It was bad enough when the Carlyle Group bought Dunkin' Donuts last year, forcing millions of conscientious caffeine addicts to look elsewhere for their daily fix. Now, it appears Carlyle has added 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue to its formidable portfolio of acquisitions.
The Carlyle Group achieved national attention in the early days of the Iraq occupation, especially after Michael Moore's "Fahrenheit 9/11" exposed the firm's umbilical ties to the Bush family and the House of Saud. For the uninitiated, Carlyle is a privately-owned equity firm organized and run by former members of the Reagan and Bush Sr. administrations.
Currently, Carlyle manages more than $44 billion in 42 different investment funds, which is an interesting fact in and of itself: Carlyle could lay claim to only a meager $12 billion in funds in December of 2001. Thanks to their ownership of United Defense Industries, a major military contractor that sells a whole galaxy of weapons systems to the Pentagon, Carlyle's profits skyrocketed after the invasion and occupation of Iraq.
Some notable present and former employees of Carlyle include former president George H.W. Bush, who resigned in 2003; James Baker III, Bush Sr.'s secretary of state and king fixer; and George W. Bush, who served on Carlyle's board of directors until his run for the Texas governorship. One notable former client of Carlyle was the Saudi BinLaden Group, which sold its investment back to the firm a month after the September 11 attacks. Until the October 2001 sellout, Osama bin Laden himself had a financial interest in the same firm that employed the two presidents Bush.
How has Carlyle managed to acquire the White House? The newest edition of Newsweek begins to tell the tale in a story titled "The Rescue Squad": "Bush Senior has been relegated to watching all those political talk shows his son refuses to watch, wincing each time he hears his son's name being mocked or criticized. George H.W. Bush has been, in effect, sidelined by nepotism. He has repeatedly told close friends that he does not believe it is appropriate or wise to second-guess his son, or even offer advice beyond loving support. This time, however, was different. A source who declined to be identified discussing presidential confidences told NEWSWEEK that Bush 41 left 'fingerprints' on the Rumsfeld-Gates decision, though the father's exact role remains shrouded in speculation."
There is much more to this than Big George simply trying to shove Little George in a different direction, because Big George never travels alone. All of a sudden, two of the elder's main men - James Baker III and Robert Gates - are back in the saddle. Baker has spent the last weeks riding herd over the Iraq Study Group, a collection of old foreign policy hands tasked to come up with a solution to the Iraq debacle. Gates was a member of this group until he was tapped to replace Don Rumsfeld as Secretary of Defense. The Iraq Study Group is slated to produce some tablets of wisdom come December.
A third member of the Iraq Study Group, former congressman Lee Hamilton, is the rope that ties this curious historical package together. During the Reagan days, Hamilton was chairman of the committee investigating the Iran/Contra scandal that nearly submarined Reagan's presidency and haunted Bush Sr. until his defeat in 1992. In essence, Hamilton took Reagan's people at their word when they assured the chairman that neither Reagan nor Bush were "in the loop" regarding the arms-for-hostages deal.
History and investigation have proven this to be quite separate from the truth, and Hamilton later admitted he should not have bought what Reagan's people were selling. The fact remains, however, that Hamilton let these guys slip the noose during what was, at the time, an investigation into one of the most serious abrogations of Constitutional law in our history. It is worthwhile to note that the man who brought the most pressure upon Hamilton within Congress to be "bipartisan" and avoid a protracted investigation was then-Wyoming representative Dick Cheney.
One of the men spared prosecution in the Iran/Contra scandal, thanks in no small part to the gentility of Mr. Hamilton, was Robert Gates. Gates, then a senior official within the CIA, was widely believed to have been neck-deep in the plot. During the investigation into the scandal, Gates parroted Reagan and claimed not to remember when he knew what he knew about everything that was happening down in Ollie North's office. In 1991, he was nominated and eventually appointed to be the head of CIA by Bush Sr. During his confirmation hearings, according to the New York Times, it was revealed that "Mr. Gates [had] distorted intelligence reports so they would conform to the political beliefs of his superiors."
That sounds familiar.
Gates's nomination to the post of secretary of defense was field-generaled behind the scenes by James Baker III, who has suddenly taken on a muscular role within the Bush White House since the spectacular Republican wipeout during the midterm elections last Tuesday. Baker's return, along with the new prominence of Bush Sr., has been hailed in the mainstream press as a healthy step toward stability and sanity.
