Sen Dodd brings more doubts on the honesty of government officials

Sen. Christopher Dodd (D-Connecticut,) who is chairman of the Senate Banking Committee was given preferential treatment by Country Wide Mortgage Co, the leading mortgage company which made bad decisions and needed bail-out from government.

The lawmaker from Connecticut, an ardent democrat and supporter of Obama is under investigation by the senate ethics committee for refinancing his homes with a special rates by the mortgage company—part of the “V.I.P.” program that gave lower than usual rates given to “friends” of the company.

Dodd got a low 4.25 percent interest rate on a $506,000 refinancing loan for his Washington town house, and another low 4.5 percent rate on the $275,000 loan on his East Haddam home—all because he is classified as VIP and friend of Country Wide. —US News / AP (01/23/09)

This is the same 64-year old Dodd who received hefty campaign money from AIG. Now, the senator is being blamed for letting the bonuses to be paid by the American International Group (AIG) to its employees amounting to up to a staggering $165 million. The money however is a drop in the bucket—a small part of the trillions of dollars Barack Obama has planned to spend using American taxpayers’s money. The spending can compromise the finances of the next generation.

After wavering on his role in the AIG mess, Dodd is singled out as the person who added protection in the stimulus package that allowed the giving away of bonuses to AIG executives who were responsible for the company’s failure.

“Republicans are also turning a spotlight on Dodd’s longtime friendship with Edward Downe Jr., a former director of the Bear Stearns investment firm who was snared in an insider trading scandal. Dodd owned a condo with Downe in a fashionable Washington neighborhood but bought out Downe’s share in 1990 after learning Downe was under investigation. Downe eventually pleaded guilty to trading inside information.”—-Yahoo News/ AP (03/20/09, Miga A)

If Obama’s administration is filled with people of shabby integrity, how can America expect a quick recovery from the economic crisis? Many critics think there isn’t much difference in how Capitol Hill is being run. The same rotten greed, denials, and lies are coming out early on in the new administration whose campaign promise is “change.”

The exposure of Dodd comes at a bad time that Treasury secretary Tim Geithner is besieged with calls to resign after accepting a job that looks after public money when he is among those who avoid paying taxes. According to Dodd, Geithner asked him to remove the executive bonus restriction in the big economic stimulus package lawmakers in Capitol Hill approved last month. This decision permitted AIG officials to rake in the controversial bonuses. (Photo Credit: http://ussenate.gov PD)=0=

RELATED BLOG: “AIG’s excessive bonuses of $165 million infuriate Americans” Posted by mesiamd at 3/18/2009

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Name calling in the Senate

When Sen. Miriam D. Santiago resorts to name calling to make a point, most of us laugh. We’re tickled by the colorful but vile language that only a lawyer from UP with a peculiar sanity can deliver. And surprisingly, she is tolerated by her colleagues whom she disparagingly labels as “idiots.”

For all her self-proclaimed erudition, Santiago harbored frustration after being trashed in her bid to be a jurist in the International Court of justice (ICJ,) a position she actively campaigned for. The emotionally volatile lady senator dared the then Pres. Joseph Estrada who was a school drop-out for an IQ test match to push forward her mental superiority. Her bizarre mouth-blabbering cowed the people around her. She called members of the legislature as “fungus faced.” The lady threatened to jump from a plane only to say later she was just joking.

When party list representative Risa Hontiveros disagreed with Santiago against the court-like conduct of senate inquiries using “rules of evidence,” the gas bag allegedly referred to Hontiveros as a “menopausal insect who was out to get publicity and wanted to teach the senate.”

Such nasty words are unlikely to come from a supposedly educated lawmaker. That’s why people don’t think of her as reliable, sincere, and sane. Many squirm with shame at her vile comments which frustrate productive exchange of ideas. Instead of being direct on issues and coherrent in her thoughts, Santiago resorts to reckless talk which is unbecoming of a person in her position. =0=

"Chronic Fatigue Syndrome” and Sen. Miriam D. Santiago’s tiredness

I hope Sen. Juan Ponce Enrile was correct when he said that Sen. Miriam D. Santiago needed an indefinite leave from her legislative work because of chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS.) I don’t know if what he meant coincided with what we know of the disease.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome is a nebulous medical condition with unknown cause whose manifestations run from physical to the psychological. As such CFS comes as a diagnosis only after careful and thorough health investigation which considers a plethora of possibilities—-hormonal problems (i.e. thyroid disease, diabetes,) chronic infections (TB, malaria,) exogenous drugs (substance abuse), malignancies, organ dysfunctions, nutritional, immunologic, and metabolic derangements (malnutrition, poisonings, autoimmune diseases) and psychiatric problems (bipolar disorder, depression, schizophrenia) among others.

CFS is a hard diagnosis to make because there are no specific tests or laboratory markers to pinpoint the ailment; many illnesses have fatigue as among their prominent symptoms and a good fraction of patients looks well. The manifestations of CFS vary in severity and its course is characterized by periods of remissions and exacerbations.

A CFS diagnosis should be considered in patients who present with six months or more of unexplained fatigue accompanied by other characteristic symptoms. These symptoms may include:

• cognitive dysfunction, including impaired memory or concentration
• malaise or exhaustion lasting > 24 hours after physical or mental exercise
• unrestful sleep
• joint pain without signs of inflammation
• persistent musculo-skeletal pain
• depression
• mood swings
• headaches
• tender cervical or axillary lymph nodes
• sore throat
• cardiac and respiratory symptoms

According to the Center of Disease Control (CDC) between 1 and 4 million Americans suffer from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS), an illness which presents with overrid ing tiredness. A fraction of patients are seriously impaired; at least a quarter are unemployed or on disability. About 50% of those affected come to their doctors and 40% of them have previously unrecognized medical or psychiatric condition.—Source: Center for Disease Control (CDC) at http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/diseases/cfs

What CDC tells us is just the tip of the iceberg. From the medical perspective, one can however surmise if Sen. Miriam D. Santiago really suffers from a serious disease. Is she really sick? Does she have CFS or is she plainly tired. Let her doctor investigate so she can be treated.

The flamboyant senator who is known for her “intelligence and tartness” just wrapped up her investigation on the scandalous World Bank (WB) allegations that top-ranked officials in government colluded in rigging of project deals by contractors. She must really be tired as the Filipinos— for nothing of great significance came out of a senate probe of this nature. The investigation only broke open the unhealing wounds of corruption that has left the country mired in shame. (Photo Credits: St.ChristopherLucky; diong) =0=

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Caroline Kennedy backs out from New York US Senate race

Time’s article on Caroline Kennedy (The Quest for Camelot II) was somewhat prophetic when the author Karen Tumulty ended her piece in the magazine’s January 12 issue saying “The Kennedy name was Caroline’s birthright, but it may be that a seat to the US Senate is something she has to earn on her own.” Tumulty’s opinion was based on the observation that Caroline, the only survivor of Pres. John F. Kennedy’s children “doesn’t appear to have given much thought to what she would try to accomplish once in office.”

Before NY governor David Patterson could decide who’d take the junior senatorial seat vacated by Sen. Hillary Clinton, Caroline pulled the plug of her candidacy. She couldn’t continue her bid for the position on account of “personal reasons”— This possibly includes Sen. Edward (Ted) Kennedy, her uncle, who suffered brain cancer-related seizure during the Obama inauguration celebration. Ironically, it was Ted who liked her to assume the post and carry the family’s political flame.

The pressure on families with loved ones suffering from life-threatening medical condition is incalculable and therefore Caroline has the reason to withdraw. But political decisions are usually made on account of other considerations. It’s probable the sheltered Kennedy heiress understood the demands of the job. With little experience than the other candidates, she could have known the truth of what she said before— She needed to work “doubly-hard” to represent New York in Washington. Undoubtedly strong in political influence, perhaps, her supporters and Gov. Patterson knew this all along. (Photo Credit: http://Arnow.com)=0=

RELATED BLOG:: “Caroline Kennedy & Sarah Palin: a “class” difference in media treatment?” Posted by mesiamd at 1/10/2009

UPDATE: There are speculations as to the cause of Caroline Kennedy’s sudden withdrawal from her bid to become a junior NY senator. Vetting issues which involve tax, nanny, and marital problems have been reported in TV and newspapers.

