Amok time, executive branch edition

Need more proof that the executive branch is running completely amok? Take a look at yesterday's recess appointments.

The recess appointment has long been understood as a bit of an emergency procedure: if there is a vacancy in some important bureaucratic position at a time when Congress is out of session and can't confirm nominees, we allow the President to make a recess appointment which bypasses the confirmation process. The yin to this yang is that we expect the President not to cut Congress out of the loop completely on the confirmation process.

Yesterday, the President recess appointed 17 people to a variety of positions, including positions within State, Defense, Vaterland Security, and the FEC. (The Federal Election Committee - yes, THAT's what I want filled up with Bush cronies!) Even though his own corrupt party controls both houses of Congress, W. decided to sidestep the confirmation process and just ram these people through. One of the appointees, Julie Myers, is such a hack, so obviously mis-matched to her position dealing with immigration and customs, that Bush watchers have for some time have been wondering how he was going to get her through the confirmation process. Now we know.

No doubt that among the 17 are several more Brownies who will do a heckuva job.

The W administration: why go through all the niceties when you can give the legislative branch the finger?