Over Reaction in Government

For John, BLUF:  If you are going to react you might as well over-react.  Nothing to see here; just move along.

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Who would believe there is over reaction in Government.  Captain Renault would be shocked, shocked.

What happened with the GSA in Vegas stymies federal workers.

When federal employees get together for training and meetings, fancy lunches aren't on the menu anymore. In fact, food of any kind — tuna fish sandwiches, green salad, oatmeal cookies — can no longer be served by the government. Even coffee is off-limits.

Scientists at the Food and Drug Administration and other agencies say they can no longer travel to academic conferences to present their research.

And mental-health workers at military hospitals say they are in danger of losing their licenses because they can't attend refresher courses.

Three years after the Obama administration clamped down on travel and training in response to the uproar over a Las Vegas conference where hundreds of federal workers partied for four days at taxpayer expense, the restrictions are taking an unanticipated toll. Employees at a wide range of agencies say the rules are gumming up the machinery of government.

This scandal was covered in this news article, "GSA chief resigns amid reports of excessive spending".  What happened was that the GeneralServices Administration had a conference in Las Vegas that included hiring a clown and a mind reader and holding a $31,208 reception.  In the aftermath not only did the Chief of GSA resign, but two top deputies were fired and four managers were placed on leave.  Ouch. In today's article we have these two paragraphs summing up the situation:

As inspector general at the General Services Administration, Brian D. Miller cracked open the story of his agency's extravagances at its 2010 Las Vegas conference, which featured a mind-reader, after-hours parties in loft suites and a video of a bare-chested executive soaking in a hot tub. Now, Miller is warning that the pendulum has swung too far.

"You have an outrageous case and all of a sudden you have a blanket law," said Miller, who left the GSA last year and now works at the Navigant business consulting firm. "It's kind of a bureaucratic problem."

The Federal Ban on conferences included not allowing people to go to known resorts, even when it was cost effective, resulting in the Nevada Congressional Delegation introducing the Protecting Resort Cities From Discrimination Act (Lead Sponsor Rep. Mark Amodei, R-Nev).

This is, of course, like severing your hand at the wrist because you have a bad splinter in your index finger.

You know how this goes:

President—This Vegas thing reflects badly on the Federal Government.  Lets fix it so it doesn't happen again.

Director of Office of Management and Budget— Issue a circular that curtails partying at conferences.

Agency Head—I won't be the first to bust this.  Nobody does a conference unless I approve it.

Subordinate Management—Don't even bother putting in for a Conference; they won't approve it and I won't forward it.

Regards  —  Cliff