Sally, good fun! I also like the one of Cheney being x-rayed. And, being the good student that I am, I've immediately applied this new information with something I had already.
So, without further ado, go to http://www.markfiore.com/animation/staffing.html And then read this: More examples of the GOP practice of "cutting a deal" so that certain people don't have to abide by the law, or in effect saying some of us have more privileges than the rest. As with Ashcroft and Hutchinson, the GOP continues a pattern of promoting controversial failed politicians who just lost an election into important government positions. Still, we are supposed to Trust Them. Wouldn't this make Nixon proud? KWC Kissinger to Withhold Client List Head of 9/11 Panel Seeks to Assure Victims' Kin That No Conflicts of Interest Exist By Dan Eggen, Washington Post Staff Writer, Friday, December 13, 2002 Former secretary of state Henry A. Kissinger, facing pressure from Congress to divulge his client list, yesterday sought to assure families of victims of last year's terror attacks that his business contacts would not interfere with his new role as head of a commission investigating the terror strikes. But at an introductory meeting with representatives of four victims groups at his offices in New York, Kissinger also made clear that he does not intend to publicly disclose a list of his business clients, according to relatives who attended the meeting. Stephen Push, a leader of Families of September 11, said Kissinger outlined a plan aimed at assuring the victims' groups privately that his representation of multinational corporations would pose no conflicts of interest with his role as chairman of the National Commission on Terrorist Attacks. Push declined to provide details, saying that Kissinger had asked that the arrangements remain confidential. Push, who has expressed skepticism about Kissinger's ability to conduct a thorough investigation, said he was impressed with the efforts to reach out to the families. "He suggested a plan that would assure us personally that he would have no conflicts," said Push, one of 11 victim relatives who met with Kissinger. "If he does what he says he does, I see the potential of satisfying us. But I won't suggest that that satisfies the law; that's not my place to say." But Kristen Breitweiser, a member of September 11th Advocates, said she believes Kissinger should abide by the same disclosure rules as the other commission members. "He needs to follow the law," said Breitweiser, who also met with Kissinger yesterday. "He can't cut a side deal with the families. It's not just the families that need to be satisfied with this commission, it's all of America." Kissinger's efforts to assuage the concerns of the families comes amid growing disagreement in Washington over the rules that should govern the new commission, which was created to conduct an in-depth investigation of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks on the World Trade Center and Pentagon. Senate Democrats argue that Kissinger and the other nine members of the panel must abide by congressional rules on financial disclosure and conflicts of interest. The Congressional Research Service issued a report last week concluding that all the panel's members, including Kissinger, would be required to identify clients who paid them more than $5,000 over the last two years. The White House, however, told the Senate Select Ethics Committee this week that it believes Kissinger is not required to provide such information because he was appointed by President Bush rather than by Congress, and because he will not receive a salary. Justice Department legal advisers have prepared an opinion supporting the White House position, sources said. Kissinger did not return a message left at his office in New York. The founder and chairman of Kissinger Associates said earlier this month that he did not believe that any of his clients would pose conflicts of interest with the Sept. 11 commission. He has said that he would sever relationships with any clients involved in the investigation, that he has no Saudi Arabian clients and does not represent any Middle Eastern governments. Congress created the bipartisan commission to follow up on the work of a House-Senate probe into intelligence failures. The new panel's broader mandate includes transportation, immigration and border issues as well as intelligence matters, with a report due in 18 months. But the Bush administration's appointment of Kissinger has prompted a series of early troubles for the commission. Kissinger's controversial tenure as secretary of state prompted immediate objections from some Democrats and liberal groups, while the disclosure issue has raised the possibility of a long-term legal battle before the panel is seated. Democrats have named their five representatives to the commission, including former House International Relations Committee chairman Lee H. Hamilton (Ind.) as vice chairman. Hamilton was appointed Wednesday to replace former senator George J. Mitchell (Maine), who withdrew in part because of suggestions that he might have to sever ties to his law firm. In addition to Kissinger, Republicans have named former senator Slade Gorton (Wash.). The GOP has until Sunday to name the three other members. Many of the families of victims are lobbying the Bush administration to name former senator Warren B. Rudman (R-N.H.) to the panel. One Democratic member, departing Rep. Timothy J. Roemer (Ind.), declined to comment yesterday on Kissinger's client list. But Roemer, a longtime advocate of an independent probe who helped write the language establishing the panel, said he is confident the commission will overcome any early disagreements. "Our intention is to set up a very independent commission with a robust and aggressive pursuit of all the facts," Roemer said. "We're very hopeful that we'll be able to achieve both of those objectives." http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A47733-2002Dec12.html Outgoing Mail Scanned by NAV 2002
