Another Giuliani-Connected Criminal

Rudy has certainly known his share of people of ill-repute over the years. Tying the political knot with Bernie Kerik despite his mob connections has to the be the worst example. However, Giuliani added another down south with his South Carolina Chairman Thomas Ravenel. The State Treasurer was indicted on cocaine charges with intent to distribute yesterday. He was immediately stripped of his duties by Governor Mark Sanford.

From WNBC:

COLUMBIA, S.C. -- South Carolina Treasurer Thomas Ravenel, a former real estate developer who became a rising political star after his election last year, was indicted Tuesday on federal cocaine charges.

The millionaire is accused of buying less than 500 grams of the drug to share with other people in late 2005, U.S. Attorney Reggie Lloyd said. Ravenel, 44, is charged with distribution of cocaine, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.

The investigation into Ravenel arose from a drug case last year in Charleston, Lloyd said. State Law Enforcement Division Chief Robert Stewart said his agents were aware of the allegations before Ravenel was elected in November, but they didn't have enough information to pursue criminal charges. The case was turned over to the FBI in April.

Well Ravenel's career (and possibly his freedom) is finished with one fell swoop. According to investigators, this train crash was long in coming. So the question for Giuliani is why taint the campaign with a politician in serious criminal trouble?

If there were questions about Ravenel last year, couldn't Rudy have picked someone else? Feigning ignorance won't work here, Rudy has too many law enforcement connections not to have known about an impending investigation, especially when it comes to vetting your point man for the crucial southern state of South Carolina.

Economic Indicators Of The Bush Administration

Jesus General asks readers to determine which one of the following products have dropped in price since Bush took office. If you don't know already, just look at the product that stands out amongst the rest.

From JG:

I was doing some research on the economy, and I discovered something interesting. Of all the items listed below, the price of only one item has gone way down since Bush took office. Everything else has become much more expensive.

Dozen eggs
Gallon of Gasoline
Health Care
Gallon of Milk
Ear of corn
8-ball of cocaine
College Tuition
Loaf of bread

That one thing is cocaine. Now I'm not really an economics expert, but I do make sure to watch both Fox News and Lou Dobbs in order to get both sides, so I think I know what I'm talking about. The lower price must be because all the money being spent to destroy these drugs in Colombia is making Americans feel guilty about continuing to buy it - and the demand is dropping. And since President Bush makes everyone cherish life so much, the demand for things we need to live is going up. As a result, the terrorists are getting much less money for their drugs than they were just 5 years ago while good people are getting wealthier.

In case you don't hear the sarcasm dripping from this post, let me clue you in to what is most likely happening. The war on drugs people are destroying Columbian soil from growing anything for many, many years. Meanwhile on the streets in the United States, the demand is still incredibly high. So what is the missing link you ask? The coca farmers under the drug cartels are simply moving their operations elsewhere.

I'm not an economist either, but it does not take a lot of brain cells to rub together and deduce that if there is a demand for a particular product, suppliers will deliver. Now the Bush Administration's goal with Plan Colombia was to make cocaine really expensive by reducing the amount available to go to 'market.' Instead, the market is being flooded with cheap cocaine, making it even easier for Americans looking for a way to check out of reality to get a good deal on shit that can and most likely will ruin their lives.

Way to go George! Another Mission Accomplished!