A few days back I saw an interview with the comedian Lewis Black on CNN. He was asked whether the increased seriousness and frequency of world events made things more difficult or easier for him. He said that it was easier, but harder to keep up with.
This week Rep. Rahm Emanuel (D-IL) lightened the load on comedians and satirists. Emanuel was responding to a recent report by the National Journal regarding White House staffer's salaries and more specifically to the information that there is someone in the White House with the job title 'Director Of Lessons Learned'.
Here's what he had to say;
Emanuel on White House Director of Lessons Learned
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Representative Rahm Emanuel (D-IL) released the following statement in advance of delivery on the House floor:
"Mr. Speaker, yesterday the President said we continue to be wise about how we spend the people's money.
"Then why are we paying over $100,000 for a 'White House Director of Lessons Learned'?
"Maybe I can save the taxpayers $100,000 by running through a few of the lessons this White House should have learned by now.
"Lesson 1: When the Army Chief of Staff and the Secretary of State say you are going to war without enough troops, you're going to war without enough troops.
"Lesson 2: When 8.8 billion dollars of reconstruction funding disappears from Iraq, and 2 billion dollars disappears from Katrina relief, it's time to demand a little accountability.
"Lesson 3: When you've 'turned the corner' in Iraq more times than Danica Patrick at the Indy 500, it means you are going in circles.
"Lesson 4: When the national weather service tells you a category 5 hurricane is heading for New Orleans, a category 5 hurricane is heading to New Orleans.
"I would also ask the President why we're paying for two 'Ethics Advisors' and a 'Director of Fact Checking.'
"They must be the only people in Washington who get more vacation time than the President.
"Maybe the White House could consolidate these positions into a Director of Irony."
I don't think Black has to worry about Emanuel taking over his job any time soon, but I thought it was pretty funny, especially coming from Emanuel, who's always struck me as a very dry and no-nonsense type.
