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Archives for December 2008

Caroline Kennedy: heir to a seat in the US Senate…?

Thursday, December 18, 2008 at 5:15 AM
Written by Anthony L. Hall

Yesterday, Caroline Kennedy displayed about as much political gravitas in launching her campaign to become a US senator as Sarah Palin did in launching her campaign to become vice president. Which makes the prospect of Governor Patterson of New York coronating Caroline to the seat vacated by Hillary Clinton (just because of her “royal” heritage) almost as unseemly as Governor Rod Blagojevich of Illinois selling the… Read more.

South Africans Form New Party to Cope with ANC’s Apartheid Tactics…

Wednesday, December 17, 2008 at 5:25 AM
Written by Anthony L. Hall

They should please not choose someone of whom most of us would be ashamed. Our country deserves better. We’re very worried that [Zuma] had relations with a woman who regarded him as a parent; and, although he is very likable, we have to ask ourselves: ‘What is happening in the ANC?'” (Nobel Laureate Archbishop Desmond… Read more.

Bernie Madoff pulls off the biggest Wall Street scam in US history

Tuesday, December 16, 2008 at 5:38 AM
Written by Anthony L. Hall

If the banking crisis has not convinced you that Wall Street is populated by a bunch of arrogant, greedy and amoral shysters, then the Ponzi scheme now unfolding should. After all, reports are that Bernie Madoff, the erstwhile “pillar of Wall Street”, swindled $50 billion from a motley crew of rich folks, from Hollywood director Steven… Read more.

UPDATE: Iraqi journalist throws shoes at Bush

Monday, December 15, 2008 at 5:44 AM
Written by Anthony L. Hall

[Author’s Note:  The following was published at 2:30 pm yesterday as an update to my original article – on Obama insisting that the US has only one president at a time and Bush trying desperately to seem relevant – which was published earlier at 5:19 am.]   _______________________________ Poor George, he just can’t get no respect. After all,… Read more.

President-elect Obama insists “we have only one president at a time” but…

Sunday, December 14, 2008 at 5:19 AM
Written by Anthony L. Hall

For all practical purposes, Barack Obama is commanding media attention as if he were already president of the United States, which, alas, gives George W. Bush yet another dubious distinction, namely, of being the most lame-duck president in US history.    But with Congress refusing to bailout the auto industry, Bush now has one last… Read more.

Alienated youths masquerading as grieving students still rioting in Greece

Saturday, December 13, 2008 at 5:47 AM
Written by Anthony L. Hall

In a manner eerily reminiscent of the way young people rioted all over Paris, France in 2005 to protest their political, social and economic frustrations, young people have been rioting all over Athens, Greece for seven-consecutive days now to express similar grievances.  Granted, the riots in Athens were sparked by the shooting and killing of a 15-year old… Read more.

CARICOM’s ironic, if not misguided, call to lift the embargo against Cuba

Friday, December 12, 2008 at 5:14 AM
Written by Anthony L. Hall

At an extraordinary summit in Cuba this week, leaders of all countries in the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) called on President-elect Barack Obama to lift America’s nearly 50-year embargo against their host country. As we gather today in Cuba, the economic, commercial and financial embargo imposed by the United States of America is still in place…… Read more.

OMG!!! Jesse Jr is pay-to-play “Candidate No. 5”

Thursday, December 11, 2008 at 7:02 AM
Written by Anthony L. Hall

[Author’s Note:  The following was published at 3:30 pm yesterday as an update to my original article, on this unfolding scandal, which was published earlier at 5:28 am.]  ______________________________ It seems my worst fears about Jesse Jr are being realized. Because his lawyer has just confirmed that Blagojevich was, in fact, referring to Jesse Jr when he… Read more.

IL Gov Blagojevich arrested for soliciting bribes…even for Obama’s Senate seat

Wednesday, December 10, 2008 at 5:28 AM
Written by Anthony L. Hall

Illinois has a well-earned reputation for political corruption.  If it isn’t the most corrupt state in the United States, it’s certainly one hell of a competitor.  (Robert Grant, Chicago FBI Special Agent in Charge, commenting at yesterday’s press conference on Blagojevich’s arrest) For example, in 1996 the highest ranking member of its congressional delegation, Dan… Read more.

UPDATE: corrupt politician William Jefferson finally booted from office

Tuesday, December 9, 2008 at 5:36 AM
Written by Anthony L. Hall

Congressman William Jefferson of Louisiana vindicated his extraordinary hubris in 2006 when he ran for reelection (and won) despite reports that the FBI not only caught him on videotape accepting a bribe with marked bills under the table, literally, while dining at the Ritz, but later found those bills stored amongst $90,000 stashed in the… Read more.