Will Obama and Duncan include Neil Bush's Computers from his Company,INCITE in School Reform?"

[KoKo]

Neil Bush's Familiy Values (Computers for Children)

by Bill Berkowitz | November 28, 2006 - 9:03am

Two years ago, when Neil Bush and his mother, the former first lady Barbara Bush, were featured guests at a $1,000-a-table fundraiser for the Western Heights School District in Oklahoma City, proceeds from the event were specifically earmarked for the purchase of products from Neil's company, Ignite! Learning. Late last year, when Neil's mom agreed to make a contribution to a Hurricane Katrina relief foundation for those victims that had relocated to Texas, she stipulated that her donation had to be used by local schools to acquire Ignite products.

Over the past two decades, while Neil Bush has made impressive amounts of money in all sorts of interesting business deals, he has always seemed like the kid who was caught red-handed throwing chalk at the teacher, got sent to the principal and yet returned to the classroom unscathed.

These days, with the help of the Saudi Royal Family, a former junk bond dealer, a Russian mobster, the Rev. Sum Myung Moon, and mom and dad, family string-pulling is again paying off.

The Los Angeles Times recently reported that Ignite! Learning, headed by Neil Bush "and partly owned by his parents, is benefiting from Republican connections and federal dollars targeted for economically disadvantaged students under the No Child Left Behind Act."

The company has managed to "place its products in 40 U.S. school districts and now plans to market internationally," the Times reported.

"Interviews and a review of school district documents obtained under the Freedom of Information Act," by the Los Angeles Times, "found that educators and legal experts were sharply divided over whether Ignite's products were worth their cost or qualified under the No Child law."

According to the Times, "Most of Ignite's business has been obtained through sole-source contracts without competitive bidding. Neil Bush has been directly involved in marketing the product."

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BusinessWeek also pointed out that the Washington Times Foundation, "A foundation linked to the controversial Reverend Sun Myung Moon has donated $1 million for a COWs research project in Washington (D.C.)-area schools. In 2004 a Shanghai chip company agreed to give Bush stock then valued at $2 million for showing up at board meetings. (Bush says he received one-fifth of the shares.) In 1988 a Colorado savings and loan failed while he served on its board, making him a prominent symbol of the S&L scandal. Neil calls himself 'the most politically damaged of the brothers.'"

The Rev. Moon, Saudi Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal and Milken aren't the only controversial financial participants. Fugitive Russian billionaire Boris Berezovsky, who has been accused of having strong tries to the Chechen mafia, has been an investor in Bush's Ignite! project since at least 2003.

And then, there's mom and dad. The former first lady got herself in a bit of hot water when she contributed to a Hurricane Katrina relief foundation for storm victims who had relocated to Texas and stipulated that her donation had to be used by local schools for purchases of COWs.

Much More at........

http://smirkingchimp.com/thread/3462

[Frustratedlady]

1. That was my first thought when I saw Jeb and Obama standing together.

I certainly hope Obama is smarter than to get caught in that trap.

[Lasher]

2. Obvious corruption for all to see.

I wouldn't be surprised to see Obama give Neil a few minutes behind the podium at his next speaking engagement. I am not kidding.

[Riley18]

3. NCLB is all about making the rich richer. Neil also profits

from state tests such as fcat in Florida. Imagine if 30 years ago we were testing kids as young as six in the public schools. It is completely ridiculous and a total waste of taxpayer money. All done in the name of more and more corporate greed. I think it would be naive to assume that Obama is not fully aware of the situation.

[deminks]

4. I also thought of this first thing when I saw a post about Obama introducing Jebby.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=439&topic_id=560891&mesg_id=563501

[KoKo]

6. We here on DU have such a "Memory Trove of Info"...why is it

that there's not enough discussion on these articles that have mouse tracks backwards.

:shrug:

[QC]

5. As the old mobster always says in the movies, "One hand washes the other." n/t

[KoKo]

9. QC...I see it here and all over what's left of the "Left" websites. Cynacism....

A sense of defeat. I wonder sometimes if it isn't better to just "give up." But, then I see Obama praising Jeb...going out of his way to go to Florida and walk around a Potemkin School in Miami...and my blood boils once again...and I SAY... ENOUGH! Keep EXPOSING IT ALL! When they wipe out our Memories and Abilities to search....then we know we are DONE. But, until then it's important to keep fighting and not go into the Malaise of Subjection or down to the Cynical view.....that nothing will ever change. Unfortunately there's always the New Outrage. Every day (like with Bush II) I wake up wondering what new assault on Truth Tellers and Seekers will come. And every day Obama (like Bush) hands me a new outrage.

Sometimes one has to hold back...and sometimes it just has to get one out there once again throwing a Truth Bomb at our oppressors.

[madfloridian]

7. Here's a sample Ignite video...for real. Really, it's real.

http://journals.democraticunderground.com/madfloridian/3957

[KoKo]

11. omg...MF...that video is a Must Watch. ! Hope that those who don't know what this about

will take the time to watch the video then go to the "SC" Link I gave in my article where there is more Bush Dynasty Dirt!

How can this be? So much reporting for years has shown the Fascist/Corporatist/Sinister/Manipulation of the Bushies....Yet...the Obama and Dems now think we must "lie down in bed with them?" How can this Be? :shrug:

[blm]

8. Look at the Fascist group involved...Bushes, Saudis, Moonies

the same groups who plan to control the earth's water, too

[fascisthunter]

10. they called it the "New World Order"... that was a red flag

Something Marvin the Martian would say holding a big ray gun. Goofey dorks with power and money.

[KoKo]

12. And...think of how we never here the Mainstream Media EVER connect these Dots!

How can this be? It's right out there in their faces!

[proud2BlibKansan]

13. His company also sells laptops carts for $3800

Not including the laptops.

Just a metal cart you can plug into the wall to charge the laptops.

[KoKo]

14. Quite a profit there. I guess he outsources the manufacturing to China..

and that's gotta be an incredible profit he makes paying the workers Cents a day. What a Franchise!

No wonder the Bushies can seem so "cool and under the radar." They are raking it in on the "side deals." They don't have to dirty their hands in Banking and Wall Street dirty doings. They just "ARE who THEY ARE" with their influence and cut out the "middle man" like Wall St. and Hedgies.

Only for the Bushies...the Entitled. No wonder everyone in DC wants to join them...including Obama and the Clintons. It's a cool thing if you can get away with it. So far, the Bushies have. It's a DYNASTY!

[KoKo]

15. Kick for Sunday...Good info by posters on this thread, too...