Trained and Qualified?

Meanwhile, we pick up this story over at "The smoking Gun" about one of our highly trained government professionals getting confused over who the bad guys really are:

APRIL 11--A Drug Enforcement Administration agent who [unexpectedly] stars in a popular online video that shows him shooting himself in the foot during a weapons demonstration for Florida children is suing over the tape's release, claiming that his career has been crippled and he's become a laughingstock due to the embarrassing clip's distribution...

...Lee Paige, 45, was making a "drug education presentation" in April 2004 to a Florida youth group when his firearm (a Glock .40) accidentally discharged. The shooting occurred moments after Paige told the children that he was the only person in the room professional enough to carry the weapon. The accident was filmed by an audience member, and the tape, Paige claims, was turned over to the DEA. The drug agency subsequently "improperly, illegally, willfully and/or intentionally" allowed the tape to be disseminated. As a result, Paige--pictured above in a still from the video--has been the "target of jokes, derision, ridicule, and disparaging comments" directed at him in restaurants, grocery stores, and airports. Paige, who writes that he was "once regarded as one of the best undercover agents, if not the best, in the DEA," points to the clip's recent airing on popular television shows and via the Internet as the reason he can no longer work undercover. He also notes that he is no longer "permitted or able to give educational motivational speeches and presentations..."

No kidding. He should also be denied the opportunity to carry a firearm... he has clearly demonstrated his lack of experience and knowledge in the use of a Glock .40, particularly around school children.

He could get re-assigned to protect the vice-President... they both appear to have about the same level of competence in the use of firearms.

If Paige was actually "once regarded as one of the best undercover agents, if not the best, in the DEA", we are all in deep do-do.

-1) Unfortunate but unavoidable accident?

-2) Another one of our highly trained government professionals caught being careless and stupid?

-3) Just another one of those truly unqualified and untrainable idiots who got yet another federal government job because of race?

You make the call.