Dubya defends Cheney against charges of Halliburton shadiness.
The Ivy Cradle.
Much as the Bushes have derided Eastern elitist universities during their presidencies, it turns out Harvard kept Harken afloat during Dubya’s stint there. In related news, George Soros – another big Harken investor at the time – admits to David Corn he was “buying political influence” when he gave money to Harken. So much for Dubya’s business savvy.
Rockefeller’s Drug Insanity.
Bob Herbert takes aim at the Rockefeller drug laws, now almost thirty years old. The ethnic differentials in the enforcement of the drug laws are extraordinary. While there is wide use of illegal drugs across the ethnic spectrum, including among whites, 94 percent of the people doing time for drug offenses in the state of New York are black or Hispanic. Indeed, according to one of the laws’ original sponsors, “New York now sends more African-American and Latino men to prison each year than it graduates from its state colleges and universities.”
Corporate Socialism.
Ralph Nader weighs in on the corporatization of America in the Post. “At stake is whether civic values of our democratic society will prevail over invasive commercial values.”
The People Have Spoken.
According to two recent polls, a majority of Americans think (a) Bush is owned by Corporate America and (b) Gore-Lieberman should not run again in 2004. Looks like the electorate is batting 1000 this morning.
Cheerio.
Thanks to Dubya Diplomacy, even Britain, our closest ally for almost a century, is striking out on her own.
Construction Time Again.
The Lower Manhattan Development Corp. releases six plans for WTC rebuilding. I’d say my favorite is the Memorial Garden (pictured at right), with the Memorial Promenade ranking a close second.
Cheney’s Harken.
Lot of Enrongate coverage today, I know…but I’ve been out of it for a few days. Here’s a good recap on Cheney’s Halliburton shadiness.
Run Away!!
Showing their colors once again, Billy Tauzin and a gaggle of GOP lawmakers exhibit an irrational phobia of the HIV-positive muppet.
The Long and Winding Road.
Caught Road to Perdition over the weekend, and I must say I’m with Stephanie Zacharek (thx, Missy) and David Edelstein on this one. Despite some truly excellent performances (Law, Newman, Tucci, Craig), I found the film ponderous and disappointing. Bleah.