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COMMENT: Ragsdale’s “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy
Posted By katie allison granju
This is a hilarious comment to my earlier post today about Knox County politics & priorities (and for the humor impaired, I feel compelled to point out that this is political satire - of the highest order):
Mayor says campaign donations for P-card reimbursements falls under “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy
Knoxville, TN. Knox County Mayor Mike Ragsdale explained today that his use of campaign donations to repay some of his P-card purchases falls under a newly revealed “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy. The mayor went on to say that the “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy covers many other aspects of his administration.
“Purchase receipts, for instance, fall under ‘don’t ask, don’t tell,’” explained Ragsdale. “If a staffer doesn’t tell us that they don’t have purchase receipts for copies at Kinko’s or flashingblinkylights.com or whatever, well, then, we don’t ask. It makes everything run much smoother.”
“This also explains why ‘each and every year, I write a check to Knox County government for no known reason,’” said Ragsdale. “‘Don’t ask, don’t tell’ doesn’t allow me to ask myself why I’m doing it, and of course, if I don’t ask myself why, then I can’t tell myself why. So I’m totally in the dark about why I do these things, but as long as it’s not illegal, I’m not going to worry about it.”
Mayoral office spokesperson Dwight Van de Vate said that the “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy also extended to staff hirings and firings.
“For example, the mayor didn’t ask about Cynthia Finch’s dismissal, so we didn’t tell him,” said Van de Vate. “I’m not sure if he even knows yet that she’s now President of Development and Strategic Planning for an employment agency.”
“To be honest,” Van de Vate added, “‘Don’t ask, don’t tell’ covers pretty much everything we do these days. We’re all pretty much clueless about everything that goes on in this office. Believe me, it’s better that way. If I knew what I was supposed to know to do this job then I couldn’t do it, if you know what I mean. If you don’t know, don’t ask, because I can’t tell”
Mar 28th, 2008
Well after this audit and his response I am wondering why there isnt a huge roar over Knoxville for him to resign, or more fittingly be run out of town on a rail. What makes him better than any other person who commits a crime(no matter how small). If I used a P-card inappropriatly on my job, paying the money back would be expected but the loss of my job would be immediate and without question. All of this dont ask dont tell is just a clever way of divering blame. As he is the mayor and it is his office he should be held primarily responseable. The minute he paid money back he was admitting guilt and should have been forced to step down. As I am a tax payer I feel he works for me and I want him fired! The sad thing is I voted for the crook!