2005年NPR美国国家公共电台三月-Quitting the Public Eye -- for How Long?

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Federal Communications Commission chairman Michael Powell said goodbye on Friday. Several high-profile government officials have resigned recently. And Weekend Edition essayist Al Lubrano senses a certain similarity in their exits.

Government big shots keep on ditching fabulous¹ careers to, they say, spend more time with the family. It's the beautiful American excuse, perfect for its homely² sentiment and apparent courage. Embattled Federal Communications Commission chairman Michael Powell needs to see more of his family and would begin hanging with them very soon. There are others: Former embattled CIA Director George Tenet, former embattled EPA head Christie Whitman, former embattled FBI Director Louis Freeh, and many many more. When the going gets tough, the tough go home.

You would think that the American family would be in better shape than it is, given all the people who drop out of jobs that feature limos and White House access, just to play Boggle on a Wednesday night with Junior. Never mind that in many cases, Junior is now 45. No one just comes out and says, "I've been coleslaw-shredded and marginalized and the president is setting my desk on fire." Truth is Michael Powell was pilloried³ by both the left and the right and leaving seems smart. Whitman was being assailed⁴ by the Bush administration for perceived things. While Freeh was taking hits for FBI missteps. And by coyly declaring that he would step down from running the largest spy network in earth history to, learn how to "instant- message" his son's friends, Tenet avoided any talk about intelligence failures.

Some of these family missing folks get home, invest a few nights reuniting with the cat,then speed out of the house faster than you can say, "Wasn't it your turn to take the kids to soccer practice, Mr.Secretary?" After leaving the FBI, Freed signed on as a senior executive of an MBNA corporation, the second largest credit-card issuer in the United States. He's in charge of 26,000 people. That burden might cut into one or two pizza nights with his six sons. People should come up with more honest or, at least original things to say about quitting.

"I am leaving my job to order a room service for seven weeks until the pain this job inflicted⁵ ebbs⁶."
"Join the Carmelite nuns⁷, I hear they are nice."
"Learn how to properly start a fire the Boys Scout⁸ way."
"Cash in on my public service by pulling down more money than God and Oprah."

Al Lubrano is a writer for the Philadelphia Inquirer.

Hey, I love you so I want you to know that I gonna miss your love the minute you walk out that door.So Please don't go, don't go.