Cheney caught with massive Halliburton holdings(Vanguard Group)

[librechik]

http://www.populist.com/03.19.burns.html

a close reading of Cheney's fiancial disclosure reveals hidden relationships...


snip

"This list footnotes some of the recent public discussion about Halliburton. On Meet the Press Sept. 14, Cheney disavowed any present connection to Halliburton: "And since I left Halliburton to become George Bush's vice president, I've severed all my ties with the company, gotten rid of all my financial interests. I have no financial interest in Halliburton of any kind and haven't had now for over three years." The statement was subsequently reinforced by spokespersons for both Cheney and Halliburton, who pointed out that Cheney's contract protects his benefits even if the company loses money.

The disclosure form paints a somewhat more nuanced picture. The Vanguard Group holdings are easily among Cheney's largest holdings. Assets are given in ranges (from $100,000 to $1M; from $1M to $5M; etc). Cheney's statement includes two holdings in the $500,000-$1M range; two holdings in the $1M-$5M range; and three holdings in the $5M-$25M range. Thus Cheney's assets invested with Vanguard Group total $18M to $87M. Given the size of Vanguard's stake in Halliburton, it is hard to imagine a mathematical possibility that Cheney's assets are unconnected to Halliburton's fortunes."

snip

[tridim]

1. I wish some reporter would just be honest

Cheney is still the CEO of Halliburton. I don't care what the financial reports say, the day he leaves office he's going to make bank. Everyone knows it, but nobody dares admit it. Why?

[Newsjock]

2. The national psychosis

Everyone knows it, but nobody dares admit it. Why?

Because the corruption is so huge, so vast, so all-encompassing, that acknowledging it and dealing with the reprecussions would cause unprecedented national chaos and turmoil. Joe Sixpack knows this deep down inside and just doesn't want the pain.

[Vitruvius]

3. And that is a textbook example of "cognitive dissonance".

Which is often propped up with "group-think" -- in this case, courtesy of the corporate media. And the Bu$h gang knows how to exploit both.

The good news is that people can snap out of it. And often do. Especially with proper counseling or other external stimuli such as -- in this case -- Democrats attacking the Bu$h gang at every opportunity, pointing to the prosperity we had when the Dems were in, and reminding people that we can have it again.

Thereby eliminating the group-think illusion, and putting peoples' "know it but can't-quite-say-it" worries into words.

We can win this. If we only try!

[Beetwasher]

4. Yup

That jes' 'bout sums it up...

[beanball]

5. Chaney

should be sent to Gitmo when he and shrub are booted out of office.

[Rose Siding]

6. So Vanguard is like a cut out?

Investment laundering? Is it legal? Why? This looks so direct. I'm so depressed.

[alcuno]

7. Wait a minute. Vanguard does a LOT of index funds.

And the Vanguard Group is probably the largest mutual fund company in the United States with a vast number of funds. It makes sense that they would hold a significant amount of Halliburton stock. I think this is a little misleading.

[librechik]

8. of course, it wouldn't be a problem

except that it's CHENEY

The scrupulously-ethical-avoiding-even-the-appearance-of-impropriety guy. Doesn't he have the obligation to "actually" get rid of his conflicts of interest rather than "technically?"