Secretary Of The Interior Resigns

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Secretary Of The Interior Resigns

By Kaycee Nilson
Mar. 13, 2006

Gale A. Norton, who has served her country as the Secretary of the Interior Department has resigned after 5 years. This big advocate of oil and gas drilling in the West, said that the links between her office and an ethics scandal did not influence her decision to resign.

Even though multiple investigations are trying to find links between former Deputy J. Stephen Griles to former lobbyist Jack Abramoff. In January of 2006, Abramoff pleaded “guilty” to counts of attempting to bribe members of congress as well as defrauding his clients.

Secretary Norton said to reporters that her decision to leave is due to “personal reasons.” She also stated that the administration knew she was leaving. Even though her resignation letter was dated Thursday, March 9, 2006, Norton’s tenure will end on the last day of this month.

Norton dismissed any potential links among herself, her agency and Abramoff, On Friday, March10, 2006, saying she had no knowledge of dealings between Griles and the lobbyist that have drawn the scrutiny of investigators. President Bush, in a written statement, called Norton a "strong advocate for the wise use and protection of our nation's natural resources. She served the nation well with her vision for cooperative conservation, protection and improvement of our national parks and public lands and environmentally responsible energy development on public lands and waters," Bush said.

Norton is expected to replace Colorado Governor, Bill Owens, but she claims that she would rather be in the private sector for now.

And now for my personal commentary.

I believe that Norton DID resign because of the scandal and in Washington D.C. Scandals roll up hill, not down. If her former deputy is being linked to Jack Abramoff, then chances are that it will be just a matter of time before the investigators find links between Norton’s office and Abramoff.

If she replaces Governor Owens, it will be the biggest mistake for Colorado. After 5 years in service at the Department of the Interior, why all of a sudden would she resign unless she is tied to the scandal? “Personal Reasons?” I don’t buy it for one minute.

This lady is hiding something big and she figures that resigning would save her. I don’t think that the American Public will take to her sudden departure if she is linked to the Abramoff scandal.

Just what links are being found between her office and the former lobbyist? I think that the American public deserves a better explanation other than “personal reasons.”

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About the author: Kaycee Nilson has completed her first novel, "Night Falls on Chicago." The first two chapters can be viewed at http://www.KayceeNilson.com.

Besides writing columns for Useless-Knowledge, Kaycee is currently working on two more novels, "From the Mind of a Vampire", and "I'll Love You Til You Die."

If you have enjoyed what you read, or would like to leave Kaycee a message, please visit her message board at http://www.KayceeNilson.com/Board

Email: Kaycee@kayceenilson.com

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