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Top Security Official at State Resigns
Only 38 days after the Nisour Square shootings and a myriad of sub-scandals and related controversy, and someone at the State Department has finally lost his job. ABC News reports that Richard Griffin, the top diplomatic security official at Foggy Bottom, has agreed to resign after Amb. Patrick Kennedy's recommendations on overhauling State's relationship with its security contractors amounted to a tacit rebuke of his tenure.
The AP, reporting on an internal e-mail announcing the resignation, adds:
"He read his letter of resignation at the weekly Diplomatic Security staff meeting," said the e-mail, which was read to The Associated Press by one its recipients. "There was no detailed reason provided and no effective date identified at this time."
When testifying to the House oversight committee earlier this month about contractor operations, Griffin copped an attitude. As Rep. Henry Waxman (D-CA) pressed him on why the State Department helped Blackwater evacuate a contractor who'd drunkenly killed an Iraqi vice president's bodyguard, Griffin all but told Waxman that he wouldn't answer questions about it:
Comments (19)
mo2 wrote on October 24, 2007 2:08 PM:Griffin is this week's White House fall guy.
neo1 wrote on October 24, 2007 2:13 PM:Pardon the nit-picking comment, but a sentence that begins "ONLY 38 days" and concludes "someone has FINALLY" seems to be a little short on consistency of viewpoint.
brian wrote on October 24, 2007 2:14 PM:It is clear that Madame Secretary is an extremely poor manager. State is a mess. She and her friends did all they could to run off capable career officers.
Politically connected boobies with 'conservative credentials' have moved in.
This is in addition to her being unable to conduct any diplomacy.
Does State do any diplomacy any more ?
pinson wrote on October 24, 2007 2:17 PM:What, this couldn't wait till Friday afternoon?
observer wrote on October 24, 2007 2:25 PM:This is like the chines tainted toothpast resignations - the king is dead long live the king..
Jake D. wrote on October 24, 2007 2:27 PM:The Security Official is dead,
long live The Security Official!
Given the Code Pinko wacko who assaulted Secretary Rice on the Capitol, I hope some heads roll -- some "bro" should have tazed that protestor -- sorry to see Griffin leave though.
The Bobs wrote on October 24, 2007 2:27 PM:neo1:
Pardon the nit-picking comment, but a sentence that begins "ONLY 38 days" and concludes "someone has FINALLY" seems to be a little short on consistency of viewpoint.
I think Spencer was being snarky.
Sully18 wrote on October 24, 2007 2:30 PM:No truth;no honor.Griffin`s flat affect suggests a need for a mental status assessment.I hope he gets the help he needs.
Mafalda Hopkirk wrote on October 24, 2007 2:42 PM:pinson:
I wonder what's coming Friday - if this had to come today!
mac2151 wrote on October 24, 2007 2:54 PM:Griffin - just one more soldier in the Bush/Cheney crime family.
Accordingly, I couldn't help but notice the 10/22 piece at Think Progress on the diverting of Stars & Stripes funds to the America Supports You Program & the evangelical agenda. I guess that even crime families have to resort to propaganda & recruitment.
The diverted funds found their way to Susan Davis Intl. One member of their board is Judy Whittlesey. Faith Whittsely sits on the board of Christian Freedom Intl with Blackwater's Erik Prince.
There's a lot more firing & JAILING to do.
tritonesub wrote on October 24, 2007 3:10 PM:@neol.
moondancer wrote on October 24, 2007 3:32 PM:Would it be less confusing to you if it were written "Finally blah de blah. And it only took 38 days."? 'Cause that is clearly the intent of the writing. It's not inconsistent, it just wasn't written with adherence to the standard snark style guide.
Wow!
Another Bush political appointee resigns in disgrace. Gee who would imagine something like that could happen?
luneylegme wrote on October 24, 2007 3:37 PM:Its clear to me that Griffin hates America. Why else would he let the people he is charge of destroy bushes "city on the hill" project in Iraq. We should get Glen Beck on this right away.
"Madam Secretary?"
Uncle_Meat wrote on October 24, 2007 3:40 PM:"Yes Richard?"
"I think I know how to make you happy."
"God Richard I'm going to miss you", snuffle sniff sniff .
"Yes Madam Secretary"
"Who all knows ? Maybe some other tool will miss you too"
"Thats very funny Madam Secretary"
"I know"
Jake D. wrote on October 24, 2007 2:27 PM:
Given the Code Pinko wacko who assaulted Secretary Rice on the Capitol, I hope some heads roll -- some "bro" should have tazed that protestor -- sorry to see Griffin leave though.
Dennis wrote on October 24, 2007 3:43 PM:Protesting is grounds for tasing? Why do you hate America Jake D.?
Griffin show how much some Republicans will be "our kind of Republican".
Don't worry, he's already got a job somewhere.
You don't have to be a blind conservative not to see it, just an ignorant one to deny it.
houston wrote on October 24, 2007 3:48 PM:So when is the press release announcing the latest hire at Blackwater coming out?
Utopia wrote on October 24, 2007 4:24 PM:"There was no detailed reason provided ..."
Oh, come on. Isn't the standard response "he wants to spend more time with his family?" Do we even need to wait for the reason?
U
martin wrote on October 24, 2007 4:56 PM:Maybe Griffin's reason for leaving will be, "The cost of college for my kids is too high, so I've decided to quit my job." What other Administration lackey recently used that gem as a reason for leaving?
Utopia wrote on October 25, 2007 1:20 PM:Oooh, ooh, I know. Tony Snow. What do I win?
U