Kerik Pulls Out. . . Bush Angry He Stained Sheets

Yo, yo, yo, what's happenin' party people? It's Friday night, and I'm writing yet another paper. So that's what's happening in my life, let's check in on the world, shall we?

Earlier tonight, Bernard Kerik, Bush's nominee to head up the barely-there Dept. of Homeland Security has decided not accept the job after all. It seems one of his old housekeepers was an illegal alien which therefore brings up a whole bunch of tax-related issues for him. From CNN:

Kerik said in a news release the immigration problem with the former housekeeper and nanny was discovered while he was completing documents required for his Senate confirmation.

He said he also learned "that for a period of time during such employment, required tax payments and related filings had not been made."

In a letter to Bush, Kerik said that while serving in the Cabinet post would have been "the honor of a lifetime, I am convinced that, for personal reasons, moving forward would not be in the best interests of your administration, the Department of Homeland Security or the American people.

"Under the present circumstances ... I cannot permit matters personal to me to distract from the focus and progress of the Department of Homeland Security and its crucial endeavors."

My question is: who in New York hasn't hired an illegal alien at some point in their life? It's practically a rite of passage.

But, perhaps all is for the better. Check out this from ABC News:

Bush's nomination of Kerik quickly proved controversial. News reports in recent days focused on revelations that Kerik had made millions of dollars a stun gun company that sold weapons to the Homeland Security Department and which wants more business. The White House had said that Kerik would avoid any conflicts of interest.

Records filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission show Kerik made $6.2 million by exercising stock options he received from Taser International. He has been a consultant for the company and still serves on its board of directors, although the company and the White House said he planned to sever the relationship.

If you're still interested, you should read what the guys over at the Center for American Progress have got on the man.