One is forced to wonder, however, which masters Mr. Baker is actually serving. Baker's Carlyle Group has profited wildly from the conflict in Iraq, which begs the question: will the bottom line, augmented by Carlyle's defense contracts, trump any attempts to establish a just and lasting peace? It must also be noted that Baker's law firm, Baker Botts, is currently serving as defense counsel for Saudi Arabia against a suit brought by the families of 9/11 victims. The connections between the Bush family and the Saudi royals have been discussed ad nauseam, and Mr. Baker is so closely entwined with the Bush clan that he might as well be a blood relative.
The weakening of George W. Bush, in short, has opened the door for an alumnus of the Iran/Contra scandal, Robert Gates, to gain control of the Pentagon - his nomination, as yet, has met with little Congressional resistance. This process was managed by James Baker, whose Carlyle Group made billions off the Iraq occupation and whose fealty to the American people has all too often taken a back seat to the needs and desires of the royal family of Saudi Arabia. These two, along with Hamilton, have been instrumental in crafting, by way of the Iraq Study Group, what by all accounts will soon be America's foreign policy lynchpin in Iraq and the Middle East as a whole.
Behind it all is George H.W. Bush, former employee of Carlyle, who has somehow managed to refashion his reputation into that of a grandfatherly, level-headed, steady hand, a foreign policy "realist" whose mere presence will soothe and calm the troubled waters we sail in. Unfortunately, his "realism" is a significant reason the United States finds itself in its current mess - until the Gulf War, Saddam Hussein was a boon confederate of both the Reagan and Bush administrations in their fight against Iran - and the team of experts he has brought with him have done more to undermine the national security of the country than any other three people one could name.
The winner in all this, of course, is the Carlyle Group. Meet the new boss, same as the old boss.
William Rivers Pitt is a New York Times and internationally bestselling author of two books: War on Iraq: What Team Bush Doesn't Want You to Know and The Greatest Sedition Is Silence.
The views expressed in this article are the sole responsibility of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of this website or its editors.
The article seems almost loving towards an old grandfatherly figure when speaking of Bush Sr, like maybe has been and is a kindness or saving grace to the United States. When he was president, the most scandelous things were happening unseen by the public while before our eyes on TV were some different horrific act of his creation. A regular citizen could almost count on what was coming out of his mouth to be a coverup for something else horrific going on. One needs only look at his proximity to some of the most corrupt and scandelous happenings going on world wide and in the United State to see that he is part of the corruption. If Bush Sr. had not been allowed to get away with his corruption and destruction to the Constitution and attacks on our Democracy, we would not have his cronies and his son taking down our Democracy and our Constitution today. However, I am thankful that your article is here to tell the story with the facts.
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spakitty (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 20 comments) on Wednesday, Nov 15, 2006 at 11:10:58 AM
Reply: Not Complimentary to GHWB Sr. - Stopped reading too soon?
Perhaps you stopped reading too soon...
"Unfortunately, his "realism" is a significant reason the United States finds itself in its current mess - until the Gulf War, Saddam Hussein was a boon confederate of both the Reagan and Bush administrations in their fight against Iran - and the team of experts he has brought with him have done more to undermine the national security of the country than any other three people one could name..."
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Amanda Lang (23 articles, 14528 quicklinks, 442 diaries, 731 comments [17 recommended, 0 rejected]) on Wednesday, Nov 15, 2006 at 3:08:00 PM
I met two DC-3 Pilots in Charlotte County Florida that swore to me (independantly of each other)they didn't know that I knew two different pilots, that they would bring planeloads of weapons down to Nicaragua and pick up cocaine that was made into crack to be sold in the poor African American parts of major cities. This was all done during the Reagan-Bush years. I never quite understood the Iran/contra scandal. All I know is that two different men, years apart, told me the same story. They both told me that they flew out of Charlotte County General Aviation Airport. I wish I was then like I am now, I would have gotten the whole story. Maybe that's why they mentioned it to me.
