A governor who touts ethics in government as one of her highest priorities wouldn't be expected to throttle an ethics investigation in its crib. But that's exactly what Gov. M. Jodi Rell is trying to do by chastising Democrats who ask questions about the misconduct of her chief of staff, M. Lisa Moody.
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We can imagine the likes of John Rowland or Lyndon Johnson or Richard Nixon trying to short-circuit an investigation of an aide. But not a governor who has staked her reputation on delousing state government after the scandal-plagued administration of her predecessor.
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An ethics-first governor should not try to quash an inquiry behind the scenes. Could it be that Mrs. Rell is just another politician?
Go read the entire thing.
The most disturbing part to me is the inference that Governor Rell is trying to quash the investigation by threatening House Speaker Amann and Senator Meyer. If she knows of improprieties in the offices of Democrats, she should have them investigated, not use them to sidestep her own ethical issues. To me, that means she is covering up two (or more?) abuses.
Is anyone else tired of our state being known as Corrupticut?
16 comments:
Patricia Rice said... " I will bet you for every Joe Ganim there are 20 John Rowlands."
That hasn't been my experience.
I take it you've never served on a land-use board or commission of any kind where the money and favors can flow rather freely.
Not that that sort of nonsense is common thank heavens, but what I witnessed over a period of a couple decades was pretty much 50-50 with neither party (not that land use panels should be partisn in the first place) having any sort of "franchise" on misbehavior.
To start in with the;
"Well I know that Joe Doaks did that but look at what Joe Blow did!"
will get no one anywhere fast and is counter productive to putting a stop to such shenanigans.
Chris MC said... "
Lisa Moody consciously decided to ignore the ethics..."
Yet you have decided to ignore facts.
A year old memo (easily legitimately forgotten) is forwarded to the press but not to Republican members of the same committee.
Seems to me that Caruso has a problem with ethics, manners, common decency and protocol to boot.
Chris MC said... "her handwriting is on the memo"
From over a YEAR ago
Can you imagine how many memos she's handled in that time?
It must be over a 1000.
As the one who coined the word "Corrupticut" back in early 2004, I must say that I take a somewhat perverse pride of authorship as I see it used more and more often. If Pat Riley could copyright "three-peat," I wonder if . . .
Damn! I guess I should have done some research before making such a claim.
That's okay, Charley. We still have you to thank for inventing the internets!
BOTTOM LINE: This memo wasn't an order for more pens, instructions on how to send an email, or any of the normal chatter one sends memos on. This particular memo was the touchstone of this administration, outlining the 'high' standards by which Governor Rell's personnel would hold themselves--drawing a clear distinction with her predecessor. As her chief lieutenant, I would expect that Lisa Moody would not only have drafted the memo, but been an integral force behind its tenets. And in that respect I DO find it impossible to believe that she dismissed it and its content as she would any of the other "thousand" memos.
Malloy and DeStefano should be pounding Rell over Moody. They should be blasting her in the news everyday.
and for the life of me, I can't understand why the media is not more aggressive in this story. After the scandals of John Rowland and Ernest Newton, you would think that in an election year, the press would be a tad more aggressive in covering scandals like this one...I mean this all started back in December of last year.
Should the blogs lead the charge...maybe. I know for myself (former journalist), that this is the type of hard-news story that required full-time attention wihch can only be done effectively by a reporter. The only person I've seen who has been consistantly on the case regarding this story is probably Christine Stuart of CTNewsJunkie...that's it.
Why is Rell getting a free pass? Shouldn't the media (and the voters of CT) be asking harder questions from our leaders in government post-Rowland.
My two cents...
Why is Mrs.Clean covering up Democratic foul play if it really does exist? Who is she really protecting?
Chris MC said... "...
believe that Jodi Rell puts any real emphasis on ethics ..."
I've known Jodi Rell and Lisa Moody both for 20 years; and I know how Jodi is regarding ethics.
My trust in her is 110%
Lisa Moody had the chance to do the right thing and admit her guilt. But like everyone associated with this Rowland/Rell group she has become another liar I also heard or read somewhere that another Rowland Crook Christine Ragalia quit her State job that she got after resigning from DCF.
The State Of Connecticut needs to vote out Rowland/Rell which is now Rell/Fedele and elect Dan Malloy and Mary Glassman in November.
Dan Malloy offers a vision while Jodi Rell is a continuation of John Rowland. The names have changed But yet they stay the same just in different jobs.
CTKnows said... "
you only trust Jodi 110%. What does that say about Lisa?"
She loyal to a fault; and doesn't make me the slightest bit nervous.
Both of them do make a few members of the party a little edgy as they're (Jodi / Lisa) not putting up with the usual nonsense. This has in turn had a negative effect on some peoples abilty to "earn" (using the term loosely) a living.
There have been numerous attempts from within the party to derail them by some pretty horrible characters.
I'm not entirely convinced that "Moody-gate" isn't just another one.
"I've known Jodi Rell and Lisa Moody both for 20 years; and I know how Jodi is regarding ethics.
My trust in her is 110%"
spoken like a true republican. ETHICS? Sounds like they're NOWHERE in play in this scenario.
I'll bet Jodi even has a stupid nickname for Moody.. "Big Lisa" or "Tank" or something like that.
What does it say about the Democrats that Chris Caruso, who is leading the charge against Moody, is not the endorsed Democratic candidate for election?
Caruso had to petition to get on the August primary ballot. The endorsed candidate is Tom McCarthy, a Bridgeport City Councilman who is employed as an attorney by the city. In more than five years on council, he has voted with Fabrizi 95 percent of the time.
So Malloy and DeStefano let Fabrizi walk on the ethical issue of drug use, and then let Fabrizi's machine run roughshod on Rell's most potent critic.
It makes no sense, and old John Bailey would probably be aghast.
Better yet in Corrupticut!!!!!!
Lets keep Rell and The GOP in for 4 more years and see How bad this state will be by 2010.
anon 5;40pm
Dannel got a list of recommended contractors for home improvement to share? Maybe he can help ol Johnny get the shack on Bantam Lake ready to sell
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