Corrupting corporate governance

We know how the Bush administration has populated the ranks of federal environmental agencies with industry hacks. We know how his appointment of crony Michael Brown fatally impaired that agency's performance during Hurricane Katrina. What other areas of federal responsibility have been thrown into the corporate dumpster by President Bush? Here's another one -- mine safety:

JUST AS HURRICANE Katrina put a spotlight on the leadership and competence of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, so, too, it seems, is the Sago coal mine disaster destined to shine a light on the Mine Safety and Health Administration. Unlike FEMA, the mine safety agency -- which sets safety standards for the mining industry and inspects mines to ensure they meet them -- has not been run by inexperienced people. But it does seem that MSHA, like a slew of other agencies in this administration, has been run for the past five years by people who emerged from the industry being regulated.