Tom Ridge Resigns

[Darryl G. Thomas]

Officials: Ridge Resigns Homeland Post

15 minutes ago

By KATHERINE PFLEGER SHRADER, Associated Press Writer

WASHINGTON - Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge has informed the White House and department staff that he has resigned, U.S. officials said Tuesday.

In an e-mail circulated to senior Homeland Security officials, Ridge praised the department as "an extraordinary organization that each day contributes to keeping America safe and free." He also said he was privileged to work with the department's 180,000 employees "who go to work every day dedicated to making our company better and more secure."

Government officials, speaking on grounds of anonymity because a formal announcement was pending, confirmed his resignation. A Washington news conference was scheduled for mid-afternoon.

In October 2001, Ridge became the nation's first White House homeland security adviser, leading a massive undertaking to rethink all aspects of security within the U.S. borders in the wake of the terror attacks of September 2001.

Congress subsequently passed legislation establishing the Homeland Security Department, merging 180,000 employees from 22 government agencies. Ridge became the department's first secretary in January 2003.

He has presided over six national "orange alerts" when the government boosted security out of concern that an attack may be coming. An attack in the United States never happened on his watch.

Ridge has said, however, that he believes an assault by the al-Qaida terrorist network was averted last summer during the Fourth of July holiday period, when intelligence reports indicated terrorists might be targeting international flights to attack the United States. Passenger manifests were scrutinized and flights were canceled.

Yet Ridge, a politician by nature, fought criticism leading up to the election from those who said he was using terror warnings to boost support for Bush. Ridge repeatedly said: "We don't do politics in the Department of Homeland Security."

Ridge, 59, has privately expressed his interest in moving out of the time-consuming, stressful post. However, those who know him said his loyalty to Bush was always a factor to consider.

Ridge, who has spent most of his adult life in public service, came home from Vietnam, earned a law degree and went into private practice in Pennsylvania. He later served as an assistant district attorney and ran for Congress in 1982.

Ridge was re-elected five times. He became the Pennsylvania governor in 1995, leaving the state capital in October 2001 after the White House called.

[tippy]

say it ain't so. I'm verklempt. First the Dutch filmmaker and now this.

[Rob C]

Threat Level: Red!

[Slurpy]

Originally Posted by Darryl G. Thomas

Officials: Ridge Resigns Homeland Post

15 minutes ago

By KATHERINE PFLEGER SHRADER, Associated Press Writer

WASHINGTON - Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge has informed the White House and department staff that he has resigned, U.S. officials said Tuesday.

In an e-mail circulated to senior Homeland Security officials, Ridge praised the department as "an extraordinary organization that each day contributes to keeping America safe and free." He also said he was privileged to work with the department's 180,000 employees "who go to work every day dedicated to making our company better and more secure."

our COMPANY?? Freudian slip?

[tippy]

Originally Posted by Rob C

Threat Level: Red!

I'm curious too as to how we can possibly survive this man's departure. No wonder they are keeping it on the DL. My anxiety is skyrocketing. In a game of free association it goes Tom Ridge - cozy warm feelings - Potato chips. Not necessarily in that order. without him...the abyss.

[Enforcer]

Hahahahahaha. tippy, that FRACTURED me.

Channeling DEEP,
Larry

[BFrank]

He also said he was privileged to work with the department's 180,000 employees "who go to work every day dedicated to making our company better and more secure."

I wonder how well he REALLY knows all 180,000??

Anyway........I'm really worried who's going to be his replacement. Compared to most of Bush's appointments, he wasn't that bad.

[tippy]

i nominate Larry King or Nick Lachey.

[tippy]

or how about Janet Reno?

[Enforcer]

Originally Posted by tippy

or how about Janet Reno?

Too tough. Preferably someone with a little more compassion in the mix.

[tippy]

Janet Reno with hair extensions?

[Darryl G. Thomas]

I want the job. That gig pays!

About the only problem I'd have is having to wear a suit all the time. What a drag.

But with Ashcroft gone there's no on else who'll try to hog the limelight and now that the election's over who really gives a damn about homeland security? Everyone can stop pretending to be concerned and go back to pre-9/11 readiness.

