Good morning . . .
Yesterday's excursion took longer than expected. So, there were no postings yesterday. I am back on schedule for the remainder of this week's media and political news and commentary.
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Federal prosecutors have indicted a Texas businessman, along with a Bulgarian and British citizen in the scandals ridden UN oil for food program. The participants were charged with funneling millions, perhaps, billions, of dollars to Saddam Hussein.
David Chalmers and Ludmil Dionissiev were arrested today in their homes in Houston.
US Attorney David Kelly aid the third man, John Irving, is in England and the US will seek extradition to the United States.
The kickbacks to Saddam Hussein were funds intended for humanitarian relief, Kelly said in his statement.
If convicted, Chalmers, Irving, and Dionissiev could receive 62 years in prison and a $1 million fine. They may also have to make restitution of the over $100 million stolen from the program.
3 Indicted in U.N. Oil-For-Food Scandal - Yahoo! News
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As expected the Senate Foreign Relations Committee delayed the vote until Tuesday on John Bolton' nomination for Ambassador to the United Nations.
Committee Democrats whined about Bolton's suitability for the post and Sen. Christopher Dodd (D-CT) wanted to hear testimony from three additional witnesses.
While there may be other witnesses to interview, the real reason for the delay is for Democrats to lobby Sen. Lincoln Chaffe (R-RI) to change his support. Chaffe has said that there must be an "extraordinary" reason not to confirm a nominee for an ambassador post. Since Democrats do not like Bolton's style, they say that is enough reason to deny the President his choice.
If Chaffe votes with the Democrats it would be a 9-9 tie. This would end the Bolton nomination unless the committee votes to send the nomination to the Senate floor with a recommendation.
Boston.com / News / World / Panel delays vote on Bolton
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More later.
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