By Mr. Curmudgeon
Stimulus has become a four-letter world to most Americans. But in Africa, a marginally altered version is much appreciated. Pressed against the dust-filled and pot marked roads on the east side of Kenya’s capitol city Nairobi, sit shopping centers, high-rise apartment buildings and hotels. The Times of London reports that a resident of the area in question said, “People talk of a global recession, but here there’s no recession.” Unlike America, Kenya is experiencing something of a building boom. Where is all the money coming from? No, it’s not from Kenya’s government or even U.S. foreign aid. The little enclave in east Nairobi, known locally as “little Somalia,” owes its good fortune to the misfortune of others – Somali pirates are here, and they’re investing their ill-gotten gains.
Before you shake your head in disapproval, you need to ask yourself: how does this differ in any way from President Obama and Nancy Pelosi’s acts of piracy? Like brigands, they plot their strategy behind closed doors, denying entry to anyone outside the Democratic Party clan. They attack in the dead of night, well outside of camera view – especially C-Span cameras. But you shouldn’t expect transparency from those who plot in a pirate’s den.
C-Span CEO Brian Lamb sent letters to Democratic Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi requesting that the upcoming Senate/House negotiations to reconcile both chamber’s health care legislation be televised. In his letter Lamb said:
“President Obama, Senate and House leaders, many of your rank-and-file members, and the nation’s editorial pages have all talked about the value of transparent discussions on reforming the nation’s health care system. Now that the process moves to the critical stage of reconciliation between the Chambers, we respectfully request that you allow the public full access, through television, to legislation that will affect the lives of every single American.”
When confronted by reporters, Pelosi’s response to Lamb’s request was simple, “There has never been a more open process for any legislation," Pelosi said. She then added (queue the ominous music), “We will do what is necessary to pass the bill.”
Most people are unaware that pirates of old were true democrats (small d). They elected their captains and set aside extra shares of treasure for shipmates wounded in combat (an early health care program). There was only one problem with pirate democracy; in time, these eye-patched voters answered to the King’s justice. Many pirates ended their careers hanging from a yardarm. More recently, true Democratic pirates (big D) believed their majority status was a license to plunder. In their pirate zeal, they foolishly ransacked the crew. Now Captain Obama, first and second mates Pelosi and Reid, face a motley crew ready to break out the gangplank. It will make for compelling television. And in this case, C-Span will be there.
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