[tippy]

Darryl, we'll set you up to work at home! (How's that?)

[Monte Smith]

Isn't this where Lynn pipes in that information of developments this damaging are always put out on Tuesdays that fall on the last day of the month (excepting Leap Year) in order to fly under the media radar?

[clinthopson]

I feel blue about this, maybe orange.

When does Rummy bite the dust?

[Monte Smith]

So what is the guess on possible successors? Fox News (We Report, You Decide) had some names this evening. One possibility is that the Assistant Reich Marshall of Homeland Security takes over from his boss, Ridge. That'd mean Asa Hutchinson. Another guess is Giuliani's top cop, forgetting the name at the moment, who had such success in NYC and who was tapped, perhaps less successfully, to oversee some policing matters in postwar Iraq. Giuliani himself was mentioned, but he'd be a fool to take this job. He should have some higher political aspirations (I myself want to see President Giuliani inaugurated in Jan. 2009) and the Fatherland Protection Ministry is a pretty thankless job. The only press you get is when you run out with silly spray and the track whistle telling America that the threat level is either Burnt Sienna or Autumn Leaves. Then there were lesser knowns: G.W.'s personal security advisor in the White House, a woman. And somebody else. I'm spacing.

Wild cards: I'd like to see Ted Nugent. Or throw a bone to bipartisanship (har har): Senator Zell Miller. Or Scott Dolan.

[Dennis Gonzalez]

With Tom Ridge at the helm I felt so protected from people just like me!

[BFrank]

It's probably going to be someone scary, like Oliver North.

[Monte Smith]

Originally Posted by Dennis Gonzalez

With Tom Ridge at the helm I felt so protected from people just like me!

That's bullshit. On the one hand, Tom Ridge never racebaited or warmongered. On the other hand, no power in hell could keep us safe from people like you.

[RBS]

Is it just me, or does Tom Ridge look like Fred Flintstone?

[Gary Sisco]

Ask yourself if you'd let him "protect" your daughter.

Hopefully, they'll replace him with someone equally moronic. Putting someone in charge of that "agency" who has a real brain and ability to organize it might well tip the thing over into real Gestapoville.

[Dennis Gonzalez]

Originally Posted by Monte Smith

That's bullshit. On the one hand, Tom Ridge never racebaited or warmongered.

Fuck you, Monte...I'm a white man. What's this shit about racebaiting?

On the other hand, no power in hell could keep us safe from people like you.

Now that, Monte, forgives the other statement, sweetie!

[Dr Dave]

She's getting on in years, but I think Helen Frankenthaler would be an excellent choice. She'd fix up that color/alert chart tout suite.

Here's Coral Wedge from 1972, courtesy of the Kemper Museum:

[Enforcer]

I'm probably the only one who sees something in that painting that looks nothing like a coral wedge, huh?

[Slurpy]

Originally Posted by Larry Nagel

I'm probably the only one who sees something in that painting that looks nothing like a coral wedge, huh?

Ouch!

[Darryl G. Thomas]

Let's be honest. The Dept. of Homeland Security was never a serious enterprize from the get go. First off, the CIA, NSA, and DOD were not part of it. Secondly, Ridge never controlled the purse strings.

I always had the impression that the department was created because it was getting a lot of hype when Joe Lieberman first suggested it. I thought at the time Bush would use the old "government bureaucracy" line to veto the idea.

[tippy]

whoops [hey mone I can't edit my previous post]

[Monte Smith]

Originally Posted by Monte Smith

So what is the guess on possible successors?

... Senator Zell Miller.

Goddamn, boy, you're prescient!

The Onion, America's Finest News source, reports:


Zell Miller Named First
Secretary Of Offense

[lynn]

Originally Posted by Monte Smith

Isn't this where Lynn pipes in that information of developments this damaging are always put out on Tuesdays that fall on the last day of the month (excepting Leap Year) in order to fly under the media radar?

Hey His dopy boss was out of town. That counts!

Originally Posted by tippy

Janet Reno with hair extensions?

She'd get my support.

Nobody can burn a building down like the raging bull!