TYC Scandal: Perry Defends His Office’s Neglectful Actions With Nixonian Overtones

Back from his junket to Dubai, Texas Governor Rick Perry last week defended his office and his staff, saying they did what they should have when they learned about abuse allegations in the Texas Youth Commission.

Not only that, Perry appeared to channel Richard Nixon and asked the Austin American-Statesman to retract a story it wrote last week about how his office handled the situation.

“I think this ‘When did you know? When did you know it? Do you think someone should have done more?’ is  {missing the point of how are we making progress to getting these kids the protections that they need,” Perry said.

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“I think you’re getting confused about having a report and having some notes, and that is very important,” Perry said. “I think there were some misstatements of fact and would like to have a retraction.”

Perry can’t be serious. The reason he doesn’t want people asking “When did you know,” is because he himself doesn’t know the answer. Perry is either so disconnected from the situation he’s afraid of what could surface or he’s aware of the answers and doesn’t want them in the press.

The “When did you know” question is vital. It’s the same question that led to Richard Nixon being brought down and the same question being asked right now on the federal level in the U.S. Attorney scandal.

The people of Texas deserve to know the answer to this question. And, if Perry was smart, he’d find out exactly who in his office knew and when they knew it, go public with it, and fire the staff members who were neglectful. Instead, he’s criticizing the press for asking the question and giving staffers like Alfonso Royal pats on the back and “attaboys:”

“The information that I have is that my staff person did exactly what I would expect him to do — made the phone calls to the appropriate agencies, including the Ward County district attorney, who I still will suggest to you is at the epicenter of this problem in not having prosecuted this case as he should have done,” Perry said.

So, you expect that your staff person will get inflamatory information and essentially do nothing about it? I suppose when you have such low expectations it’s not difficult for people to live up to them.

Perry also priased TYC Special Master Jay Kimbrough, saying he’s doing a good job, too:

“Jay Kimbrough is getting the changes made at TYC. I am absolutely satisfied in his progress and hope the Legislature will continue to work with us to put safeguards into place and not spend any more legislative time standing in a circle, pointing to the left and saying, ‘It’s his fault.’ ” Perry said.

Jay Kimbrough is “getting the changes made?” Really? If that were true, the Legislature wouldn’t be chomping at the bit to take matters into its own hands. If Kimbrough wanted to do something worthwhile, he’d take the actions House Democratic Leader Jim Dunnam has been championing in the House for weeks.

Of course, since the very legitimacy of Kimbrough’s stewardship is in question, I can’t see him doing much worth while.

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