corrente

You follow a reporter's work for awhile, you get a feeling for what they care about and how they write things. And when you see a story most notable for what it doesn't say, your ears go up and you detect a whiff of editorial intervention:

(via WaPo)

Ellen McCarthy
Washington Post Staff Writer

CACI International Inc.'s president of U.S. operations, L. Kenneth Johnson, will retire Nov. 1.

The Arlington government contractor said in a statement that the 58-year-old Johnson, its second in command, is leaving "to pursue personal interests and spend more time with his family and grandchildren." It said he would continue to work with the company as a consultant.

"I know that he wants to spend more time with his family and young grandchildren, and I think he's just moved to that period of his life," [CACI Chief Executive J.P. "Jack"] London said, adding that Johnson was "like a duck in the water here."

Well gosh, so we know this is all about "time with the family" since they mention it no less than twice, and by the CEO rather than a PR flunkie who usually handles such tasks.

Good thing we just let all kinds of things fall down the Memory Hole like we're supposed to. Otherwise we might see this story and think that Ms. McCarthy, who has been watching this company like a hawk, might just maybe have intended to add some background on recent corporate activities that took place on Mr. Johnson's watch:

Civilian interrogators working on an Army contract were accused of mistreating prisoners in two separate incidents, including pouring water on the head of a prisoner forced into an uncomfortable "stress position." The interrogators' employer, CACI International Inc., plans to investigate further, spokeswoman Jodi Brown said.

Can you say "clearing the decks ahead of incoming indictments," class? I knew you could!