How's this for ironic? Our beloved ex-Canadian, Conrad Black has written a biography of Richard Milhous Nixon.For those of you who are too young, Richard Nixon was the 37th President of the United States. He also has the distinction of being the only US president to resign. Of course, he didn't have all that much choice, it was that or be impeached by Congress. This all came about in his second term when it was discovered that he had authorized and then had a hand in covering up a break in at the Democratic Election Headquarters. Known as the Watergate Scandal, after the hotel where the break in occurred, this finally lead to his downfall. During the investigation, it was brought to light, that not only was there a break in at the Watergate but also illegal wiretaps, other break ins, use of confidential medical records to discredit an opponent and assorted other dirty tricks. There was even a presidential enemy list of people who opposed his presidency. (Kind of makes you think of a more recent president doesn't it? )
Now on to the author of this new biography, Lord Conrad Black. Conrad Black is a newspaper mogul who was recently convicted of fraud and obstruction of justice. He now faces a possible long jail sentence, we'll know in November. Lord Black has always been a rather right wing law and order type of person and he and his wife have often railed about leftist softies. Using his various media outlets, Black denounced Canada's welfare system as "an overgenerous reinsurance policy for an underachieving people"; railed against high taxes and unions supporting worker's rights. He once called an Ontario liberal politician the Salvador Allende of Canada and was quoted as saying that he was " trying to strangle, disembowel, and immolate the vestiges of the incentive-based economy." During the strike at his Calgary Herald newspaper, Conrad Black even called the Bishop of Calgary a "jumped-up little twerp"and a "prime candidate for exorcism" because he dared to back the striking workers.After the publication of Black's biography of Richard Nixon, he was quoted as saying “It’s hard not to acknowledge [Richard Nixon’s] sleazy side, which I do not have,* ”
Yeah right, it takes one to know one.
* bold italics are mine
8 comments:
I have no doubt at all that Connie will get off easy, just like Nixon.
Tricky Dick -- who else could be chosen as an icon for Lord Black in all his hubris. I am half way through reading Dancing on Edge and am loving the salacious tale of Conrad and slutbunny Barbara.
Ian
Ian and Jazz: Old Connie and his Barbie would have been at home in pre-revolutionary France..."Let them eat cake..." I'm glad that the chickens have come home to roust. Like Jazz I think that, unfortunately, like Tricky Dick, he'll get off lightly. ;o(
"jumped-up little twerp" It's got a certain ring to it, no?
As for Mr. Black? He'll walk away, no more worse for wear.
I had to cancel my subscription to McLean's magazine because I could not stomach Barbara Amiel's righter than right wing rants. I would like to own the diamond Lord Blackie Heart gave her with shareholder's money though. I could retire.
V.
In the future, Nixon comes back in cyborg form.
Futurama told me so.
Yeah, Canadian stuff. I'm just kidding - it is oddly reasuring to know we don't produce all the sleazy politician's.
I am not a crook.
Mehehehehehe
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