C-Span NOT Covering Biggest News in Washington Today -- U.N. Oil For Food Bombshell

[Stultis]

Henry Hyde's Committee on International Relations has hearings today on the corruption in the Iraq Oil-For-Food program. A former program coordinator well testify that high officials at the U.N. knew about kickbacks and other corruption in the program and did nothing.

C-Span is not carrying this hearing live, NOR HAVE THEY SCHEDULED CAMERAS TO BE PRESENT.

The only hope to change this is to massively flood their phone lines immediately (politely) demanding they cover this. The hearing starts in less than 3 hours!

CAll C-Span at (202) 737-3220

[snooker]

Oil for Al Quaida... Oil to shadow companies, money goes to shadow front banks and then to Al Quaida accounts.

Now isn't this interesting.

[leadpenny]

I'm off today and wish I had gone downtown to sit in on this hearing. I have trouble staying focused when watching the webcam. Hyde is doing his best trying to get them to hurry up with their opening statements and questions should start soon.

[Stultis]

The House and Senate are both in session at 10:00. It'll be shown later.

No, my point was not that C-Span is not showing it live, but they did not schedule cameras to cover it. They won't be showing it later because they weren't there (unless they made a last minute change).

[js1138]

If it's on the web, someone is taping it. CSPAN often airs tapes made by others. The Kerry debate, for example.

[leadpenny]

Wouldn't C-SPAN be able to use the tape from the camera that is providing the live webcam?

[Stultis]

How do you know they do not have cameras scheduled for the Hearing?

I called listener services first. The lady there had the list of events they were scheduled to cover today. Apparently they committee itself has some kind of camera if they're streaming the event over the web. I wonder if C-Span could be talked into airing that video (assuming it's saved and of broadcast quality)?

Darn, I'm moving and just had my internent connection at home (and cable television) shut down. Now this computer at the library won't allow me to access streaming video! Guess I'll have to settle for reading the transcript later.

[snooker]

Are the webcam broadcasts available in an archive somewhere?

This is an interesting hearing which should be in the must see category. The bread crumbs look to be leading to a whole list of interesting players.

Committee is adjourning for votes right now. Back at noon for questions of the panel.

[MamaLucci]

FYI, they just recessed (to vote) for a half hour.

[snooker]

Are the webcam broadcasts available in an archive somewhere?

This is an interesting hearing which should be in the must see category. The bread crumbs look to be leading to a whole list of interesting players.

Committee is adjourning for votes right now. Back after noon for questions of the panel.

[leadpenny]

They just took a 30 minute lunch break, anyway. Lantos made a speech and they will probably be back some time today. The webcam just went to logo too.

[TheStickman]

I called and complained. The woman informed me they would not be broadcasting these hearings and it was a *programming* decision. I was transferred to where I could leave a *comment*.

So much for C-Span being after the truth, eh?

[Stultis]

Thanks for the update. The following thread is probably the best place to post blow-by-blows:

U.N. BIG WILL TELL ALL ON OILY SCAM

[Warlord David]

"This is a UN issue; CSPAN mission is coverage of US political process....."

I disagree. There using US TAX DOLLARS to keep the UN floating. To bad, they will not let it sink to the bottom.

That makes it our business on the international political process and what action this committee will take.

[theFIRMbss]

>The corruption of the UN is so apparent but so un-PC. It won't be covered

That's about it. But
it gets tons of fluff and glam
coverage like this:

UN goes ga-ga for Nicole By Caroline Overington New York Correspondent New York April 27, 2004 United Nations diplomats are supposed to be a dignified bunch with terribly important work to do. But, give them a chance to meet a glamorous movie star and they go ga-ga, like everybody else. The star was Nicole Kidman, who is making a movie called The Interpreter at the UN's New York headquarters. UN diplomats have been dying to get a glimpse of her, so last night they got together with staff from Australia's Mission to the UN, some Australian restaurants in New York, an Australian wine company and some Australian musicians, and threw a party in her honour. People there from countries that normally do not speak to one another feasted on barramundi and kangaroo, drank Australian wine, and giggled like teenagers. Kidman did Australia proud, dressed in a sexy black Chanel suit with very low heels, so she did not overpower the important people. She radiated charm and worked the room like a politician. UN Under-Secretary-General Shashi Tharoor said it was "unprecedented" for the UN to give Hollywood permission to make a film at its headquarters. "We hope it's consistent with the goals of the UN," film director Sydney Pollack told UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan yesterday. Filming started seven weeks ago; Mr Tharoor said real life at headquarters was likely "a little less exciting" than Kidman's character experiences (the film is a thriller). Despite the PR people insisting no press, journalists eased a few words from Kidman who said filming at the UN had been very good and made the experience more authentic. Afterward, Australia's consul-general, Ken Allen, responsible for escorting Kidman around the room, could be seen trembling by the bar. "Look at me!" he said, with his shaking hand outstretched. He was, he said, overwhelmed by Kidman's beauty, and said: "She's such a sweet, Aussie girl." Australian ambassador to the UN John Dauth said several diplomats were so thrilled to meet Kidman they had joked: "What does Australia want from the UN? Tell us, and we'll vote for it." This story was found at: http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2004/04/27/1082831551331.html

[ravingnutter]

Related news story heads up:

FNC reports Marc Rich tied to UN Oil for Food Scandal

[fly_so_free]

Oh well it just figures , doesn't it? This story of the UN corruption must be brought to the attention of the American people. They have to understand that , there is no UN to turn our troubles over too. They are corrupt and they cowered, ran out , when things got tough.

[Mr. Silverback]

This is a UN issue; CSPAN mission is coverage of US political process.....

U.S. troops are dying now in a war that might not have been fought if there was no under the table support of Saddam through Oil For Food. American tax dollars are funding the UN, and they are headquartered on our soil. This is an American issue.

[RightWhale]

What if it turns out to involve some US officials as well as officials of other countries and the UN?

[Little Ray]

Sure. The Poles hate us. So do the Italians and the Brits.

Europe is not France, Germany, and Belguim. Plenty of folks like, and many have committed troops and treasure to this battle.

[CyberAnt]

I've also been watching for a rerun of VP Cheney's Westminister speech - nothing! I sent them an email today.