Tom Ridge get's "Duct Tape Pay Back!" Home Depot puts him on Board

[KoKo]

"If it walks like a duct... Tom Ridge and the Department of HomeDepotLand Security

Remember duct tape mania? In February 2003, Tom Ridge's Department of Homeland Security recommended obtaining duct tape and plastic sheeting to seal a house in the event of a chemical or biological attack or disaster. The advice triggered a national debate, and also a run on America's home improvement stores.

Here's a CNN story from that month:

A Lowe's hardware store in Alexandria, Virginia, said every roll of duct tape has been sold. Another Alexandria Home Depot store reported sales of duct tape tripled overnight.

"Everything that was on that newscast, we are selling a lot of it," said Rich Pierce with a Home Depot in the D.C. area.

In fact, CBS Marketwatch reports that Home Depot soon "went so far as to set up special Homeland Security displays nears it entrances to tout sales of duct tape, plastic sheeting, batteries and bottled water, among other safe-room supplies. "

And last August, this blogger found unscientific evidence that Home Depot stock went up every time that Ridge raised the nation's terror alert code to Orange, which (in what would have to be a coincidence, right?) is also the color of the Home Depot logo.

-SNIP-

Well, all we can say is....is this a great country, or what?!!! Because just a month after leaving office, Ridge has found himself a gig that involves some good money, not that much work, and probably some stock options to boot.

This week, Ridge was named one of the 13 members of the board of directors of the world's largest home improvement company...Home Depot.

"Tom Ridge served his country with great distinction, and we are honored to have him join our board, where we expect that his unique global experience and perspective will make a profound contribution to our company and our shareholders," said Bob Nardelli, chairman, president and CEO.

-SNIP-

So there you have it, folks -- the company that make a killing on Ridge terror alerts (the only killing that took place, we might note...gratefully, of course) is now paying Ridge in the ballpark of $100,000, plus options, before his Cabinet chair has even cooled down."

Does this deal stink? If it walks like a duct...

http://www.pnionline.com/dnblog/attytood/archives/001515.html

[fertilizeonarbusto]

1. What a surprise!

Lo, it is all clear now! :eyes:

[BurgherHoldtheLies]

2. Funny he doesn't support the Lowe's near his house....

I know where he lives in Erie and it is Lowe's, not Home Depot, in his immediate area. Funny he supports the competitor of his community store.

Some bad press could come of this in NW PA.

[underpants]

3. OMG! that is just too funny sad but funny

[shoelace414]

4. what are his qualifications

to serve on the board of a company like that?

[underpants]

7. Same as most any other board

None.

You would be amazed at the old boy network that fosters people with no actual ability, experience, or talent sitting on several boards. I used to work for a executive benefits company and their golden parachutes/handcuffs are amazing.

BTW- W was on the board of a Texas bank and borrowed money from the same bank to buy into the Texas Rangers. I am sure you are aware of W's "bidness acumen" to that point in his life.

[ryan_cats]

14. Funny

Years ago I read a management book where one strategy was to hire someone obviously incompetent so that the business would incure losses. I forget why you would want that and also the title of the book but it was a hilarious book and most of the stuff mentioned I have seen take place in the corporate world.

[havocmom]

10. He was very effective at selling duct tape and plastic sheeting. (n/t)

[Catherine Vincent]

5. Duct Tape Ridge!

Duct Tape Ridge!
Duct Tape Ridge!
Duct Tape Ridge!
Duct Tape Ridge!
Duct Tape Ridge!
Duct Tape Ridge!
Duct Tape Ridge!
Duct Tape Ridge!

[stevedeshazer]

6. In a weird way, it shows just how dumb Ridge is

Most paid-off former government officials go into defense or finance or a well-paid "think tank".

Tom goes to Home Depot.

Can I get some help on Aisle Six with a toilet, please?

[AlinPA]

8. This hubris is going to bring the slime republicans down. They are

rubbing the public's faces in it. I actually thought it was a joke and Googled it! I don't watch any cable news so I don't know if they covered it. My wife saw a tiny piece about it in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

[Chef]

9. Duct Tape Tom

You may rember that Home Depot was one of *s largest contributers. They had something like 90%+ bribe-to-Bush factor and he held a "rally" at one of their stotes in Maryland. Just a payoff.

[KoKo]

11. You'd think he wouldn't be so obvious about it....Geeze...the connection

almost sounds like a joke...! "Duct Tape Ridge" to Guide Home Depot...sheesh.

[KoKo]

12. Kick...for the "Hypocracy" of this.................n/t

[Deja Q]

13. The fact they make this public proves they're laughing in our faces.

You think that, given Asscroft's song and dance about duct tape, his Home Despot deal would remain secret, surely?

[Digit]

15. I stopped shopping at HD years ago. eom