[August 20, 2014] A few months back in May, I wrote about the targeting of government leaders using “investigations” as a tool to divert them from doing their job (see links here and here). A few days ago a Texas grand jury indicted Texas Governor Rick Perry for threatening to veto and then vetoing an appropriation for the office of a DWI-convicted District Attorney who heads the DA’s office in Travis county. This is an example of the political investigation of leaders. We recall what this did to Tom Delay back in 2005 by the same county DA office; he was later cleared of all wrongdoing but his career was ruined.
Not a great photo but yes this is the DWI-convicted DA making faces during the booking
I predicted back in May that this will continue. It is likely that things will get worse – more investigations and subsequently greater expenditure of tax dollars to look for things that are not worth investigating. As expected, this investigation like many before it will tie the hands of those accused while the accuser has no downside for bringing the allegations. Many claim that our system is out of whack. Tom Delay called this type of effort by the DA’s office the “criminalization of politics.” Even the New York Times, certainly no fan of Perry’s leadership, said that the indictment of Perry “appears to be the product of an overzealous prosecution.”
To watch the booking footage of the county DA, the link is here. The comments on YouTube are also entertaining. All this is a must see. If you have 5 minutes, I recommend it. This is the person that Governor Perry wants to resign from office for this very episode. Of course, the DWI-convicted DA is still at her job and the Governor is under investigation for trying to get her out. Leaders need to continue doing their job the best way then can and not be deterred by investigations. Senior leaders, more than ever, need to possess resilience and courage because that is what will carry them through.
Can this really be happening? More to come. Stay tuned.
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