Dallas Morning News: Bush must reveal names of library donors.
Dallas Morning News: Bush must reveal names of library donors.
Earlier this month, Stephen Payne, one President Bush’s Homeland Security aides, was caught offering high-level access to Bush administration officials for donations to the Bush presidential library which is set to be housed at Southern Methodist University in Dallas. This morning, the Dallas Morning News, citing Payne’s story, called on Bush to reveal the names of those who donate to his library:
Even so, [Payne's] willingness to peddle influence is another example of why transparency needs to be an integral ingredient of the library, particularly in regard to who supports it so questions of quid pro quo don’t surround the work.
For reasons we still don’t understand, the president hasn’t taken this approach and remains opposed to legislation that would require presidential libraries to reveal their donors.
In February, Bush said of his donors, “There’s some people who like to give and don’t particularly want their names disclosed.”
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For reasons we still don’t understand, the president hasn’t taken this approach and remains opposed to legislation that would require presidential libraries to reveal their donors.
You don’t understand what 20 to life means ?
July 21st, 2008 at 7:41 pmand implicate all those perps?
HELL YEAH!
July 21st, 2008 at 7:42 pm“There’s some people who like to give and don’t particularly want their names disclosed.”
As they say, follow the money!
July 21st, 2008 at 7:44 pmWhy would transparency be something he should start now?
For crying out loud.
Give me a break.
July 21st, 2008 at 7:44 pmI wouldn’t want to be outed as a donor to Dubya’s ego house either.
July 21st, 2008 at 7:45 pmGDumbya says, “There’s some people who like to give and don’t particularly want their names disclosed.”
There’s a simple solution to that, GDumbya.
Don’t take their money if they don’t want their names disclosed.
July 21st, 2008 at 7:45 pmExcellent point, Ms_Joanne. Secrecy and obfuscation have gotten him this far, why would he abandon them now, when he’s facing the prospect of turning over the keys to a Democrat?
July 21st, 2008 at 7:46 pmThe list of donors will be a who’s who of cronies and fellow criminals.
July 21st, 2008 at 7:48 pmThe list of donors will be a who’s who of cronies and fellow criminals.
You make a good point, there. The donor list will probably be an exact duplicate of GDumbya’s list of pardons next January. Perhaps there is no need to release the donors’ names, anyway. They will all be published in January.
July 21st, 2008 at 7:53 pmOf course, one of Johnny McTeleprompter’s campaign aides is connected to Stephen Payne, George Bush’s lobbyist.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/us_and_americas/article4364429.ece
Knowing this explains why Johnny hates the blogs. ;-)
July 21st, 2008 at 7:53 pmIt’s going to be very embarrassing to George Bush and his family when Osama bin Laden’s name shows up on the donor list.
July 21st, 2008 at 7:55 pmWonder what their motives might be? Hmmm?
July 21st, 2008 at 7:59 pmIsn’t Bill Clinton refusing to release the names of Donors to his Presidential Library??? Anybody Know??
July 21st, 2008 at 8:01 pm“There’s some people who like to give and don’t particularly want their names disclosed.”
There’s no reason to hide their identities if they’ve committed no crimes. Of course, at this point, it’s become clear that everyone associated with George “SURRENDER MONKEY” Bush has committed crimes.
The only remaining questions are, “who committed which crimes” and “how much long term damage will those particular crimes cause”?
If the Dems are smart, they will lie low until Obama has the “power of the unitary executive” then arrest the whole damn bunch once the wireless wiretaps provide the relevant evidence.
July 21st, 2008 at 8:04 pmBadger Says:
Isn’t Bill Clinton refusing to release the names of Donors to his Presidential Library??? Anybody Know??
July 21st, 2008 at 8:01 pm
I believe so. However I have not heard any allegations that Bill sold access/influence for the contributions while still in office. I think Chimpy’s henchmen invented that trick.
July 21st, 2008 at 8:07 pmIn addition to knowing the names of donors to Bush’s library I would also like to know the names of UBS customers who were trying to hide taxable money.
Then I want to know the names of anybody on both lists!
July 21st, 2008 at 8:08 pmKayInMaine Says:
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It’s going to be very embarrassing to George Bush and his family when Osama bin Laden’s name shows up on the donor list.
That’s VERY funny AND sadly true.
July 21st, 2008 at 8:09 pmThought So…
ABC News’ Rick Klein and Eloise Harper Report: Former president Bill Clinton said Thursday that he will not reveal the names of donors to the Clinton Presidential Library unless he is required to by law, rebuffing pressure from his wife’s rivals for more disclosure.
