PhotOh! Palin helps "the cause"

By GottaLaff

Nanotyrnns was kind enough to loan this to us:

MeMe McMoneyFirst has her priorities, and they don't include any of us.

Au contraire, on Planet MeMe, Santa Cause brings lots of presents... but only to her.

To quote Shannyn Moore (who knows a thing or two about a thing or two) on Twitter:

Palin CHARGES the teaparty 4 appearances, says she'll donate 2 their candidates, THEN KEEPS THE $$$.

Can't get more "for the people" than that... Also too there.

GOP Hopefuls on Fox Payroll

By GottaLaff

This will be a lighter posting day. Still struggling with a few computer issues.

That said, here's your ClusterFox of the day:

"Three of the top five choices in the Southern Republican Leadership Conference's recent straw poll on favorite 2012 presidential candidates had more than one thing in common: They're all on the Fox News Channel payroll," the AP reports.

Can't get more fair and balanced than that.

Medical Interests Spent $876 Million on Reform

By GottaLaff

What an experience it must have been, being bought and sold by lobbyists. Check out The Health Care Reform Shopping Spree of '09:

Medical interests alone shelled out more than $876 million in lobbying expenses during the 15 months beginning in January 2009 and ending in March, when Congress passed the sweeping overhaul.

Those stakeholders, including the drug industry, doctors, hospitals and manufacturers of medical products, were responsible for one out of every five dollars doled out on lobbying during that period, according to a CQ MoneyLine analysis of lobbying disclosure reports filed with Congress.

This was the mother of all lobbying efforts. This was the Godzilla of special interest check writing. This was... kind of nauseating.

If only there were a breakdown of who spent what.

Within the health care industry, drug companies racked up the biggest lobbying tab, spending $253 million. They were followed by hospitals, which spent $108 million, and doctors and surgeons, who spent $59 million.

However, according to one Brookings Institution political scholar, much of the lobbying budget was spent on behalf of reform.

The health care industry’s lobbying easily outpaced other sectors with interests on Capitol Hill, including energy and natural resources, finance and insurance, and communications and technology, the CQ MoneyLine analysis found.

Even as other sectors scaled back during the recent economic downturn, health companies continued to pump big bucks into influencing Congress.

Imagine what we could have done with all that money, the lives that could have been saved, the number of movable health clinics that could have staged events.

Wait just a minute... Does all this mean that lobbyists were... spreading their wealth? Don't look now, but they may have joined Club Socialist!

“The real winners in the health care debate were the lobbyists who were laughing all the way to the bank, even in a tough economy,” said Steve Ellis, vice president of Taxpayers for Common Sense.

And if they were the winners, guess who the losers were....

Lobbyists spent nearly $1 billion in first quarter of 2010

By GottaLaff

We the people can barely afford lunch:

The first quarter of 2010 marked another frenzy for Washington lobbyists as corporations, unions and other interest groups spent nearly $1 billion in their attempts to sway Congress and the Obama administration.

I wish I could see it put another way.

To look at it another way: Interest groups spent $19 million for every day that the House or Senate was in session.

Be careful what you wish for.

Guess who took the lead... The U.S. Chamber of Commerce and other Big Biz. They spent $139 million. I'm sure they were looking out for interests. They're such softies.

Big Health, Big Energy, and Big Finance were the other Big Spenders.

For more details, go here.

Inevitable: Levi Johnston Writing Book on Palin

By GottaLaff

Levi Johnston has a story to tell. You know that, I know that, everyone knows that. The question is, what will he say, will what he says be credible, and when will he say it?

According to Levi, he will tell the "true story of the Palin household."

A brief excerpt from Mike Allen: "Sarah Palin is a singular national industry... This January, she signed a three-year contributor deal with Fox News worth $1 million a year, according to people familiar with the deal... Nowadays, for both poles of the political spectrum but especially for the right, politics is a business -- the entertainment business... It was Fox's Roger Ailes who had the insight that the American right was an underserved market, one with a powerful kind of brand loyalty."

