Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Bin Laden Family Could Profit From a Jump In Defense Spending Due to Ties to U.S. Bank
Wall Street Journal Online ^ | September 27, 2001 | DANIEL GOLDEN, JAMES BANDLER and MARCUS WALKER

Posted on 09/28/2001 10:08:18 PM PDT by Beep

Edited on 04/22/2004 11:45:33 PM PDT by Jim Robinson. [history]

If the U.S. boosts defense spending in its quest to stop Osama bin Laden's alleged terrorist activities, there may be one unexpected beneficiary: Mr. bin Laden's family.

Among its far-flung business interests, the well-heeled Saudi Arabian clan -- which says it is estranged from Osama -- is an investor in a fund established by Carlyle Group, a well-connected Washington merchant bank specializing in buyouts of defense and aerospace companies.


(Excerpt) Read more at interactive.wsj.com ...


TOPICS: Front Page News; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: binladenfamily
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-20 ... 121-140141-160161-180 ... 221 next last
To: Howlin
The biggest joke on this thread right now, Howlin, is you.

"First blood" - a light imitation of some of the more effusive Guild ladies, and you act as though I fired a shot in someone's heart.

YOU may have missed the joke, put apparently a lot of OTHER people saw it was in good humor.

Don't accuse me of insidiousness simply because you're too hyper-sensitive to appreciate a joke, or possibly too self-absorbed not to take everything as a personal affront.

141 posted on 09/30/2001 3:34:52 PM PDT by Mercuria
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 139 | View Replies]

To: Askel5
You kept your temper longer than I did.

SLJP will keep contact via FReepmail, so I'll go unwind away from this thread with a Virgin Mary.

If you care to join me later, you have to tell me the story behind the foundation of all that Mardi Gras beads business.

142 posted on 09/30/2001 3:47:05 PM PDT by Mercuria
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 140 | View Replies]

To: Mercuria; Howlin; Irma; Askel5; deport; ALL
Okey-dokey then. . . . About the Guild. Let me tell you what I've observed about the Guild and why I post on those threads. I believe I can also answer the question as to their current purpose.

We'll start with the latter. When I joined, it was in the aftermath of 9/11. The purpose of the Guild, according to what I have read there, has been shifted as a result. Their current purpose is to provide support for our President, his staff, the folks at Ground Zero/Ground Hero, the victims and families of the 9/11 attack, the brave young men and women who serve in our military, and the eradication of terrorism. The Guild is searching to do this on many levels, and is currently investigating the possible ways its members can serve their country. No task is too small or unappreciated. Admirable, IMHO.

As for the tone of the Guild -- it is more tongue-in-cheek than not about being a "ladies' society." Humor is the norm and the rule, rather than the exception. The Guild also is a "safe harbor" (not having a thing to do with whether or not it is "landlocked," Andy Rooney! ;-p), where we know we will not be flamed, ridiculed, mocked, or judged. We can just relax, let loose, and be ourselves.

If we so choose, we can also feel free to engage in intelligent discourse concerning current events, history, and everything in between. As an added bonus, the Guild members also truly care about each other, and provide support to each other when needed. The Guild is comprised of members who are also conscientiously aware of their spirituality. The bulk of its members, if not all, are Christians. We pray for each other as needed, and share uplifting Biblical scriptures and concepts. Again, admirable.

Now -- I don't know how any of that could be held up for ridicule. Support, activism, spirituality, humor, and intelligent conversation. . . . Doesn't sound funny to me! Not funny ha-ha or funny-strange. Neither one. If there is a reason why any of what I just wrote about is funny, I'd like to know what it is?! I am not accusing anyone of anything, because I haven't been here long enough to see anything with my own eyes. However, since the concept was brought up, I thought I would address it and ask the question.

So there ya go! Addressed, asked -- finis!

143 posted on 09/30/2001 3:50:23 PM PDT by Beep
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 134 | View Replies]

To: Mercuria
The biggest joke on this thread right now, Howlin, is you.

That remark would be laughable if it wasn't so pathetic.

YOU may have missed the joke, put apparently a lot of OTHER people saw it was in good humor.

It looks like to me just as many people *didn't* get the joke, now that I have read back through it.

I guess we'll all have to run out and buy the Cliff Notes for "Mercuria Humor" since you keep being "misunderstood."

144 posted on 09/30/2001 3:52:17 PM PDT by Howlin
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 141 | View Replies]

To: Mercuria
Cool.

You don't mind my calling you a dame, do ya?

(Didn't think so ... =)

Let me go get some smokes. I got some spicey pickled okra (and 1/2 a liter of Stoli) to dress that Virgin Mary if you like.

