Volume 5 Issue 27…Dedicated to the Dialogue on Race…July 12, 2002

Opinion surveys state what people believe about the past, present and future. No matter how many people are interviewed or questions asked, the results are what people believe. Evolving from belie, which is to misrepresent, distort, falsify or pervert, belief is a product of the mind. Heavily influenced by dogma and precepts, beliefs offer the elusion of certitude through the assurance of conviction. Symbolizing rampart from behind which the mind battles doubt, mistrust and uncertainty, opinions are mental fortifications. Consequently, statements about future behavior are ideals untested in the face of temptation and desperation.

Conversely, analysis reflects history propelling the present and projecting dots that connect future possibilities. Beginning with what is believed about events, scientific analysis examines facts. Dissecting the whole, analysis teases fundamental aspects apart, distinguishing environmental events from mental impressions. The black and white strict construction beliefs of America ignore the shades of gray which give humans the perception of depth. Analysis scrutinizes antecedence that precipitates behavior for context and perspective. Probability theory provides trajectories as dots on some future landscape in time.

T.H.I.N.C. (Teaching Humanity In New Consciousness): The Chrysalis of Evolution, a book by Yohannes Sharriff Smith is a microcosm of American experience that illustrates this point. A combination of poetry and autobiographical sketch that dramatizes his awakening, T.H.I.N.C. presents a Holistic philosophy that counters "learned helplessness" in slave descendants. Built around his struggle to reconcile demands of assimilation and the reality of living in a less than democratic society while a student at Georgia Southern University, Yohannes crashes headlong into defacto segregation. Although professors taught that the precepts of freedom, justice and equality espoused in The Declaration of Independence are actually embedded in the US Constitution, as the rest of America, they embraced white supremacy. A litmus test of American patriotism, every grade reflected Yohannes' unwillingness to accept such lies of indoctrination.

Comparatively, this rhetorical deception hides the strict construction 3/5 Compromise reality of Article 1 Section 2 of the US Constitution. Victims of lynchings, segregation and institutionalized racism, slave descendants have been historically and systematically deprived of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. In reality, without reparations, their future will reflect these past abuses. Moreover, wielding raw judicial power, the US Supreme Court denies America's responsibility in legally maintaining the stable socioeconomic and political gap that exists between black and white families. Soundly debunking the belief that "poverty is God's curse on black people," T.H.I.N.C. poetically bemuses poverty's unchanging stranglehold on black families. Blacks owned less than 1% of US wealth following the Civil War, today we own less than 1%. One cannot change history, they can only lie about it. John 2002

The Dark Knight-Batman/White Ninja/Zorro is a Renaissance man, who is kind and gentle. When asked for his comments, the Dark One/Ninja/Zorro revealed, "Summer camp is good, but there are rules."

Disgruntled wants to know: Americans love a winner. Historically, the US has led the world in Federation Cup wins, because it fields the best team. Generally, this means using the country's highest ranked players. The number one and two tennis players in the world, who are US citizens, are not on the US Fed Cup team. Having lost its most recent match, why does the US continue to field a Fed Cup team that sucks?

Disgruntled feels: Unswayed! Big businesses, including the Catholic Church, manipulate information. The church covers up its pedophilia and corporations cook their books to get better numbers. Given such common manipulation, voters would be stupid to believe polls that show Bush's favorable rating is off the charts.

Disgruntled says: The Bush Administration refuses to provide the GAO documents related to VP Dick Cheney's Energy Task Force, which formulated George Bush's national energy policy. Bush wants Congress to pass his energy bill on blind faith. Rather than call their representatives to demand passage of this bill or Fast Track Trade Authority, voters need to call their elected officials and demand they find out the role of oil and Enron in formulating domestic and foreign policy.

Not since "The Battle of Britain" have so many bombs exploded on the Thames. On July 7, 2002, in the land of Wellington, the guns finally fell silent on the women's singles, as Serena Williams hoisted her first Wimbledon trophy. Reminiscent of Lord Nelson at Trafalgar, the battling Williams sisters allowed tennis fans to witness more history in a fortnight than would have been possible had they obtained degrees at Oxford. Valor poured like rain on the English countryside. Personifying "The Charge of the Light Brigade," Venus rolled over Lisa Raymond, Elena Likhovtseva and Justine Henin to reach the finals. Serena buzz-bombed Chandra Rubin, Daniella Hantuchova and Amelie Mauresmo with V-2 precision to keep her date with fate.

A champion true to her calling, like Sir Thomas More, Venus battled gallantly at the baseline, shooting for her third consecutive dish. It was trench warfare and like a reluctant steed under fire, Venus shied from charging the net. Her undoing, the dethroned champion fell in straight sets. Fooling everyone, as Thomas à Becket before his appointment, Serena trapped Venus, like King John at Runnymede. Ascending the throne, she imposes a new world order upon the royals of tennis. Locked in familial embrace at center court, the Williams sisters savored their historic encounter.

Racking up firsts, the second time sisters have met at Wimbledon, Serena and Venus are playing musical chairs, with the number one ranking. Queens for more than a day, they hold a virtual lock on top seeds. Everyone asked, what will they do for an encore? Not to disappoint their fans, in a New York minute on Sunday, the "sassy siblings" won the women's doubles title. Gorging themselves on strawberries and cream, these "brash brats" are looking to bite the Big Apple!

