Mixed Bag - Iraq, Impeachment, Whitewater, Reno & Carey

Mixed Bag
Iraq, Impeachment, Whitewater, Reno & Carey
by Mac MacArthur

Tuesday, November 18th 1997 -- NEW YORK (APJP) -- You're sure Congress has gone home for the holidays when you have to mix your thoughts on American politics among multiple issues. Today is one such day. So, let's talk about Iraq; the John Birch Society's silly games; The latest laugh on "White-Naughter"; Janet Reno's conversation with the Chinese Justice Minister; and; Jimmy Hoffa's deliverance from defeat.

IRAQ

Are our pilots coming home?
I have to reason that the White House is wired to John McLaughlin's brain as it begins to wisely back off its 'Saddamizing' plans. One thing's for sure, a bunch of dejected war-monger television pundits are sitting around their Jacuzzis this morning trying to figure out what occurred during the last 24 hours to make them all look like fools.

"Where's the scuds?," they lament. It's simple. You were snookered by your own zeal for headlines and a President who actually thinks before he acts. Unlike former President Bush, Bill Clinton wasn't eager to launch cruise missiles at Baghdad and risk American lives without trying diplomacy first. And maybe, just maybe, he was concerned to punish innocent Iraqi men, women and children any more than we already have through seven years of economic sanctions resulting in a pretty poor Iraqi living standard -- poor enough to kill.

Then again, the President is still beefing up the fleet and the air force in 'Desertville' while at the same time offering Saddam a deal that might ease those sanctions. This seemingly schizophrenic policy is anything but crazy.

One can picture Saddam ruminating, gleeful on one hand that he's focused world attention on these crippling sanctions, and fearful on the other that the U.S. remains poised to strike -- and even as I write today, is sending more armor to the Gulf. "What's that guy Clinton up to?," thinks Saddam.

I'd say that's just where we want him. After all, it's a win/win situation. The President proves his international "stuff" and Saddam gets his oil-for-food deal with the U.N. What could be peachier? This writer doesn't know what will happen, but all signs point to an agreement between the U.S. and Iraq which will result in a slightly different mix for the U.N. inspector teams and a new "rapprochement" (that's French) with Hussein.

What happened? Well, one need only look to Egypt and the Valley of the Queens where the bullet-mutilated bodies of innocent tourists lie in plastic bags ready for shipment home via DHL. Who murdered them? A bunch of low class, uneducated, unemployed Egyptians who, taking their clues from Iran, and have decided to engage in a mini-jihad to prove Islam is the answer to all that ails them.

And who stands between Iran and its fanatic Islamic goals? You got it -- Saddam Hussein.

IMPEACHMENT NUT BARR ALLIES

The John Birch Society Bogus "Bill"-board
Even as the President worked during the wee hours in the Mid-West, juggling fund raising responsibilities with high-level diplomatic maneuvering and trying to spend time with his daughter; a bunch of losers in Wisconsin were plotting the overthrow of the White House.

You know the kind: Pro Pete Wilson, anti-minority -- except for sell-out Ward Connerly, pro themselves, and pea-brained with average IQ's under 75. Yep, that's them -- The John Birch "Society" -- which has happily adopted and even eclipsed 'House Moron' Bob Barr's impeachment resolution as their own.

Birchers have always been a laughing stock, even among the mostly outrageous litter of self-serving political 'think tanks' populating the nation -- often located in the Mid West where they can take advantage of farmer mentality and the general boredom pervading the corn and rust belts.

If you think Birchers aren't out of control - this is just their web banner.
The Birch Society is best known for putting up billboards urging the impeachment of Chief Justice Earl Warren. That ought to stimulate you.

There is no underestimating their power. They have none. But if you visit their web site, you might think they do. The "Society" is a group funded by non-thinkers posing as super-intellects. Their internet presence is enormous and their site must have cost tens of thousands to design. They have multiple addresses and mirror sites. Birchers don't fool around but, of course, fool themselves.

