May 23 2007

Monica "didn't mean to" repeatedly break the law

After being granted immunity from self incrimination, Monica Goodling testified today that she violated civil service laws by hiring and firing career civil service employees based on political affiliation. 

Asked if she "crossed the line on civil service laws" Monica replied "I believe I crossed the lines. But I didn't mean to."

Didn't mean to????!!  No, Monica, "I didn't mean to" is something one might legitimately say in any number of situations, such as "sorry, I didn't mean to puke on your new sofa," or "I didn't mean to run over your dog, he just ran out in front of my car," or even "sorry, I didn't mean to shoot you in the face."  But if someone carefully pisses down my leg they might as well not waste their breath saying "I didn't mean to" while shaking the last drops onto my shoes.

Let's be clear - Monica Goodling repeatedly applied a political litmus test (and likely a personal religious litmus test) when making decisions it turns out she was basically unqualified to be making. 

If she hadn't meant to consider inappropriate, likely illegal criteria in making her decisions she could simply have not gone out of her way to do so. 

So when she says "I didn't mean to" we know that, like an accountant who has been quietly embezzling for years, what she is really saying is that she didn't mean to get caught.

Stray Thoughts from Don Alejandro
Who wonders why Cheney's victim had to say, essentially, "sorry, I didn't mean to for my face to be in your way"