Wolfowitz’s Apology: Don’t Hate Me Because I Launched The Iraq War

[babylonsister]

http://thinkprogress.org/2007/04/13/wolfowitz-corruption/


Wolfowitz’s Apology: Don’t Hate Me Because I Launched The Iraq War

When Paul Wolfowitz, a primary architect of the Iraq war, assumed his post as World Bank President, he said the “the new boss is going to be tough on corruption.” Yesterday, he acknowledged that he “made a mistake” when he became personally involved in securing a promotion and a pay raise far in excess of the normal maximum for his girlfriend, Shaha Riza.

Riza’s promotion came with a pay increase that was more than double the amount allowed by staff rules. “According to the Government Accountability Project, a watchdog group, she has received two raises totaling $61,000 since Wolfowitz took over as president. The group said bank payroll documents put her current annual salary at $193,590.”

Wolfowitz’s admission of wrongdoing came only as the 24-member World Bank board met in a marathon emergency session to discuss his fate. The Board issued a statement saying it would “move expeditiously to reach a conclusion on possible actions to take.”

Wolfowitz tried to explain away his behavior, claiming his mistakes were made because “he had to deal with it when he was new to this institution and trying to navigate in uncharted waters.” He added that criticism of him should not focus on his role in the Iraq war. “For people who disagree with me based on things in my previous job, I am not in my previous job.” Watch it at link:

Alison Cave, chairwoman of the bank’s employee union, told staff: “He must act honorably and resign.” Wolfowitz appeared as Cave was addressing employees. Bloomberg described the scene this way:

Calls of “resign, resign” resounded through the World Bank’s atrium yesterday when Wolfowitz, 63, addressed employee representatives.

Despite the emerging evidence of Wolfowitz’s corruption and increasing clamor for calls to resign, Bush is standing firmly with him. “Of course President Wolfowitz has our full confidence,” Deputy White House Press Secretary Tony Fratto said yesterday.

[gratuitous]

1. Just about time to take Super Cadet Spit Comb out of the oven

He's just about cooked.

[Xipe Totec]

4. Please use a different metaphor

this one could easily be taken the wrong way.

Thanks!

[Raven]

2. I'm liking this one a lot better than Imus...and I loved watching

Imus go down!

[CurtEastPoint]

3. Wolfie...you're doing a heckuva job! n/t

[Double T]

5. The RW neocons associated with bushco are ALL being exposed........

for what and who they really are, corrupt criminals.

[babylonsister]

6. And dimson continues to support them; go figure. nt

[Double T]

7. The WH is a den of thieves; eventually the thieves will start turning on each other.

[The_Casual_Observer]

8. That is one dangerous goofball.

[tsuki]

9. And why wouldn't the White House have full confidence in him. They

are as corrupt as he is.