HACKS AT WORK – AT 8:04 A.M. ET:   You'd think the Obama administration, with its base in the seaminess of Chicago politics, would try to demonstrate some sensitivity in its appointments.  Just last week we were treated to the spectacle of President Obama's nominee to be ambassador to Norway.  He appeared for his confirmation hearing...and demonstrated that he knew nothing about Norway.  But he had raised many dollars for the Obama campaign. 

The Department of Homeland Security is an extremely important division of the government.  Its task is to protect us, to preserve lives, to keep the homeland safe.  And look at its latest pride and joy.  From the Washington Times:

Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson’s newest appointee to his inner circle, chief of staff Christian Marrone, rose to Washington power player via the streets of Pennsylvania’s pay-to-play politics.

Mr. Marrone acknowledged in court that as a Pennsylvania legislative aide he oversaw the private renovation of his politician boss’s mansion — all while drawing paychecks from taxpayers, according to court records reviewed by The Washington Times.

Mr. Marrone was never charged, but prosecutors estimated that he spent 80 percent of his first year and a half in his state job doing the private work of state Sen. Vince Fumo, the records show.

The job afforded him a steady salary right out of college and the opportunity to court and eventually marry Mr. Fumo’s daughter. It also allowed him to help land his father a patronage job in the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission that lasted 10 years, records show.

Ultimately, father and son were ensnared as cooperating witnesses in corruption trials, testifying about pay-to-play schemes and diversion of tax dollars.

Christian Marrone agreed to become a central witness in the 2008 federal trial that sent his father-in-law, Mr. Fumo, to prison for four years on 137 corruption charges.

In court, Mr. Marrone blamed the culture of south Philadelphia politics for his actions, saying he was young and didn’t know any better at the time. But he also acknowledged that he was so concerned about the activities in Mr. Fumo’s office that he kept a stockpile of documents for his own “protection” because he expected one day to land in court.

COMMENT:  Couldn't they have gotten anyone better for Homeland Security?  And what does this say about the department's new head, Jeh Johnson? 

Apparently, the White House doesn't take the department seriously.  It's being used as a political dumping ground.  Feel safer?

February 3, 2014