As more problems appear at Arlington, Congress asks for accountability

[alp227]

Source: The Washington Post

A day after officials at Arlington National Cemetery acknowledged discovering more problems with burials in the ongoing scandal there, members of Congress sharply questioned Army officials Thursday about why the cemetery’s former leadership wasn’t disciplined more severely.

During a House hearing, Rep. Rob Wittman (R-Va.) said he was incredulous that John C. Metzler Jr. and Thurman Higginbotham, the top two administrators at the cemetery until they were replaced last summer, were allowed to retire with full benefits. He was particularly troubled that Metzler, the former superintendent, received only a written reprimand.

That reprimand was removed from Metzler’s file when he retired, according to Jennifer Lynch, a public affairs officer for Arlington. The reprimand was supposed to have a three-year term, but Metzler retired soon afterward.

“When civilian personnel retire, letters of reprimand are removed from their files at that time,” Lynch said in an e-mail.

Read more: http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/as_more_problems_appear_at_arlington_congress_asks_for_accountability/2011/04/14/AFvBEefD_story.html

[Historic NY]

1. Really sad state of affairs....

its not just the administration it from the top down. Who is doing the checking and cross checking? Sounds like the entire staff is complicit.

[defendandprotect]

2. k

[No Elephants]

3. And WHY are letters of reprimand removed from the files?

Small point in the big picture, I grant you, but it's also almost a sick joke in an article headlined with "accountability."

The only consequence of shocking mismanagement is a freakin' letter in your freakin' personnel file--and even thatgets removed from your file?


"Big government or small government" is the wrong framing for so many reasons. It should be "Good, appropriate and effective government" versus "Evil, inappropriate and/or ineffective government."

Guess where both Parties have failed us.