Cheney and Rumsfeld like to portray themselves as the capitalists

[CoffeeAnnan]

par excellence who got to where they are by their intelligence, hard work and risk taking.This is a ballon that needs to be pricked once and for all.The lives of these two men are textbook examples of converting their government connections into payday when they went through the revolving door into private industry.Cheney,of course, used his stint at the Defense Dept with Bush I into the CEO's job at Halliburton and milked the government for contracts that did not involve any risk.In the only decision he made in the private sector, the buyout of Dresser, he bungled it badly assuming asbestos liabilities that almost sank the company.Once again, his connections on capitol hill came to his rescue by apssing legislation that limited asbestos liabilities. His portrayal of himself as a big risk taker, like his tough guy image while dodging the draft, is a myth.He is a con man, period, like his mentor, the fossil Rumsfeld.

Speaking of the devil, Rumsfeld can teach many how to weasel their way into mega millions without lifting a finger. He was the CEO of G.D.Searle when it owned the rights to the sweetener Aspartame (Nutrasweet Brand).At the same time he was also on the board of Monsanto, the agribusiness giant.The FDA's scientists had serious reservations about approving Nutrasweet because studies had shown that it impaired neurological functions.So rumsfeld laid the arm on his friend Skinner who was the FDA's counsel and asked him to delay the meeting for the examination of the evidence.Lo and bhold, the new meeting date put the evidentiary hearings past the statute of limitations and Aspartame got approved by default. Rumsfeld, now sensing an opportunity, moved in for the kill.By convincing the board of Monsanto to buy Searle,Rumsfeld got very very rich. I have read somewhere that such double dealing where you have your legs planted firmly on the side of the buyer and seller are illegal.But in the circles these crooks move, this is par for the course.


So, if any one tells me what great examples these two guys are as corporate chiefs or public servants, let me puke first.

Remember, Rumsfeld was the guy about whom Richard Nixon, another exemplar of ethics, was moved to remark, "Get this guy out of my sight.He creeps me out!".What a guy!