There are some real gems within this piece, but aside from the 'way the world works' time line of the article, there are a few lesser details that I find interesting.
A spokesman for Mr. Clinton said the former president knew that Mr. Giustra had mining interests in Kazakhstan but was unaware of "any particular efforts" and did nothing to help. Mr. Giustra said he was there as an "observer only" and there was "no discussion" of the deal with Mr. Nazarbayev or Mr. Clinton.So over and above the transparent whoring of his status as a former president, we get the continuation of a pattern of bold faced and easily disproved lies.
But Moukhtar Dzhakishev, president of Kazatomprom, said in an interview that Mr. Giustra did discuss it, directly with the Kazakh president, and that his friendship with Mr. Clinton "of course made an impression." Mr. Dzhakishev added that Kazatomprom chose to form a partnership with Mr. Giustra's company based solely on the merits of its offer.
After The Times told Mr. Giustra that others said he had discussed the deal with Mr. Nazarbayev, Mr. Giustra responded that he "may well have mentioned my general interest in the Kazakhstan mining business to him, but I did not discuss the ongoing" efforts...Both Mr. Clinton and Mr. Giustra at first denied that any such meeting occurred. Mr. Giustra also denied ever arranging for Kazakh officials to meet with Mr. Clinton. Wednesday, after The Times told them that others said a meeting, in Mr. Clinton's home, had in fact taken place, both men acknowledged it.
Billy Carter brought at least some small amount of shame to his brother and the White House by attempting to market a PBR knock-off under the label of "Billy Beer". Note that it wasn't "Carter Beer", or "Hey, y'all, my bubbas the F'ing president and all Beer". Just "Billy Beer". Poor Billy. So unsophisticated. That's not how to exploit nearness to power. I would give an exhaustive list of the Bush family's rather comprehensive demonstration of how it is done, but after some quick research to flesh out the list I found that several dozen pages would only provide the most rudimentary sketch. (Nazi war profiteer druggie Whitewater smuggler treasonous terrorist loving Iran Contra jail bait scum)Just think of all the glory that awaits us with yet another opportunist Bill who is related to the president.