145 posted on 09/30/2001 3:52:34 PM PDT by Askel5
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 142 | View Replies]

To: Mercuria ; Howlin
Tuesday is "Baggin' On Merc Night" in the speculation forums! WHEEEEEEEEEE!! **G**

What do they think? It's not tuesday yet. I mean, is it?

146 posted on 09/30/2001 3:53:10 PM PDT by lowbridge
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 137 | View Replies]

To: Askel5
Did you SEE what Larry Klayman was wearing at that deposition??????

IT WAS SO FIVE MINUTES AGO.....

147 posted on 09/30/2001 3:54:01 PM PDT by diotima
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 140 | View Replies]

To: SLJP
Trust me, SLJP, I'd expect to find more than a few of my beloved family and friends hanging with the Guild.

I think of it as an FR Sodality of sorts and actually bear no ill will whatsoever even if I'm occasionally exasperated.

(My intruding upon the Guild after Cheney's war cry to "Keep Spending" was one such occasion. till, I think it's clear I'm not tossing throw pillows or scuffing the floors for spite. They are welcome to think of me as the somewhat likeable but unfortunately idealistic -- and sometimes rough around the edges -- dreamer next door who occasionally brings in a bottle of Whine to the party.)

Regards.

148 posted on 09/30/2001 3:56:47 PM PDT by Askel5
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 143 | View Replies]

To: diotima ... Lol! ... (Now you've done it ... he's no longer sartorially safe ... =)

149 posted on 09/30/2001 3:58:50 PM PDT by Askel5
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 147 | View Replies]

To: Askel5
"I've hung out a bit with some of his staff ... all of whom have impressed me greatly. (I've been dinking around with lawyers my entire life, thank you. I know the difference between warrior and weasel.) "

Name names. I warn you in advance that I will be able to contradict you. Klayman is a weasal, not a warrior, as anyone who has ever worked with him could attest. He is a consummate con artist and flim-flam man. He has no jury trial experience and has no business representing clients with legitimate legal problems.

Maybe you should take the measure of men the ilk of Larry Klayman when you haven't been drinking.
150 posted on 09/30/2001 3:58:58 PM PDT by Iwo Jima
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 140 | View Replies]

To: Askel5
I'm not trying to discredit Larry Klayman. I don't believe he has one bit of credibility to loose. And it doesn't have anything at ALL to do with how I FEEL.

It comes from being inside a courthouse for over 20 years, local, state, and Federal, and seeing REAL lawyers work. I don't just *feel* he's an ambulance chaser, I know one when I see one.

If you're simply superior as you say, surely you can take some ribbing from time to time or admit that the Guild's basically just a group of friends who like to shoot the bull together over tea and crumpets.

I never said any such thing, ever, and it's pretty tacky of you to continue to insinuate that I am anything but a reader of The Guild anymore. You can check it out by looking at my posts.......I know you know how, being such a good researcher and all. :-)

To be honest, dames like Mercuria and me find the Hyacinth Bucket routine a little insulting ourselves.

Being honest, I find "dames" like you and Mercuria a little insulting to some kinds of women, Guilders or not.

One thing about you, though, Askel, you always admit right up front where you're coming from. When you "strike" you always cop to it; you don't run off and say you've been misunderstood.

151 posted on 09/30/2001 4:02:23 PM PDT by Howlin
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 140 | View Replies]

To: lowbridge
Wow, what a surprise to see you here. And diotima, too. I guess Twodess will be along any second, huh?

Just like the thread back in May.

152 posted on 09/30/2001 4:07:58 PM PDT by Howlin
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 146 | View Replies]

To: Mercuria and all
I'd love a link to the humor thread you're refering to.....I assume it's not "Bush Republic" because that's sadly gone missing.

Link anyone?

153 posted on 09/30/2001 4:13:06 PM PDT by Artist
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 142 | View Replies]

To: Askel5; Howlin; Irma; deport; Mercuria; ALL
Idealistic dreaming is all well and good, and I've done more than my fair share of it, God knows -- but having bucked the societal norm and the ever-present "system" for oh-so-many years, I find it blindingly trivial to do so just so one can say that one did. If you know what I mean?! Live and let live. I have to tell you, life can be a bitch and more, and extraordinarily exhausting. Having been through all that I have in my life thus far, I find it prudent to choose my battles more wisely. I refuse to be fatigued by harping on sororities or fraternities, regardless of whether I find them mindless or not. I have precious few energy anymore at present anyway, and a long road ahead of me that will doubtless be strewn with obstacles from every imaginable realm. Gosh and doggone it, but life just "ain't fair." *snuffle*

I choose to let the radicals have their meaningless protests and bash-sessions, uninterrupted by me, because it makes them feel so important and smug. (The meaningful ones are another matter entirely.) I wouldn't want to tug their security blanket out from under them, and have them mentally crashing in a bloody, tear-stained heap. Not knowing where to find solace, they would likely turn upon one another in a desperate attempt to survive. It's just not worth it.