Now Levi hopes to profit off of McLipSchmutz Inc.

Levi:

“When she lost, I knew exactly what she was gonna do,” he says. “The whole time she was getting big-money offers for book and TV shows. I was like, All right, she’s gonna pick that up. It was just a matter of time before she quit."

As for politics being a business, the unfortunate extension of that is that news has become infotainment. Punditiocy has replaced solid reporting, commercialism has replaced, well, just about everything... which is so Foxed up.

(via)

Kerry says three major oil companies to back Senate climate plan

By GottaLaff

What are those sneaky Big Greasy Ol' Corporations up to now? Oh yeah, profit:

Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.) expects that a powerful electric utility trade group and three major oil companies will support the climate and energy bill he and two colleagues will unveil Monday, according to a source on a conference call Kerry held for business leaders Thursday evening.

So who are these possible "allies"?

The oil companies that will back the plan are BP, ConocoPhillips and Shell, according to The Washington Post.

Yeah, we trust those oil slicks about as far as we can throw them. What could be spurring them, and possibly others, to cooperate?

It could have something to do with the "$10 billion in support for 'clean coal' technologies and free pollution allowances for refiners to cover motor fuel emissions". Oh, and the investment in nukes. And this:

Sources familiar with the briefing also said the measure would preempt state and regional greenhouse gas rules, which is a key goal for a variety of industry groups but has been strongly attacked by environmentalists and state officials. The bill would also block EPA regulation of greenhouse gases under its current Clean Air Act powers, one source said.

So many compromises, so little time.

Internal Probe Finds RNC Financial Controls in Disarray

Sorry to see that they figured this out- could have helped a win for us. Via Taegan-

"Barely 6 1/2 months before the midterm elections, an internal investigation by the Republican National Committee has revealed that the organization is beset with questionable financial management and oversight and is spending more money courting top-dollar donors than it raises," the Washington Times reports.

"The investigation found that the Republican Party's national governing body is losing money on its major-donors' fundraising program -- spending $1.09 for each $1.00 raised, according to RNC members privy to the investigation's findings. It typically costs about 40 cents for every dollar raised from donors who give more than $1,000."

California students find Palin contract in trash

By GottaLaff


FlexStraw McEvian sure is picky. First she demands 100 grand for an entree of word salad, and now we find out that she will stomp her four-inch heeled foot and pout if she doesn't get water bottles, bendy straws, multiple luxury hotel rooms, and... well, dare I assume that she insists on a moosehead on every wall?

Sarah Palin will get first-class airfare for two and three rooms at a luxury hotel when she gives a speech in June for a university foundation.

And organizers better not forget to stock her lectern with two water bottles and bendable straws.

If you recall, there's been a little controversy over her screech, er, speech at CSU Stanislaus. Who knew it would involve something she sucks?

Nobody, that's who... until some CSU Stanislaus students dug into some CSU Stanislaus campus trash and discovered the CSU Stanislaus Foundation documents.... the very same documents that were rumored to have been shredded while the campus staff was on furlough (A special thank you to Ahnold for the unpaid time off).

Among other perks, Palin will fly first class — if she flies commercial. If not, "the private aircraft MUST BE a Lear 60 or larger ...," the contract specifies.

Pfft, and they say size doesn't matter. Apparently it does to Wordy McLongJet.

There was nothing in the document that specified the amount of her screeching fee.

The foundation previously denied a request to release details of the contract made by The Associated Press under the California Public Records Act.

Well! Finally that makes sense! Who'd want all those pesky details about D'mandy McDiva to get out? Isn't she just so like one of us, though?

If you recall, Stanislaus U said they had no documents. And by "had no" they meant "Why hasn't trash removal guy been here yet?"

Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going back to my motor home to get a foot massage while my entourage handles the riffraff.

Junior Florida Republican staffer charged $1.3 million to party credit card

By GottaLaff

My Twitter pals Symbolman (who co-authored Going Rouge, the Coloring and Activity Book) and Hoptoad4 stumbled upon something interesting in the St. Petersburg Times.

