As predicted, Bush appointed Richard Stickler to head the Mine Safety and Health Administration during recess. Stickler's nomination had been blocked by Sen. Robert Byrd from West Virginia, a state which saw several mining tragedies this year. The bad news is that for the time being, we have yet another fox in the henhouse. The good news is that a recess appointment ends with the next congressional session, unless the Senate chooses to take up the nomination. More on Stickler.