The 9-11 commission, headed by former Republican governor Thomas Keane, has stated that it needs more time to finish its report on the attacks on the United States. The Bush administration says it has had enough time and will not receive an extension. An extension might put its release near the date of the presidential election. Never mind getting all the facts.

CIA operative, Valerie Plame, is “outed” in retaliation for her husband’s rebuke of the administration’s claim that yellow-cake uranium was brought into Iraq from Niger. Field agents and informants were compromised, possibly killed. John Ashcroft is appointed to head an investigation to see who in the White House is responsible for this felony. So far, not a peep.

David Kay, former head of the investigation in finding WMD in Iraq, reports to Congress that “we got it all wrong.” Congress calls for an investigation. Bush says it is not necessary and sends Condoleeza Rice out to the talk shows to make the case. Then, under political pressure, he caves in and agrees to an “independent bipartisan” commission that he will appoint and states that the report will not be due until after the election. Never mind getting the information to the citizens to make an informed decision about who should lead this country.

Janet Jackson and Justin Timberlake demonstrate extremely bad taste in exposing her 37 year-old breast on network television and Bush-appointed Michael Powell, chairman of the FCC, begins an investigation the very next day.

It is comforting to know that this administration has its priorities straight.

Everett