Don't sweat the small stuff. Ninety-nine percent of it is "small stuff." Upon staring death in the face, I don't want to have to look back on my life as a ridiculous war waged against my fellow "human beans," especially when they are, for the most part, like-minded. The only battles worth fighting are the major ones. I choose to save my strength for the major ones, be they mine or those of a friend or family member. Or the country I was born in, and love with my whole heart.

Soooooo -- that being said, methinks I shall take a break from this thread before I encounter a pounding headache. Small stuff just isn't worth it to me. . . .

154 posted on 09/30/2001 4:36:01 PM PDT by Beep
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 148 | View Replies]

To: Howlin
Its a reunion. Actually I was reading the thread and didn't have the time to post a long substantive missive, but when I saw Askel mention a potential fashion critique of Klayman, I had to act.

Having said that, I am not a big fan of Klayman. I admire the principle behind his work, but he is curiously ineffective. I believe whole heartedly in government watchdogs regardless of the party in power, but Klayman seems like he wants facetime with the media and money. Then maybe some successful lawsuits. I also have noticed that the nature of his lawsuits and investigations are getting progressively stranger. I don't really take him all that seriously anymore, and I used to be a JW supporter.

If in fact Klayman has no other source for his press release than the WSJ then I think he is a dispicable liar. If he has more information I would be interested in learning about the Bush/Bin Laden meetings. At this point, I just think he cries wolf.

155 posted on 09/30/2001 4:39:30 PM PDT by diotima
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 152 | View Replies]

To: diotima
Well, he always DOES seem to wear a light gray suit; I think he thinks it accents his hair. :-)
156 posted on 09/30/2001 4:41:24 PM PDT by Howlin
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 155 | View Replies]

To: Mercuria
I said I was bailing from this thread. Ok, I lied....;~)

Seriously, I just wanted to set the record straight.......well straight in MY mind....LOL

But now I see that Irma somehow thinks I'm dodging her, and kind of pinches me for not responding on a MONTH OLD THREAD. My non-response was an oversight. I'm kind of busy and can't always respond on every thread where I am pinged. Didn't intend to seem as if I was "slighting" you, Irma.

First....I think you know me better than that, Merc. We have always been able to politely disagree on political issues without getting personal. I hope that can continue. Maybe one day we'll even agree! LOL! I do not feel "slighted" by your nonresponse in the least, but I am rather frustrated by the mountains of information, links and other facts I've posted over the months regarding Klayman which generally goes unanswered by his defenders such as yourself. That was my larger point though I admit, poorly made. My reference to your not responding to that one month old thread was just one example (away from this thread) which I happen to have handy. (BTW, I still don't have an answer for the question I posed to you and Askel in my #92. Care to ask Klayman when you make that call?)*VBG*

Second, I am not comfortable discussing the Guild or any other freeper for that matter if that person(s) is/are not pinged to the thread. I can only speak for myself. If the current Guild members want to venture from their thread and discuss their current goals with you, that's one thing. I am simply not going to do it. Frankly I don't know what their goals might be as I've not posted there for some time and don't keep up with their threads. That being said, I am however, somewhat intrigued by your (and Askel's) desire to move the discussion on this thread from Klayman to the Guild. I see now from the link above that this is not the first time that this has happened. I'm not sure why you think some threads should not exist if Jim Rob has no problem with them.

Third, since I'm on a liquid diet today for a test I must have in the morning (not serious), mind if I join you for one of those drinks? ;~)

157 posted on 09/30/2001 5:15:24 PM PDT by Irma
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 138 | View Replies]

To: SLJP
Soooooo -- that being said, methinks I shall take a break from this thread before I encounter a pounding headache.

Yeah, that's what I said up the thread. **grin**

I'm with you....let's move!

158 posted on 09/30/2001 5:21:14 PM PDT by Irma
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 154 | View Replies]

To: Howlin
“This conflict of interest has now turned into a scandal. The idea of the President’s father, an ex-president himself, doing business with a company under investigation by the FBI in the terror attacks of September 11 is horrible.

Klayman pretty much nailed it.

159 posted on 09/30/2001 5:27:46 PM PDT by Inspector Harry Callahan
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: Askel5
Amazing!

I use the magic words "bush bashers" and YOU appear immediately.

And we thought you were just an "urban legend"!

160 posted on 09/30/2001 5:34:48 PM PDT by eccl1212
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 104 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-20 ... 121-140141-160161-180 ... 221 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson