smells like Kissinger, but he only slept with starlets

March 26, 2005 1:21 PM

Oh Wolfie! Wolfie! Invade me like you invaded Iraq! Pegged to head the World Bank, is Wolfowitz' lover, Shaha Riza, one of the reasons we invaded Iraq? Critics say it would be impossible for Wolfie - as he is nicknamed by Bush - to make independent decisions when his lover, who works on Middle Eastern and North African issues, is so committed to overthrowing Middle Eastern regimes. "His womanising has come home to roost," a Washington insider said. "Paul was a foreign policy hawk long before he met Shaha but it doesn't look good to be accused of being under the thumb of your mistress."
posted by amberglow (34 comments total)

Hmm... as distasteful as it is to me, I have to suggest that personal relationships such as this should not be regarded so heavily. So he's got a little birdie on his shoulder, a hawkie to be precise, well jesus who needs one when the whole administration is people propping up each other's policies? I think it is small of the World Bank to bring this up - I don't want him there, really, as a prime architect of a foolishly conducted war, but if they don't want him there they will need to come up with more than "His mistress has his ear and do you know what she says?"
posted by BlackLeotardFront at 1:32 PM on March 26, 2005

Well, it makes the whole decision to put him in the World Bank at all make more sense, given his absolute non-experience in the field. It's the only known connection.
posted by amberglow at 1:34 PM on March 26, 2005

Dangle that participle, amberglow! Wolfowitz, not his lover, is pegged to head the World Bank.
posted by nicwolff at 1:41 PM on March 26, 2005

oops, sorry--it's very juicy gossip anyway, and not all that's apparently dangling, no?
posted by amberglow at 1:48 PM on March 26, 2005

Maybe instead of the outrage, we should look at the good side of this. They're never going to actually appoint a fine lady to head to the World Bank, so being the leader's mistress is the best position of power open to Shaha Riza. I think they want her to be in charge. That she's figured out a good way to be so has to recommend her somehwat.

Man, I know it's spring when amber and nicwolff discussing dangling participles seems kind of hot.
posted by dame at 1:57 PM on March 26, 2005

To his credit she is pretty hot.
posted by tkchrist at 1:58 PM on March 26, 2005

Sping - that time of year when a young man's dangling participle turns to copula.

Or when an old man's arab feminist girlfriend turns to a political liability.
posted by BlackLeotardFront at 2:12 PM on March 26, 2005

Of course, when it was Clinton banging an intern, everyone was in a complete uproar.... but I'm sure the Right will come up with some reason why THIS instance of banging is forgivable. This one 'isn't an employee' or some crap like that. "He's allowed to live his personal life privately."

I actually think he should be allowed to bang whoever the hell he wants. It didn't impair Clinton's judgement and I'm sure it has little to do with Wolfowitz'. But, since the Republicans wouldn't give Clinton that basic courtesy, I could hardly blame the Democrats for going after this one if they chose to.

Of course, there's also the fact that this hasn't been proven yet, to the best of my knowledge....
posted by Malor at 2:20 PM on March 26, 2005

A new Amberglow low. Congrads.
posted by ParisParamus at 2:40 PM on March 26, 2005

BLF, I think I love you. Or maybe that's just the daffodills talking.
posted by dame at 2:54 PM on March 26, 2005

I'm going to have to agree with the double P man, if only because I'm currently unable to get the vision of a sweaty naked Paul Wolfowitz out of my head.
posted by TheSpook at 2:55 PM on March 26, 2005

... if only because I'm currently unable to get the vision of a sweaty naked Paul Wolfowitz out of my head.
That makes it all worthwhile. ; >

I think a big Likudnik with a Arab girlfriend is immensely interesting. You don't think so, PP?
posted by amberglow at 2:57 PM on March 26, 2005

Damn, once again we have to worry about-- should we waste our breath pointing out the hypocrisy of politicians we hate, or opposing their policies, which we hate more? I guess it's all a matter of balance.

