Standards of Official Conduct by GWB issued January 20, 2001

[Mabus]

There are a number of threads talking about Bush's legacy, and yes, this is another one. Instead of asking for a random list of accomplishments, I'd like to use this thread (and perhaps subsequent ones that others might want to start if they find a document that shows the hypocrisy of this pResident) to document what really happened in the Bush pResidency. Let's highlight the hypocrisy. Let's outline Bush's hypocrisy in a timeline (by posting date in subject line in any subsequent threads) by using the documents he's issued and statements he made, using the ones available on the WH website as our guide.

In other words, let's use his record, as published on the official WH website, to expose his hypocrisy.

Here's one of the first public documents issued publicly by the Bush (mis)Administration. I suggest we start listing the Executive Branch employees (and their offenses) who violated Bush's stated Standards of Official Conduct.

http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/20010124-2.html

Memorandum
January 20, 2001

MEMORANDUM FOR THE HEADS OF EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENTS AND AGENCIES

SUBJECT: Standards of Official Conduct

Everyone who enters into public service for the United States has a duty to the American people to maintain the highest standards of integrity in Government. I ask you to ensure that all personnel within your departments and agencies are familiar with, and faithfully observe, applicable ethics laws and regulations, including the following general principles from the Standards of Ethical Conduct for Employees of the Executive Branch:

(1) Public service is a public trust, requiring employees to place loyalty to the Constitution, the laws, and ethical principles above private gain.

(2) Employees shall not hold financial interests that conflict with the conscientious performance of duty.

(3) Employees shall not engage in financial transactions using nonpublic Government information or allow the improper use of such information to further any private interest.

(4) An employee shall not, except as permitted by applicable law or regulation, solicit or accept any gift or other item of monetary value from any person or entity seeking official action from, doing business with, or conducting activities regulated by the employee's agency, or whose interests may be substantially affected by the performance or nonperformance of the employee's duties.

(5) Employees shall put forth honest effort in the performance of their duties.

(6) Employees shall not knowingly make unauthorized commitments or promises of any kind purporting to bind the Government.

(7) Employees shall not use public office for private gain.

(8) Employees shall act impartially and not give preferential treatment to any private organization or individual.

(9) Employees shall protect and conserve Federal property and shall not use it for other than authorized activities.

(10) Employees shall not engage in outside employment or activities, including seeking or negotiating for employment, that conflict with official Government duties and responsibilities.

(11) Employees shall disclose waste, fraud, abuse, and corruption to appropriate authorities.

(12) Employees shall satisfy in good faith their obligations as citizens, including all just financial obligations, especially those -- such as Federal, State, or local taxes -- that are imposed by law.

(13) Employees shall adhere to all laws and regulations that provide equal opportunity for all Americans regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, or handicap.

(14) Employees shall endeavor to avoid any actions creating the appearance that they are violating applicable law or the ethical standards in applicable regulations.

Executive branch employees should also be fully aware that their post-employment activities with respect to lobbying and other forms of representation will be bound by the restrictions of 18 U.S.C. 207.

Please thank the personnel of your departments and agencies for their commitment to maintain the highest standards of integrity in Government as we serve the American people.

GEORGE W. BUSH

[Mabus]

1. Cheney - Halliburton

Cheney has violated all 14.

What’s really going on: George Bush and Dick Cheney looked at the world as if they were both still oil company CEOs. They saw a threat to oil profits in Venezuela, and a potential threat should an Iran-style revolution overtake the Saudi royal family’s tenuous hold on power, as many fear. So after 9/11, they decided to invade a country that had nothing to do with the attack, but coincidentally held one of the largest oil reserves in the world. To justify this action, they concocted one of the most intricate, bizarre, and unsubstantiated lies since Nixon said he wasn’t a crook (or at least since Fox News said it wasn’t a Republican propaganda machine). They falsely claimed that Saddam had nuclear weapons and was working with Al Qaeda to deploy them against us, while intimidating the U.N. weapons inspectors who questioned their assertions. Sure, it is good a tyrant like Saddam is no longer in power — but that could not have been our rationale for war considering some countries America calls “friends” (Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and China, for instance) are as bad if not worse.

The real goal was a hostile takeover of Iraq Oil, Co. on behalf of Chevron/Exxon/Halliburton/Mobil/Texaco, except instead of doing it with shares of stock, we did it with cruise missiles and tanks and on false pretenses. And just to make absolutely sure there was business for our newly-acquired Iraqi gas station, Bush had the oil companies secretly write his energy legislation, which purposely does nothing to stop America’s incessant gas guzzling. Unfortunately, while the war has enriched Halliburton, Bechtel, and other Bush’s backers, it also leaves bin Laden at large, Al Qaeda regrouping and American soldiers running for cover in a Baghdad shooting gallery.

http://www.davidsirota.com/index.php/profit-america/

[grizmaster]

2. #14 violated by the entire bush junta

Just Plamegate and the phony "fixed" intelligence alone puts the entire administration in violation.


"(14) Employees shall endeavor to avoid any actions creating the appearance that they are violating applicable law or the ethical standards in applicable regulations."

[sinkingfeeling]

3. Has anybody in the administration obeyed the first one? If someone were to

follow #11, Bush would have the DOJ investigate and charge them with a crime! OK, now I see it... "These rules do not apply to Republicans, friends and family of G.W. Bush, and anyone with an income above 6 figures." You see it, don't you? It's in the invisible ink, micro-print below 'George W. Bush'.

[Gregorian]

4. The key is that republicans need reminding.

Democrats would probably never need a list like that.

Hey, it's just a piece of paper. If the Constitution is meaningless, than that list is certainly meaningless.

Paying attention to Bush is a waste of time. Too bad we have to waste our time.

[Target_For_Exterm]

5. More lies for the lie-berry. They ARE consistent.