Responsibility and resignation

By Michael J.W. Stickings

Wolfowitz is out -- soon:

World Bank President Paul Wolfowitz has resigned his post, effective June 30.

An internal panel tasked with investigating the lucrative pay and promotion package Wolfowitz arranged in 2005 for girlfriend Shaha Riza found him guilty of breaking bank rules.

The committee also found that he tried to hide the salary and promotion package from top ethics and legal officials within the bank. The report added that there is a "crisis in the leadership" at the World Bank.

Wolfowitz is the first World Bank president to ever leave the bank under a cloud of scandal.

Yet he doesn't seem to think he did anything wrong. You've got to admit, he's consistent in his cluelessness. But at least this mess will soon be over.

The photo above is from the White House. With Wolfowitz embroiled in scandal and soon to resign, let's remind ourselves what President Bush said about him on March 16, 2005, upon his appointment to head The World Bank:

Paul Wolfowitz is a proven leader and experienced diplomat, who will guide the World Bank effectively and honorably during a critical time in history -- both for the Bank and the developing nations it supports.

Well, that didn't quite work out. Bush went on to praise Wolfowitz's "experience" and "skills," as well as his allegedly "deep understanding of developmental issues and economic and political reform," but, however excessive that praise, what he will now be remembered for most is being completely wrong about the Iraq War and reducing The World Bank to a state of crisis by acting unethically and trying to cover it up.

It couldn't have happened to a more deserving man.