All that was missing was a Big GOP outing at the Voyeur club:

She was a 25-year-old junior staffer when the Florida Republican Party gave her an American Express card.

Over the next 2½ years, nearly $1.3 million in charges wound up on Melanie Phister's AmEx — $40,000 at a London hotel, and nearly $20,000 in plane tickets for indicted former House Speaker Ray Sansom, his wife and kids, for starters. Statements show thousands spent on jewelry, sporting goods and in one case $15,000 for what's listed as a month-long stay at a posh Miami Beach hotel, but which the party says was a forfeited deposit.

So much for all that "fiscal restraint" talk, huh? But hey, what's $1.3 mil between friends?

Even after a series of embarrassing revelations over profligate credit card spending by the likes of Republican U.S. Senate frontrunner Marco Rubio, Sansom and incoming House Speaker Dean Cannon — and pending state and federal investigations of party finances — revelations of the huge charges on Phister's card had veteran GOP fundraisers apoplectic.

Apparently, legislators abused Phister's card, too, as well as their own. Weeee! It's a spending party for the party who says they hate spending!

Did I mention that political donors are livid?

"I can't believe it. Someone should be hanged for that," Mark Guzzetta, a Boca Raton developer who has raised millions of dollars for Republicans, said of the party allowing so much spending on a low-level staffer's card.

I bet Democrats are just as guilty though, right? No, more guilty. Guiltier than guilty. Isn't that what the Rushpublics always say?

And we all know the last thing any member of the GOP would ever suggest is emulating the Dems. That's Number One on their List-O'-Sins:

The Florida Democratic Party requires staffers and leaders to use their own credit cards and seek reimbursement for appropriate expenses. That's now the practice at the Florida Republican Party, and fundraiser Hoffman suggested it's about time.

Finally. Bipartisanship.

H/t: TexBetsy

Palin Probe- "Smoking gun" proof that university hiding documents re: speaking fee

By GottaLaff


RunOn McMoneyTalks has another Big Speech coming up. You know how she loves to talk... and talk.. and talk.

But you know what she loves more? Money. And you know what they say about money: It's the root of all word salad:

A state lawmaker claimed Wednesday that he has “smoking gun” proof that educators at CSU Stanislaus are deliberately hiding public documents that reveal how much they agreed to pay Palin for a speech at an upcoming gala fundraiser.

Their alleged stonewalling is so egregious, said state Sen. Leland Yee, D-San Francisco, that he has asked Attorney General Jerry Brown “to investigate this violation of the public trust.”

Imagine that. RunOn's in the middle of another scandal. Who could have seen that coming?

[C]ampus compliance officer Gina Leguria told Californians Aware, “The University has no documents that are responsive to your request.”

That's preposterous. You can quote me.

That’s preposterous, Yee said.

You're welcome.

The lawmaker said he had independently obtained a copy of one university document on the subject – an email sent to everybody on campus to “clear up any confusion and extinguish rumors” about Palin’s speech, as its author, University Vice President Susana Gajic-Bruyea, put it.

Gajic-Bruyea, who is also executive officer of the foundation, wrote that “no tax dollars” would be used to pay Palin.

That's an awfully suspicious claim.

Yee is deeply suspicious about that claim. But in the event, he says that e-mails should obviously have been disclosed in response to the records request.

Wait, didn't they say the university had "no documents"?

“The university’s claim of no documentation was inconceivable, and now there is a smoking gun,” he said in a statement. “What other documents and correspondence are they hiding?”

VIDEO- Mid-level Fox executive: "Whatever will sell is what we have to say." CNN just as guilty.

By GottaLaff

Just. Watch:



Slightly paraphrased:

"A majority of people at the middle level at Fox News don't believe a word of what they are saying."

Why are you saying it? "Whatever will sell is what we have to say."

