This is not an altogether bad article and contains some interesting information on the case of Robert Hanssen. That is, if you can get past the trite psychoanalysis and the unnecessary Jerry Springer-like detail about Hanssen’s sexual proclivities. One thought I had while reading this is that fucked-up people work for the FBI. They’re either swinging-dick, beer-swilling goons or they’re straight-laced, religious freaks who get off on twisted sexual stuff. Yes, we’re in good hands.
Bush’s Enron Ties: Enron-gate?
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Shortly after taking office, President Bush waged a battle against the imposition of federal price controls in California that allowed Enron to price-gouge consumers by extending the energy crisis in California, costing the state billions of dollars. Enron reported increased revenues of almost $70 billion from the previous year.
Bush also resisted attempts to crack down on Enron’s utilization of its 847 offshore subsidiaries in countries with lax banking-regulation laws. The consumer-rights watchdog organization Public Citizen alleges that some of these offshore havens helped Enron defraud its stockholders.
Moreover, while Sen. Gramm was working the Congress to pass legislation favorable to Enron (and collecting nearly $260,000 in campaign contributions from the company), his wife Wendy Gramm first was chairperson of a regulatory committee overseeing Enron’s business activities and later a paid member of that company’s board of directors. Enron paid her between $915,000 and $1.85 million, according Public Citizen. Sen. Gramm has announced his decision not to seek reelection for another term in the senate.
Brave New Web by Michael Connor of The Austin Chronicle:
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When it comes to the Internet, the potential dangers suddenly seem to outweigh the benefits. McCullough forecasts grim consequences of this current trend. “I think the so-called ‘controllers of wealth and power’ have decided that this plaything [the Internet] is a sharp instrument that children shouldn’t be allowed to run and play with. The most positive aspect of it will be taken away. We will once again be relegated to the role of passive consumer instead of active citizen.”