Where to start with this one? I don't particularly like theories about the world being controlled by evil geniuses, although one could make a strong argument that a great deal is orchestrated with the great illusion of being in control. In other words, it's true that there is a puppet theater, yet the puppet master(s) don't control things as much as they think.
Without saying, one way or the other on any specific case, here is one to pick on, just because they have been a spectacular upstart group, raising money at a million-dollars-a-clip, reportedly.
MONEY AND POLITICS:
WHAT DOES THIS MAKE IT LOOK LIKE WHO IS SETTING THE AGENDA IN AMERICA, EVEN IF THEY AREN'T?
The Washington Post lists the following members and donors for Freedom's Watch:
- Bradley A. Blakeman (president, a former deputy assistant to George W. Bush).
- Ari Fleischer (board member, former Bush press secretary).
- Matthew Brooks (board member, executive director of the Republican Jewish Coalition).
- Mel Sembler (donor, former ambassador to Italy who helped finance the 2000 Florida recount battle).
- John Templeton Jr. (donor, board member of the Templeton Growth Fund and financier of Let Freedom Ring).
- Sheldon Adelson (donor, CEO Las Vegas Sands Corporation and the third-richest American in Forbes magazine's rankings last year).
- Kevin E. Moley (donor, former U.S. ambassador to international organizations in Geneva, and a senior adviser to Dick Cheney during the 2000 campaign).
- Howard Leach (donor, CEO Leach Capital and former ambassador to France who also helped fund the Florida Recount).
- Anthony Gioia (donor, head of Gioia Management and former ambassador to Malta).
- Richard Fox (donor, co-founder of the Republican Jewish Coalition).
- Gary Erlbaum (donor, owner of Greentree Properties).
This group is obviously not running America. But, it caught my eye because the third wealthiest guy in the country is on the list of all white donors. (They also happen to agitate for a variety of Israel-related causes and the standard neo-con view of events, but just ignore that for the purposes of this illustration).