Many staffers are considered "left wing", but if they found a message that would sell, the opposite of what they believe, they would do so. That's the Rupert Murdoch way.

Glenn Beck is only as good as his sponsorship. His message doesn't play into Fox News, and he's losing national sponsors, leaving only local, low-paying sponsors. (Thank you, StopBeck).

So how useful is Beck to ClusterFox? He's not. They're selling propaganda to sell products.

From the middle level executive's point of view, there is no political objective at Fox News [sic]. People are stupid enough to believe what they say, and ClusterFox reaps the benefits.

"They'll tell you whatever they sell, and they're only as good as their sponsorship.... at the national expense."

"They're a little annoyed at Ann Coulter... and Glenn Beck."

"CNN is just as guilty as Fox News of being an engine of propaganda... generating fear..." (regarding terrorism)

"News agencies are dangerous to freedom and liberty."

From the horse's mouth.

H/t: t_spano

$chool group'$ rea$on for Palin $peech: It need$ the money

By GottaLaff

Selfy McPayMe wants money, Stanislaus State wants money. Everyone wants money:

Tax records show leaner times for the college foundation now drawing fire for paying Sarah Palin an undisclosed sum to speak at Stanislaus State.

Overall collections by the California State University Stanislaus Foundation fell by more than half over the past decade, tax records show. Fewer contributions, in turn, crimp the foundation's ability to help students and the Turlock-based university. [...]

Now, the non-profit foundation hopes to regain momentum with Palin's June 25 appearance.

I suppose that must mean they think they'll sell out:

One university official said Friday that the $500 -a-head event in the school's 300-seat cafeteria was sold out but that names were being taken for a waiting list...

See? What'd I tell you?

Although, I have my doubts:

[U]niversity spokeswoman Eve Hightower later indicated the event wasn't sold out.

See? What'd I tell you?

I bet there are even a few people who aren't so thrilled Selfy's making an appearance:

Not all buzz, though, is positive. Some, in particular, question the speaking fees Palin has commanded since she quit her job as Alaska governor 18 months before her term expired.

See? What'd I tell you?

The Stanislaus State foundation is not obligated to reveal Selfy's speaking fee, but we're all well aware that she's been getting right around $100,000 for providing an endless supply of nonsensical run-on sentences enhanced by visual aids (read: hand notes).

But hey, it's all worth it if they can add to their coffers. Especially the non-profit ones.

For foundation officials, the controversy could be a price worth paying if it boosts their non-profit coffers.

See? What'd I tell you?

Family Research Council: Stop RNC Donations

By GottaLaff

Blow. Back:

In the wake of the expense scandal at the Republican National Committee, the Family Research Council urged supporters to stop donating to the RNC "and instead contribute to its own coffers or to candidates with like-minded goals," CNN reports. [...]

Earlier, we noted big Republican donors are already bypassing the RNC.

When Tony Perkins isn't happy, the money goes bye-bye. And we all know it's al-l-l about the money.

Via the Family Research Council site:

The Republican National Committee (RNC) is at the center of another controversy, this one regarding nearly $2,000.00 spent at a bondage-themed strip club outside of Los Angeles. Information about the $1,946.00 dollar expenditure at Voyeur West Hollywood became public when the RNC released its most recent financial disclosure report. The public controversy over the expenditure led to the firing of the staffer yesterday who had incurred the expense. This latest incident is another indication to me that the RNC is completely tone-deaf to the values and concerns of a large number of people from whom they seek financial support. [...]

I've hinted at this before, but now I am saying it--don't give money to the RNC. If you want to put money into the political process, and I encourage you to do so, give directly to candidates who you know reflect your values. Better yet, become a member of FRC Action and learn about the benefits it offers, including participating in the FRC Action PAC which can support candidates who will advance faith, family and freedom!

The RNC has an owie. Who's gonna kiss it now?

CA Republican Erik Brown return RNC money; RNC cultivated young donors at Voyeurs

By GottaLaff


Michael Steele is toast. His sexcapades at the bondage-themed Voyeur club (that features topless dancers simulating sex acts), where he blew nearly two grand to hang with the who's who of voyeuritude, is getting blowback. (Fun with words!)

