The week began with Nouri al-Maliki, the Iraqi leader, still making decisions on his own, something we have been waiting for him to do. He proved in less than a week that he isn’t capable. So, after he sent the Iraqi “army” into Basara to take on the al-Sadr Madhi militia and after a few hundred deaths, a reported 1000 Iraqi soldiers dropped their weapons and joined the insurgents. Al-Maliki called upon the Brits to fire rounds into the melee and the U.S. to drop a few bombs.
With things not going so well, even with backup, two of Iraq’s government officials met with al-Sadr in Iran… yes, in Iran… and agreed to a cease fire… for a while. Regardless of what Bush said on television or the military didn’t say, it was evident that al-Maliki’s timing was not only bad, he judgment was worse. And, the Bush administration wasn’t happy. But, all’s well that ends well, except it didn’t exactly end all that well.
By mid-week there were more conflicts in Basara. And, al-Sadr was calling for a ”million man march” on Baghdad. He’s been watching too much American television or he’s been in touch with Louis Farrakhan. Either way, if al-Sadr can get a million Iraqi’s to march in Baghdad and stage a sit-in, it will be the most organized anything has been in Iraq since we invaded.
On Monday Henry Paulson’s new regulatory plan for the Treasury was unveiled. Of course, the plan was handed out late last Friday afternoon, a sure sign that it was supposed to fly under the radar. The 218 page work of art caused a stir among those on Wall Street and in Washington. Streamlining the government agencies by combining several agencies caused some of the “secure” government employees to check the length of the local unemployment lines. The beggars on Wall Street want to be choosers as well. And, the investment banks would choose no regulations.
Alphonso Jackson, Secretary of HUD, offered his resignation citing the same old story…. spend time with family, etc. Truth is he was all but forced from his office under criminal investigation. But, the story almost went unnoticed for a while. Jackson had timed his announcement to coincide with the unveiling of the Paulson Treasury plan. But, alas, nothing slides out a door in Washington without some notice. And, so it was with Jackson. Thirty years of service tarnished by fraud and possible indictments.
Congress was tied up all week with testimony about the economy. In addition to Paulson’s plan, the Washington week ran between the housing crisis and economic stimulus measures. Chairman of the Fed Ben Bernanke testified that we are looking at a bleak economic future. He even hinted that we are heading for the “R” word.
About the Bear Stearns bail-out, even though none of the participants want to call it a bail out, there was testimony that we did what we had to do to save the economic system. Dimon of JP Morgan Chase told his story. Alan Schwartz, CEO of the Bear, seemed to accuse some unknown entity of market manipulation to put the Bear into permanent hibernation and so it is that the SEC is going to investigate.
The House and the Senate worked to put together a bill that could work to save the remaining houses facing foreclosure, or at least help the consumer’s economy.
And, it was the week of the “F” agencies, but there is always something going awry if there is an “F” involved. Bush left for a NATO meeting but not before suggesting that FISA should be passed, his version, no doubt. Members of the CDC told their story about FEMA and the cover-up. No need to rehash the toxic trailer tale again. Mueller of the FBI testified that sometimes the agency had gone beyond their boundaries, but blamed it on third parties who just gave up too much information. And, God bless those who fly. According to the FAA, we have been flying on a wing and a prayer. The agency had failed to inspect airlines for years and years for stress fractures to the fuselage. And, all I can say at this point is that not one of the “F” agencies has done their jobs. Thank goodness there are a few good men (and women) who are willing to blow the whistle on the F-ing agencies. Call it negligence if you wish. I believe such failures are bordering on criminal.
And, let us not forget, big oil companies had to answer some questions on the hill about those billions and billions of dollars of profit on gas and oil, while we are now paying the highest prices we have ever paid at the pump…. and all this in the midst of job losses and the recession.
The candidates campaigned. Hillary tried to portray herself as Rocky Balboa. Oh, please! But, with all the calls for her to step aside, she did manage to grab the title of underdog. And, Bill is running around ranting and raving about how badly Hillary has been treated by friend and foe. I guess he forgot the humiliation dumped on her. Now, I’m not one to care if Bill had sex with that woman or not. But, damn! All this love for and protection of the little lady is starting to look a little funny to me. And, Bill is making a real ass of himself.
Barack went about his business, trying to be one of the guys. Best I can tell, he doesn’t know much about cows, he likes expensive cheese, and heaven knows he should have had another beer before trying to bowl. But, he did make a few good speeches this week, regardless of what Emanuel Cleaver said.
John McCain… oh, John McCain… He began a biography tour this week. If we thought he was old, we know it now. He’s been at it all week and I’m not sure he’s half way. Bor-ing. I watched a couple of his live speeches, fell asleep during one. His slow low key monotonous voice is much akin to torture. He sounds like an old record that someone has pulled the plug on. And, for heaven’s sake, someone get the prompter on the right speed.
Friday was the fortieth anniversary of the assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr. I remember the day in 1968. It was a life changing time for many of us. But, those were times when change was everywhere. And, in a spirit of truth and fearlessness, Dr. King inspired many of us to action, black and white.
All in all, it was a week without too much excitement. Thank goodness the Final Four begins this afternoon! Go Carolina!
