Czars...

[Partha]

I'll be near one delivering someone to O'Hare, but sadly it'll be at 6 in the morning. No pizza for me!

[Select]

Wait....so from that joke you must have some deep seeded belief that all itallians are in the mafia!

Nope. The mafia likes Italians and pizza.

[Harlowe]

I know it's not pizza, but thought I'd post a "Czar" article from the Washington Post..
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/co ... 03048.html

The White House czars are presidential assistants charged with responsibility for given policy areas. As such, they are among the president's closest advisers. In many respects, they are equivalent to the personal staff of a member of Congress. To subject the qualifications of such assistants to congressional scrutiny -- the regular confirmation process -- would trench upon the president's inherent right, as the head of an independent and equal branch of the federal government, to seek advice and counsel where he sees fit.

However much the czars may drive the policymaking process at the White House, they cannot -- despite their grandiose (and frankly ridiculous) appellation -- determine what that policy will be. The Constitution's "appointments clause" requires that very senior federal officials be appointed with the Senate's consent, though lesser appointments can be made by the president, agency heads or the courts, as Congress provides. Well-established Supreme Court precedent holds that an "officer" subject to these requirements is one who exercises "significant authority pursuant to the laws of the United States."

This is the critical difference between the White House czars and federal officials who must be confirmed by the Senate. In the absence of legislation (such as that creating the Office of Drug Control Policy, whose director is the "drug czar"), the only power exercised by White House czars comes from their proximity to the president and the access this provides. Yes, as many will note, that truly is power. But it is not significant authority under U.S. law -- which only the Constitution or Congress can confer.

Thus, White House "Energy and Environment Czar" Carol Browner can analyze, develop, advise, hold meetings and pound the table all she likes on energy and environment issues, but she can determine nothing. Her signature on any order, decision or regulation establishing or altering Americans' legal obligations would be meaningless, unenforceable by a court.

[Select]

I know it's not pizza, but thought I'd post a "Czar" article from the Washington Post..

[Garrdor]

I'm in it 4 da kissy-face emoticons.

Little Czars $5 pizza! OBESITY WINS!!!!