A California-based political consultant who charged the Republican National Committee nearly $2,000 for a night out at Voyeur - a risque West Hollywood nightclub now at center of the latest controversy surrounding RNC chairman Michael Steele - will return the money to the party, a committee spokesman told CNN Monday.

Erik Brown, president of the Orange County-based Dynamic Marketing, Inc., was re-imbursed in February for $1,946.25 worth of charges at the nightclub, according to the RNC's latest filing with the Federal Election Commission. [...]

Brown's firm, which also has an office in Washington, D.C., has done direct mail and consulting work for GOP candidates in California including Assemblyman Chuck DeVore, now a candidate for Senate, and Steve Poizner, the state Insurance Commissioner now running for governor.

Erik and Mikey are bff. Well, they're at least f:

In October, Brown tweeted: "Enjoying the football game with RNC Chairman Michael Steele. (Eagles vs Redskins at FedEx Field)."

Brown closed his Twitter account after the Voyeur story broke. His Gen Next page was also scrubbed. Sadly, I accidentally closed my tab while it was still up. But luckily, Democratic Underground copied the text and his photo (click on images to enlarge):

Erik Brown is Chief Executive Officer of DMI, Dynamic Marketing Inc. a direct marketing/media production company with offices in California and Washington DC. DMI provides services for corporations, political campaigns, issue advocacy groups, fundraising professionals, and various private concerns. Recipients of the prestigious AAPC Pollie Award in 2008, DMI’s portfolio includes work for notable candidates as well as a several prominent elected officials and public policy organizations.

A graduate of the University of California Irvine with a degree in Political Science, Erik has been an active member of The National Honor Society, Young Republicans, Friends of the NRA, Claremont Institute, and the Sheriff's Advisory Council. Apart from a passion for politics and a driving commitment to advocate on behalf of founding principles, Erik is a sportsman and a mentor to young athletes. As an ice hockey coach for over 12 years, his teams have won acclaim as State, District, and National Champions.

Erik is married to Alison Brown, a graduate of Chapman University and an MBA student at UCI’s Merage School of business. Alison has served as President of the Illuminating Engineers Society of Southern California, a mainstay of her industry. A former director of the Sunday school, Alison and Erik reside in Las Flores, California and are actively involved in the ministries of their local church.

Here's what is there now:

But wait! There's more!

What exactly was going on at that little Voyeurpalooza?

A $1,946.25 bar tab at a bondage-themed Hollywood nightclub financed by the RNC was part of a night of cultivating young Republican donors [...]

The California blog Red County reported that the outing at Voyeur West Hollywood was an after-party for a number of young Republicans who attended a Young Eagles event that night at the Beverly Hills Hotel.

Those would be the same under-40s who are pallin' around with Blackwater for a fundraiser in April. I wrote about that earlier here.

The Party of No is morphing into the Party Party.

H/t: Windy City Watch, Gr8RDH

The RNC hearts Blackwater

By GottaLaff

Ben Smith reveals that the RNC has Xe hots for Blackwater. They're about to cohabitate at a fundraiser:

Spokesmen for the Republican National Committee and for Xe Services, the embattled military contractor formerly known as Blackwater, denied to me last month that the party had any plans to host a donor retreat at Xe's U.S. Training Center in North Carolina.

Today, however, spokesmen for both said the event -- which appeared in a calendar in the leaked RNC fundraising presentation -- is on.

Here is a snippet of Ben's original post:

The Republican National Committee is planning to raise $60,000 at a fundraiser next month at the North Carolina compound owned by the company formerly known as Blackwater.

The event is going to be held by the under-40somethings called the "Young Eagles".

If you still aren't familiar with who and what Blackwater really is, please take a look at the primer I compiled called "Blackwater for Dummeez".

Here are a few screen grabs of the leaked presentation. And remember, they put the FUN back in FUNdraising!