Personally I think this woman is the most interesting thing about Wolfowitz. I just don't want to picture their coital bliss.
posted by gesamtkunstwerk at 3:05 PM on March 26, 2005

digby's on the case too: (including a reminder of both Clinton and Bush 1's girlfriends) ...Even his wife thinks he might be a threat to national security. It would be very irresponsible not to speculate that Wolfowitz is being blackmailed by a beguiling, invasion-mad, Tunisian she-devil. It really would....
posted by amberglow at 3:31 PM on March 26, 2005

Bah, too many conspiracies. Wolfowitz manipulated Bush to conduct secret grand plans hatched as part of the New American Century Project. Or Israel is manipulating Wolfowitz. Or he is being manipulated by his Arab-Feminist girlfriend. Or perhaps it was all Cornell University's fault.

Conspiracies should give way to facts, and there are plenty to be had, on Wolfowitz, his history, and the World Bank. A more interesting profile of Wolfowitz is the one in the New Yorker. The Daily Show also had an interesting bit on his nomination. And the inside scoop from bloggers at the bank is here.
posted by blahblahblah at 4:09 PM on March 26, 2005

THose are good links, blah. I don't think Amber's post relies on the tinfoil hat aspect. Unlike past administrations, the neo-cons draw on very limited experience with the middle-east, outside of originally supporting what would one day be Al Queda, selling arms to Iraq, and putting Saddam Hussien in power. They listen to very few people and consult very few specialists. It's import to understand this woman and her influence.

There are, however, many clear-cut reasons to oppose Wolfowitz that are perfectly transparent: he's widely hated already, and attracts wrath, justified and knee jerk that the World Bank Group doesn't need; and has no positive track record to suggest he'd do a good job in this very difficult post.
posted by gesamtkunstwerk at 4:33 PM on March 26, 2005

Actually, this is yet another brilliant appointment by the Bush administration. PW has the outlook that will help drive the European mentality into remission at the World Bank.

First Mr. Bolton, and now this! Thank you, Mr. President for more smark, courageous, out-of-the-box thinking.
posted by ParisParamus at 7:42 PM on March 26, 2005

smart.
posted by ParisParamus at 7:46 PM on March 26, 2005

Yes, next he can hire Fred Phelps to head up the EEOC. That'll shake things up!
posted by fungible at 7:50 PM on March 26, 2005

Of course, when it was Clinton banging an intern, everyone was in a complete uproar.... but I'm sure the Right will come up with some reason why THIS instance of banging is forgivable. This one 'isn't an employee' or some crap like that. "He's allowed to live his personal life privately."

Are you saying Wolfowitz is getting blowjobs at work from an intern who works for him and is young enough to be his own daughter? If not, what exactly is your point, other than petty partisan griping?
posted by Goedel at 2:18 AM on March 27, 2005

Let me add that it's a mighty curious attitude which sees nothing wrong with a man receiving sexual favors from a young woman who works under his authority: at worst, such behavior is usually called "sexual harassment", and at best it leads to worries about favoritism and resentment from others in the work environment. It is a big deal whether or not an authority figure chooses to stick it to someone who works for him, and to attempt to equate Wolfowitz's situation with Clinton's "bimbo eruption" is just plain ridiculous: "some crap like that" indeed!
posted by Goedel at 2:24 AM on March 27, 2005

> Of course, when it was Clinton banging an intern, everyone was in a complete
> uproar.... but I'm sure the Right will come up with some reason why THIS
> instance of banging is forgivable. This one 'isn't an employee' or some
> crap like that. "He's allowed to live his personal life privately."

Clinton was married, Wolfowitz is not. What makes adultery so particularly vile is the oathbreaking and treachery to a loved one, not the sex.
posted by jfuller at 5:58 AM on March 27, 2005

"Yes, next he can hire Fred Phelps to head up the EEOC. That'll shake things up!"

