More Fun with the Lattice of Coincidence
Two days ago I suggested that the Abramoff case might be the uber-scandal, rather like the BCCI case in the mid-1990s, tying together all the other threads of corruption and dishonesty of the last few years.
But here's another: Last night I saw that the former publisher of the Chicago Sun-times, F. David Radler, had been indicted on many counts of fraud in the Hollinger/Conrad Black case. Hollinger has owned the Sun-Times since 1994.
Let's look for some connections:
Who is the most prominent employee of the Chicago Sun-Times?
That would be Robert Novak.
Who were some people on the board of Hollinger Corp., suspected of abetting the fraud?
The best description of the board: "the roster of independent directors reads like the politically plugged-in guest list at an American Enterprise Institute dinner" There was Henry Kissinger, former Illinois governor James Thompson, and most notably Richard Perle. Perle was a member of the executive committee, profited handsomely himself through a Hollinger investment fund he was put in charge of, and by his own admission exercised very little oversight.
What's the relationship between Robert Novak and Richard Perle?
It's not just that both have proudly worn the nickname, "Prince of Darkness." They are bound by their stock in trade: leaking and receiving leaks of classified information. In 1975, Perle leaked classified information to Novak with the purpose of scuttling the SALT II treaty.
Who is the prosecutor who indicted the former publisher of Novak's paper?
Patrick Fitzgerald.
That guy just might be sitting on the secret skeleton key to the whole thing.
[UPDATE: There seems to be a little skepticism in the comments about how tight these connections really are. Maybe my level of seriousness about this will be clearer if you recognize the source of the phrase in the title, "Lattice of Coincidence." Kids these days!
I simultaneously love this post because it connects some of the names I love to hate, and also hate this post for getting my hopes up that there may some sort of justice if only we can wait long enough.
August 19, 2005 9:27 AM | Reply | Permalink
I thought Roger Ebert was the most prominent employee of the Sun-Times. I like him too much to want to see him involved in anything Novakula would touch.
August 19, 2005 9:49 AM | Reply | Permalink
Washington is so much like a pile of garbage. It stinks. And unless someone cleans it up, it just gets worse and worse until nobody can stand it. The problem we have is those in Washington have become so accustomed to the smell they don't even notice it anymore. Which means there is no chance for our elected officials to ever clean up their act. The bigger problem is the smell is starting to stink up the entire country.
thepeoplechoose
August 19, 2005 9:54 AM | Reply | Permalink
Well how be! I guess we can assume that Fitzgerald appreciates the breathtaking magnitude of the Hollinger swindle and understands how these vultures work, which should serve him well as he tries to untangle the lies heaped on him by the White House in the Plame thing. The Republican elite today is rotten to the core, dominated by vultures seeking at every turn to transfer public wealth into a few private hands, and they don't give a damn about abusing the corporate form and breaking the rules. Call me a pollyanna if you want, but it's the truth. It's what they do, and they're good at it.
But unlike the previous poster, I'm very optimistic about justice being served. And unlike Krugman today, I don't think it matters so much who wins the presidency in 2008. There are enough good, decent, well-informed people in this country to bring these corrupt people to their knees.
August 19, 2005 10:21 AM | Reply | Permalink
Oooh, this is better than Three Days of the Condor. Just hope the connections don't turn out to be another Maguffin.
August 19, 2005 10:44 AM | Reply | Permalink
You know what really got me about your link? The quote from Bush at then end: "Rush is a great American..."
So, Rush is a great American and Cindy Sheehan and Valerie Plame are not worth his attention in the first case, and firing the leaker in the second.
Boy, I just love these family values!
August 19, 2005 10:56 AM | Reply | Permalink
If only there was a Duke Cunningham connection to the paper!
I think it is funny that there are so many scandals right now that its easy to forget about one or another. Its like we are forced to priortize which scandal is important to track down. I have to put good faith that all of these scandals are being throughly investigated by the respective prosecutors, but it always seems to help when their is public pressure via the media to make sure these scandals are properly investigated. A grand scandal would certainly help in this respect with all of these connections to keep pressure on all fronts, but its also sad that would be needed. I would just like to see the media put pressure on all these scandals daily. One can dream a little dream....
-G. New
August 19, 2005 11:10 AM | Reply | Permalink
Or Patrick Fitzgerald changes his name and moves, overnight and in a panel truck (not a light plane), to Canada.
I'd enjoy seeing the media, in general, get a painful come-uppance. The New York Times hardly smells like a rose these days. But a spate of revelations about MSM might be counterproductive if the know-nothings blame everything on them and overlook the whole stinky stew of reactionaries-on-the-take.
August 19, 2005 1:03 PM | Reply | Permalink
Who was peddling supposed documents showing links between Saddam, 9/11, and uranium from Niger?
Con Coughlin. In the Telegraph. Owned by Conrad Black.
August 19, 2005 2:25 PM | Reply | Permalink
I was thinking Roger Ebert as well. I was wondering, how did he get into this mess. Then I looked below the fold.
August 20, 2005 8:34 AM | Reply | Permalink