More on the Kean Family "Ethics"

by: Juan Melli

Wed Aug 23, 2006 at 09:06:13 AM EDT

That was just part of a pattern for the Kean family. While president of Drew University, Kean Sr paid Henry Kissinger to speak at the university, who later held an exclusive fundraiser for Kean Jr.

Today the Star Ledger reveals further examples of bending the rules of ethics the Keans claim to stand for. Executives and employees at five companies and a foundation where Tom Kean Sr sits on the board have contributed over $60,000 to the son's campaign. In two cases: Hess and CIT, Tom Kean Sr also "chairs the committees that set executive compensation," so maybe this shouldn't come as a surprise:

Employees and board members of Hess Corp. have been the most generous, sending $24,550 in checks to the younger Kean's Republican campaign.

"When Tom Kean Jr. comes to those executives and solicits them for campaign contributions, you certainly have to think he's taking advantage of his father's role overseeing their compensation."

"To suggest quid pro quos is outrageous. It flies in the face of what the Keans stand for."

Get it? Because the Keans are, by definition, ethical, it's a contradiction to suggest they did something unethical!

And therein lies the crux of the matter: They're convinced their shit don't stink. That's why they set ethical standards for others they can't even meet themselves, and then excuse their behavior by denying the mere possibility of it.