Florentine political thinker Niccolò Machiavelli was twenty-five (1494) when Charles VIII of France invaded Italy and opened an era of wars between France, Spain and the Austrian Habsburgs for the possession of the Italian peninsula. At his death (1527), all of Western and Central Europe had been sucked into war.

From 1498 until Lorenzo de' Medici seized control of Florence (1512), Machiavelli served as the second in command of the chancery and secretary of the Ten of Balia, an important government committee charged with diplomacy. His missions brought him into contact with many rulers, including Cesare Borgia.

Machiavelli's most widely discussed political idea was conscription to replace mercenary armies, a treasury drain. In addition, mercenary leaders, the Condottieri, were unreliable, serving whoever paid them most. When Medici returned, some members of Florence's army were draftees. Fired from his post, Machiavelli was suspected of conspiracy, tortured and exiled for a year.

Forced into retirement, Machiavelli began a literary career. His works include: The Prince (1513), The Discourses (1519), The Art of War (1520), and The Florentine History (1525). While The Art of War expounded on military conscription, The Prince and The Discourses embody Machiavelli's political philosophy. Essentially, he saw ethics and morals as outside of the political arena. Accordingly, "It must be understood that a prince ... cannot observe all of those virtues for which men are reputed good, because it is often necessary to act against mercy, against faith, against humanity, against frankness, against religion, in order to preserve the state." With just a little imagination, it is easy to see parallels between the 16^th century leader of the principality and a 20^th century president or chief executive officer, i.e., He (the prince of state or firm) will stick to the good so long as it serves his purposes, but, when compelled by events, he will embrace any evil to remain in power. (Sources: Encyclopedia Americana, www.lucidcafe.com and www.lwhs.lkwash.wednet.edu/)

Intuit's Vibe

In 1998, Ron Messer at www.byui.edu crafted ten rules for young ambitious politicians based on an updated interpretation of Niccolò Machiavelli's treatise The Prince. Below is an abbreviated version.

Destroy your opponents. Opponents are not human beings with feelings, but foes, fiends, snarling dogs, vicious enemies. Dig into their past. Destroy their marriage, spouse and children. Show neither mercy nor courtesy, or you will appear weak. Be relentless.

Use catchy phrases and jingles, never concrete ideas. The greater the non sequitur the more voters will applaud; the less they understand, the more they will think you are clever. The media will declare you winner.

If your opponent is a person of integrity, then associate the fiend with something voters already detest. Make your enemy the enemy of the people.

If your own character is in question, dissemble. Swiftly launch a smear campaign against your accusers. Character is nothing in politics, but timing is everything.

If you are new to the voters, present yourself as a fresh voice, unsullied by a corrupt system. Let the voter see you as a candidate of integrity, a visionary, a revolutionary, a patriot. Even if you are no such thing!

Be politically correct. On Sunday worship at an approved church, but during the week worship at the altar of tolerance. Champion all popular issues as if you stand alone as spokesperson against a hostile universe.

Avoid talking specifics. Details are your greatest enemy; therefore, stick with vague generalities. Your primary goal, once in office, remain in power.

Never criticize the press or Hollywood. Flatter the press as the last bastion of freedom and the other the champion of human rights.

Be a storm chaser. Declare as many disaster areas as possible. Flood them with public funds. Look concerned. Show sympathy.

When caught in violation of law, remain calm. You may lie, cheat, or steal as long as you remember three rules: deny, deny, deny.

News You Use

A Senate Subcommittee investigation found Bank of Credit and Commerce International (BCCI), a multinational conglomerate, engaged in global crimes. Headed by Agha Hasan Abedi, BCCI formed an impenetrable maze of holding companies, affiliates, subsidiaries, banks-within-banks and insider deals. Its crimes included fraud, money laundering, bribery, supporting terrorism, arms trafficking, the sale of nuclear technologies, prostitution, tax evasion, smuggling, illicit purchases of banks and real estate, and other crimes.

BCCI bribed world leaders and political figures from the Americas to Zimbabwe. In 1977, it developed a plan to infiltrate US markets. Despite regulatory barriers, by the time its doors closed on July 5, 1991, BCCI had succeeded in acquiring four US banks. US politicians assisting BCCI included Bert Lance, whose debts were paid off with a $3.5 million BCCI loan, former Defense Secretary Clark Clifford, former US Senator Stuart Symington, and dozens of former federal bank regulators and former and current local, state and federal legislators. These individuals used their names and reputations to help BCCI at critical moments. Not merely a case of deception, BCCI adeptly used influence peddling to infiltrate the US banking system.

BCCI nominees and top officials systematically developed relationships with US politicians. The list include former president Jimmy Carter, Marc Rich, Charles Keating, Jesse Jackson and Andrew Young, who received payments while a public official that were unusual at best, and by all appearances, improper. Subcommittee information showed BCCI's network extended to numerous US political figures.

