Novel Times, Novel Measures

Republican Congressman Renzi Indicted for Embezzlement, originally uploaded by noveltimes.

Well howdy-doo! Just when I thought things had ground to a halt, a second addition to the Wall of Shame has surfaced this week! And this time it’s a legit politician, not just a creepy lobbyist. Rick Renzi, McCain supporter and lame-duck legistlator, has been accused of manipulating real estate to extract money to the tune of $400k, if not more. From a statement by U.S. Attorney Diane Humetewa of Phoenix:

“Congressman Renzi misused his public office by forcing a land sale that would financially benefit himself and a business associate, and in so doing, he betrayed the trust of the citizens of Arizona.”

Word is the Justice Department is cracking down on corruption. Maybe there is hope yet for the U.S. A’s and the Government of the U.S.A.

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It’s been a while since I’ve written but I’ve been quite consumed as of late — just got into Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, after an amazing three days trapsing through the ruins at Angkor.  As implied, I am still quite speechless with regards to what remains of the Angkor Empire, and, unfortunately, this here here “Premium Multimedia Computer System” with the sprawling 14″ monitor doesn’t want to recognize my digital camera.  Consequently, photos and words of my temple time will have to wait.  But worry not, dear readers!  I am safe and and sound in yet another country and will have some time in the next few days to share the glory of Angkor to the extent possible given the limits of 1′s and 0′s.  More soon!

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IMG_1159, originally uploaded by noveltimes.

London has her Queen and Thailand has her King. And walking around any town in this county, you’ll never forget it, either. Pictures of HM King Bhumibol Adulyadej are everywhere, from calendars to framed portraits to fifty foot high tributes to his Royal Majesty. And the people love him. Kind of odd for me to witness such adulation — I’m sort of anti-authoritarian when it comes down to it — but this King has presided over a very prosperous period for Thailand. Word on the street, though, is that the King’s son is quite the deliquent. Today just happens to be Adulyadej’s 80th birthday and many shops are closed in observance. I’m going to guess that many of those same shopowners are hoping for another 80 years of the same.

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Kerik Indicted on Corruption Charges, originally uploaded by noveltimes.

In case you haven’t heard the news, crooked NYC politico and Rudy Guiliani flunkie Bernard Kerik was indicted yet again, this time on charges of corruption. Big surprise.

For me, such announcements bring both hope and dismay — hope that our justice system might actually be catching the “bad” guys, and dismay that this level of corruption actually exists. Of course, corruption does run rampant in our government, which is why I bring you a small beacon of hope along with the dismay. Ladies and Gentlemen, I present to you The Wall of Shame.

This gallery of crooks started on the wall of my cubicle a few years back. When my office moved to a fancy new building, I decided to ditch the tattered print outs in favor of an online compendium, a “who’s who”, if you will, of recent government malfeasance. The criteria — indictment of political officials or lobbyists on any charge, regardless of political affiliation.

Check back for updates. Somehow I think we’re going to be seeing more and more join the Wall. At least, I hope.

PS – if you have any candidates for the Wall, send ‘em my way!

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