Because he will zealously enforce EEO laws? Your logic has Left you.
posted by ParisParamus at 7:21 AM on March 27, 2005

Ah, Monica! It seems like yesterday.

I remember hoping again hope that Mr Lewinski would march to the White House gates, horsewhip at the ready, and demand satisfaction.

Alas, we live in a sloven age.
posted by IndigoJones at 7:36 AM on March 27, 2005

Clinton was married, Wolfowitz is not. What makes adultery so particularly vile is the oathbreaking and treachery to a loved one, not the sex.
No one has found any divorce or other legal papers proving they're not married anymore (did you even read the link?), nor does the wife admit they're legally separated. There have been other affairs too. The wife actually warned Bush about them: And the row comes amid claims that Wolfowitz's wife Clare once warned George Bush of the threat to national security any infidelity by her husband could cause. ... She also refused to confirm her marital status - reports of his appointment repeatedly describe Wolfowitz as divorced but The Mail on Sunday has been unable to find any records. Asked if she is separated or divorced, Clare replied: "That's my business."

This is clearly adultery, and a possible national security issue as well.
posted by amberglow at 7:50 AM on March 27, 2005

Actually Wolfowitz IS married.

And on preview to a madwoman.
posted by fshgrl at 8:22 AM on March 27, 2005

Married, separated, divorced- you can find articles saying any of these if you look. Anyone seen the court papers?
posted by IndigoJones at 8:34 AM on March 27, 2005

Because he will zealously enforce EEO laws? Your logic has Left you.

He hired a UN-hater to be our link to the UN. He hired a man with no economics experience to be head of the World Bank. Why not hire a bigot as his front man on civil rights? If this is Bush's plan, it's the Right thing to do.
posted by fungible at 9:02 AM on March 27, 2005

fungible, PP's knee-jerk defense of everything they do makes him blind to sarcasm or irony or anything.
posted by amberglow at 9:19 AM on March 27, 2005

Don't you get it: I want a UN-hater, or rather, someone who hates to UN in its present form. Only an amoral, cynical person would like the UN in its present form.

There was a rumor reported on DrudgeReport.com that Annan is depressed and thinking of resigning. That would be sweet, although I suspect it's just PR management by Annan.
posted by ParisParamus at 4:58 AM on March 28, 2005

I do get it: There's nothing wrong with hiring a critic of an organization to be your liaison to that organization. The difference is, Bolton would prefer to abolish it than improve it. As for Wolfowitz, well, there's a paragon of management genius for you.

Annan, meanwhile, has all of his good intentions crushed by the same Republican "gotcha" machine that paralyzed Clinton.
posted by fungible at 7:45 AM on March 28, 2005

Sorry you Lefty D---heads: European officials expressed support today for Paul Wolfowitz as head of the World Bank after a meeting at the E.U. headquarters in Brussels--The NYT Right Now.
posted by ParisParamus at 10:19 AM on March 30, 2005

Bolton doesn't want to abolish it. He just wants to change it so that it's not recognizable. And I salute him for that.
posted by ParisParamus at 10:20 AM on March 30, 2005

The Bank's Staff Association seems awed and cowed by the new presidential appointment. An open letter sent to Wolfowitz by the Association is diplomatic, positive and vague. So much so in fact that Bank staff who were supposedly "consulted" by their Association may want to think about a leadership contest for that august body.

Meanwhile Bank staff are indicating that none of them will be prepared to challenge Wolfowitz's partner Shaha Ali Riza for the senior Bank job she is applying for.

Riza is applying for an advisor level position in the Bank's Middle East/North Africa (MENA). A Bank staffer wrote to the Village Voice: "they pretend to advertise this job internally, but no one will apply for it. They'd risk pissing her off, and nobody here's under any illusion that she won't get it". ...
posted by amberglow at 8:52 PM on April 13, 2005