(click on image to enlarge)

Nothing more reassuring than teaming up with a bunch of thugs. That should lend as much credibility to the party as their RNC chair spending nearly two grand at a kinky bondage-themed club.

H/t: Gr8RDH

Frum Says Donors Forced Him Out

By GottaLaff

David Frum had the nerve-- the nerve!-- to say that the health care reform bill would be the Republicans' Waterloo. He also popped out with a little nugget about the GOP being run by Fox, not vice versa.

Of course that was stating the obvious. ClusterFox virtually owns the party, promotes the Tea Baggers, and has many GOP Congress members cowering.

Frum's abrupt termination from the American Enterprise Institute came after her wrote a CNN piece about said GOP Waterloo, as well as an appearance on MSNBC where he repeated the point.

In other words, a policy of no compromising, going the radical route, would lead to a bad outcome.

It sure did for him.

And for the party. The GOP has been undermined by the word No, by the open hostility to reason, and by subservience to a Tee Vee network that spews extreme views.

Of course, we've been saying this for years.

Here's what Frum says:

David Frum told Mike Allen last night that "he believes his axing from his $100,000-a-year 'resident scholar' gig at the conservative American Enterprise Institute was related to donor pressure following his viral blog post arguing Republicans had suffered a devastating, generational 'Waterloo' in their loss to President Obama on health reform."

Said Frum: "There's a lot about the story I don't really understand. But the core of the story is the kind of economic pressure that intellectual conservatives are under... the elite isn't leading anymore. It's trapped. Partly because of the desperate economic situation in the country, what were once the leading institutions of conservatism are constrained."

The party has boxed themselves into a corner, just as David Corn said last night on Countdown. All that groveling and catering to the far right is not good for more reasonable members, nor is it good for the country.

There needs to be real debate, honest opinion differences for a democracy to work properly. When party leaders shout "Armageddon!" and do nothing but stand against things, this is what happens.

Well, Frum can always write another book.

Poll: Big support for student loan change

This was always kind of a no brainer, at least to me, so I still don't get how the R's can try and turn it into more of their "big government takeover" meme.

Washington (CNN) - Nearly two-thirds of Americans say they favor a proposal to increase the amount of money available for college loans by allowing the government to provide those loans directly to students, according to a new poll.

A CNN/Opinion Research Corporation survey released Wednesday indicates that 64 percent of respondents favor the proposal and 34 percent opposed it.

The measure is part of a package of fixes that were added by House Democrats to the Senate health care reform bill that was passed by the House on Sunday and signed into law by President Obama Tuesday. The fixes still need to be passed the Senate and then returned to the House for final approval.

The student loan measure, which is a priority for Obama, would end the practice of having private banks offer student loans backed by the government.

(snip)

The survey also indicates, to a degree, some rare bipartisan support, with a vast majority of Democrats, a solid majority of Independents, and a slight majority of Republicans favoring the proposal.

"There is still a big partisan gap, 82 percent of Democrats support the change, compared to 52 percent of Republicans," adds Holland. "Nonetheless, a majority of both parties have a positive view of the proposal. We haven't seen that very often in recent polls."

Networks reject $arah Palin, who wants BIG money for small reality show

By GottaLaff

$eems ol' Greedy McBadShow has been rejected by the Big Three and has been sent to CableLand. So much for her irresistible celebrity pull:

Sources say A&E Networks and Discovery Communications want to acquire Palin's project, which focuses on the ex-governor giving a guided tour of her native Alaska [...]

But here's the money line, as it were... so to speak... after a fashion...

The former vice presidential candidate is asking for between $1 million and $1.5 million per episode, a hefty amount for a first-year cable series.

It's good to know she's staying true to her money-grubbing self. She can add this outlandish effort to rake in some more cash to her habit of making a few bucks by avoiding property taxes, her ghostwritten book, and her exorbitant speaking fees.

