Washington Prowler
Obama’s Foursome
Men of honor need not apply. Plus: Obama’s propagandist bloggers.
MEN OF HONOR
Apparently, if you want to cheat on your wife or spurn the
mother of your unborn child, cover up and easily settle your
institution’s criminal efforts to help Americans avoid paying
their federal income taxes, or just avoid paying your own fair
share, the place to be is on President Barack Obama’s
economic-recovery advisory board. Because that’s where
Robert Wolf, chief executive of UBS Group
Americas, the U.S. arm of one of Switzerland’s largest banks, UBS
AG, sits, as do Charles E. Phillips, President
of Oracle Corporation, Peter Orszag, the
director of the Office of Management of and Budget, and Treasury
Secretary Tim Geithner. One imagines that’s
where they can get together to compare notes.
Roberts’ parent bank, UBS AG, agreed last year to pay the U.S. government $780 million to settle accusations that it assisted more than 52,000 American clients to defraud the Internal Revenue Service by hiding their wealth overseas to avoid paying income taxes. The White House claims that it determined that Wolf’s wing of the company was not involved, but according to a former Obama White House Counsel staffer, internal White House research determined that just about every client involved in this scam at one time or another was a client of UBS Group America.
Phillips became an instant celebrity last week, when his former mistress paid for billboards highlighting his philandering ways to go up in San Francisco, Atlanta and New York. Phillips, who reportedly has reconciled with his wife, kept his mistress housed in an $11 million estate near his corporate headquarters in the Bay Area, and bought the estate through the use of shell corporations in Nevada.
Orszag recently dumped his pregnant girlfriend to become engaged with an ABC News reporter he recently met at a Washington dinner. And finally Geithner famously was found to have not properly paid his federal incomes taxes prior to his confirmation to the Obama administration’s Cabinet.
According to the former White House Counsel aide, who was transferred from that office after the resignation of White House Counsel Gregory Craig, each of the above executives answered “No” to Question 10S of the SF-86 supplement form traditionally filled out by potential nominees for presidential appointments.
The question:
10S. Is there anything in your personal life that could be used by someone to coerce or blackmail you or is there anything in your life that could cause an embarrassment to you or the President if publicly known?
____ Yes ___ No
If so, please provide full details.
But to date, neither Roberts or Phillips have been formally vetted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. “There may have been preliminary work done, but those kinds of commissions aren’t a high priority,” says the former counsel office aide. “Then again, Van Jones wasn’t properly vetted, either.”
BLOGGERS
PROPANDISTS
As Attorney General Eric Holder hunkers down to
avoid questions about his decision to try the Christmas Day
bomber in federal criminal court and to have the bomber’s Miranda
Rights protected, more information emerges on the Obama
Administration’s decision to house propagandist “new media
specialists” in most major Cabinet-level Offices of Public
Affairs. These bloggers, paid with taxpayer funds, routinely pass
along “Administration approved” talking points to bloggers and
online journalists, monitor conservative or “adversarial”
websites, and post comments in support of the Administration on a
number of those sites.
In the case of Justice, that “blogger,” as reported by the Muffled Oar blog is Tracy Russo, a former Democrat National Committee staffer, with ties to Sen. John Edwards’ campaigns. But similar jobs also exist at the Department of Treasury, the Department of State and the Department of Education.
According to a reporter, who has covered the Department of Justice for a major financial wire service during the current administration, a number of daily newspaper reporters were aware of the work Russo was undertaking at DOJ, and yet withheld reporting the situation, “because those reporters were being given access and information from OPA that helped them with their daily news filings.”
Meanwhile, according to a career employee in the Department of Justice, both the House and Senate Judiciary Committees sent formal letters of inquiry to the Department of Justice regarding its “blogging” policies, but DOJ officials have yet to even acknowledge the letters.
Letter to the Editor View all comments (67) | Leave a comment
Related Articles
More Articles by The Prowler
More Articles From Washington Prowler
http://spectator.org/archives/2010/01/25/obamas-foursome
Follow us:
ADVERTISEMENT
SPONSORED LINKS
FLASHBACK TO: 1995
-
Pope Culture
A man of faith in a godless age is hitting Americans where it hurts.
-
Why the GOP Does Not, Like, Totally Suck
Mr. and Mrs. American Spectator Reader, let P.J. O’Rourke talk sense to your kids.
-
Dames at Sea
-
In the Absence of Guns
In Britain, defending your property can get you life.
-
The Metaphysical Martini
-
Counting the Costs of Clintonism
The debacle of this president’s administration is both a cause and a symptom of the decline of American values. Unless Congress impeaches him, that decline will go on unchecked. An eminent jurist surveys the damage and assesses the chances for the recovery of our culture.
-
Chuck McHagel
It won’t take long for conservatives to scratch this presidential wannabe off their 2008 scorecard.
