Drill, Baby, Drill

Bush Administration style...

WASHINGTON - Government officials handling billions of dollars in oil royalties partied, had sex with and accepted golf and ski outings from employees of energy companies they were dealing with, federal investigators said Wednesday.

The alleged transgressions involve 13 former and current Interior Department employees in Denver and Washington. Their alleged improprieties include rigging contracts, working part-time as private oil consultants, and having sexual relationships with — and accepting golf and ski trips and dinners from — oil company employees, according to three reports released Wednesday by the Interior Department's inspector general.

The investigations reveal a "culture of substance abuse and promiscuity" by a small group of individuals "wholly lacking in acceptance of or adherence to government ethical standards," wrote Inspector General Earl E. Devaney, whose office spent more than two years and $5.3 million on the investigation.

"Sexual relationships with prohibited sources cannot, by definition, be arms-length," Devaney said.

I think Earl E. Devaney is trying to win the "droll wit" contest the Inspector Generals are having. 'Arms-length'. Ha.

What has gone sadly under-examined during the whole drill/no drill fol-de-rol: the current state of government lease programs, the extent to which existing leases are being left undrilled, and who, exactly, would most benefit from relaxed restrictions on off-shore drilling.

My suspicion is, on the list of those who benefit, the average American driver comes last.

It's too bad John McCain is so busy taking offense at common English expressions that he can't enlighten us on these details. I'm sure he'd be more than willing to delve into the specifics of his proposals and their effects, right?