Bush expresses sorrow over ex-aide's charges

http://www.sptimes.com/2006/03/12/Worldandnation/Bush_expresses_sorrow.shtml

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WASHINGTON - President Bush on Saturday said he was shocked and saddened to learn that former domestic policy adviser Claude Allen was charged with theft over allegedly receiving phony refunds at department stores.

"When I heard the story last night, I was shocked, and my first reaction was one of disappointment, deep disappointment - if it's true - that we were not fully informed," Bush said. "Shortly thereafter, I felt really sad for the Allen family."

Allen, who had been the No. 2 official at the Health and Human Services Department, was named as domestic policy adviser at the White House in early 2005. He resigned abruptly on Feb. 9, saying he wanted to spend more time with his family.

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The night of Jan. 2, after an alleged incident at the Target in Gaithersburg, Md., presidential spokesman Scott McClellan said Allen called White House chief of staff Andy Card to tell him what had happened. The next morning, Allen spoke in person with Card and White House counsel Harriet Miers.

is why Target has not apologized to Claude Allen yet.

His thinking was so small-scale. "Five thousand dollars? That's all he stole?"

Small potatoes compared to the rest of the junta.

Whoa, that's not appropriate. He doesn't work for the White House any more!

...but, this was just the requisite visit to assure him there would be dire consequences should he decide to relate any confidential administration info to anyone. You know, inform him of the dangers of fires, explosions, and freak auto accidents. Standard operational procedure.

I'm sure that whenever it was they made it clear to him he had better keep his mouth shut.

The guy's probably another compulsive clepto in need of therapy, whereas the "disappointed" Mr. Bush and those wielding real influence in his corrupt lying administration have a list of offenses and omissions that render an offense on the order of Allen's insignificant by comparison. Ironic that Allen's front page shoplifting sprees will likely be prosecuted to the full extent while Bush-Cheney-Rove-Rice-Rumsfeld-et al continue to wreck the country with impunity, courtesy of an enabling see-no-evil GOP congress.

the people living down there compete heavily in the "keeping up with the Joneses..." game.

Why does it seem like Republicans are *compelled* to commit crimes?

he will be saved and all with be right with the world once again.