“The people that have already given me money, I don’t think I should disclose it unless there is some conflict of which I am aware — and there is not — because a lot of people gave me money with the understanding that they could give anonymously. And if they gave publicly they would be the target for every other politician in America.”
July 21st, 2008 at 8:10 pmSaint Augustine, I have a feeling Johnny & Cindy McTeleprompter are hiding their money in UBS tax shelters overseas. With former Enron Senator Phil Gramm being Johnny’s economic adviser, it seems pretty obvious that that’s the case.
Dixie, and who wants to bet Osama bin Laden made the contribution right after 9/11 before he died? Hey, could be. Nothing surprises me anymore. ;-)
July 21st, 2008 at 8:13 pmPrezIsDunceShell LIEberries R a WASTE of MONEY and The Truth!…!!!
That goes for all of them!!!
July 21st, 2008 at 8:15 pmBadger, here’s the link about the Clinton Library:
http://blogs.abcnews.com/theblotter/2007/11/clinton-library.html
It’s my hope the world’s dictators give tons of money to George Bush’s campaign and disclose their name publicly. Or use Osama bin Laden’s name. Just one more way to embarrass Georgie! I look forward to it.
July 21st, 2008 at 8:15 pmWhat’s even more funny is…these people will give loads of money to George Bush’s library and all they’ll get in return is…
http://libizblog.files.wordpress.com/2008/02/step-01-empty-box.jpg
Sad.
July 21st, 2008 at 8:17 pmThe way I see it…
George W. Bush could not have done what he did without Osama Bin Laden.
Osama Bin Laden could not have done what he did without George W. Bush,
July 21st, 2008 at 8:18 pmOf course. After last week, there may not be any more donors. After all, Chimpy appeased Iran and agreed to surrender in Iraq. Then there’s the defection of his pet, al-Maliki.
It just doesn’t make sense to bribe someone who has lost his power and influence. It’s beginning to look like his library will be reduced to: a few copies of “My Pet Goat”, a box of shredded paper marked U.S. Constitution, a couple “wiped” hard drives, a diorama of a naked Arab being tortured, and Cheney’s safe; ll of which will be housed in a 1967 Airstream trailer.
July 21st, 2008 at 8:27 pmYa caint r’veel th’ naymes o’th’ donors, cuz then ya cootn do them quids pro quos lahk ever’buddy wants…jeez, it’s rilly purdy sample…
July 21st, 2008 at 8:28 pmWhat a stupid editorial. It is written as if there has ever been a shred of transparency with Bush. We have had nothing but secrets, lies and propaganda from this administration. This library will only be more of the same. How ridiculous to write as if Bush or his Republican cohorts care anything about being open, ethical or aboveboard.
They don’t understand? What a crock. The Dallas Morning News parent company, A.H. Belo, is likely a contributor to the library.
I subscribe to this rag, but it isn’t for their keen editorial insight.
July 21st, 2008 at 8:30 pmThese people don’t answer subpoenaes!!
July 21st, 2008 at 8:30 pmDoes anyone think they will answer the newspaper editors?
Oops! I forgot the life size poster of OBL with a caption which reads:
“The Honorable Saudi Ambassador to the Taliban”
July 21st, 2008 at 8:31 pmYou’re gonna get “much more closerer” to the truth than the GW Botch LIEberry by just dropping in your local library and just looking around!!
Take home a book and open your mind trolls!
July 21st, 2008 at 8:31 pmHas SMU folded on ‘hosting’ this travesty? The faculty’s mostly too embarrassed to admit where they tteach, anymore. Kind puts SMU in the same boat with Oral Roberts, or Bob Jones. Probly the Chimp should take the cardboard boxes with all his coloring books and give ‘em to the Liberty or the Regency “Univeristy” law schools. Case studies…
July 21st, 2008 at 8:31 pmBadger Says:
——————————————————————————–
The way I see it…
George W. Bush could not have done what he did without Osama Bin Laden.
Osama Bin Laden could not have done what he did without George W. Bush,
July 21st, 2008 at 8:18 pm
The problem is that Bin Laden came out victorious ………..
July 21st, 2008 at 8:32 pmPete, you forgot to add the 3 outhouses next to the Airstream just in case 5 people show up at once. LOL
July 21st, 2008 at 8:34 pmThe problem is that Bin Laden came out victorious ………..
July 21st, 2008 at 8:32 pm
dead or alive, he’s a lot closer to bringing down the USofA than the USofA is to bringing down the AlQaeda, or the Talibs either, for that matter…
July 21st, 2008 at 8:34 pmBadger Says:
Isn’t Bill Clinton refusing to release the names of Donors to his Presidential Library??? Anybody Know??
