Posted on 09/09/2005 12:07:04 PM PDT by John Jorsett
FEMA head Michael Brown has had a tough couple of weeks. Politicians are in front of cameras calling for his resignation, petitions are being signed for his removal, bloggers want him to assume room temperature, and the talking heads on cable repeat his name no less than 30 times in an hour.
And if you think things can't simply get any worse for this man, think again.
A TIME investigation reveals discrepancies in the FEMA chief's official biographies
TIME has found discrepancies in his online legal profile and official bio, including a description of Brown released by the White House at the time of his nomination in 2001 to the job as deputy chief of FEMA.
And just what are those discrepancies?
Michael Brown has been officially 'thrown under the bus'.
But even if he did 'fudge' a little on his credentials, he's not the only one who has made themselves out to be something they're not.
Lying about military records have been a favorite among cheaters, particularly because no one wants to challenge the honor of someone who fought to defend our country.
Executives at major corporations have been embroiled in scandals by misstating earnings, taking kickbacks, and...lying on their resumes.
Know someone with a degree from Columbia State University? It's probably a fake, federal authorities say.
And it doesn't end there. A review of 2.6 million job applications in 2002 revealed that 44% contained a lie or two.
Wondering what the most common resume lie is? Compensation, job tenure, and reasons for leaving your last job.
What does your resume look like?
UPDATE: Recalled
Under Secretary Brown has led Homeland Security’s response to more than 164 presidentially declared disasters and emergencies, including the 2003 Columbia Shuttle disaster and the California wildfires in 2003. In 2004, Mr. Brown led FEMA’s thousands of dedicated disaster workers during the most active hurricane season in over 100 years, as FEMA delivered aid more quickly and more efficiently than ever before. Previously, Mr. Brown served as FEMA's Deputy Director and the agency's General Counsel. Shortly after the September 11th terrorist attacks, Mr. Brown served on the President's Consequence Management Principal's Committee, which acted as the White House's policy coordination group for the federal domestic response to the attacks. Later, the President asked him to head the Consequence Management Working Group to identify and resolve key issues regarding the federal response plan. In August 2002, President Bush appointed him to the Transition Planning Office for the new Department of Homeland Security, serving as the transition leader for the EP&R Division. Prior to joining FEMA, Mr. Brown practiced law in Colorado and Oklahoma, where he served as a bar examiner on ethics and professional responsibility for the Oklahoma Supreme Court and as a hearing examiner for the Colorado Supreme Court. He had been appointed as a special prosecutor in police disciplinary matters. While attending law school he was appointed by the Chairman of the Senate Finance Committee of the Oklahoma Legislature as the Finance Committee Staff Director, where he oversaw state fiscal issues. His background in state and local government also includes serving as an assistant city manager with emergency services oversight and as a city councilman. Mr. Brown was also an adjunct professor of law for the Oklahoma City University. A native of Oklahoma, Mr. Brown holds a bachelor's degree in Public Administration/Political Science from Central State University, Oklahoma. He received his J.D. from Oklahoma City University’s School of Law
IF what was said is true about him what do you think the President should do about it?
Who would you rather see take the fall for all the screwups, our President? I wouldn't.
NOOOOO!!
Don't put the Coast Guard Admiral in charge!!!
It's time to put Jesse Jackson in charge!!!
Then he can fix all of the things he's been criticizing.
He'll have to PRODUCE something for the 1st time in his life!!!!!
Taking one for the team...hope he is getting some nice perks
outta this...
Just being able to make a living somewhere other than DC
and without the snakes who nest there whould be a major one
imo
There has been a massive US offensive over the last 6 weeks rolling up terrorist capabilities. For a while anyway, the terrorist ability to cause harm has been seriously disrupted.
It just kills me that anyone would have the gall to sit around and pass judgment on these people so quickly. I can't remember a single thread from last summer during all those hurricanes that wrecked Florida condemning either FEMA's or Brown's performance. Yet today all the deep thinkers are ready to throw this guy under the bus with a moments notice.
Perhaps more people should keep in mind the old saying of "engage the mind before activating the mouth" (or fingers, in this case)!
Very true. However, if seombody lies to him by falsifying a resume or similar act, he/she is toast. This gives him a wonderful reason for getting rid of a political liability without appearing to cave in to his enemies.
Has he removed him?
Unlike you, I'm willing to wait to see what the FACTS are.
"Congress thought he was when 'They' confirmed him." Oh BS. Simply a rubber stamp of someone they had no agenda against, or overriding reason NOT to confirm. My point is, are there not LOTS of superior resumes out there? State directors of related agencies, ex-governors, retired military types, etc, would seem to have more experience that is relevant to the postition.
I don't know if he was the best choice, but how do you come up with the Barny Fife comparison? Or are you just being funny?
susie
WASHINGTON — Federal Emergency Management Agency Director Michael Brown, the principal target of harsh criticism of the Bush administration's response to Hurricane Katrina, was relieved of his onsite command Friday. He will be replaced by Coast Guard Vice Adm. Thad W. Allen, who was overseeing New Orleans relief, recovery and rescue efforts, Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff announced.http://www.ajc.com/hp/content/shared-gen/ap/US_Presidential_Cabinet/Katrina_Brown.html
Under Secretary Brown has led Homeland Security’s response to more than 164 presidentially declared disasters and emergencies, including the 2003 Columbia Shuttle disaster and the California wildfires in 2003. In 2004, Mr. Brown led FEMA’s thousands of dedicated disaster workers during the most active hurricane season in over 100 years, as FEMA delivered aid more quickly and more efficiently than ever before. Previously, Mr. Brown served as FEMA's Deputy Director and the agency's General Counsel. Shortly after the September 11th terrorist attacks, Mr. Brown served on the President's Consequence Management Principal's Committee, which acted as the White House's policy coordination group for the federal domestic response to the attacks. Later, the President asked him to head the Consequence Management Working Group to identify and resolve key issues regarding the federal response plan. In August 2002, President Bush appointed him to the Transition Planning Office for the new Department of Homeland Security, serving as the transition leader for the EP&R Division. Prior to joining FEMA, Mr. Brown practiced law in Colorado and Oklahoma, where he served as a bar examiner on ethics and professional responsibility for the Oklahoma Supreme Court and as a hearing examiner for the Colorado Supreme Court. He had been appointed as a special prosecutor in police disciplinary matters. While attending law school he was appointed by the Chairman of the Senate Finance Committee of the Oklahoma Legislature as the Finance Committee Staff Director, where he oversaw state fiscal issues. His background in state and local government also includes serving as an assistant city manager with emergency services oversight and as a city councilman. Mr. Brown was also an adjunct professor of law for the Oklahoma City University. A native of Oklahoma, Mr. Brown holds a bachelor's degree in Public Administration/Political Science from Central State University, Oklahoma. He received his J.D. from Oklahoma City University’s School of Law
The Barney Fife comparison points out that he had no experience at running a major organization, relief or other. Assistant in Edmund, OK? He finally ran afoul of the Peter Principal, which is endemic at all levels of government. There are thousand like him, he's just the one in the spotlight now.
Don't think it's an apt comparison. I understand that comparing someone to Barny Fife is full of humor, however, it makes you sound like someone with a grudge or something. Stick with the facts, tell people why you think something, but stay away from name calling.
susie
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