Paul O'Neill - Dr. Weird or Dr. Good? (Re: African Tour)

[JailForBush]

People are now debating whether Paul O'Neill is a hero or a corporate crook who told all for revenge or personal gain. One piece of the puzzle that I find particularly intriguing is his tour of Africa with rock star Bono.

I initially thought they were just playing along with George W. Bush and Bill Gates, who have exploited AIDS with the same viciousness they unleash on America's children.

So I was surprised when I watched the "60 Minutes" interview, which revealed that George W. Bush apparently wasn't too happy with O'Neill's African jaunt, and even insulted him in public over it. Or was that just a ploy, or a misunderstood quip?

I find it hard to believe that Paul O'Neill really gives a damn about Africans. It seems that altruisum probably wasn't involved in his spectacular betrayal of Bush.

And yet Paul O'Neill is on record as speaking out against Bush's sinister tax cuts. In fact, I believe that was the major issue that got him fired. (As I recall, Alan Greenspan was also critical of some of Bush's economic assaults, though he didn't need much persuasion to shut his mouth.) If you examine O'Neill's record - at least since he served in Bush's administration - there's abundant evidence to indicate that he's not cut from the same cloth as those awful corporate whores he worked with. Or is there something else going on?

[Printer70]

1. Treasury Secretary at work

LOL- stupid, unemployed Republican. Do you think Bono even takes his phone calls now?

[CatWoman]

2. He WAS working

and I would think Bono would be honored to take his call.

I know I would.

[Printer70]

5. Bono will not take his call

Bono shrewdly used O'Neill when doing so gave him visibility to get the $5B AIDS bill passed. But seriously, would a rock-star want to hang out with an old fart now that he has no usefulness? LOL.

*BTW, Bono rocks.

[Kinkistyle]

10. Yes, its impossible to be on good terms with a republican

Because all Republicans are evil right?

[Carni]

3. Remember the Bono/Helms intrigue?

I can't help but wonder...

Bono lobbies Helms.

Helms recants on some previous opinions then retires.

Now O'Neill!

What the hell is Bono doing to these people? LOL

[wroberts189]

4. I am perplexed as well

And taking a good closer look.

It appears as if he is an old school republican.. you know .. when they still believed in their ideals and were not just common crooks.

He did some stupid things... but whats consistent is his integrity.. he is straight and upfront with you (evan if its dumb).. thats what I see at least.

I hear no lies from this man... could this be an actual honest republican?

[scheming daemons]

6. O'Neill Deserves a Medal

He's doing a very courageous thing. He's putting his ass on the line for the TRUTH.

He's accepting no honoraria on the book, and he's in the midst of being attacked by Bush's treasury department.

He's "speaking truth to power". Isn't that what we all claim that WE'RE about?

He's my "Time Man of the Year" for this new year at this point.

Whistle-blowing, when you are dealing with thugs like Karl Rove, takes a special kind of courage. Ask Joe Wilson and Valeri Plamme.

Paul O'Neill's comment - "I'm old and I'm rich. There's nothing they can do to me" is about to be severely tested.

Did you notice that in all the attacks and calling for O'Neill's head, that NOBODY is questioning whether O'Neill is actually telling the truth? The fact that Hannity, Rush, etc AND THE WHITE HOUSE, are attacking O'Neill is not revealing. The fact that none of their attacks question the assertions made by O'Neill is very telling.

I'm from Pittsburgh, the same home town as O'Neill. Trust me, this guy has been a Republican his whole life. A northeastern, Rockefeller-ish and Ford-ish Republican sure, but not a Democratic bone in his body.

The revelations in this book are BIG. And I think this allows Colin Powell the ability to summon up the courage to resign and tell the truth.

Think they'll attack Colin Powell in an election year? Oh please, let it happen.

[frank frankly]

7. welcome to DU from another Pittsburgher!

good analysis...and I agree with your assessment of O'Neill.

[scheming daemons]

8. The next two shoes to drop....

...hopefully....


Will come from Kristy Whitman and Colin Powell ... the only two halfway decent people left from Bush's inner circle.

I don't think Whitman is in as good a position as Powell to do it just yet. Rove would have her skinned alive.

But Rove and company can't touch Powell... and they know it.

Who else do you folks think might pull an "O'Neill"?

Besides those two, it seems the rest of Bush's inner circle are true believers - so I doubt it.

[rumguy]

9. here, here - great post...