-
The Legacy of Old John and Mother Fresh-Roasted
-
It’s the Best Time of the Year
The American Christmas, like the songs that celebrate it, makes room for everybody under the rainbow. Is that why so many people seem to be hostile to it?
-
The Bush Crack-Up
Was the President done in by the economy, or by the politics of the economy?
Clip of the Day
H/T to National Review Online
ADVERTISEMENT
Bill Hussein O'Stalin| 1.25.10 @ 6:16AM
In a recent televised Speech Obama continued his litany of lies by claiming that he stopped the revolving door of lobbyists in his administration. Call him King Chutzpah.
More interesting is the alleged Osama Bin Laden tape where he brags about being the mastermind behind the failed Christmas bombing, which failed. Osama and King Chutzpah also have in common the fact that they like to brag about their failings, somehow believing that's impressive.
drudge ette obama| 1.25.10 @ 6:26AM
Lie with dogs, get fleas. I hear the dogs are begging Obama and his surround-sounds to come to bed. Frontline is suing Obama for unfair trade practices.
C.K. Amos| 1.25.10 @ 10:48AM
I've heard that the fleas are now avoiding Obama and this thugocrats.
For sure, some of the two-legged rats seem to be.
Big J| 1.25.10 @ 6:41AM
For the first time in my adult life, I am truly ashamed of the President.
(Second time, actually. There was that whole B.J. Clinton ordeal).
Appleby| 1.25.10 @ 6:50AM
America is sounding more like Kanukistan every day. Up here it is common practice for the Nomenklatura and the Apparatchiks to steal and waste large sums of money in plain sight, and for the people to greet such revelations with a shrug and the wail, *What can you doooooooooooooo?*
This weekend we had a number of protests about the Prime Minister abruptly shutting down the government until after the Winter Olympics, in the full knowledge that there isnt a thing they can do about it.
Coming to a street theatre near you, sooner than you think.
ggoblue| 1.25.10 @ 9:02AM
interesting. thanks for the heads up. i'm only 10 miles from my canadian neighbors so i will read up on this.
Pecos Pette| 1.25.10 @ 6:59AM
I wonder which federal agency/department our Liberal Reader belongs to?
Tammy| 1.25.10 @ 1:55PM
Where is the rascal? Liberal Reader has some 'splaining to do.
Hunter Ayers| 1.25.10 @ 7:01AM
New Dawn American Independence
One Pamphlet of the American Revolution of 2010
An awakening has been forced on us. A powerful urge to fight is stirring, boiling, and controlling our very hearts for which there is no relief save one—to let loose that energy for the good of the republic. We did not ask for it and those who naively did in a small way and voted for an Obama administration missed the cues, the precursors, ignored the warnings, truly hoped for something cleaner, more fair, and even better.
We know what we got.
Control. Poverty. Murder. Corruption. Marxism. We have affirmative action at high levels with the worse examples of people who spent their lives touting and working for our demise as a republic, our debasement while falsely claiming virtue with our lowest human experience, and promoting our most grievous, low, and yes—sinful—excuses, vices, and desires. We have uninspired, evil people raking in largess at our expense while working for more control, and toward a fundamental transformation of America that means less freedom. These people want a Marxist state where the elites gather their fortunes while the masses pay and suffer.
Somehow, we are supposed to feel we are better off after all is done to the country, our futures, and us.
Domestic enemies are in office and occupying positions of authority.
We think and wonder silently, now more aloud and growing ever larger, ever angrier while our enemies plunder… when is it time? When is it right to revolt and change those who have taken leave with our lives, property, freedoms? Despite the enemy’s seeming legitimacy, despite their rationale, their use of political correctness to keep all us slaves in a comport of language, regulations and restrictions, regardless of their seeming affability and sincerity, we know the time is now. Knowing their actions more than their words, we know it is right for the American people to take the country back and strip them of their privilege.
We will not tolerate the destruction of a free republic.
We will not accept threats and bribes to our states to bend to the will of a would-be master.
We will hold to account those political hacks who have plundered.
We have grown weary of judges who do not use the United States Constitution as their sole guide.
We no longer accept the proposition and reality of a system built to protect our enemies—through legislation and regulations.
Our enemies are well protected and insulated from the touch of common Americans. It is time. It is time to change the dynamic, uproot the destructive system, return states to their lawful place, individuals to our God given status, and eliminate every unconstitutional law and regulation put in place at the behest of the powerful, the misguided groups, and the elites who suffer no legitimacy. They are the self-proclaimed, invited by weak, corrupt politicians who curry favor for the sake of their own power. Perhaps, sadly, nothing short of a forceful purge will do what must be done. We pray it does not come to that.
Who will stand?
