Wolfowitz confirmed at World Bank

[D-Notice]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/4396107.stm

I guess this is good news if you want the World Bank destroyed...

So much for the Europeans being dismayed at his nomination

[suziedemocrat]

1. That's just awful!! When will the bad news stop???? n/t

[saigon68]

7. A TURD FLOATS TO THE TOP OF THE BOWL

What mnore can be said of this Evil Hateful little man.

[tjdee]

2. Aww, FUCK naw!!

Does he have ANY qualifications for this?

Is there ONE Bush appointee that has nothing to do with the war machine?

:grr:

What a....just, ugh.

[tubbacheez]

3. The fox now runs the hen house.

In light of John Perkin's book, "Confessions of an Economic Hitman", this doesn't surprise me, but it sure does depress me.

http://www.lewrockwell.com/wanniski/wanniski53.html

[katty]

46. the Wolf at door-Blatant,arrogant corruption on parade

[LibertyLover]

4. It was unanimous

We just got the official internal communication a few minutes ago. It was unanimous. I was in a meeting this morning and heard that the staff comments, however, were only 8% positive or neutral. It's going to be a very long 5 years here.

[Robbien]

10. The poor developing nations

They will be the losers in this.

Wonder how Wolfowitz will rearrange the staff. When Goss took over all non-conservatives were booted. Wonder if it will be the same at the World Bank.

[LibertyLover]

18. Staff

We should be ok. Remember, we are not an American entity, but rather an international organization founded under Articles of Agreement under our member countries.

[phantom power]

19. So, what do you think the impact will be?

Will Wolfowitz be able to throw his weight around, or will he become a minority voice?

[LibertyLover]

23. Impact

To be honest, it's too early to tell or begin to speculate. Wolfensohn, our outgoing president, certainly had an impact on how the Bank Group did things - fewer loans to environmentally problematic projects for example, a greater push to invest or make grants in sub-Saharan Africa, some excellent work with respect to AIDS prevention and stricter corporate governance for our borrowers. But if memory serves (it's been 10 years since Wolfensohn became president) he waited until he had the feel of the institution. Certainly there were reorganizations and yes, there were staff redundencies, but every effort was made to provide retraining, find jobs and provide assistance for the comparative few whose jobs were eliminated. I think that yes, Wolfowitz will put his own stamp on the Bank with certain policies and objectives he wants to achieve, but, the Bank being the Bank, it will provide its own unique touches.

[Robbien]

20. But aren't the principal positions politial appointees?

Isn't it possible that the leadership positions will change, thus changing the organizations practices?

[katinmn]

12. Thanks to you and the other staff who voiced your objections.

I wish those who voted to approve the nominations would have heeded your advice.

Am I right that they are all politicians or political appointees?

[LibertyLover]

21. Board members

The Board of Directors of the Bank, and by extension, the Bank Group, are 24 in number. They are political appointees. Some of the larger member countries (by number of shares held) each have what we refer to as an ED. So, for example, the US, Great Britain, France, Germany and Japan each have their own ED (currently the EDship for the US is vacant and the duties are being handled by the assistant)while other countries share an ED, who is a national of one of the countries he or she represents. They may or may not have political careers in their home countries, I honestly don't know, but most are probably political bureaucrats rather than politicians.

[American in Asia]

59. Liberty is right

The Board is comprised of representatives from the countries, and therefore political appointees of their countries. The staff are not. However, in my opinion, it would be a mistake to discount Wolfowitz's ability to reshape the organization. If memory serves, every single vice president, and certainly the highest level management of the Bank changed within a few years of Wolfensohn's appointment. Lower-level staff are more protected - the higher level staff have a way of being, um, encouraged shall we say? to find employment elsewhere - or at least that has been my understanding. It may be a long 5 years (hopefully not 10!) indeed.

[LiberallyInclined]

27. i guess that none of them saw Fahrenheit 9/11...

how could they vote for a comb-licker...?
and what kind of message does it send?

[katinmn]

48. that comb-sucking scene is seared on my brain

blecchh!

[billyoc]

5. Good. The world deserves him.

200+ countries just sat there and let this happen to them, they get what they deserve.

[LibertyLover]

6. The world might but

those of us who work for the Bank Group might not.

[jojo54]

8. SH_T!

We're all f__ked now. Seems like * wants the entire world at his feet and not just this nation.

[stubertmcfly]

9. will no one....

...stand up to this man? how is it that he has the entire world cowed?

just another in a long list of cronies promoted for inept job performance.

[smirkymonkey]

38. That's what I want to know - why does everyone just roll over

for the Bush agenda? Are there no more heros left in the world?

Doesn't ANYBODY have the foresight to know that in the long run this is going to be a disaster for EVERYONE? Jeeze! :banghead:

[HannibalBarca]

53. Unfortunately

...depite all the talk of Chinese superpower, Unified EU superpower America is still, by far, the most powerful country in this world both economically and militarily. Bush is a disaster but one with immense power at his fingertips, which frightens me even more.

