outrage overload
November 12, 2009 | 06:46 PM

In regards to Siddiqui, outrage over the seed industry's heavy-handed tactics is a limited perspective of what the appointment could mean. Politically, it's a poor move with far-reaching political impacts - for Obama and for the US. On two levels, it makes this country look bad. Obama's first act as President was to sign into law a ban on the rotating door between corporate heads and federal agency heads and cherry positions in the goverment for industry lobbyists. Siddiqui's appointment is in flagrant disregard to that law and should be challenged on that basis. Obama has also presented himself as trying to move this country back to center and a place of respect internationally instead of being perceived as the bully we've become. In this he has begun to have some, if however small, success. Siddiqui will do considerable damage to that effort.

pua