PrintEPA official resigns over 'crucify' comment
Al Armendariz, the EPA official who compared enforcement of EPA policies with terror tactics used by Romans has resigned.
Read this statement carefully and you'll see this guy doesn't get it - and neither does his boss.
"As I have expressed publicly, and to you directly, I regret comments I made several years ago that do not in any way reflect my work as regional administrator. As importantly, they do not represent the work you have overseen as EPA administrator," he wrote. "I take great pride in having built a career based on integrity and hard work. These are the principles that guide me personally as well. While I feel there is much work that remains to be done for the people of this country in the region that I serve, after a great deal of thought and careful consideration, I have come to the conclusion that my continued service will distract you and the agency from its important work."
Yes indeed, those comments reflect on your work as a regional administrator. They go to the heart of a philosphy of enforcement that seeks to use intimidation and - not Roman - but Gestapo tactics in seeking to enforce the law. We don't do that in America. We don't treat American citizens in this manner. And the fact that you don't get that scares the holy hell out of all of us who may get in the sights of a government agency for whatever reason some day.
Amendariz said at the time,"you make examples out of people who are, in this case, not complying with the law ... and you hit them as hard as you can" -- to act as a "deterrent" to others. Wrong. The law is the deterrent not the federal agency. Unless each case is considered on its own merits without prejudice regarding "deterrence" for others, you do a severe injustice to both the law and the concept of fairness.
Power drunk government officials like this guy are probably more common than we think. The small minded bureaucrats build their little kingdoms and inflate their own importance beyond their duties and responsibilities. They should be rooted out and suffer a similar fate to Mr. Amendariz.