[Spazito]

11. All I have to say on this is

:puke: :puke: :puke: interspersed with :wtf: :wtf: :wtf:

[sadiesworld]

13. Neo-cons and neo-libs...

peas in a pod. If this doesn't convince doubters, I'm not sure what will. (European leaders just have to work a bit harder to hide their agenda, i.e., "We just aren't sure about Wolfie :cry:".)

[Lone Pawn]

30. You don't understand the meaning of the term 'neoliberal.'

Neoliberal is not "pro-war Democrat." Neoliberalism is a socioeconomic philosophy. Its followers are supposedly pro-social-justice, but at same time (and more emphatically) pro-free-market and against government regulation of business. They believe that the gains of a free market society will by far outstrip the losses.

In many affairs, neoconservatives and neoliberals will agree on the proper course of action--and that would be obvious, as both are free-market. Certainly no cause for alarm. But I don't really know of any full-blown neoliberals in the Democratic party, though there are quite a few hawks.

[sadiesworld]

39. I know precisely what neo-liberal means.

As you point out, neo-cons and neo-libs agree on quite a lot, e.g., the privatization of natural resources and social services. While the neo-libs appear to be a bit less warrior-like (the illusion is important to maintain) when push comes to shove they don't put up much resistance to the neo-cons. Wolfowitz's confirmation being a case in point.

No "full-blown" neo-libs in the Democratic party? Surely, you jest. Start with the DLC roster and work from there.

[Lone Pawn]

41. Yeah. Show me a member of the DLC who has gone on record

stating that they believe that government should never regulate industry.

[sadiesworld]

42. They wouldn't really be doing their job very well if they shouted this

shit from the rooftops, would they? The whole point is to provide an (illusory) alternative to the neo-cons.

Follow the votes.

[Runcible Spoon]

58. WOW what did you do, rip off the Wikipedia entry?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neoliberalism

The following entries from Wikipedia appear chronologically, matching exactly the order of "your" comments:

you said: "Neoliberalism is a socioeconomic philosophy"

Wikipedia said: "The term neoliberalism is used to describe a political-economic philosophy "

You said: "Its followers are supposedly pro-social-justice, but at same time (and more emphatically) pro-free-market and against government regulation of business"

Wikipedia said: "de-emphasizes or rejects positive government intervention in the economy, focusing instead on achieving progress and even social justice by encouraging free-market methods and less restricted operations of business and "development".

You said: "They believe that the gains of a free market society will by far outstrip the losses."

Wikipedia said: "Its supporters argue that the net gains for all under free trade and capitalism will outweigh the costs in all, or almost all, cases."

You said: "In many affairs, neoconservatives and neoliberals will agree on the proper course of action--and that would be obvious, as both are free-market."

Wikipedia said: "(though) many liberals adhere to neoliberalism...establishment of a stable medium of exchange, and the reduction of localized rules, regulations and barriers to commerce, and the privatization of state-run enterprises"

hmmmm methinks that perhaps you should learn to crib better before accusing others of have deficient understanding of a concept.

Edited to include Wikipedia link, since I think they deserve SOME recognition! :evilgrin:

[GHOSTDANCER]

14. WTF? is this for real?

[skypilot]

15. This is the kind of shit...

...that's making me start to believe in the anti-Christ. What is going on that the world just submits to the will of the Bush administration? Does he have dirt on EVERYBODY?? It's weird, they all make a big fuss about the nomination but in the end they all cave. It just seems to go on and on like this.

[clem_c_rock]

16. Let the Games begin - Who wants to start bets which country will

Be the first countries to get their arms twisted to allow US corperations and military bases in return for economic assistance from the World Bank?

I don't know which one it will be but, I can tell you it will probably be an Arab country.

Fu**ing greasy little rat!

[Teaser]

17. They had no choice.

The World Bank head's choice is customarily given to the American the president nominates. IF they want to maintain control of the IMF (usually given to the europeans) they had to buckle here.

[corker]

22. I hate these people!

[jdots]

29. me too I hate these "Meeses to pieces "

they are cartoon zillionaires with no knowledge of humans.

[lovuian]

24. Wolfawitz now rules the World Bank

thats the perfect place for him

If a country is going down the tubes then don't expect Wolfawitz to bail them out!!!

Forget it!!!

[CBHagman]

25. Wolf(owitz) to rip more lambs apart.

May he be held accountable for each of his sins against humankind.

[SoCalDem]

26. Huff and puff, and then NOTHING

I don't know why they even bother to raise objections when they know in their guts they will confirm anyway..Just like the stupid Q&A on appointment confirmations in the senate.. It's all TV face time,l and an opportunity to bloviate..:puke:

[Lone Pawn]

28. Just because they don't like him doesn't mean that they won't go along.

World Bank is traditionally America's call.

[Media_Lies_Daily]

31. Holy crap. The NeoCons have extended their control even farther.

[meganmonkey]

37. Yep. This ass-wad is a founding member of the PNAC.

This is worse than having him in the DoD. Not to say there is really any accountability at the DoD, but they don't even PRETEND to have accountability, checks and balances, etc. at the World Bank. Time to hide now.

