens or Illegal Aliens. Just Latinos. If we are talking about Legal US Citizens moving to NJ, then I get it and I am even all for the redistricting to give them more of a voice in the elections. But if we are talking about Illegals? I'm not sure that is something to brag about.

Remember a while back we did a story about those States with the highest Illegal Alien Populations? These States have Budget Deficits nearly to the Penny of what they spend on them. If they would only ENFORCE Federal Immigration Law, they would not only have a balanced Budget, but in a lot of the cases, a SURPLUS. So if we are talking this massive INCREASE of Latinos in NJ being of the ILLEGAL nature, then I'm not sure this would be something to be proud of.

Going to fill my cup. Don't forget, you can join me on Facebook, Twitter, and find me over at Tom Sullivan Radio Listener's Club. If you want to be a part of the OPNTalk Blog, or just say Hi, the Email is as always, opntalk@gmail.com. Be right back.
Peter

Sources:
AP - Big Obama donor quits envoy job amid criticism
CBS News - U.S. Ambassador Cynthia Stroum Called "Bullying, Hostile" in State Department Investigation
PR Newswire - New Jersey Owes Population Growth to Latino Community