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Caroline Kennedy & Sarah Palin: a “class” difference in media treatment?

As the day NY Gov. David A. Patterson will pick Sen. Hillary Clinton’s replacement draws near, Caroline Kennedy Schlossberg, the well-connected and wealthy contender for the senate post stands as the most influential.

It’s Caroline Kennedy, who else?

By name recognition alone, the only surviving daughter of Pres. John F. Kennedy carries her impeccable familial history, her friendship with incoming President Barack Obama, and strong connections to those in Capitol Hill. Having lived a sheltered life with little experience in public service, these are Caroline’s major assets. That’s why before she appeared for interview on television last month, her supporters scrambled to project her as qualified. Yes, but how qualified is she in comparison with the other candidates? She has been a successful mom with a law degree from Columbia. She has taken the post of president of the John F. Kennedy Library Foundation, has been a member of the JFK Profile in Courage Award Committee, serves as director of the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund and vice-chairwoman of NYC’s Fund for Public Schools. Are these enough to get her the senate post?

The public seemed unimpressed with Caroline. She didn’t have the glow of the Kennedy the American people expected to see in her. She wasn’t compelling enough to make the public feel she could be the right senate representative for the regular New Yorkers. When interviewed, Caroline appeared less attached to the position she desired; her projected “fund of knowledge” and manner of speech (including that bothersome “you know” habit) seemed worse than what Gov. Sarah Palin was criticized for in her failed bid as a Republican VP candidate in the last election.

Bias, Double Standard & Media Malpractice

If media treatment had been fair between Caroline and Sarah, the former could have been scrutinized and made fun of more than the latter. From questions about her private life as a Kennedy to the comical exploitation of her limitations as a person the jesters in a late-night TV comedy would have wanted them laid in the open. Arrogant humor at Kennedy’s expense—something equal or greater than what Sarah endured with condescending CBS anchor Katie Couric and comedienne Tina Fey who got an award for her Palin impersonations.

Perhaps because of “class” difference and hypocrisy, the mainstream media have been kind to urbane Caroline, but not so to rural Sarah. Like the precious gem from the Camelot jewel box, the New York lady incites awe and nobody talks against her perceived high carats in the political scene. Sarah is quick to notice. Americans have been anxious to see whether the Kennedy heiress will grab the senate position on basic merits or by the magic of the her name.

“I’ve been interested to see how Caroline Kennedy will be handled and if she will be handled with kid gloves or if she will be under such a microscope…It’s going to be interesting to see how that plays out.”—-Gov. Sarah Palin (Source: CBS News 01/9/08, Conroy, S); YahooNews (01/09/09, Gromley, M)

With Caroline as a comparison, Sarah was right in raising the questions of media bias and exploitation which misled and undermined public trust. She recalled how she was unfairly vetted, trivialized, vilified, and insulted by the liberal media. At one point, because of her conservative views, even her motherhood was questioned. The warped media insinuated her disabled innocent Trig afflicted with Trisomy 21 (Mongolism) wasn’t her son she steadfastly rescued from abortion. Her eldest daughter’s pregnancy was played out as salacious gossip item in media circuits. The liberal media dug into her privacy with rapacity unparalleled with what they did with other candidates.

Sarah Palin was correct in pointing double standard by news organizations which “respected Barack Obama’s declaration that his family was off-limits for coverage”— The courtesy wasn’t accorded her, yet now generously given to Caroline. It’s hard to imagine that this disdainful journalistic disparity has happened in USA, but it’s true. Anyone can look and judge for oneself what goes on out there. (Photo Credits: byphoto240779; rhilton4u)=0=

RELATED BLOG: “Caroline Kennedy eyes Hillary Clinton’s post as NY senator” Posted by mesiamd at 12/16/2008

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Caroline Kennedy eyes Hillary Clinton’s post as NY senator

Hillary Clinton is about to leave as New York senator. She will become the secretary of state in the new Barack Obama administration. Caroline Kennedy Schlossberg has expressed interest on the 2-year job which needed to be filled by NY governor David Paterson.

