TresSugar

US Department of the Interior: Sex, Drugs, and Oil

LibertySugar — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 11:00:00 -0700

The Interior Department, which controls oil and gas collected from US taxpayer-owned coastal waters, has been plagued with shocking ethical abuses, according to a government investigation. Violations range from giving contracts to a retired employee instead of allowing for competitive bidding to substance abuse and promiscuity.

The report states that officials “frequently consumed alcohol at (oil) industry functions, used cocaine and marijuana, and had sexual relationships with oil and gas company representatives.” Officials also allegedly accepted gifts from energy companies that exceed ethics rules, such as golf, meals and drinks, and tickets to a Toby Keith concert. In addition, oil companies were allowed to purchase oil and gas at a lowered price, after they had won contracts.

The alleged ethics mayhem took place in the Mineral Management Service (MMS) and Royalty In Kind Programs. The MMS brings in $10 billion for the federal government each year. It's the second biggest revenue maker after taxes. To find out what the investigation recommends now, read more.

The investigation strongly recommends that the Bush Administration either fire those who accepted gifts, or ban them from certain positions. Many have been transferred to other government jobs. The high-ranking officials retired during the investigation. Thus they could only face consequences if the Justice Department pursued suggested charges, which it has declined to do.

Since the department in charge of taxpayer oil seems to be a free for all, do you think we should hold off putting more oil and money in their hands through increased offshore drilling, or is this just the immoral and illegal behavior by a few bad apples?

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Take That Terrorists! Plans to Reopen Statue of Liberty's Crown

LibertySugar — Sat, 24 Jan 2009 10:00:31 -0800

Ever since Sept. 11, visitors in search of a patriotic climb and majestic view have not been able to make the 354-stair trek to the top of the Statue of Liberty. But the Obama administration wants to change that. This week, newly minted Interior Secretary Ken Salazar announced a study, to be completed by April, that will assess whether to reopen the crown to the public. Salazar says opening the crown is very important to him.

While Liberty Island and the base of the statue have reopened since the New York City terrorist attacks, concerns beyond an attack have kept the crown closed. The crown's stairway was not built for the public, and if a climber suffered an injury, it would be hard to get him or her down safely. But those eager to reopen the high-up hat think limiting the number of climbers to as few as 10 could solve the problem.

Do you think opening the crown is worth the security risks?

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What Is Your Favorite Political Scandal of 2008?

LibertySugar — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 14:30:22 -0800

Salacious behavior always makes the headlines in America, and this year was no exception. After a strong, yet unsuccessful push for the Democratic nomination John Edwards, revealed what would have been his October surprise: he cheated on his cancer-stricken wife, and may have produced a love child. In other child-related scandals, only days after social conservative Sarah Palin splashed onto the national scene, we found out that her teenage daughter Bristol was pregnant.

Way back in the beginning of the year, two scandals made the headlines, one proving to be half-baked and the other leading a powerful politician's downfall. The New York Times tried to link John McCain to lobbyist Vicki Iseman, insinuating that he cheated on his wife, while New York Governor Eliot Spitzer resigned after news of his involvement with a call girl broke.

Of course, don't forget about the sex, drugs, and oil scandal that rocked the US Department of the Interior! An investigation revealed that officials “frequently consumed alcohol at (oil) industry functions, used cocaine and marijuana, and had sexual relationships with oil and gas company representatives." Since we're asking for your opinion on everything that happened this year, which 2008 scandal should be entered into the political hall of shame?

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