Embattled FEMA Director Mike Brown Resigns ("Excellent job Mike... I see The Force is strong within you...")

Federal Emergency Management Agency Director Michael Brown addresses the media at the Louisiana State Emergency Operations Center in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, in this September 7, 2005 file photo. Brown, the embattled director of FEMA, is resigning, a senior homeland security official said September 12, 2005. REUTERS/Allen Fredrickson/Files

"Good job man!
You fell on your sword!
A world of riches'n'bitches-
Awaits-
From your Dark Lord!

Pull the rip-cord-
I guarantee-
A safe-landing,
Take a hit for the team,
While we get to grandstanding!

Have a bowl of Vector,
The private sector's-
Gotcha back-
Covered,
They love serial killers,
And you just got discovered!

Even American Idol,
Couldn't make you a star,
But keep ya C.V. tight,
We know you'll go far..."


(...)


Yahoo! News

Embattled FEMA Director Mike Brown Resigns

By RON FOURNIER, AP Political Writer 51 minutes ago

WASHINGTON - Federal Emergency Management Agency director Mike Brown said Monday he has resigned "in the best interest of the agency and best interest of the president," three days after losing his onsite command of the Hurricane Katrina relief effort.

"The focus has got to be on FEMA, what the people are trying to do down there," Brown told The Associated Press.

His decision was not a surprise. Brown was abruptly recalled to Washington on Friday, a clear vote of no confidence from his superiors at the White House and the Department of Homeland Security. Brown had been roundly criticized for FEMA's bearish response to the hurricane, which has caused political problem for Bush and fellow Republicans.

"I'm turning in my resignation today," Brown said. "I think it's in the best interest of the agency and the best interest of the president to do that and get the media focused on the good things that are going on, instead of me."

Brown, who said he last talked to Bush five or six days ago, said the resignation was his idea. He spoke on Saturday to White House chief of staff Andy Card, who did not request his departure, according to Brown.

He said he feared he was becoming a distraction to FEMA's relief effort.

"I came to the conclusion that this was in the best interest of not just the administration and not just me, but FEMA," he said. "They need to be focused on the continuing efforts in the Gulf."

Shortly after Brown was recalled to Washington last week, officials close to the FEMA director said he would likely resign. They said that even before Katrina, Brown had been planning on leaving the administration late this fall to go into the private sector.

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SOURCE - http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20050912/ap_on_go_ot/katrina_brown_4;_ylt=AhrPLaVdcyanwVPmAPhO2ABqP0AC;_ylu=X3oDMTBiMW04NW9mBHNlYwMlJVRPUCUl


(...)

Supreme Court nominee John G. Roberts glances around the Caucus Room of the Senate's Russell office building during his confirmation hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington, Monday, Sept. 12, 2005. Judiciary Committee members, both Democrat and Republican, plan to question the chief justice nominee on the nation's most divisive issues _ abortion, the death penalty, the powers of Congess and the presidency, states rights _ all likely to come before the high court. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)

"Luke...

Come rule by my side,
Lie through your teeth,
So we know you'll ride...

We got big plans for ya,
Big scams for ya,
Pretty-boy ploy,
Got big fans for ya,

Don't worry my little Nazi,
It'll be All Right,
And when you lay your head to sleep,
The Press Corpse will fight,

They move in silence at night,
Work in mysterious ways,
CNN is CIA's,
With Fox callin' plays..."


(...)


Yahoo! News

Roberts Says Judges Play a Limited Role

By JESSE J. HOLLAND, Associated Press Writer 19 minutes ago

WASHINGTON - Supreme Court nominee John Roberts said Monday that justices are servants of the law, playing a limited government role, as the Senate opened confirmation hearings on President Bush's choice to be the nation's 17th chief justice.

"A certain humility should characterize the judicial role," the 50-year-old Roberts told the Judiciary Committee in a brief statement. "Judges and justices are servants of the law, not the other way around."

The appellate judge likened judges to baseball umpires, saying that "they make sure everybody plays by the rules, but it is a limited role. Nobody ever went to a ballgame to see the umpire."

The drama of Roberts' swearing-in and his short statement capped a half day in which Democrats and Republicans sparred over the legitimacy of questioning him about divisive issues. Arguments about ideology and judicial activism also marked the hours devoted to opening statements from the 18-member panel.

Speaking without notes, Roberts addressed the committee for about five minutes — half the time each of 18 senators had been allotted for opening statements before he took the oath and made his remarks. He will answer questions from senators at much greater length on Tuesday.

"I come before the committee with no agenda. I have no platform," Roberts told the panel.

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SOURCE - http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20050912/ap_on_go_su_co/roberts_3