Foxes Guarding the Chickens

Much has been made of George Bush's misuse of the English language and general ignorance of international affairs. Less attention has been paid to a recent spate of the so-called second tier appointments - patronage appointments just below the Cabinet level. These include:

- James Roche, the new secretary of the Air Force. Roche is vice president of Northrup Grumman, one of the largest defense contractors in the U.S.. The company is currently seeking billions of dollars in new Air Force contracts.

- Gordon England, vice president of General Dynamics, has been named secretary of the Navy. General Dynamics is also seeking billions in new contracts from the Navy.

- Linda Fisher is the new deputy administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency. Prior to her appointment, she was the top lobbyist for Monsanto in Washington.

- James Conaughton, a lawyer for Arco and General Electric, has been named as the head of the Council on Environmental Quality.

- J. Steven Griles, a lobbyist for the National Mining Association, has been given responsibilities at the Interior Department which include overseeing mining on public land.