January 24, 2001

9:36 PM

You thought it was just "shenanigans," but it turns out to have been a lot more. Outgoing Clinton-Gore Administration staffers committed many acts of vandalism on their way out the door, including mass destruction of internal wiring, destroyed office equipment, intentionally-reprogrammed phone systems and trash strewn everywhere. It was so bad in the Vice-President's offices that Tipper Gore had to personally call Lynne Cheney to apologize.
posted by aaron (20 comments total)

The prank will be remembered for a while, though, what with all those keyboards with mismatched W's on them. Who know you could even get just a bunch of spare keys? Could I get them assorted, for jewelry-making?
posted by endquote at 9:56 PM on January 24, 2001

oh, and the drudge report is the absolute most reliable source ever. i have a feeling it wasn't quite this bad.
posted by pikachulolita at 10:33 PM on January 24, 2001

Personally, I would have shit in his bed.
posted by fullerine at 3:00 AM on January 25, 2001

Sign me up for endquote key jewelry.
posted by sylloge at 3:12 AM on January 25, 2001

The same thing happened here in Ontario when the NDP took over from the Liberals at the provincial level. The NDP ended up buying all new computers. I have a feeling this happens a lot when administrations change; don't you think the Clinton people were just doing the same thing the Bush Sr. people did to them?
posted by tranquileye at 4:03 AM on January 25, 2001

is it just me, or is the drudge report the ugliest damn website ever?
posted by rklawler at 4:13 AM on January 25, 2001

I think Useit.com is pretty ugly, too.
posted by tranquileye at 4:38 AM on January 25, 2001

That's Useit.com.
posted by tranquileye at 4:38 AM on January 25, 2001

What was done is an insult to the the people of the US. The Bush people may be delayed or have to work overtime to fix it, but the taxpayers are the ones who foot the bill.

Spiteful actions like this (and including the one about the bed somebody suggested above) are childish and purposeless.

If Bush Sr.'s people did this, then they deserve to be upbraided as well. But, as they say, two wrongs don't make a right.


posted by locombia at 5:14 AM on January 25, 2001

Pornographic imagery and lewd messages? Are they sure it wasn't just Bill's e-mail print outs?
posted by tiaka at 5:39 AM on January 25, 2001

I'm glad somebody is trying to stop this illegitmate presidency.
posted by capt.crackpipe at 6:14 AM on January 25, 2001

I can only say that I hope the reason for http://www.whitehouse.gov/ is because they were slowed by broken technology. And you thought Useit.com was ugly.
posted by jdiaz at 6:15 AM on January 25, 2001

It has to be said it is just plain ugly.

Can't they get some intern to design a half decent site.

They are after all the leaders of the free world.

I'm sure bill would get some of his people to do it for a couple of nods and winks to the DoJ
posted by fullerine at 6:36 AM on January 25, 2001

Why would you have any reason to believe the Drudge Report or Mullings? I love the sourcing on the Tipper Gore apology: "One person reported to Mullings that it was his understanding that Mrs. Gore had to phone Mrs. Cheney to apologize."

Personally, I'll hold off on my outrage until I read about this from a credible source.
posted by rcade at 6:52 AM on January 25, 2001

aaron: A warning that it's a Drudge Link would be polite. It would save time by allowing me to skip over it.
posted by stevis at 6:54 AM on January 25, 2001

overturned desks! This is one of the worst catastrophes of the world. OH, THE HUMANITIES!
posted by crunchland at 7:11 AM on January 25, 2001

This all reminds me a bit too much of the last item on the Infographic of "Clinton's last acts" from this week's Onion.
posted by jbushnell at 2:43 PM on January 25, 2001

The figure Drudge now gives for the damage is some 200,000. Wow. And how much to trash Clinton by Starr? Hey. I pay taxes too. Cause I am not rich.
posted by Postroad at 5:41 PM on January 25, 2001

Update from Drudge: Bush is inclined not to prosecute. Ari Fleischer:

"I choose not to describe what acts were done that we found upon arrival because I think that's part of changing the tone in Washington. I think it would be easy for us to reflect and to discuss these things and to be critical. President Bush chooses to set a different tone. The president understands that transitions can be times of difficulty and strong emotion. And he's going to approach it in that vein."

posted by aaron at 9:51 PM on January 25, 2001