Take their impeachment effort -- and it's monstrously big. Birchers have mounted a 20 page web site with direct-link e-mail to the congress. From there you can electronically mail a "petition" to the Capitol. Of course the petition is written by some clown at the Birch Society. Wow! There have to be at least a million nuts out there who'll "sign" it. What if congress takes them seriously?

Don't be concerned. They won't. The e-mail won't even be answered. Like most Birch projects this one's a total waste of time. Almost all Congressional e-mail is robot-replied. No one reads it. Try it, you'll see. But I made a few phone calls anyway to see how the Birch effort is working. The general answer from congressional offices was that they are getting no Birch petition mail, e-mail, or otherwise and that if they did, they'd simply toss it in the trash when they realized it was emanating from Birch.

You see, the "Society" like most of its ilk, is delusional. It thinks it can influence Congress when authentic advocacy groups have trouble doing so.

For a clue to what Birchers stand for - check out their "publications." You can actually purchase them:

Again, May God Forgive Us by Welch

An 'summary' of subversive activities in our government, revealing 'crucial and appalling' facts of a foreign policy that has led from one Communist victory to another.

Ambush at Ruby Ridge by Bock

The book chronicles the U.S. government's elaborate multi-million-dollar 18-month surveillance of Randy Weaver, an Idaho 'backwoods resident' indicted on firearms charges. Contains detailed, "never-before-told accounts "of events from the initial siege to the shoot-to-kill orders given by the FBI.

America 2000/Goals 2000 Moving the Nation Educationally to a "New World Order" by Patrick

Contains the entire text of Goals 2000: Educate America Act and an "analysis" of its "implications," such as the government's "monitoring" of the home and family in the name of ensuring quality education. A "priceless resource" for informing yourself and others.

America: To Pray or Not to Pray by Barton

This book uses government statistics to show that 1962 was the year religious principles were first separated from public affairs and was the year that "the decline" started in youth, education, families, and the nation. There are more than 40 "charts" presented in this book.

America's March Toward Communism: Forsaking Our Heritage by Hendrickson

The "author " argues that the concept of private property is central to the struggle between Communism and capitalism: The forces of freedom are losing the epic struggle because they neither recognize nor understand the basic stepping stones toward slavery under Marxism.

America's Secret Establishment: An Introduction to the Order of Skull & Bones by Sutton

This one book contains the four previous Antony Sutton titles which all expose The Order: a secret, senior-year society at Yale University, many members of which have attained positions of "power far beyond most people's imaginations." : )

Anti-Capitalist Mentality by von Mises

An analysis of the roots and consequences of present worldwide anti-capitalistic bias.

Basic Communism by Carson

This is a who's who in the communist world, providing a chronology of major events in communism from the late 18th century to the present, and biographical sketches of major characters. It lays bare the tyranny inherent in the Marxist ideology, made manifest in all countries controlled by communists.

And last, but no least:

Exercises for students, questions, suggestions for projects and the like have been reserved for the Teacher's Guide. The teacher may use these materials to supplement, reword, or omit material from the Basic History set. I wonder which teachers use this to set up there lesson plans?

Oh, happy day! What could be better than to focus national attention on the John Birch Society, a covey of fruitcakes who still think the commies are coming to get us, that market capitalism is God, and that "secret societies" control the world. And what better group to endorse Bob Barr's nutty impeachment resolution. It just warms my heart.

By the way, you can purchase your own mini-billboard which shouts "Impeach Clinton Now!" for a mere $125.00. Just call Paul Smith -- a Birch mental midget, and "campaign director" of The Birch Society's "Clinton Action Committee" in Appleton, Wisconsin. He'll ship it PDQ.

Only $125.00 - give me a break.