:hide:

[Robbien]

32. Wonder how much airplay this story will receive in corporate media

next to nothing one should suppose.

[quaoar]

33. What about Wolfowitz's girlfriend at the Bank?

Has her job description been changed to include blowjobs under the desk?

[DoYouEverWonder]

34. That sucks

but at least he's out of DOD.

[qanda]

35. While we discuss one person dying

The world is going to hell in a handbasket.

[info being]

36. How else can the Free Masons maintain control of the world?

The only difference is that, for the first time in a long time, they are totally obvious about it. World Bank policies won't change at all because they've always reflected the interest of the likes of Wolfowitz. The Seattle WTO protesters in 1999 understood this.

[moondust]

40. I suppose Bushco threatened

to withdraw funding if they didn't get what they wanted. Private coercion using the public's money.

[quiet.american]

43. There goes Planet Earth! n/t

[indepat]

44. First the Congress, then the Supreme Court, now the world gives W

virtually everything he wants. God, let's hope he is right (er, correct).

[sueh]

45. What a way to "eliminate" poverty...

cut the budget for making small, low interest loans to the poor people the program was designed for, and just let them die of starvation. What a "culture of life". Excuse me, I have to go puke now.

[EFerrari]

49. No, it makes perfect sense.

There will be no poverty once the poor are gone.

:nuke:

[Gyre]

47. The EU must have a bunch of saps in positions of power.

Watch them whine when Wolfies true nature emerges. Idiots!

Gyre

[roguevalley]

50. Kiss the earth goodbye. I'm truly glad I'm not young. I don't know

how much more of this shit I can stand.

[Zorra]

51. Paul Wolfowitz head of the World Bank? Bwaaahaahaahaahaahaahaa

That's a good one!:rofl:Hilarious!

Wait, you aren't serious are you? Please, tell me this is a joke. OMG, You aren't joking, are you?

:wtf:

Wolfowitz is a self-admitted liar. What, in the name of gods green earth, qualifies Paul Fucking Wolfowitz to be President of the World Bank?

What is he going to do, use the World Bank to fund a US sanctioned war against Venezuela in the name of humanitarianism? The world has gone nuts, completely bonkers.

Oh, wait, now I get it, Wolfie is an enforcer: "You owe za verld bank $10 billion. Eezah you pay, or ve invade your country, destroy your infrastructure, kill hundreds of thousands of your people, and zen ve sell za country to za Halliburton, ya?

You haf 24 hours to pay.

[deacon2]

52. Now wait a minute

What happened to all the folks protesting his appointment etc. etc. that I read about only two or three days ago. I can see them spitting on us and eking him through, but spitting unanimously? WTF?

[Mr Rabble]

54. Distancing himself from his cronies

looks alot like a pre-emptive attempt at escaping criminal charges in the future.

[yorkiemommie1]

55. absolutely sickening

n/t

[Catfight]

56. His licking his comb, thinking how much money he's going to loot

from the world. Didn't Bush read, "the fox and the hen house?" I think if Bush read more than a verse here and there out of his American Revised to Hate Bible, he might discover, he really isn't qualified to make world decisions with such a feeble mind.

[Algorem]

57. Jim Lehrer's in love with Wolfowitz,could cee it in his eyes on PBS tonigh

t on the Newshour thing.He had some big huge kiss ass interview with Wolfowitz at end of show,I saw it at end,where Lehrer goes into his news wrapup at end of show,Wolfowitz was still sitting across desk from Lehrer and I've never seen Lehrer's baggy dog-eyes so happy and gay.HAHAHA!These newswhores are so easy for these evil freaks to manipulate.

[Snivi Yllom]

60. Is this April Fools? Unanimously approved?

"Despite the early opposition, the directors of the Bank, representing 184 countries, unanimously approved him as the organisation's 10th president."

WTF? I hate conspiracies, but I smell a conspiracy.

[newblewtoo]

61. "Is this April Fools? Unanimously approved?"

The April Fool appears to have been November 2nd.

Bolton will be next then the Supreme Court.

[GHOSTDANCER]

62. This is April fools worst joke ever.

[Dirk39]

63. Is this the start of World War 5 or still World War 4...

I'm confused.

I just pray that the World Bank and the IMF will fall apart with Wolfowitz as the head of the World Bank.
Maybe the last people, who had any kind of illusions about the character of the Worlbank and the IMF will wake up.
They have only one goal: to destroy economies, produce poverty and take it from the poor and give it to the Wall-Street and mulinational corporations.

I just hope that more and more, nations will turn their back on the Worldbank like Argentinia, Venezuela and Brazil.

Dirk

[psychopomp]

64. This all got worked out at the last Bilderberg meeting

That is the only explaination for this loony shit.:tinfoilhat: :crazy:

[brettdale]

65. more on Bush's best buddy

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5744,12727908%255E2703,00.html