Mark Matthews and Bobby Block have the most in-depth reporting on Chairwoman Giffords’ too-cozy relationship with NASA and Constellation defenders that I’ve seen to date. But is it actually a conflict of interest? I’m not sure about that. As the article notes, her husband is unlikely to fly on anything resulting from the POR, and while he may have a job lined up with one of the usual suspects, he’d probably be able to get it regardless. If anyone is aware of a more quid-pro-quoish possibility on this front, I’d be interested to hear about it, though, in light of the history of the Horowitz revolving door with ATK.
But what I do think is happening is that her husband is a big supporter of the POR, and he has no doubt influenced her to be one as well. I’m not excusing her behavior toward the committee or Chairman Augustine, or her apparent ignorance or flawed understanding of the issues about which she has oversight responsibility, and I wish that someone else had her job, but I just don’t see it as corrupt. I do think, though, that the criticism of her husband for romancing her with taxpayer resources is fair and legitimate.
The thing I would be concerned about is internal NASA documents that should stay inside NASA going to a politician outside proper channels.
The Navy/TACAIR/TPS/NASA/Western Democrat connection is intriguing.
The treatment of Norm Augustine was and is a disgrace. For politicians with blatant political interests to protect to accuse others and attack them over reasonable judgment calls (that one does not have to agree with) is…typical, and proves that all too often the political class act like the only ones in America who will be treated with respect are those who have the political power to retaliate. No other rules–especially the Golden one–seem to govern.
Having said that, I don’t think the T-38 use was improper. Cross-countries have to go somewhere, though there was the possibility of distraction and channelized attention during the flights to and fro–but no more than a private pilot doing the same thing faces. I would think though, that he wouldn’t get away with it in the Navy after a while. On the other hand, go read “God is My Copilot”. It’s how Col. Scott courted his wife, if I remember correctly.