19 thoughts on “UN Food For Oil Scandal”

  1. Just curious, is your bidding system American Standard or do you use some other, say modified Rome or is it Roman?

  2. Come on Timmy…I’m sure you’re chomping at the bit to dive into this one…it’s your story…what’s your take?

  5. I’m busy filling in the pages that were “intentionally left blank.” I’m also looking through the report for a page that says “This page accidentally left blank.”

  6. Tomsyl: I’m busy filling in the pages that were “intentionally left blank.” I’m also looking through the report for a page that says “This page accidentally left blank.”
    You might enjoy this site, ‘syl.

  7. Which gadgets, if you don’t mind my asking?
    The fact that both Sebastian and Thorley are representing the right and the bridge players here makes me wonder how many self-identified leftists or democratics play the game. I ran across that 2002 NYT profile of the Randian duplicate bridge player just yesterday.
    So, a survey? One left-leaning, somewhat inept bridge-player over here. (But I usually only get to play with my Reagan-Democrat family.)

  8. The Economist has a good piece on OFF. The final paragraph:

    But, for most observers, the big questions still concern the UN’s own mistakes and misdeeds: why was the conflicted Mr Sevan left in charge of such an important programme? And, given the scale of the mess, should the secretary-general not be seeking a new job himself?

    Fair questions.

  9. “So, a survey? One left-leaning, somewhat inept bridge-player over here.”
    A left-leaning bridge player here too. And I play one of them foreign models, even (Simplified Precision). Other than on my computer, I don’t play enough any more (pressures of work and family).

  10. Let’s try this another way:
    But, for most observers, the big questions still concern the [US]’s own mistakes and misdeeds: why was the [incompetent] [Mr Rumsfeld/Ms Rice/Mr Tenet/et al] left in charge of such an important programme? And, given the scale of the mess[es], should the [president] not be seeking a new job himself?
    I’m wonder if Charles also believes that these are fair questions. Somehow, I doubt it–Charles applies vastly different standards to those he supports than to those he opposes.
    I will, of course, happily accept a Karnak for mindreading if Chas admits that the scale of Bush’s messes really should have him checking the Crawford want ads.

  11. Come on Timmy…I’m sure you’re chomping at the bit to dive into this one…it’s your story…what’s your take?
    Eddie, my take is simply this, the UN containment program was full of wholes; we should leave no stone unturned in getting to the bottom of this; and UN officials can be bought (btw this isn’t news) as can other governmental officials.
    As an institution the UN has many current opportunities to redeem itself such as the Sudan. My guess, is the US will bid four clubs (a minislam force, asking for Aces) and the UN (our partner) will pass.

  13. So, a survey? One left-leaning, somewhat inept bridge-player over here.
    Ditto; haven’t played in years. My friends are starting up again, but sadly at a time I can’t make. C’est la vie.

  14. OFF scandal? Clearly the work of a few bad apples…
    But for the real question (about bridge), I’ve always wanted to learn how, but have never been in one place long enough to do so. I throw this theory out to be shot full of holes, but might it be that those on the left of the scale end up moving around more and therefore don’t have as much of a chance to learn, given that (I think) bridge is not something one can teach themselves and it’s not something you can pick up like hearts or spades. Thus, it’s not a question of desire, just one of opportunity. Counterexamples eagerly sought.

  15. I’m wonder if Charles also believes that these are fair questions. Somehow, I doubt it–Charles applies vastly different standards to those he supports than to those he opposes.
    If I thought Iraq the “catastrophic failure” that Ted Kennedy (and apparently you) thinks it is, I would agree that Bush should have been fired from his job. Last Sunday’s election showed how wrong Kennedy was. Nice attack, though.

  16. Bird: If I thought Iraq the “catastrophic failure” that Ted Kennedy (and apparently you) thinks it is, I would agree that Bush should have been fired from his job.
    And when you realise you’ve been chumped, again, it will probably be too late to have Bush fired.
    Have you figured out a campaign strategy for how you’re going to get the pro-torture the-President-is-above-the-law Attorney General out of office, so that the house cleaning you wanted can begin?

  17. LJ–
    “it’s not something you can pick up like hearts or spades”
    That depends on the willingness of the teacher to play at a beginner’s level. I’m trying to teach some people how to play these days, and I usually find that after an hour of instruction and practice rounds, we can have some decent play. It ain’t good bridge, but it’s something.

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