The Surgeon General

Cynthia Tucker is shocked, shocked! that there was political pressure placed on the politically appointed surgeon general (Richard Carmona):

He was even discouraged from going to the Special Olympics, a charitable event that supports disabled Americans, because the organization is linked to a prominent Democratic family. "I was specifically told by a senior person, 'Why would you want to help those people,'" Dr. Carmona said, referring to the family of Sen. Ted Kennedy, D-Mass.

Sounds to me as though Dr Carmona construed any offhand comment as marching orders. At the very least, whoever passed on the orders to snub the Special Olympics should have also informed President Bush before he gave a dinner to honor them:

President Bush: "If you ever had any doubt about how much good one person can do, look no further than this kind and gracious lady. On this special occasion, I ask you to join me in a toast to the Special Olympics, and to Eunice Kennedy Shriver, and to her contributions to our nation -- past, present, and future. God bless."

No doubt that as the President offered the toast, aides were crouched on the floor beside him frantically sotto voicing, "noooo,noooo, Mr President, we don't like her.."

As for stem cells (read the article for Cynthia's whining), aren't members of the Administration expected to at least not contradict stated policy?