To put her salary demands into perspective:

Stars tend to receive about $10,000 to $25,000 per episode for their appearances on reality TV, according to a recent report in the New York Post. But that does vary. For the second season of “The Osbournes,” for example, each member of the clan reportedly received $5 million, bringing MTV’s bill to $20 million. That was a huge salary increase, considering they only received about $5,000 each, per episode, for the first season. Then again, it was a huge hit for the network. [...]

For the first season of “The Apprentice,” Donald Trump received $50,000 per episode, and double that for the second season. For the third season of “Dancing with the Stars,” participants were offered contracts that had variable pay rates, depending upon how long they lasted, for a maximum of $245,000.

It's nice to see that Greedy's priorities are consistent. It's never about America, it's all about Greedy.

Palin initially pitched the show to broadcast networks. Given the show's laid-back nature theme and lack of high-stakes drama that tends to typify broadcast reality hits, industry executives see cable as a better fit.

And by "better fit" the networks mean it sucked too much for words, they wouldn't get near it and knew better than to rely on a failed, lying quitter to carry a series, especially a boring one.

Shorter version: Don't call us, we'll call you.

H/t: DAKGirl

Study: Money Flooding into Campaigns for State Judgeships

By GottaLaff

If only we could rid ourselves of the practice of buying justice and government officials:

In rare public remarks last week, U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg said the money involved in electing judges remains one of the most pressing concerns facing the American court system. And she joined her former colleague, Sandra Day O'Connor, in calling for reform. [...]

Yet money has continued to pour into the campaign accounts of state judges around the country, and ABC News has obtained an advanced copy of a study showing the amounts involved are unprecedented.

There's a whole lot more. Just follow the linky.

Feds: Blackwater Saves Taxpayers Money

By GottaLaff

I wouldn't care if they saved us billions, there is no justification for their existence. Period:

But a new government report says they may actually have saved U.S. taxpayers money. The State Department saves roughly $900 million a year using private firms to protect American diplomats in Iraq rather than relying on U.S. government employees, according to a recently published review by the non partisan Government Accounting Office.

Here are the reasons they give for the differences. Ready?

The state department did not have to pay overtime or provide benefits or vacation time to the contractors. They were not saddled with extensive travel and housing costs. And they did not have to outfit them with weapons and gear.

Seriously. Those are the reasons. Well, then, by all means, go with Blackwater, er, Xe, er, Blackwater, er, Murder Inc.

But wait, it gets even better:

The report noted that the State Department would have been "reluctant to hire third country nationals to provide security in Iraq because the department does not want to be perceived as hiring mercenaries."

I'm sorry, but did I just wake up in Crazy World?

Moral of the story: Money first... Except for Jan Schakowsky. She's smart that way:

Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky (D-IL), who has sponsored a bill to outlaw government contracts to private security companies, defended her bill against the report, told ABC News that money was not the biggest factor in assessing the value of contractors in war zones.

And with that, it's time to re-introduce my old primer, Blackwater for Dummeez. Consider it a refresher course on who these thugs are:

BLACKWATER FOR DUMMEEZ

What is Blackwater USA, boys and girls? Blackwater USA is an international security contractor founded in 1997 by Erik Prince and is based in the U.S, . state of North Carolina where it operates a tactical training facility that it claims is the world's largest. Wow!

Let's take a peek into their world, in their very own words, where they claim to be: "The most comprehensive professional military, law enforcement, security, peacekeeping, and stability operations company in the world".

Our leadership and dedicated family of exceptional employees adheres to an essential of core corporate values- chief among these are integrity, innovation, excellence, respect, accountability, and teamwork.

In doing this, we have become the most responsive, cost-effective means of affecting the strategic balance in support of security and peace, and freedom and democracy everywhere.

Blackwater's Federal Contracts

Year Amount Paid

2001 $736,906

2002 $3,415,884

2003 $25,395,556

2004 $48,496,903

2005 $352,871,817

2006 $593,601,952

Well, howdy-do, that's impressive!

