Van Jones, White House Adviser on Green Jobs, Resigns Amid 9/11 "Truther' Controversy

Presidential adviser and "truther" Van Jones, who came under fire for signing a controversial petition in 2004 calling for the investigation of whether government officials deliberately allowed the September 11, 2001, terrorists attacks to occur, has resigned. The White House issued a statement late last night saying that Jones was giving up his post at the Council on Environmental Quality, where he helped coordinate government agencies focused on delivering millions of green jobs to the U.S. economy. I called for his resignation after it was revealed that he called some Republicans assholes. He issued an apology last week in which he denied agreeing with the petition. Then, if he disagreed, why would he have signed it? Once again, the Obama administration has found itself in the middle of another controversy that could have been avoided. Van Jones should never have been selected for the position in the first place, had the vetting team done a thorough job and if he had been completely truthful about his actions during the process.

Jones said, during his apology, that he was a victim of opponents of President Obama's push for reform of health care and energy policy. "On the eve of historic fights for health care and clean energy, opponents of reform have mounted a vicious smear campaign against me," Jones said in the statement. "They are using lies and distortions to distract and divide." He said he came to Washington to "fight for others, not for myself," Jones added: "I cannot in good conscience ask my colleagues to expend precious time and energy defending or explaining my past. We need all hands on deck, fighting for the future." So, this will no doubt, embolden conservative nutjob Glenn Beck even more to be the "crusader" for the right.

Once again, the Obama administration has dropped the ball and controversy has found the president once again. Sorry, but if this is the best President Obama & Co., can do, then I can't see how a second term will be possible. I know Bill and Hillary Clinton are saying, under their breaths, I told you so! What is equally disturbing is that it seems that President Obama is virtually spineless to stand up to the right wing. It was okay to throw Van Jones under a bus, at midnight, rather than stand up to Glenn Beck and Fox News. Mr. President, who is really calling the shots here? If he wants to give in to the right wing fine, but don't expect someone like me to get behind this administration. I can tell you right now, Valerie Jarrett is next target. I hope she was thoroughly vetted or another one will bite the dust and the Obama administration will have egg on its face. Remember Netroots? She was booed during her interview.