Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge is considering stepping down. His rationale is that he needs to make more money so he can put his kids through college. Btw, he makes $175,000/year.
I don't begrudge him the right to make more money, but it shows that those in charge are totally out of touch with what most Americans deal with on a day-to-day basis.
Full Version: Ridge considers quitting
Possibly to stressful of a job???? :confused:
The poor guy! Maybe his stupid kids should be a bit smarter so they can get scholarships. Let's make the decision easy for him...vote Bush out of office! 
[ July 30, 2004, 10:47 AM: Message edited by: bobby78751 ]
[ July 30, 2004, 10:47 AM: Message edited by: bobby78751 ]
bobby... that is a good one. I am laughing out loud right now. Ha!!! 
QUOTE
puckman1:
Possibly to stressful of a job???? :confused:
His response to this question:Possibly to stressful of a job???? :confused:
QUOTE
When asked if he was worn out, Ridge said: \"I am not authorized to be stressed.\"
Puh-leaze! 
Hey now, I can't let jabs (even good natured) at Tom Ridge go unanswered! wink
Seriously though -- I have had the honor of meeting him on many occasions through The Dickinson School of Law, of which we're both alums (as is Senator Santorum...yuck), and when I worked for the state government in Harrisburg during his time as governor. (I would like to take this chance to say that, for ther record, I have never worked as a judge.)
Tom Ridge is one of the few politicians I can think of who is not out of touch with average Americans.
If you read his bio, you'll see that he carries with him a life story that is almost a mix of Kerry and Edwards. What's also interesting is that his bio, while mentioning his Vietnam service (he left law school after being drafted), it doesn't mention that he was injured and remains disabled, losing his hearing in one ear. However, in contrast to Senator Kerry, he does not wear his Vietnam service on his sleeve. When the President asked him to leave Pennsylvania and take on the homeland security mantle, he did so only because he felt duty and honor bound to serve the President when asked -- saying that when the President asks for your service, you don't say no.
Before leaving the governor's office, many Pennsylvanians were hoping that Senator Specter would retire and that then-Gov. Ridge would run for his seat after leaving the Governor's mansion at what would have been the end of his term in 2003. But, word had it that he had every intention of entering the private sector then, as he will apparently do now.
And hey, his kids ARE pretty smart, too!
From his DHS Bio
Seriously though -- I have had the honor of meeting him on many occasions through The Dickinson School of Law, of which we're both alums (as is Senator Santorum...yuck), and when I worked for the state government in Harrisburg during his time as governor. (I would like to take this chance to say that, for ther record, I have never worked as a judge.)
Tom Ridge is one of the few politicians I can think of who is not out of touch with average Americans.
If you read his bio, you'll see that he carries with him a life story that is almost a mix of Kerry and Edwards. What's also interesting is that his bio, while mentioning his Vietnam service (he left law school after being drafted), it doesn't mention that he was injured and remains disabled, losing his hearing in one ear. However, in contrast to Senator Kerry, he does not wear his Vietnam service on his sleeve. When the President asked him to leave Pennsylvania and take on the homeland security mantle, he did so only because he felt duty and honor bound to serve the President when asked -- saying that when the President asks for your service, you don't say no.
Before leaving the governor's office, many Pennsylvanians were hoping that Senator Specter would retire and that then-Gov. Ridge would run for his seat after leaving the Governor's mansion at what would have been the end of his term in 2003. But, word had it that he had every intention of entering the private sector then, as he will apparently do now.
And hey, his kids ARE pretty smart, too!
From his DHS Bio
QUOTE
Born Aug. 26, 1945, in Pittsburgh's Steel Valley, Gov. Ridge was raised in a working class family in veterans' public housing in Erie. He earned a scholarship to Harvard, graduating with honors in 1967. After his first year at The Dickinson School of Law, he was drafted into the U.S. Army, where he served as an infantry staff sergeant in Vietnam, earning the Bronze Star for Valor. After returning to Pennsylvania, he earned his law degree and was in private practice before becoming assistant district attorney in Erie County. He was elected to Congress in 1982. He was the first Congressman to have served as an enlisted man in the Vietnam War, and was overwhelmingly re-elected five times.
As PA governor, Ridge was a boob. As Homeland Security head, he's still a boob. The sooner he becomes a boob in private industry the better.
Be sure to wave those color-code terror charts when you're dancing out the door, Tommy. At least we'll get some practical use out of them.
Be sure to wave those color-code terror charts when you're dancing out the door, Tommy. At least we'll get some practical use out of them.
Love them boobies!
QUOTE
Joe in Philly:
As PA governor, Ridge was a boob. As Homeland Security head, he's still a boob. The sooner he becomes a boob in private industry the better.
Well, on that point we disagree, but hey, thanks for the substantive comment.As PA governor, Ridge was a boob. As Homeland Security head, he's still a boob. The sooner he becomes a boob in private industry the better.
[ July 30, 2004, 01:12 PM: Message edited by: PennState4Ever ]
Where are his kids applying to school?
His daughter will be a freshman at Carnegie-Mellon this year. His son will be a high school junior.
This article in the Harrisburg Patriot News discusses the subject in good detail.
This article in the Harrisburg Patriot News discusses the subject in good detail.
This is a "lo-fi" version of our main content. To view the full version with more information, formatting and images, please click here.