It may be partly because of the family from where she comes from. She is an accomplished lawyer. Political connections definitely help as much as her admirable qualifications. In gist, these are reasons why Caroline is favorably considered for the post.

Not so many know Caroline in-depth as she aspires for a new role in the political scene. She is the only surviving child of Pres. Jack and Jackie Kennedy, the sister of John Kennedy, Jr. whose memory captivates the minds of many Americans. She is the niece of the late Sen. Robert Kennedy and ailing Sen. Edward Kennedy.

A well-known democrat from an influential political clan, the 50-year old Kennedy is said to be a hard-driven mom of three with a Columbia U law degree on her sleeve. Among her accomplishments include being the president of the John F. Kennedy Library Foundation and member of the JFK Profile in Courage Award Committee. She serves as the director of the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund and vice-chairwoman of NYC’s Fund for Public Schools.

Whether Caroline’s qualifications are enough to make her the best candidate for the post is subject to debate. There are those who believe some politicians are better prepared for the job. Others worry if her wealthy upbringing may stand on the way in her public service. With her connections, it is very likely though that she’ll get the job. (Photo Credit: http://arnow.org) =0=

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"If you are sexy, brilliant, and knowledgeable…,” Sen. Miriam D. Santiago talks on tormenting her enemies

After Philippine Sen. Miriam Defensor Santiago lost her bid to be a jurist in the International Court of Justice (ICJ,) a position which she aspired for with gusto, she declared:

“When God closes a door, He opens another. I’m afraid that the door that has been opened for me is to remain in Philippine politics and continue to torment my enemies,” she said with a hearty laugh. Inquirer (11/09/08. Avendano, C)

The funny quip with some bone from the senator makes Filipinos wonder if Santiago is for real. For her, the ICJ loss is personally irritating as she criticized the manner of selection. Believing the aptness of her qualification which counts a UP law degree and crash “language fluency” course in French in her resume, she and her supporters actively campaigned for the position. In the past, she accused some of her enemies to have worked to derail her candidacy.

Showing the loose cannon ball in her tongue she said: “It’s nothing to them if you’re sexy, brilliant and knowledgeable,” referring to her unapologetic no-holds-barred assessment of her importance which the world body failed to appreciate.

Santiago is known for her shifting loyalties, changing party alliances, labile emotion, and flamboyant rhetoric. She changes plans so often and talks in a bewildering style that befuddle her listener.

Although tormenting enemies is not a desirable job, it appears she fits the position better than what she longed for in ICJ. She believes it is her “destiny” to stay in the country. Photo Credit: Neofinoy.info; Alkan Chaglar) =0=RELATED BLOG: See my blog on May 29, 2008 entitled

RELATED BLOGS: See my blog on May 29, 2008 entitled “Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago’s flight to reality and her bid to the International Court of Justice (ICJ)” ; “Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago loses bid in ICJ” Posted by mesiamd at 11/07/2008

Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago loses bid in ICJ

After so much hype that Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago is Philippines’ bet to the International Court of Justice (ICJ,) it is reported that she isn’t selected to be part of the judicial body.

Observers have their own explanations, but the reasons behind her non-selection can only be guessed.

Certainly there are lessons to be learned about the flamboyant, often controversial senator-lawyer with volatile demeanor and assumed superlative intelligence. She bemuses her colleagues, entertain the public, and cow members of the local legislature.

Many of Santiago’s Filipino admirers who actively rooted for her are “saddened,” by the result, but they need to rethink what it takes to be in the ICJ, a world judicial body with its own political culture. (Photo Credit: neofinoy.info) =0=

RELATED BLOG: See my blog on May 29, 2008 entitled “Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago’s flight to reality and her bid to the International Court of Justice (ICJ)”

Gov. Palin whips Sen. Obama, praises Sen. McCain’s service record

“I came to office promising major ethics reform, to end the culture of self-dealing. And today, that ethics reform is the law. While I was at it, I got rid of a few things in the governor’s office that I didn’t believe our citizens should have to pay for. That luxury jet was over the top. I put it on eBay,” —-Sen. Sarah Palin (09/03/08, GOP Convention)

Gov. Sarah Palin just finished her acceptance speech on September 3, 2004. Her message was incisive, meaty, and well-delivered, prompting political observers to divine what it would bring to the contest between the Republicans and Democrats.

