The past two days the NPR reports on Wolfowitz now refer to Shaha Ali Riza as his "girlfriend," (actually without mention of name) which I confess gives the story a smarmier tone. I wonder what prompted the shift in language.

KPFK shifted to "Girlfriend," too.






I have to assume it was because of this thread.

She's been brought up in a few random classes lately. I feel bad, just knowing what little I do about her. There really is a big assumption that she didn't deserve the job. While I wouldn't have assumed she was a ho, I probably would have figured she got the job because of Wolfowitz, too.

I don't think I've really heard anyone saying she didn't deserve the job, just that he really should have removed himself from the process to avoid any appearance of favoritism/conflict of interest. It's just the smart thing to do. Which, of course, is probably too much to expect from Bush appointee.

Well, they were mainly snide remarks - not the kind of thought out intelligent sort of thing found here. It wasn't a discussion, exactly. Just, sort of "we were talking about the World Bank already" then someone says "Anyone hear the news lately?" then someone makes a snide remark "Guess you gotta sleep your way to the top." Or something to that effect.

I just figure that people don't really pay attention to the news, so they make assumptions on what little they hear. I know I don't have the time to.

I feel kinda sorry for her. She was just being moved out of the way of a job that would have raised conflict-of-interest concerns with Wolfowitz's job .... and she was given a hefty raise for putting up with a transfer that was necessited only by propriety's sake.


I don't think it's quite fair on Wolfowitz either ... but if the Seventh Circle of Hell isn't waiting for the formality of death to start stalking him, so much the better.

And, frankly, anyone who'd get involved with him romantically would best be advised to expect Satan at the door for dinner rather soon.

Oh! I have to wait to give ism some mojo for that one!

He's resigning.

Masterfully screwed by the bureaucrats. But he was stupid for not standing by his guns and insisting it be resolved by the ethics committee, preferably before he started the job.