Now! What do they do? Stuff that includes integrity, innovation, excellence, respect, accountability, and teamwork? Nah, they were just kidding. They do this:

The lead Suburban in our convoy loomed up behind an old, puttering sedan driven by an older man with a young woman and three children. As we approached at typical breakneck speed, the Blackwater driver honked furiously and motioned to the side, as if they should pull over. The kids in the back seat looked back in horror, mouths agape at the sight of the heavily armored Suburbans driven by large, armed men in dark sunglasses. The poor Iraqi driver frantically searched fora means of escape, but there was none. So the lead Blackwater vehicle smashed heedlessly into the car, pushing it into the barrier. We zoomed by too quickly to notice if anyone was hurt.

That's what they do.

Who's in charge? Just a dickens of a guy! Erik Prince! And what a resume has he!

Born: 6-Jun-1969 Religion: Born-Again Christian Race or Ethnicity: White
Sexual orientation: Straight Occupation: Business, Military Party Affiliation: Republican Executive summary: Founder, Blackwater USA Military service: Navy SEAL Team Officer (1993-96, Bosnia, Haiti)

Erik Prince is a multi-millionaire right-wing fundamentalist Christian from a powerful Michigan Republican family. His wealth came from his father, Edgar Prince (d. 1995, billionaire, started Family Research Council with Gary Bauer). A major Republican campaign contributor, he interned in the White House of President George H.W. Bush and campaigned for Pat Buchanan in 1992, finding time to intern for conservative congressman Dana Rohrabacher as well. Prince founded the security and mercenary firm Blackwater USA in 1997 with Gary Jackson, another former Navy SEAL.

Prince's sister Betsy DeVos is a powerful conservative in her own right. Married to the son of Richard DeVos (Republican bankroller and co-founder of Amway), she served as chair of Michigan Republican Party in the 1990s. His mom is Elsa Prince Broekhuizen (Republican Party funder, remarried)

Can you say mercenary? I knew that you could. Now why would I go and ask a thing like that? Here's why!

In the capital, American officials said a joint U.S.-Iraqi commission formed to look into last month's shooting incident in which Blackwater USA security guards killed at least 11 Iraqis had yet to meet. In addition, most members of an FBI team that also will investigate the Sept. 16 shootings have not arrived and probably will not get to Iraq until next week, said U.S. Embassy spokeswoman Mirembe Nantongo.

Why, there were more killings than we can count! There was the one where a drunk killed a guard on Christmas, and there was one where…oh never mind. Now remember, boys and girls, killing is bad. Killing for money is worse. And killing for money with no repercussions is worst of all!

No need to worry, because there's o-ver-sight. Can you say oversight? Yes, the U.S. Congress is on the job! Or are they...?

Darrell Issa: On the "Democrat side", this isn't about Blackwater. It's a repeat of the MoveOn dot Org attack on Petraeus' patriotism. They'll simply switch targets. I'm here to defend General Petraeus and our men and women in uniform.

Oooopsies! Well, kids, sometimes love can be misplaced. Erik Prince has a lot of love to share, too, but in the form of big fat checks:

Prince's latest donation was in July, when he gave $20,000 to the National Republican Congressional Committee. California recipients of Prince's $1,000 checks include Reps. Jerry Lewis and Duncan Hunter, a current GOP presidential candidate, and former Rep. Richard Pombo.

The former serviceman has given almost all of his donations to Republicans. There was, however, an exception in 2006, when he donated $5,000 to the Green Party of Lucerne County, Pa. That was a Republican ploy to ensure the Green Party's U.S. senate candidate got on the ballot in an effort to peel votes away from Democrat Bob Casey and help Republican Rick Santorum. The effort failed and Casey won.

What's a mercenary to do? He has to invest his hard earned wages somewhere, doesn't he?

Well, kiddies, that's enough for today. No go eat your supper before it gets cold. You can sit in front of the TV and catch up on the latest news. What could be more fun than all the dinner you can eat, and all the Blackwater you can stomach?