Palin, amidst an adoring Republicans in Minnesota, explained her readiness for vice-presidency, established her credentials, and eloquently made comparisons between the Democrats and the Republican. With toughness, confidence, and a smile that probably rattled the Democrats, she built a case against Sen. Barack Obama, highlighting differences in Sen. John McCain’s decades-long service to country and Obama’s inexperience.

Talking about a small-town story from Alaska and her experiences as governor, Palin performed beyond the expectations of her detractors. Though unfavorable reviews trickled early from her political adversaries, her speech was generally well-received bringing a new dimension to the campaign that will be decided on November 4, 2008. It would be a while to see whether she won sizeable undecided voters to the side of the Republicans. Photo Credits: Getty Images/Mario Tama; Getty Images Paul, R, Jr; AFP=0=

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Sen. Miriam Defensor Santiago’s flight to reality & her bid in the International Court of Justice

Miriam Defensor Santiago, the Philippine Senator and Condolezza Rice, the US Secretary of State have something in common. High-powered and articulate, both women are apparently very intelligent. But their similarity quickly ends there.

A prodigy of Czech émigré Josef Korbel who inspired her to study Soviet affairs and world relations, Condi Rice, the astute black international peace broker from Birmingham, Alabama, has been earnestly diplomatic in pushing US policies in the world stage. On the other hand, Miriam Santiago, a self-made Visayan legislator, has been blunt and caustic in dealing with her colleagues, to an extent that baffles the public.

No wonder when Santiago complained that the Lopezes, owners of the ABS-CBN news outfit and stake-holders of Meralco were out to sabotage her candidacy as a jurist in the International Court of Justice (ICJ,) some people didn’t take her seriously. Filipinos assumed she had enough hyperbole, humor, and hubris that made her allegation seemed like another post-climacteric tantrum.

Santiago asserted ABS-CBN’s article on her candidacy was a form of blackmail— “a diabolic attempt to ensure that foreign countries will be influenced to vote against me, as the Philippine national candidate to the ICJ.” Daily Tribune (05/27/08, Rosales,A)

This brand of piquant accusation by Santiago made Filipinos laugh over her foes’ long-standing apprehension over her labile mental state. Claiming that her intelligence was superior, the UP-educated lawyer from Iloilo challenged President Joseph Estrada for an IQ competition. She claimed she would “jump from a plane” if the move to depose Estrada prospered, but only to say later with a giggle that her preposterous statement was a lie.

She called fellow senators and congressmen “idiots” who’d been intimidated to lock horns with her, whether in a swanky debate to thresh out legislative issues or in a plain collegial wrangle. When she talked, many senators listened. Probably, there were stunned by her self-patronizing erudition and blabbertalk.

That’s why restraint and decorum was far from her when she recklessly declared (to the embarrassment of the country,) that China “invented corruption” for which she later apologized.

In this backdrop of Santiago’s bipolar display of gutsy “brilliance” and bizarre thinking process, President Gloria M. Arroyo nominated her to the ICJ in July 30, 2007—a move actively promoted by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) which believes she’ll be a fine addition to the august body of international jurists.

But of course, Filipinos who know her better are skeptical.

Critical of Sen. Miriam Santiago’s solipsistic approach to reality, an internet blog by Jemy Gatdula, a Manila-based university mentor who specializes on the law of international economics and World Trade Organization asserted,

“If, heaven forbid, she does get to be part of the ICJ, she will have her views, writings, and opinions dissected, analyzed, and critiqued as minutely and as unforgiving as possible. That is part of international law practice. What will she do when that happens? Call the international law scholars, international lawyers, government officials, and international tribunal members as “worms” or “idiots” in her usual raving manner?” Blurry Brain (05/28/08 Gatdula J.)

The Supreme Court, the country’s highest judicial body whose opinion counts on such nominations as the ICJ, has given her no endorsement. ==0==