Women and minorities who take the fall fight back

When bad stuff happens because of government policy, someone is often chosen as "the fall guy." In the case of Katrina, it was Brownie -- Michael D. Brown, the former Federal Emergency Management Agency director. That was probably because those who wanted to avoid the blame knew he was Peter Principled into his position, and they felt he was a salable target.

(No comment on others in the Executive Branch who have been Peter Principled into their positions.)

Often, however, the blame falls on the most convenient woman or minority. Two recent examples taking the heat for failures in Iraq and the so-called "war on terror" are former Army Brigadier General Janis Karpinski and former Army Captain James Yee.

They now have come out with books detailing their sides of the story. For an excellent analysis of their books, see "The Accused" in the March 2006 issue of The American Prospect.