RENO AND XIAO

Janet Reno - looking elegant
for her Mah Jonng game with
Xiao Yang
For a real chuckle picture Attorney General Janet Reno sitting around the table with Chinese Justice Minister Xiao Yang asking if he might cooperate with Newt Gingrich, Dan Burton and Fred Thompson to "Bring In" Charlie Trie.

Yikes!

Reno, surely only posing as a nut for the benefit of GOP Witch Hunters, actually did ask Xiao for "full cooperation" with the investigation lead by the campaign finance task force at Justice. The Justice Department and the FBI, knowing what evil really lurks out there, is getting tired of this Republican scam and the absolute drain it's putting on Department and Bureau resources. But like the good trooper she is, Ms. Reno made the request and dutifully announced it for the benefit of salivating GOPers.

Of course, the Attorney General's office wouldn't release details of just what kind of cooperation General Reno asked for.

Wink.

Here's how I think the conversation went:

RENO: (Chuckling over a brandy in the midst of hot Mah Jonng game) "Minster Xiao, you know that the Republicans - the ones that still think communism is a threat - are trying to smash President Clinton's reputation and his programs to reach out to your country similar to the detente arrangements with the Soviet Union."

XIAO: "Yes General Reno, I am well aware of this, but I must ask you why you haven't indicted Mr. Gingrich and Mr. Barbour for their "Shanghai Express" rip off of the Yeong Brothers? You know, they are our friends and your friends as well."

RENO: "We are working on that Mr. Minister."

XIAO: "As Martha Stewart says, "That's a good thing."

RENO: "Now, you know you are free, even invited , to ignore everything I am about to say...

But I was just wondering...Could you track down Charlie Trie, kidnap him, and force him to confess -- in writing and on videotape -- that President Clinton extorted him for Chinese Government money, and then tried to shut him up using CIA operatives? Then I hope you can kind of bundle him up and ship him either to Fred Thompson's office or Dan Burton's back yard -- You know, that's where Congressman Burton shoots at melons in the shape of Vince Foster's head to prove the President had him murdered. Can you do this for me?

XIAO: Did you say something?

WHITE-"NAUGHTER"

Prince of Darkness Jim McDougal
Here's another chuckle.

After finding a mysterious check in the back of a rusted-out jalopy made payable to President Clinton about a dozen years ago -- a check that was never endorsed -- a former "loan officer" who worked at Jim McDougal's Madison Savings & Loan for a couple of days in 1983 tells America he "saw" Bill Clinton's name on a list of outstanding loans.

Remember, the President says he never borrowed money from Madison.

"I just noticed it," Howard Taylor, McDougal's former employee, told The Associated Press. The loan was in the $20,000- to $30,000-range on the list, but no loan folder with details of the transaction could be found, according to Taylor.

As the Church Lady says on Saturday Night Live: "How Conveeeeeenient!"

Taylor said he left the job at Madison Savings and Loan because he felt "the bank had poor loan and record-keeping practices."

Oh, by the way... Here's a list of possible people that actually got that loan: Maybe you should them?

Clinton, Billy - Maryland Pl, Sherwood, AR 72120-3090 Phone: (501)835-5739

Clinton, William - Navajo Trl, North Little Rock, AR 72116-5320 Phone: (501)835-4007

Clinton, William - Garfield, AR 72732 Phone: (501)359-3337

AND, there are 115 other "William Clintons" living in America - 16 of them have the middle initial "J". There are also 37 "Bills and Billy's" that could have gotten that loan -- if it ever really existed.

Got that Malibu Ken Starr?

DELLUMS AND FAZIO QUIT


Retiring Ron Dellums	Vic Fazio: Next stop 1600 Pennsylvania

Two major Democrats will quit the House next year. Ron Dellums and Vic Fazio announced yesterday that they would leave congress next year to pursue private interests. Dellums, a key Vietnam anti-war activist has represented Berkeley, California voters since 1970. Fazio, who is rumored to be one choice to replace as White House Chief of Staff was elected in 1978. Fazio denies he is leaving to fill Bowles' spot.

