Hayden, Hayden, Hayden.

That's all that is on our minds at this moment, here in the wonderful world of politics. What can possibly happen next with this Hayden mess?

Well, here you go. Shit Creek is getting mighty full now, I think. Time to break out the rubber pants and galoshes.

First, from TPM Muckraker:

While director of the National Security Agency, Gen. Michael V. Hayden contracted the services of a top executive at the company at the center of the Cunningham bribery scandal, according to two former employees of the company.

The shit is really deep here, folks. Apparently, Hayden received services through Mitchell Wade--the same man who admitted to bribing Duke Cunningham (and started this whole mess). Hayden contracted Wade's MZM company to receive services with Lt. Gen. James C. King, who was the senior VP of the company at the time.

King worked at NSA Headquarters in Ft. Meade, Maryland, in 2004 and 2005, both sources told me. "King was out there working on same floor as Hayden," one former employee with firsthand knowledge of the arrangement said. "He was doing special projects for Hayden as an MZM employee." Neither former employee knew details of King's work for Hayden; one said he thought he was doing "special projects" for the director, while the other speculated it was "high-ranking advisory work."

As an MZM employee, King was involved in a number of controversial projects. In 2002, he was a key adviser to the team creating CIFA, the Pentagon's domestic surveillance operation. In 2004, he was one of three MZM staffers who worked on the White House Robb-Silberman Commission, which recommended expanding CIFA's powers.

No one knows what these special projects really were. Aside from that, it's lovely to know that the legacy of corruption is still going strong in DC.

There was this little tidbit earlier, too, until someone at the White House did some quick work to remove the problem.

From the Vidiot Speak blog:

c) MILITARY STATUS OF DIRECTOR AND DEPUTY DIRECTORS. --(1)(A) Not more than one of the individuals serving in the positions specified in subparagraph (B) may be a commissioned officer of the Armed Forces, whether in active or retired status.

For a moment there, Bush and Co. were breaking the law because of this guy: Deputy Director Vice Admiral Albert M. Calland III, USN. Remember, no more than one from the military in certain CIA positions.

Smooth move, White House. At least someone was quick enough to fix the mistake. And how!

From ABC News (about 1/3 of the way down the page):

Recognizing concerns about military leadership of the CIA, a civilian agency, the White House plans to move aside the agency's No. 2 official, Vice Admiral Albert Calland III, who took over as deputy director less than a year ago. Other personnel changes also are likely, a senior administration official said, speaking on condition of anonymity because the changes are not ready to announce.

Now, now...what the hell were you told about leaking again? What is with you people?

Ah, well. Disaster narrowly avoided, this time, but I suppose it wouldn't have mattered anyway since Bush thinks that certain laws don't apply to him. Because he's the king, you know, and not the president.

Tags: [Michael Hayden], [Mitchell Wade], [James C. King], [National Security Agency], [Hayden received favors from Mitchell Wade while still heading the NSA], [Hayden is tied to Hookergate], [Albert Calland III], [the White House narrowly misses law about military personnel], [more scandal in Washington]