Glittering Jewels of Colossal Ignorance

A member of Barack Obama's administration, the United States Secretary of Energy, responds to questions regarding his job by answering:

"I'm not the administration," the Cabinet secretary replied. "I will be speaking and learning more about this in order to figure out what the U.S. position should be and what the president's position is."

"like I've been dumped into the deep end of the pool" on oil policy.

The day before, reporters asked him about OPEC output levels after a speech to a group of utility regulators. He responded that the issue was "not in my domain."

Or is it in his domain?
(more below the fold)

The Department of Energy Organization Act brought the federal government's agencies and programs into a single agency. The Department of Energy, activated on October 1, 1977, assumed the responsibilities of the Federal Energy Administration, the Energy Research and Development Administration, the Federal Power Commission, and parts and programs of several other agencies.

The Department provided the framework for a comprehensive and balanced national energy plan by coordinating and administering the energy functions of the federal government. The Department undertook responsibility for long-term, high-risk research and development of energy technology, federal power marketing, energy conservation, the nuclear weapons program, energy regulatory programs, and a central energy data collection and analysis program.

Jimmy Carter signing into law the bill that establishes the Department of EnergyOver its two decade history, the Department has shifted its emphasis and focus as the needs of the nation have changed. During the late 1970's, the Department emphasized energy development and regulation. In the 1980's, nuclear weapons research, development, and production took a priority. Since the end of the Cold War, the Department has focused on environmental clean up of the nuclear weapons complex, nonproliferation and stewardship of the nuclear stockpile, energy efficiency and conservation, and technology transfer and industrial competitiveness.

Today, the Department of Energy contributes to the future of the nation by ensuring our energy security, maintaining the safety and reliability of our nuclear stockpile, cleaning up the environment from the legacy of the Cold War, and developing innovations in science and technology.

We really dodged a bullet with that Palin chick, didn't we?

Via Ace

So Much for Governing From the Middle.

Never mind what Obama says, it's who he appoints will reflect his real views on how he wants to move this nation backwards. His Drug Czar pick, for example.

Seattle Police Chief Gil Kerlikowske has accepted a job in the Obama administration, most likely overseeing the nation's drug policies, according to sources familiar with the chief's plans.
. . .
He has been an advocate of gun control and fought to pass the assault-weapons ban and has championed closing the background-check loophole at gun shows.

Some of you may be wondering then:

So what does his anti-gun stance have to do with being the new Drug Czar? Because his input into dealing with drug gangs will certainly include suggesting to Obama the need for more national gun control to help eliminate those gangs. And, between him and Holder, that’s a powerful lobby with access to the Oval Office.

Obama might claim to “respect” the Second Amendment but he’s filling his cabinet with people who don’t.

Via Instapundit

Saves Me the Work.

If only there was a place where you can go and see the list of people Barack Obama wants to nominate for his cabinet. And not only the names but the list of back taxes they owe, more taxes that they owe, a secret donor list to a Presidential Library, ethic violations, lobbyists who are working for Obama when Obama said no lobbyists will work in his administration, and a list of the questionable pardons one has made with his work in the Clinton administration.

If only there was a site like that.

It looks like Bill Richardson was the smart one afterall to cut his loses.

HT to R.S. McCain.