http://www.star-telegram.com/238/story/1132707.html

As usual, the startlegram can't load for crap. It's still trying to load in FF, but now I've seen it in IE.

As a registered (2 state) lobbyist myself, I'm glad to see that my future job opportunities are not limited by the fact that very strict lobby statutes force me to register as a lobbyist.

For those having trouble with the link:



WASHINGTON — President-elect Barack Obama appointed a defense contractor’s lobbyist Thursday to become the No. 2 official at the Defense Department, acknowledging that his choice appeared to break with his self-imposed rules to keep lobbyists at arm’s length.

William J. Lynn III, Obama’s choice for deputy defense secretary, is a former Pentagon official who now is senior vice president for government operations at Raytheon Co. Lynn hasn’t been a registered lobbyist since July, meaning that he can’t personally lobby Congress or the White House.

In the first three months of 2008, his lobbying team reported spending $1.15 million to influence issues including missiles, sensors and radar, advanced technology programs and intelligence funding.

Obama has vowed that no political appointees in his administration would be permitted to work on areas that "directly and substantially related to their prior employer for two years."

His transition team, which voluntarily disclosed Lynn’s lobbying activities, said Lynn’s talents made him worth the apparent exception to the spirit of Obama’s anti-lobbyist policy. It said it will work with Lynn to maintain Obama’s high ethics standards.

"Because Mr. Lynn came so highly recommended from experts across the political spectrum, the president-elect felt it was critical that he fill this position," Obama’s spokesman Tommy Vietor said.

Some government watchdogs questioned the revolving-door aspect of Lynn’s appointment even while acknowledging his qualifications.

"He left public service and went into lobbying for one of the largest defense contractors in the nation. And that’s the part that’s troubling," said Bill Buzenberg, executive director of the Center for Public Integrity. "Even if he’s completely above board and ethical, it raises questions about his loyalty."

If confirmed by the Senate, Lynn would become the top civilian assistant to Defense Secretary Robert Gates, who is staying on in the top civilian job.

If you look at the Board of Directors of Raytheon, the members are all Ex-DoD, CIA, NSA, or retired 3 or 4 Stars.

Talk about incest.

I hate this kind of crap. I hate that it's what makes the political world go 'round.
It's why I consider myself a Green and generally don't vote Dem or Repub.