Old Ironsides| 1.25.10 @ 11:38AM
So many are willing - we're only waiting for the signal to begin, if need be, the forceful purge. We will not let our ship of state be sunk - it was our ancesters' blood that build her 233 years ago and our blood that has kept her safe. The elites crept inside our borders when we let down our guard and we grew complacent and nodded off at our post. We are awake now and ready to follow the General or Admiral who revives in us the spirit of 1776. Somewhere out there in our great land is a John Paul Jones or a General Washington. The American eagle is circling the land and is looking for that leader. I surmise there will be several who will come forward because we'll need all parts of the country covered by great leaders. Finally one will emerge from the many and will take the helm and steer us away from the shoals and back into safe waters. We will make a sacred pledge to each other that the enemy will never penetrate our gates or our waters again.
CopyKatnj| 1.25.10 @ 4:16PM
"The elites crept inside our borders when we let down our guard ..."
I never really understood why Jamie Gorelick (sp) created the wall of separation between the intelligence agency s. IMO it was to cover up the subversive activities of the anti-American progressive movement and not about national security from out side the country.
Smitty| 1.26.10 @ 3:11AM
I thought it was to protect Slick Willie's horndog butt.
Wednesday's Child| 1.25.10 @ 11:56AM
This is a remarkable post that certainly captures my heart and mind. Please post it on every website's comment section that you can--especially the liberal ones! Thanks for your well-stated comments.
Wordmonger| 1.25.10 @ 7:01AM
Either/or-neither/nor.
Pingback| 1.25.10 @ 7:05AM
How To Get Those Sweet Federal Blog-O-Bucks links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
Trialdog| 1.25.10 @ 8:15AM
WSJ weekend edition had two articles about Wolf and UBS. A few interesting points. Obama was introduced to Wolf by Soros, in Soros' office. Wolf then bundled loads of cash for Obama. Also, Swiss courts just issued a ruling that puts the "agreement" for UBS to pay the U.S. in doubt. Amazing coincidences huh? Who could possibly imagine these developments?
WilliamInWien| 1.25.10 @ 8:35AM
Question 10 S is treated the same as a question on an SAT! If you do not know the answer immediately, skip over and come back to it, then guess at an answer. Besides, who can be "blackmailed" today, just sell/tell your story on TV or a "rag" first. Orszag actually had a girlfriend (pregnant or otherwise) and now has another? I guess there is hope for everyone.
The Bishop| 1.25.10 @ 8:50AM
"Our lives, our fortunes, our sacred honor." This is the most ethical administration in at least the last 365 days.
Becky| 1.25.10 @ 9:33AM
What is worse, unethical or illegal behavior? Does unethical behavior lead to illegal behavior?
The Ellie Light story is interesting and I wonder if this mythological writer is part of the WH underground blogging network. Weird people with unsatisfied lives, who's ideas cannot be articulated (which is hard to do using foul, offensive language), so have to be manipulated among the population.
Matt| 1.25.10 @ 9:42AM
Check out what's on Walton's Wall today @
http://waltonswall.com/2010/01.....ng-looney/
グッチ コピー | 1.25.10 @ 10:56AM
good man Obama!
Neo| 1.25.10 @ 2:42PM
So are the Offices of Public Affairs involved in the "Ellie Light" burst of "letters to the editor" around the country ?
Marc Jeric| 1.25.10 @ 4:00PM
We have now here "political correctness, multiculturalism, and hate speech". In my former communist country (from which I escaped, thank God, many years ago) we had "anti-people speech" for which the standard conviction was 10 years of forced labor in the gulag. A joke about a communist master = 10 years.
Pingback| 1.25.10 @ 5:21PM
Sockpuppets Confused About Astroturf « his vorpal sword links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
Pingback| 1.25.10 @ 9:20PM
The American Spectator : Obama's Foursome Federal Me links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
Pingback| 1.25.10 @ 10:53PM
The American Spectator : Obama's Foursome American Me links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
Yosemeti Sam| 1.26.10 @ 12:45AM
Stocking his administration with ethically, morally and conflict-of-interest minded men - thereby defines BHOs' presidency.
When BHO walks among the presidential portraits
amidst White House halls, he can see men of presidential stature - in contrast to his being simply an ordinary man of status.
Yosemeti Sam| 1.26.10 @ 4:13AM
Strike " minded".
Insert the PC word - challenged.
Doesn't hurt to proofread.
LOL.
Pingback| 1.26.10 @ 6:20AM
The American Spectator : Obama's Foursome capital university links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
Pingback| 1.26.10 @ 7:30AM
The American Spectator : Obama's Foursome links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
Tony in Central PA| 1.26.10 @ 9:29AM
Looks like Obama has assembled a " League of Extraordinary Gentlemen " for his crack Administration.
watches | 4.28.10 @ 11:37PM
hublot
computer business support | 5.10.10 @ 5:44AM
nice share, i'am very like it
Converse | 8.12.11 @ 3:25AM
is good