That don't astonish me too much. You pay your money, you get a job. Used to be you could buy a Yeoman Warder post, or a knighthood, or a military commission, or you could buy salvation. That's part of why Luther split off from the Catholic Church, he got sick and tired of people being able to make "donations" and be, at least on paper, purged of their sins. Throw the right amount at the right people, and anything's for sale. And to be fair, I don't think that's going to end with Bush's Presidency, especially what with Kerry being a Bonesman and whatnot.
I agree that the influence of donations has plagued policymakers since President Monroe, almost without exception. Some far worse than others, of course.
An historical cynic, though, might say that the influence of either baseball moguls or ketchup royalty are preferable to that of the Republic of China.
Post by Kellopalopalis on Jul 14, 2004 23:35:23 GMT -5
'Doonesbury' Artist Trudeau Skewers Bush
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NEW YORK - Cartoonist Garry Trudeau, who has skewered politicians for decades in his comic strip "Doonesbury," tells Rolling Stone magazine he remembers Yale classmate George W. Bush as "just another sarcastic preppy who gave people nicknames and arranged for keg deliveries."
Trudeau attended Yale University with Bush in the late 1960s and served with him on a dormitory social committee.
"Even then he had clearly awesome social skills," Trudeau said. "He could also make you feel extremely uncomfortable ... He was extremely skilled at controlling people and outcomes in that way. Little bits of perfectly placed humiliation."
Trudeau said he penned his very first cartoon to illustrate an article in the Yale Daily News on Bush and allegations that his fraternity, DKE, had hazed incoming pledges by branding them with an iron.
The article in the campus paper prompted The New York Times to interview Bush, who was a senior that year. Trudeau recalled that Bush told the Times "it was just a coat hanger, and ... it didn't hurt any more than a cigarette burn."
"It does put one in mind of what his views on torture might be today," Trudeau said.
Having mocked presidents of both parties in the "Doonesbury" strip since 1971, Trudeau said Bush has been, "tragically, the best target" he's worked with yet.
"Bush has created more harm to this country's standing and security than any president in history," Trudeau said. "What a shame the world has to suffer the consequences of Dubya not getting enough approval from Dad."
Rolling Stone was publishing the interview Friday.
"Didn't hurt any more than a cigarette burn?" I could actually buy that. It seems like it would hurt a little more than a tattoo, and tattoos are something people go through willfully. Then again, never having been tattooed or branded, I can't speak. But I have been accidentaly burned by a cigarette, and that's no fun. It's not exactly being broken on the rack, but it is a big YEOWCH. EDIT: Actually, is he referring to an accidental burn, or an intentional burn? I got an accidental burn, but somebody who wanted to could deliver a third-degree burn with that thing, or at least so says my dad, who used to work in a burn ward. BTW, Bas: I don't get the Taiwan thing. Who's in Taiwan's pocket, again?
Last Edit: Jul 14, 2004 23:59:59 GMT -5 by Sheynat
Post by New Age Guilds on Jul 17, 2004 14:38:26 GMT -5
fellow members of the 10000 islands, the time has come to choose new leaders of this great region. vote new age guilds, a member of TITO, head of the trade federation and bright, new candidate for the senate
VOTE NEW AGE GUILDS
The Guildmaster Member of SBLTO Comander of New Age Guilds Order of the Tiger pyromancer of the Holy Fire
freedom is only freedom when 2+2=4 when that is given, all else follows
we are one of the greatest regions in NS remember that always