Is anyone else as not-bothered by the recent Associated Press report that Defense Secretary Leon Panetta has flown home to Carmel Valley more than two dozen times, largely at taxpayer expense?
Even at some $800,000 -- it's a minuscule amount, compared to the Pentagon's estimated $614 billion budget. (It's .00000130 of the budget).
But as so often is the case, no one answers the more important question -- what has Panetta added to the public good -- not only as defense secretary, but as a congressman, White House budget director, White House chief of staff and CIA director?
Good heavens -- the man is 73 and running perhaps the most important institution in the world. Hey -- our safety stem directly from his judgments. I'm glad he's heading home on weekends to wife and family. It's in our interest to take good care of him.
With all the major budget issues, the public dialogue continues to focus on inane details. President Obama's "dates" to New York with his wife. Mitt Romney's perfectly legal 15 percent tax payment. Good God, people used to complain about Nixon flying to California too much.
It's insignifant. And these people have some pressure on them. Let them de-stress. (Even Clinton needed that).
It reminds me of that great Shel Silverstein song ("May the man who has his finger on the button have a lovely day today. I hope nothing hangs him up or ticks him off or bums him out in any way...")
May they all have a good day.