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Timothy V. Gatto (348 articles, 177 quicklinks, 38 diaries, 574 comments) on Wednesday, Nov 15, 2006 at 1:21:15 PM
Documents from the time of opium trading to China show clipper ships built for Bush & Co., they also relate personal connections between a partner of Russell & Co. named Prescott and his 'particular friend' Bush
Samuel Bush was # 2 in the Wilson administration in charge of small arms for American allies in WWI. As a top VP of Remington Arms he was intergal to 75% of ALL small arms expended in WWI being supplied by Remington. That means 1/2 of sales were used AGAINST American troops.
Prescott Bush married into the Walker family, "Prescott was a foundig member of the eugenics society, precurser of the Nazi superior race idea.He was also made a senior partner of Brown Brothers Harriman, Convicted of trading with the enemy 2 years after war was declared with Germany in WWII. Assets were confiscated, publicity expunged. He became a US Senator of Conn.
George Herbert the senior bailed out of a shot up bomber in WWII, leaving his crew no escape and received a DFC for his efforts. He also is implicated in fomenting the bay of pigs fiasco, the 2 ships used were the Zapata and the Barbara. His print is also on the JFK assassination. While VP under Reagan, he assumed control of America's drug policy. Cocaine imports INCREASED 2600% during his tenure.
Marvin Bush, the pres. brother, was in charge of security for 2 years prior to 9/11. not only the world trade towers but also Dulles airport, United Airlines.
GW Bush attacked Afghanistan because they harbored Bin-Laden ( not wanted by the FBI for 9/11). When the Taliban was in control of Afghanistan 0 opium was produced, they said it was against Allah's wishes and punished cultivation with death. Under US control Afghanistan in 2006 produces 130% of the WORLD'S consumption of opium.
As Cheney said to a group of corporatist in a fund raiser . " Don't listen to what we say, watch what we do".
cliff 567 has been watching close.
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cliff567 (6 articles, 0 quicklinks, 5 diaries, 165 comments) on Thursday, Nov 16, 2006 at 1:12:02 AM
I guess my rage is just beyond being civil at this crime family and their cronies. The rage is just a cover for the pain I am unable to continue to feel at the damage the Bush family and friends have been allowed to do around the world seemingly unfettered by the rule of law and for so many years, many lifetimes. William River Pitt is one of my favorite journalists because he gets at the root of the problem.
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spakitty (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 20 comments) on Thursday, Nov 16, 2006 at 10:29:17 AM
My gig is what is wrong with the man? Why doesn't he listen? Why is he so money dogged, and so out of touch with the people. What is he out to prove? I don't get these guys? They make no sense.
Carlyle Group is going to do what for the people? Make us safe in the world? And so after all the years of corruption why hasn't it proven to be? Why the demolition of the WTC George? Why kill Americans to get funding to defend the USA? Why didn't you tell the people you own oil wells in Kuwait? Why do you hide behind the military? You are really afraid person aren't you.
Criminals are sick people and it is up to society to take responsibilty for them. Bush needs to take a long rest in a secure environment away from people for the rest of his life.
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Dom Jermano (20 articles, 0 quicklinks, 40 diaries, 930 comments) on Thursday, Nov 16, 2006 at 8:46:16 PM
Every time anyone with integrity and an IQ above that of either of the Bush presidents (and that isn't too high -tell me again how they managed to get their degrees...) lifts the corner of the rock under which the Bush family lives and operates you find a morass of dirty dealing and intrigue that boggles the mind.
These people are decidedly more crooked than a barrel of fish hooks. My God, the only way to know if a Bush is lying is if his lips are moving.
If our Department of Justice and the FBI were doing their jobs (yeah fat chance of that - a fox left guarding the hen house you know) it seems that someone would be going to prison.
Every time I am sure that I cannot be shocked by anything else that comes to light about these people I am immediately proven wrong.
Wake up America. We are being fleeced by those who have sworn to protect and defend us and our Constitution.
Demand that the Congress thoroughly investigate and address the out and out thievery that has gone on all these years right under our noses. It needs to stop now. Should your representative indicate that there isn't money in the budget to pay for these investigations be sure to ask them how much money could be saved and recovered if those who have been stealing us blind are brought to justice. You might also remind them that they only serve two-year terms.
Get tough fellow Americans and get the government that we deserve and pay for.
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Michael Weaver-Robbins (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 30 comments) on Sunday, Nov 19, 2006 at 5:52:24 AM
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