Sex, Drugs & Rock ‘n Roll
The Bush Administration has got it goin’ on!
As Congress prepares to debate expansion of drilling in taxpayer-owned coastal waters, the Interior Department agency that collects oil and gas royalties has been caught up in a wide-ranging ethics scandal — including allegations of financial self-dealing, accepting gifts from energy companies, cocaine use and sexual misconduct.
The reports portray a dysfunctional organization that has been riddled with conflicts of interest, unprofessional behavior and a free-for-all atmosphere for much of the Bush administration’s watch.
Two other reports focus on “a culture of substance abuse and promiscuity” in the service’s royalty-in-kind program. That part of the agency collects about $4 billion a year in oil and gas rather than cash royalties.
The investigation also concluded that several of the officials “frequently consumed alcohol at industry functions, had used cocaine and marijuana, and had sexual relationships with oil and gas company representatives.”
You’ve painted a pretty grim (and sadly accurate) picture of America’s culture of substance abuse. Still, there is a cultural theme that I can’t help applying to America in the 21st Century; Sex, Drugs and Rock & Roll.
I stumbled into a political cartoon that, in a twisted sense, kind of expresses the hopelessness I feel with our political leadership as the first decade of the 21st century draws to an end. Thought you might appreciate the cartoon, compliments of Cafe Press.
http://www.cafepress.com/usa21stcentury