Finally a Politician who Speaks his Mind
Some of Putin’s spades, taken from his first four-year term, have been collected in a slim volume called “Putinki: A Short Collection of the President’s Sayings,” and they suggest that quite a bit is going on inside that dour black suit.
After a trans-Atlantic trip, Dec. 24, 2001:
I wasn’t that excited about spending the night at Bush’s ranch. He must have thought to himself, what’s going to happen if he invites in a former intelligence officer. But Bush himself is the son of a former head of the C.I.A. So we were a nice little family circle and felt pretty good.
Addressing deputies of the State Council, May 28, 2001:
I know perfectly well that I’m guilty of everything, even if I’m not guilty. That completely applies to everyone who sits in the hall today. You are also guilty even if you don’t know what it’s all about.
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Attention Soccer Moms and Dads
If your son or daughter does not want to go to soccer practice today, here is an another argument you can use to convince your couch potato and possibly too intellectual child: “Sweetie, if you become really good at soccer, you can become rich and one day even have a private meeting with the pope.” Yesterday, the Pope received Germany’s most glorious person, the former soccer player Franz Beckenbauer. Within German society he plays a unique role for an athlete. A few weeks ago, Beckenbauer turned 60 and every single German newspaper had a story congratulating the so-called “emperor” on his illustrious career that is still in full swing. Presently he is one of the chief organizers for next year’s soccer world cup in Germany. Unlike other star soccer players, Beckenbauer has turned his sport abilities into a money gold mine. The man is truly blessed by the gods. This must be the reason why our new pope received him yesterday and reportedly even held a little private audience with the star. Beckenbauer later told the press: “To talk with the pope about soccer was the most important moment in my life.” Emperor, I hate to break it to you, but your most important moment was 30 years ago when you helped Germany win the world championship in 1974! Without that glorious achievement, the pope would have asked you yesterday how you plan to go to heaven if you marry so often, all the while scoring illegitimate children.
Sex Offenders Get Medicaid-Paid Viagra
When I planned my humor weblog, I had no idea that I would frequently encounter promising entries that would be funny and very serious at the same time. Here is another piece of black humor. It is far too early to tell what the fallout of this bureaucratic snafu will be. Unsatisfied Bob Doles?
By KEVIN FREKING, Associated Press Writer
Nearly 800 convicted sex offenders in 14 states got Medicaid-funded prescriptions for Viagra and other impotence drugs, according to a survey by The Associated Press. The majority of the cases were in New York, Florida and Texas. Medicaid, the health insurance program for the poor, is administered differently in every state. Thus, while some states allowed Medicaid payments for prescriptions for the drugs Viagra, Cialis and Levitra, other states did not.
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On the Trials and Tribulations of ‘Old Money’
It can be dauntingly difficult to be rich. Here is another chapter in the humilations rich people can experience from their nouveau riche imitators.
Rich vs. Richer In Palm Beach, The Old Money
Isn’t Having a Ball
Influx of New Wealth Sparks Spat Over Red Cross Event;
Inheritance’s Smaller Role
A 1930s Landmark Is Razed
By ROBERT FRANK
Staff Reporter of THE WALL STREET JOURNAL
May 20, 2005; Page A1
PALM BEACH, Fla.—For nearly a half-century, the Red Cross Ball was the most prestigious party for old Palm Beach society. Then Simon Fireman took over.
Continue ReadingA Real Run-Away Bride
Unlike in the romantic comedy with Julia Roberts, the story of this Run-Away Bride is leaving everyone with a sour taste in their mouths. But the reaction of her uncle made me smile: “Jennifer had some issues the family was not aware of. We’re looking forward to loving her and talking to her about these issues.” What a conversation that must be.
“My Life so Far” by Jane Fonda
MAUREEN DOWD has written a funny review of Jane Fonda’s autobiography in today’s NYT.
‘My Life So Far’: The Roles of a Lifetime
One day when she was playing cowgirl in the annual bison roundup on one of the New Mexico ranches of her husband, Ted Turner, Jane Fonda realized with a jolt that she was about to turn 60. She decided that the best way to meet this unnerving milestone was to make a short video of her life ‘‘to discover its different themes.’‘
She invited her daughter, Vanessa Vadim, a documentary filmmaker, to help her. ‘‘Why don’t you just get a chameleon and let it crawl across the screen?’’ Vanessa suggested dryly.
‘‘Ouch,’’ Jane writes. ‘‘This was the rap on me: I’ve had so many personae over my lifetime that it’s easy to think, Who is she, anyway? Is there a ‘there there’? . . . When I looked at photos of myself over the years and matched them up with my husband of the time, I couldn’t help feeling that maybe it was true—maybe I simply become whatever the man I am with wants me to be: ‘sex kitten,’ ‘controversial activist,’ ‘ladylike wife on the arm of corporate mogul.’ . . . Was I just a chameleon, and if so, how was it that a seemingly strong woman could so thoroughly and repeatedly lose herself? Or had I really lost myself?’‘
Continue ReadingStanding Ovation during the First Day on the Job
Attorney General Alberto Gonzales received a large round of applause when he appeared at the Justice Department for his first day of work. Did the employees at the department break out into spontaneous applause when the new boss showed up because John Ashcroft was so bad? Or did they simply want to preserve their chances for promotion? I was told a long time ago: “If you have been installed by someone else to lead a bunch people, don’t fall into the trap of believing that the applause you get on the first day is sincere! They will clap will clap again when the next boss shows up.”
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