But two of the highest-ranking officials who were targets of the investigations will apparently escape sanction. Both retired during the investigation, rendering them safe from any administrative punishment, and the Justice Department has declined to prosecute them on the charges suggested by the inspector general.

This is the kind of thing we've come to expect from Bush's DOJ.

The only reason why the same culture of corruption isn't front-page news for every department in the federal government is because it's very much taken for granted - up to and including the White House.

Every pub in and out of the Beltway is just grabbing while the grabbing is good. And they've grabbed so much that the Chinese and the Muslims had to be brought in to pay the actual expenses. Because there's nothing left.

I can only think of one reason why the oil companies would be giving favors to DOI: To get DOI officials to look the other way while the oil companies shorted Uncle Sam on their taxes. If this is what was going on, the U.S. government was probably cheated out of countless billions of dollars, and some serious felonies were committed along the way.

Can we get "especially cocaine and blow jobs" written into all government contracts now?

The Republican reaction to this story will be, huh. Now, let's talk about Obama calling Palin a pig and wanting to have sex with kindergartners. It's a scandal a week with this administration and no one seems to pay a lick of attention to it.

For this piece? I mean just at salon, no one else will do it, I feel fairly certain. Why not go nuts? It is after all big news, one would think, not big news in that no one knew before. We all know about the no-bid contracts and the record profits for oil companies, but you know it's never too late.

can we get some screaming headlines and bold graphics

I notice that this is the top item on the front page of Google News, and Google says that 629 news sources are carrying it so far.

I think this story has some legs.

I think this story has some legs.

Pubs do amputations.

The electorate approves of all Bush administration scandals and larcenies, no matter how vast. Mass murder, armed robbery on an international scale, systematic torture - all pre-approved.

Bush: "I'm God. The voters said so."

Palin: "I'm the Virgin Mary."

McCain: "Where's my crown."

Cheney: "Suckers."

It is after all big news, one would think

Early estimates indicate it ranks 186th on the Bush Administration's All-Time Heinous Scandal list.

Numbers 16 through 128 are naturally classified.

Moreover No One, not your precious Congress is even paying attention. Bush is busy stealing everything not nailed down. He only has a few weeks. And Congress, well, they're just useless and have been useless for most of the past 15 years.

Of course, since this is taking place on the current administration's watch, they are responsible. However, I have not read any story that identifies the provenence of the Mineral Management people implicated. My question is this: are they political appointees, or are they career, non-partisan civil servants?

is this what the chant at the Rep convention was all about?

Checking the news this morning expecting to see more reports on this and a growing scandal. No, not a word. Damn liberal media they must be sacking the story.

So, the depth of corruption is so deep that they can sweep this under a rock. So much for the liberal media comment. It is clear we only here what the Bush administration wants us to hear. I wonder if we will ever see anymore on this or is it just a 2nd page one day story that this is the way our goverment is run. I think I need a goverment job? It seems there the only ones having any fun and getting a bonus.

Lets see, banks and investment firm crumbling, corrupt energy policy, wars of choice, pediphiles, stupid foriengn policies,

government appointees with no experience, so why are they getting away with this? the liberal media of course. There very liberal with the far right wing Bushies, why there controlled by the Bushies. Mind you he enjoys a 30% approval rating. Who are these people? or is it just a number high enough and low enough to be believable. Nothing is as it seems.

RNC " Drill Drill Drill " There were empty seats at the convention. Ron Paul drew more people to his convertion across town. They must have all gone there.