Compared to using the IRS against political opponents during an election campaign, closing traffic lanes for four days is jaywalking.
Chris Christie apologized for aides who closed traffic lanes, and he fired a deputy chief of staff.
We mention the IRS because Christie's contrition contrasts so sharply with Obama's handling of the tax agency's abuse of political opponents and his reluctance to fire anyone (other than a military general) for anything.
Christie was properly contrite, saying he had been "lied to" by the senior aide he proceeded to fire.
He also said he is withdrawing his support for his former campaign manager to run the state Republican Party because the man had shown "callous and indifferent" behavior toward the people inconvenienced by the traffic-lane closures.
Which brings us to the Obama Administration, which quickly leaked to the media that the U.S. Attorney is investigating the lane closures as a criminal matter.
Well, that sure was fast, and nice of Eric Holder's Justice Department to show its typical discretion when investigating political opponents.
This is the same Administration that won't tell Congress what resources it is devoting to the IRS probe, and appears to be slow-rolling it.
It has also doubled down by expanding the political vetting of 501(c)(4) groups seeking tax-exempt status.
Lois Lerner, who ran the IRS tax-exempt shop and took the Fifth before Congress, was allowed to "retire," presumably with a pension.
Acting IRS commissioner Steven Miller resigned under pressure but no other heads have rolled.
http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052702304347904579310832305028924
