Mayor Wolfowitz

Now that Paulie is being kicked out of the World Bank at the end of June, he is going to need to have something to do. Although he doesn't need anymore money than the neo-conservative establishment has thrown his way, that hasn't stopped antiwar Republican Walter Jones from offering him some advice. Since Paul helped craft the policy that led us into Iraq, why shouldn't he go and try to manage it himself?

From The Blotter:

Paul Wolfowitz may have been ousted from his post at the World Bank, but a free-speaking GOP lawmaker has an idea to keep the so-called "architect" of the Iraq War from standing in the unemployment line.

"I would like to suggest...that maybe we give Paul Wolfowitz a new job and send him over [to Iraq] as mayor," said Rep. Walter Jones, R-N.C., "since the neocons got us in over there."

As deputy secretary of defense from 2000 to 2005, Wolfowitz helped develop the strategy and public rationale for the invasion and occupation of Iraq. He publicly stated that coalition troops would be greeted as liberators, and the nation of Iraq would be largely capable of financing its own rebuilding through oil revenues.

We are known as occupiers, not liberators; and the relatively cost-free war has cost us nearly half a trillion dollars. Perhaps Wolfowitz can go in and tackle all of the pressing business of Baghdad. His dreams of a post war Iraq are as likely as finding an oasis in the Sahara, let alone the deserts of Iraq. So the quest of victory should be his to take on and seek out. Let the troops go home to their families and let the neo-con kook handle it himself. Not a bad idea Congressman Jones.

Wolfowitz Found Guilty, Now It Is Time To Get Rid Of Him

The debate over Wolfowitz's guilt or innocence is now over. He was found to have violated World Bank rules when he gave special favors to his romantic interest Shaha Riza. Now the Bank is trying to save Wolfowitz's dignity and allow him to resign before being manually kicked out of his office. For the Bank to have to vote on his ouster would mean that divisions on the board would be exposed between the U.S. and the rest of the world.

From The New York Times:

The Europeans worked to arrange a quick exit for Mr. Wolfowitz as a special bank committee concluded that he was guilty of breaking rules barring conflicts of interest in arranging for a pay raise and promotion for Shaha Ali Riza, his companion and a bank employee, in 2005.

The decision was sent to Mr. Wolfowitz on Sunday night after a month of turmoil over the situation. The panel’s findings were not made public, but people familiar with the report said that it reviewed documents and testimony before concluding that Mr. Wolfowitz had breached his obligations in arranging for Ms. Riza’s reassignment from the bank to the State Department.

“What I’m hearing from colleagues is, ‘Let’s not push the Americans too hard,’ ” said a senior European official involved in policy on the bank. “We want to avoid a split between the United States and its European allies. We’re willing to say: ‘O.K., you find a capable American to run this institution and we can live with that.’ ”

The Bank should not have to resort to that, it is important to show a cohesive Bank that is dedicated to helping developing countries with financial difficulties, not dealing with internal difficulties. European nations were extremely generous by allowing the U.S. to pick a new President for the institution. Wolfowitz must resign soon, if not to save his own face but for the betterment of the World Bank.

Jon Stewart Recalls The Rest Of Wolfie's Career

Paul Wolfowitz is making headlines now over political favors he did for his girlfriend while serving as head of the World Bank, but he has been around before 2005. The neo-con guru was a key architect for the war in Iraq, promising flowers and oil flowing by the billions of barrels into the U.S. treasury. He apologized for what he did for his girl Shaha, but, um, what about the fucking war in Iraq?

No Crying Over Wolfowitz

One of the chief neo-cons is in big trouble and it doesn't look like the President can save this loyalist. After George forced Paul Wolfowitz into the top position at the World Bank his actions (that are of a typical neo-con) got him in trouble with the board members and it looks like they want him out of there.

If you had heard that he would teach poor nations that are mired in corruption a lesson by simply withholding their development funds you would be correct. If you think that's the reason for his imminent ouster you would be wrong. It seems like Wolfie is in hot water because of sex and the favor$ that were fostered because of the relationship he had with Shaha Riza .

From the BBC:

Mr Wolfowitz has faced calls for his resignation over the promotion and pay of an ex-colleague with whom he is romantically involved.

He has apologised for his involvement in the negotiations and said he will accept any decision taken by the board.

Mr Wolfowitz's partner, Shaha Riza, was moved to the state department when he took the World Bank's top job in 2005.

The promotion and pay rise that came with her move has attracted strong criticism from staff within the organisation where Mr Wolfowitz is leading an anti-corruption drive.

The most hysterical aspect of this story is the rank hypocrisy of it. Wolfowitz was big on fighting corruption in developing nations. He went so far as to say that democracy can not thrive without a clean government. Then he turns around and does things that would make the thugs in the developing nations proud. Ms. Riza received a $60,000 plus raise for her move from the World Bank to the State Department. That is salary is $7,000 higher than Secretary of State Condi gets.

Well the people at the Bank didn't take the news too lightly. They say that their trust of the man is damaged and they want him out. Too bad for Paul the decision is up to the board and not the President. Loyalty isn't going to save him here. The sad thing is that his policy decisions have also angered many and went against the mission of the World Bank. Though that apparently did not matter until the issue of sex and favors came into play.