July 21st, 2008 at 8:01 pm
There’s a slight difference : A Rhodes Scholar will generally tend to have the building stacked to the
July 21st, 2008 at 8:35 pmceiling with books in his library ; an unintelligible imbecile and lying criminal who is about as intellectually curious as a slug in a coma , needs 1/2 a billion dollars to have what in the building laughably named after him ?
eve Says:
July 21st, 2008 at 8:30 pm
I understand, eve, but I’m not so certain about this not hurting Chimpy where he lives. (Assuming anyone actually reads the offending piece to him.)
In addition to the war crimes, Bushco will be remembered as the “Op-ed President”. The Republicriminals have turned opinion into Imperial Dictum. I’m quite certain that Chimpy is having a good, long, cry over the “betrayal”.
July 21st, 2008 at 8:37 pmMcMetal, empty buildings are apparently expensive to operate.
July 21st, 2008 at 8:37 pmI bet Usama bin Laden doesn’t want his name revealed.
July 21st, 2008 at 8:39 pmKayInMaine Says:
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McMetal, empty buildings are apparently expensive to operate.
July 21st, 2008 at 8:37 pm
Must be why GOP headquarters is so costly……………….
July 21st, 2008 at 8:39 pmDoes his lieberry have executive privilege too?
July 21st, 2008 at 8:40 pmKayInMaine Says:
Pete, you forgot to add the 3 outhouses next to the Airstream just in case 5 people show up at once. LOL
July 21st, 2008 at 8:34 pm
It’ll never happen. The trailer will be parked in an undisclosed location, somewhere on or around campus, to prevent it being burned on a daily basis. I suppose they may even hitch it to a Hummer and have loyal Blackwater employees drive it around.
“You can’t burn what you can’t find or catch”.
July 21st, 2008 at 8:42 pmGame of Life Says:
Does his lieberry have executive privilege too?
July 21st, 2008 at 8:40 pm
Spit take!
Would it not be fitting if the lieberry comes equipped with a big sign which says:
“Executive privilege zone. Access denied to non-donors.”
July 21st, 2008 at 8:46 pmHe doesn’t want to admit Hugh Hefner and Larry Flynt only gave him the bird.
July 21st, 2008 at 8:48 pmI suppose it’s also possible that he doesn’t want to reveal the donor list because there aren’t any donors outside his family, and his extended Saudi family.
How embarrassing would that be?
July 21st, 2008 at 8:50 pmGeorge Bush will be the first president to have a library floating on the Atlantic Ocean to protect it from the angry masses on the mainland.
July 21st, 2008 at 8:51 pmWhat would Al Capone do?
http://www.light-to-dark.com/cabush.html
July 21st, 2008 at 9:02 pm“There’s some people who like to give and don’t particularly want their names disclosed.”
because it might lead back to their secret accounts in the Caymans. Were we allowed to see the body of “Ken Lay”?
July 21st, 2008 at 9:03 pmGame of Life Says:
Does his lieberry have executive privilege too?
He could always invoke National Security and refuse to cooperate.
July 21st, 2008 at 9:52 pmJust remember that a Presidential Library is supposed to be a repository for scholars to study the writings and inner workings of a president’s time in office. Bush is not going to allow scholars access to the vast majority of necessary information to understand what really went on behind the scenes (or, in other words, to prove they knowingly broke the law and violated the constitution.) He does not really care how history will judge him, according to an answer he once gave a reporter, “What difference does it make? We’ll all be dead then.”
You got that right, George. We’ll all be dead then.
July 21st, 2008 at 9:53 pmI would imagine that one of the biggest donors to the George W. Bush library at SMU would be Osama bin Laden, as well as other members of al Qaeda and some of the Saudi royals who’ve profited so much from the Bush/Cheney co-presidency (with some of them reportedly financing some of the 9/11 hijackers).
So, for all that Bush and Cheney (and the Republicans) have done to help al Qaeda over the years (invading Iraq, etc.), no doubt some will feel very grateful and send a donation to Bush’s library.
July 21st, 2008 at 9:54 pmHis donors probably are:
The Carlyle Group
July 21st, 2008 at 10:22 pmHaliburton
Exxon Mobil
DieBold
Saudi Royal Family
heh.
