Molly on Hookergate

An example of why I love Molly Ivins: this excerpt from a recent column on the low-level CIA scandal being called "Hookergate":

I don't care what anyone smoked 20 years ago, I approve of those who boogie till they puke, and I don't care who anyone in politics is screwing in private, as long as they're not screwing the public.

On other hand, if you expect me to pass up a scandal involving poker, hookers and the Watergate building with crooked defense contractors and the No. 3 guy at the CIA, named Dusty Foggo (Dusty Foggo?! Be still my heart), you expect too much. Any journalist who claims Hookergate is not a legitimate scandal is dead -- has been for some time and needs to be unplugged. In addition to sex, drugs and rock 'n' roll, Hookergate is rife with public-interest questions, misfeasance, malfeasance and non-feasance, and many splendid moral points for the children. Recommended for Sunday school use, grades seven and above.

Molly on Hookergate

An example of why I love Molly Ivins: this excerpt from a recent column on the low-level CIA scandal being called "Hookergate":

I don't care what anyone smoked 20 years ago, I approve of those who boogie till they puke, and I don't care who anyone in politics is screwing in private, as long as they're not screwing the public.

On other hand, if you expect me to pass up a scandal involving poker, hookers and the Watergate building with crooked defense contractors and the No. 3 guy at the CIA, named Dusty Foggo (Dusty Foggo?! Be still my heart), you expect too much. Any journalist who claims Hookergate is not a legitimate scandal is dead -- has been for some time and needs to be unplugged. In addition to sex, drugs and rock 'n' roll, Hookergate is rife with public-interest questions, misfeasance, malfeasance and non-feasance, and many splendid moral points for the children. Recommended for Sunday school use, grades seven and above.

"Survivaball"

I swear, I can't tell whether this is serious or a goof. A Halliburton speech at a recent "Catastrophic Loss Conference" hosted by Lexis-Nexis unveiled a "Survivaball" (photos):

the units will sustainably protect managers from natural or cultural disturbances of any intensity or duration. The devices - looking like huge inflatable orbs - will include sophisticated communications systems, nutrient gathering capacities, onboard medical facilities, and a daunting defense infrastructure to ensure that the corporate mission will not go unfulfilled even when most human life is rendered impossible by catastrophes or the consequent epidemics and armed conflicts.

The speech and demo actually did occur. As for the product itself, surely they can't be serious. And yet...

[Thanks to liveavatar, this has been revealed to be an elaborate hoax by The Yes Men, a group that does political activism theatre and performed a similar prank related to the World Trade Organization talks in 2001.]

"Survivaball"

I swear, I can't tell whether this is serious or a goof. A Halliburton speech at a recent "Catastrophic Loss Conference" hosted by Lexis-Nexis unveiled a "Survivaball" (photos):

the units will sustainably protect managers from natural or cultural disturbances of any intensity or duration. The devices - looking like huge inflatable orbs - will include sophisticated communications systems, nutrient gathering capacities, onboard medical facilities, and a daunting defense infrastructure to ensure that the corporate mission will not go unfulfilled even when most human life is rendered impossible by catastrophes or the consequent epidemics and armed conflicts.

The speech and demo actually did occur. As for the product itself, surely they can't be serious. And yet...

[Thanks to liveavatar, this has been revealed to be an elaborate hoax by The Yes Men, a group that does political activism theatre and performed a similar prank related to the World Trade Organization talks in 2001.]