DeLeo’s speculation as to how his 28-year-old godson became one of the youngest chief probation officers in state history:
“I wrote a letter of recommendation for him,” DeLeo said. “And that was the extent of my recommendation of Brian. Upon his getting the probation job, from there on, I had nothing to with his elevation from there. He must have proven it by his excellent work record.”
sounds amusingly like the speculation of Picasso’s former electrician as to why the legendary painter might have given him 270 paintings. According to an NPR story this morning, the man who installed burglar alarms for Picasso said words to the effect of:
Maybe he liked my work.
Please share widely!
Isn’t that also how the Emperor Caligula defended the promotion of his horse to consul?
…in a way that honors letters of references required by many jobs in both public and private sector, without assuming or permitting something more sinister? If the Speaker were my godfather, uncle, or whatever I’d ask him for a reference too. My own idea is that we level the playing field within the legislature so that Speakers and Chairs aren’t so powerful to begin with. That way there’s no thought on the part of the hiring authority, even subconsciously, that if the relative isn’t hired the Speaker is going to cut my department’s funding.
A man’s reach should exceed his grasp, else what’s a Heaven for?
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p>That said – how about an ethics rule just precluding currently serving elected legislators from writing letters of recommendation for ANYBODY for government jobs?
…but not one I’m sure I agree with.