LA Times on "Maximum Mike"

The nominees, many of whom have been awaiting Senate confirmation for months, are being treated like "political pawns," Bush said earlier this month.

Michael J. Sullivan, the president's choice to head the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, is one of them.

That's one hell of an unfounded assumption to jump to, particularly since The Times had access to Ryan's blog.

It's nice to see him get some ink and attention, but the tone of this makes "Maximum Mike" the victim, and totally ignores the intimidation and vendetta that are the hallmarks of BATFU.

Ryan, my advice would be to write a letter to the editor and tell your side: summarize your experience, how the Red's infractions have been no threat to public safety, how the standards you're judged by are often undocumented and arbitrary, the pettiness and harassment you have undergone, and the human side of the impact this has had on you. Oh, and to better your chances, keep it under their suggested limit of 150 words...