Seems maybe we need a thread on particularly egregious situations of what is routinely called "politics as usual."
I'll start with this NYT story (the Times was a particularly fertile field to reap this morning) that Congressman Murtha's nephew has now been appointed to lobby (they call it "legislative liaison, "but that's just militaryspeak for lobby) for the Marine Corps. Murtha, of course, is the chair of the house military spending subcommittee and has the most influence of virtually any member of Congress on how much money each of the branches of the military gets. Isn't it convenient that his nephew, who btw has also moved into the same building where his uncle lives, will now be advocating for the Marines?
I bet the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Coast Guard are green with envy!
Mandatory disclaimer: Of course, no implication is intended that Murtha will be in the least affected in his decision making by the close familial relation he has to the Marine liaison. Both he and his nephew will, I am quite sure, pursue an entirely professional, arm's length relationship. I'm sure that the fact that Col. Murtha happened to be the nephew of Congressman Murtha had nothing to do with the Marines selecting him as their legislative liaison.
Any person responding to this post who suggests that I am implying anything at all wrong or incestuous or inappropriate in this relationship should be ashamed of themselves.
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I think, therefore I drive people nuts.
