[SES1066]

You said ... "He's a democrat, ..." but I get the feeling it is much in the same line as Zell Miller being a member of the Democratic Party. I've been a BIG fan of Mr.Brin since reading the "Ender's War" series and the Uplift series. He is a very cogent writer and I think that he urged all to avoid voting for Democratic Party candidates this past election for just the headlines we are now seeing.

I kind of like this idea of an Executive Branch Inspector General Corps but I know that there would be BIG problems in the implementation there to. My Dad was IG at Ft.Dix in NJ in 1965 because he was being kind of dead-ended in his Army career. He was assigned there following a South Vietnam tour and wanted to return to Vietnam rather than take another year as IG. Given that the IG post was all he was offered, he retired instead.

The IG position is like an ombudsman and frequently carries the same kind of power, to whit - NONE but what the higher-up will grant. If you can walk into the Commanding General / Controlling Secretary Office without an appointment and have an honest discussion, you can be EFFECTIVE otherwise, you are a bureaucrat!

[sociotard]

I've been a BIG fan of Mr.Brin since reading the "Ender's War"
"Ender's War" is by Orson Scott Card, who is also a card-carrying democrat, but who very much supports President Bush.

I think that he urged all to avoid voting for Democratic Party candidates this past election
Er, No. He hates President Bush with a purple passion. He has some respect for conservatives, but thinks that our party is controlled by the most extreme elements. His list of new legislation ideas was published just after the Democratic Party retook the House.

If you can walk into the Commanding General / Controlling Secretary Office without an appointment and have an honest discussion, you can be EFFECTIVE otherwise, you are a bureaucrat!
Do you have any idea how we might ensure the IGUS retained that kind of respect and influence?