Dellums plans to depart on February 6th next year and not stay for his full term. Fazio indicated he would retire at the end of his term rather than seek re-election.

A Democrat is sure to capture Dellums's seat, but Fazio, who just squeaked past his latest Republican opponent last time out , may be handing his seat to the Republicans.

California Democratic officials were stupefied by Fazio's announcement.

No matter what the official line is, Both Dellums and Fazio, hooked on having power when Democrats dominated both houses of Congress, now find themselves bored, frustrated and virtually powerless in Newt Gingrich's fantasy congress. Rather than beat his brains out raising money and perhaps losing his seat in 1998, Fazio is doing the smart thing -- getting out while he's still young -- and pursuing his private American dream.

HARI "CAREY"

Ron is out, Jimmy Jr.'s in.

It's one thing to be the leader of the "Reform" movement in the Teamsters, it's another to be found culpable of election fraud and still lead that charge, let alone the union.

That's what happened to almost ex-Teamster president Ron Carey, who was fingered by a court-appointed investigator as "knowing" his campaign was improperly siphoning cash from union coffers and raising illegal money from corporations the Teamsters deal with. His knowledge and potential "cooperation" with the normal campaign shenanigans of some union elections, has cost Carey his job and almost guarantees Jimmy Hoffa the top Teamster spot.

Kenneth Conboy -- an unfortunate moniker for a law enforcement official -- said,, "It's now apparent that Mr. Carey, the incumbent general president of the IBT [International Brotherhood of Teamsters], tolerated and engaged in extensive rules violations in broad furtherance of his re-election campaign. Specifically, Mr. Carey misused his union power in the course of the election by authorizing the expenditure of $735,000 in IBT general treasury funds to help his flagging campaign. By authorizing the use of union funds for his personal interest, Mr. Carey engaged in self-dealing and breach of trust of the rank and file of his union."

Carey says, he'll continue to help the Teamsters fight to "reform" their union and vowed to campaign against rival Hoffa, son of the great former Teamster boss.

So far no reform candidate has emerged to replace Carey.

Carey is also being investigated by U.S. attorneys for the Southern District of New York for possible illegalities, and he has testified before a grand jury.

Sinclair Lewis Embarrassed:

Babbitt's Under the Gun

Interior Secretary Bruce Babbitt
Sinclair Lewis' "George F. Babbitt" was a guy who unthinkingly conformed to middle-class values -- sort of like Newt Gingrich and Ralph Reed.

Up until recently, Interior Secretary "Bruce Babbitt" was nothing but George's surname-sake. Bruce was above reproach and considered a more than honest man.

But investigators are having trouble establishing the forthrightness of Babbitt's sworn statements to Congress, and his case will most likely fall under the purview of an independent counsel, I'm sad to say.

Attorney General Janet Reno will probably seek an independent counsel to delve into Babbitt's Indian casino permit dealings before the week is out. The investigation is a windfall for Republicans, sure to press the Justice Department to go further and examine the roles played by Harold Ickes, the former White House deputy chief of staff, and former DNC chairman Don Fowler.

Babbitt has denied that political donations by rival Indian tribes who opposed the Hudson, Wisconsin casino application played a part in his Department's move to oppose it, but his prior statements and writings seem to place him in a tough-to-defend position.

Time will tell.

...AND A POSTSCRIPT
REPUBLICANS CAN BE "PROUD" OF THIS ONE

In his op-ed column, the New York Times 's Frank Rich reports that Republicans senators have gotten a "hold" put on President Clinton's choice to be ambassador to Luxembourg, James Hormel. Hormel is openly gay and the Republicans fear that Hormel "might use this post to promote the gay agenda." Rich observes that "Ambassador to Luxembourg is not a post conducive to promoting any agenda more daring than a wine list." -- Thanks to Slate for this one.