July 21st, 2008 at 11:14 pmThe George H. W. Bush Library in College Station, TX has a wall in the lobby that prominently displays the names of the most generous donors chiseled in stone. Among the largest donors are countries in the Middle East, including Kuwait, Oman and the United Arab Emirates. The family of Bandar bin Sultan, former Saudi ambassador to the United States, provided at least $1,000,000.
Interestingly enough, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates contributed 17 of the 19 hijackers on 9/11, if the Bush Administration line is to be believed. The wall at the H. W. Bush Library also prominently includes Enron and Ken/Linda Lay, which probably seemed like a good idea at the time.
All presidents, regardless of party affiliation, should be required to identify all sources of funding for their presidential libraries. As the recent situation with Payne illustrates, conflicts of interest involving the trading of favors can adversely impact the sitting president’s decision making, leaving the public none the wiser.
The Nixon and Reagan libraries in southern California, Yorba Linda and Simi Valley, respectively, display lists of corporate sponsors, which reads like a who’s who of large oil companies, defense contractors, other Fortunate 500 companies and wealthy individuals.
The following provides a link to an interesting Washington Post story on the topic: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/12/14/AR2007121402124_pf.html
July 21st, 2008 at 11:37 pmIn February, Bush said of his donors, “There’s some people who like to give and don’t particularly want their names disclosed”. Why, is their last name Bin Laden????????
July 22nd, 2008 at 12:10 amHey…I know why Dubya doesn’t want that list published! We’re all covering the obvious donors here. Just think, it’s not who is already in there, but whom Bush himself put in here!
The nation of Latveria aka inspiration for Bush administration
Victor Von Doom aka Dr. Doom
Lex Luthor
Erik Lehnsherr aka Magneto
Sinestro
Darkseid
Apocalypse
The Joker
Felix the Cat
Brainiac
Bud Selig
Yale
The Country Music Association
The Energizer Bunny
July 22nd, 2008 at 12:51 amSMU has been a fairly high quality university here in Texas. Now it’s going to be a laughing stock for having a large expensive building to hold a copy of “My Pet Goat”. Rove and Cheney have been shredding everything else.
July 22nd, 2008 at 6:55 amI was thinking the other day what fun it will be to run into Chimpy and Lady Simian at one of the better restaurants here and ask him…”Hey Dubbya…y’all remember that night at Yale when you vomited all over yerself in the Old Campus after that wild night after Skulls initiation? Ha ha that was a helluva night, wasn’t it George? Man it was lucky Gramps Prescott called Kingman Brewster and bought Eli a new gym! Ain’t that how y’all got yer degree as I remember?”
July 22nd, 2008 at 7:21 amThe IRS should be able to provide a list of Bush’s donors from here:
Of UBS’s estimated 20,000 accounts in Switzerland for US clients only roughly 1,000 are declared accounts and 19,000 are undeclared accounts that have not been disclosed to the IRS. The total estimated value of US client accounts was said to be about 18.2 billion in Swiss francs or about $17.9 billion of which the vast majority were undeclared accounts.
http://hstoday.us/content/view/4332/149/
July 22nd, 2008 at 2:41 pmSo you’re telling me that there are big time donors who won’t even have the advertisment of their name and/or company appearing on the library wall.
Dumb Question: So what are they getting for their money ?
July 22nd, 2008 at 2:43 pmJust Wondering: As the “library” will be at SMU, it isn’t at a state institution and can escape some disclosure requirements.
If the “library” were truly a library, a certain percentage of anonymous donors could be expected (although I anticipate the number for Bush will be rather high.
However, Bush keeps all his papers classified. So if it can be shown that the “library” isn’t at all a library (not at all for historical research) but rather a political institute, could that be used to force a donor list ? It would certainly remove the “library” from any number of legal priviledges extended to a real library.
July 22nd, 2008 at 4:28 pmMapleStreet Says:
Dumb Question: So what are they getting for their money ?
They already got what they wanted, the best eight years of stealing from their country and ripping off their workers, that the richest 1% has ever seen. After all Bush has done for the corrupt uber-wealthy global corporatists, the least they can do is build him a nice library and think tank to rewrite the awful history of this most terrible period so that it sounds as wonderful for everyone as it was for the super rich.
July 22nd, 2008 at 5:19 pmMapleStreet
No donors want to be publicly associated with the library, but Bush wants to sell wall space like that of a race car in NASCAR and get sponsors to put up banners, emblems and displays. The way things are shaping up, it’ll be less library and more like an automotive/video game/comic book convention center with a 11′x15′ space reviewing the six things he did as president. There will be a corresponding tacos and freedom fries stand with tainted ketchup.
July 22nd, 2008 at 10:03 pm