Not only did members of the US socioeconomic and political elite aid BCCI, the Justice Department, U.S. Customs Service, Treasury Department and CIA failed to assist investigators and prosecutors in building a case against BCCI. The CIA failed to provide the Federal Reserve and Justice Department with critical information it had gathered. After the CIA knew BCCI was a criminal enterprise, it used BCCI for CIA operations.

Former CIA officials, including Richard Helms and William Casey, former and current intelligence officials, including Kamal Adham and Abdul Raouf Khalil, and foreign agents of the US, such as Adnan Khashoggi and Manucher Ghorbanifar, floated in and out of BCCI while participating in key episodes in U.S. foreign policy, ranging from the Camp David peace talks to the Iran/Contra affair. For more on the BCCI and those involved in its global criminal activities, see www.fas.org/irp/congress/1992_rpt/bcci/01exec.htm.

Politics Y2K2

Eldest son of former CIA Director and U.S. President George H.W. Bush, prince and heir to the Bush dynasty, George, Jr. began his Midland, Texas business career in the mid-1970s as founder of Arbusto Energy, Inc. One of his investors, James Bath, a Texas entrepreneur with 'national security' connections, headed a network of offshore companies to camouflage the movement of money and aircraft between Texas and the Middle East, especially Saudi Arabia. Bath acted as an 'adviser' to Saudi Arabian oil sheikhs linked to the scandal-ridden Bank of Credit and Commerce International (BCCI), which also had ties to the CIA.

Arbusto fell on hard times when oil prices collapsed; Spectrum 7 Energy Corp., an oil firm, bought it (1984). With a 13.6 percent stock share in Spectrum, the prince became its president. Within two years, Spectrum was in financial trouble. It lost $400,000 in the six months before Harken Energy (1986) acquired it. Spectrum's partners, including the prince, netted more than $2 million in Harken stock. Bush received another $600,000 in stock and between $42,000 and $120,000 a year as a Harken board member and 'consultant.'

Needing cash, Harken turned to Jackson Stephens of Stephens, Inc., a Little Rock, Arkansas bank. Stephens gave $100,000 to the Reagan-Bush campaign (1980) and $100,000 to Bush (1990). He arranged with Union Bank of Switzerland (UBS) to provide Harken $25 million. As part of the deal, Sheikh Abdullah Bakhsh, a Saudi tycoon, joined Harken's board. Stephens, UBS and Bakhsh had ties to BCCI.

When Bahrain broke off talks with Amoco on a gas and oil exploration contract (1989), former Stephens bankers David and Mike Edwards contracted Michael Ameen, former chief of Mobil Oil's Middle East operations. The Edwardses recommended Harken and urged Ameen to contact Bahrain. A State Department consultant, Ameen briefed incoming U.S. ambassador to Bahrain Charles Hostler, a San Diego real estate investor, who gave $100,000 to the Republican Party.

Lacking sufficient financing to explore off the coast of Bahrain, Harken brought in Bass Enterprises of Fort Worth, Texas, as a partner. The Bass family contributed more than $200,000 to the Republican Party in the late 1980s and early 1990s. The Harken deal with Bahrain raises troubling questions. Did the Bahrainis and the BCCI-linked Saudi oil sheikhs use the agreement with Harken to curry favor with the elder Bush administration and influence U.S. Middle East policy?

As a member of a select committee charged with the economic restructuring of Harken Energy, the prince worked closely with Smith Barney, Harris Upham & Co. financial advisers, who concluded 'only drastic action could save Harken.' On June 22, 1990, the prince sold two-thirds of his stock for $848,560 - a 200 % profit. Weeks later, Harken announced a quarterly loss of $23.2 million; its stock price plummeted. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) regulations require 'insider' deals be reported promptly, by July 10, 1990 in this case. Bush filed his SEC forms in March 1991.

For more on the prince's business deals, see www.cag@igc.apc.org In an article titled "The Family That Preys Together," Jack Colhoun details the Bush family business and their use of connections to the White House and the federal government to amass fortunes.

DISHing It Up Hot!

On Monday, George Bush called a 'surprise' press conference. Desperate, he wanted to get ahead of the scandal plaguing the free enterprise system. Having waited a little late to voice concern, Global Crossing and Enron happened last year, to his surprise, the White House press corp asked the CEO questions about his business deals while on the board of Harken Energy.

Sounding like Al Gore's 'no controlling legal authority,' Bush declared stories about his sale of Harken stock 'recycled stuff,' and 'old politics.' Declaring the SEC, under his father, 'fully vetted' the sale so 'there is no case here,' he tried to admonish the press corp for bringing up this old stuff. Figuratively wagging his finger, Bush looked as guilty as the CEOs of Enron and Worldcom. Called before Congress to testify, these modern princes of industry hid behind the US Constitution by pleading the Fifth Amendment. At his 'surprise' press conference, Bush had no such defense.

While he needed to bad-mouth the captains of industry, he could not say Enron. In vain, the prince tried to change the subject by interjecting into the mix those classified documents on his planned attack against Iraq that he leaked to the press and his upcoming 'tough talk' on Wall Street. Clearly, the press was not buying his princely diversions; they wanted to know more about the shady business dealings of the first MBA president.

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