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Return to Article: Governmentwide Hatch Act probe remains in early stages

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  What Rocky's comment helps illustrate is the double standard that the OSC has used under Bloch depending on what party the Hatch Act violations are calculated to advance. Of course he was suspended for acting on behalf of a Democratic candidate, just as I lost my job for actions on behalf of the Green Party.

  When Republicans are involved, Bloch will stand logic on its head to raise the standard for a violation. However, in the Doan case he has more flexibility because he is relieved of having to actually prosecute her, as she is a presidential appointee. This makes it a perfect case for him to act as though he is fair-minded.

  Just ask him about the USDA case where he exonereated a couple of staffers who made presentations to a dairy group a few years back about how they could best support Bush's re-election! He reached the bizarre conclusion that their "discussions" were not "activity". Go figure.

  Jeff Eisinger Posted May 31, 2007 9:39 AM
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  You gotta be kidding me. So let me get this straight. These guys at the OSC are now saying that the Rove Power Point Briefing was just fine and dandy, it was just Doan's comments that constituted a violation of the Hatch Act. There was no list of what exactly GSA did or what specific political actions Doan made or directed, none of that matters. All we are left with is a he said/she said dispute about what Doan might have said. OSC believes making such a statement is a Hatch Act violation. By that logic anytime someone sez "I'm gonna kill that guy if he does that again" he would be guilty of murder, for we have entered the never-never land where actions are not important, just what you might have said. But it gets better, Some former OSC lady named Kaplan tell us that "one can easily imagine ...discussion would ensue with a room full of political appointees " ,, hence a Hatch Act violation. So now the standard is apparently can OSC imagine a situation where discussions took place. But it gets even better..some other OSC spokespearson tells us this is now "a Slam Dunk" violation...Maybe someone should tell Wiley how we have learned to be skeptical of slam dunks. But to top it all, the ultimate irony is Koch's advise to anyone attending these meetings at other agencies is to "just tell them what they want to know". She neglects to tell them that the OSC has already leaked two different version of the report on Doan and does not seem to have any ability to hold testimony confidential. Better advise would be to bring a lawyer and watch out, this is an Inquisition. So lets recap: the OSC now needs $ millions more to add staff and expand the inquisition throughout every federal agency. They will not be worried about looking for wrongful deeds, that does not matter. They will be examining what someone might have said...but even if no one has said anything or done anything wrong, if the OSC finds a situation where they can "imagine a discussion taking place" that's enough to ruin someone's reputation and career. My goodness, how could it have come to this in America?

  Don Chavez Posted May 30, 2007 11:49 AM
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  They should also be investigating the illegal use of government funds to promote religious indoctrination, especially in Texas.

  nathan wolfson Posted May 30, 2007 11:18 AM
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  I was suspended for 60 days for a percieved Hatch act violation. As the Local Union President I passed along a flyer that invited members to a Halloween party sponsered by the AFL-CIO for Copngressman Tim Holden. didn't ask for money(it was free) and didn't indicate they were to vote for him ,it was an opportunity to get to ask the Congressman questions and get his views.

  If that was a violation of the Hatch act ,then certainly Ms Doan and others in attendence at this meeting also Violated the Act.

  ROCKY MORRILL Posted May 30, 2007 6:59 AM