Wednesday, May 2, 2007

Wolfowitz's Story Disputed By Ex-Official

Washington Post
I've been waiting for someone to point out that neither Wolfowitz's job nor Riza's is or was an immutable right.

How many thousands of couples have had to face that dilemma: a ban on fraternization or nepotism within the workplace where they met, much less one as in this case, where one works there and the other gets an offer? What is so special about these two that makes it their prerogative to both work there?

In my life, everyone I know who faced that situation actually made a choice that was within their own power. Either one of them quit or, if career was their main priority, they ended the relationship. Since when did the level of public-sector service either of these two have performed deserve a publicly funded guaranteed job, or a golden parachute?

As a non-Beltway type, I also find it absolutely astounding that someone on the World Bank payroll would be working inside the US State Department for an indefinite period, and now running a supposed non-governmental organization. Last I heard, these three institutions were in entirely different silos, so to speak. How can someone work at all three without actually changing jobs?

These are questions I would like to see answered in addition to seeing Mr. Wolfowitz and Ms. Riza both removed from what they appear to consider their high entitlements.