There is a obvious concern this week over the selection of the newest member of the board of directors for Burisma Holdings, Ukraine’s largest private gas producer: Vice President Joe Biden’s youngest son, Hunter Biden. Despite a strong resume, it seems rather coincidental that Ukraine is receiving aid from the United States and recently had a visit from Vice President Joe Biden only to decide that his youngest son was the very best person to sit on its board.
Hunter Biden will be in charge of the Burisma’s legal unit and will “provide support” among international organizations. The White House spokesman would only say that “Hunter Biden and other members of the family are obviously private citizens and where they work is not an endorsement by the president or vice president.”
Reporters were referred to Biden’s law firm Boies, Schiller & Flexner LLP, which declined to coment.
Alan Apter, the chairman of the company’s board of directors, said it views the selection as part of its effort to “introduc[e] best corporate practices, and we’re delighted that Mr. Biden is joining us to help us achieve these goals.” Those “best corporate practices” are hardly the best ethical practices if the company is hiring the children of high ranking officials to curry favor. This is particularly a concern in Ukraine which, as we discussed earlier, leads Europe as one of its most corrupt nations where the family members of powerful politicians are routinely showered with gifts and positions.
Like many spouses and children of our politicians, Hunter Biden made a fortune as a lobbyist in Washington. That common path for children continues to raise troubling questions of influence peddling and corruption for our leaders as discussed in this earlier column. The company recently added Devon Archer, a wealthy investor and Democratic campaign bundler. Archer previously declared how his business deals at Rosemont Seneca rely on a “relationship network creat[ing] opportunities for our portfolio companies which then compound to greater outcomes for all parties.” That “relationship network” is precisely what many have objected to in the hiring of family members tied to our leaders — allowing companies to give millions legally to families of Democratic and Republican leaders.
In addition to his position as counsel with the firm, Biden is a co-founder and a managing partner of investment advisory company Rosemont Seneca Partners and serves as director of the U.S. Global Leadership Coalition, a network of 400 businesses. He is also the chairman of the advisory board for the National Democratic Institute, a non-profit that works to support democratic institutions and elections around the world. Even with this experience, I am rather skeptical. First, his selection as counsel to Boies, Schiller, Flexner, LLP, seems designed to create a tie to his father and the Administration. He was was chief executive officer, and later chairman, of hedge fund PARADIGM Global Advisors – an association that he co-founded with convicted financier Allen Stanford. He was later appointed by Bill Clinton to serve in the United States Department of Commerce under Secretaries Norman Mineta and William M. Daley. He was then nominated by President George W. Bush to the board of directors of Amtrak. It is a resume that many would envy but also one that reflects the type of opportunities that are often afforded children of our ruling elite.
Of course, the selection of a Bush for such a position in the prior administration would have had Democrats and liberals in an uproar but they are again largely silent in the face of another deal benefitting one of our ruling elite. Obviously, Hunter Biden is an adult and does not need the approval of his father to accept a position, though his father has had an obvious impact on his past opportunities. It is simply worth noting that while we rightfully criticize the Chinese for the “Red Nobility,” we have a long list of children and spouses receiving millions in cushy deals and positions in this country. However, in the blue state/red state politics fosters by both parties, such issues are quickly brushed aside by those arguing again that the other side is worse or that such ethical questions are merely an effort to smear their side.
Supak:
“Not everyone in Washington is an elite. Or out of touch.”
From some of the laws they pass, one has to wonder if they have completely forgotten what ordinary life is like, or if they ever knew how to run a business. And I believe the political machine to be a corrupting influence – peddling favors, pork, quid pro quo jobs, and it is so rare for anyone to go to jail, even in the face of very serious criminal behavior. They just do not appear to be held to the same standards as the rest of us.
I also fail to see how voting for Progressive Democrats gets the money out of politics. They are routinely in the pocket of Unions, who spend literally hundreds of millions of dollars to Democratic causes.
So many Democrats despise the Koch brothers, but they’re blithely complacent about even more money funneling through the unions. No matter where the money comes from, it can buy a politician just the same.
If you became wildly wealthy, a billionaire, would you not donate to causes that align with your own beliefs, politically and otherwise? I do not blame wealthy donors for supporting their causes. But I do think we need to reform campaign finance, including making it optional, instead of mandatory, for union members to donate to Democrats.
Went to the doctor today for my annual checkup. Anyone who correctly guesses my blood pressure (both numbers) I will not engage with for the next week. 🙂
Nick Spinelli
“Carter just had his own soldiers killed”
How many US soldiers died while Carter was President, Nick?
How many while Bush was?
Glibertarians have the worst case of Manichean Paranoia of all.
I was merely pointing out that ALL US presidents save one have used the military to kill foreigners. That is not the definition of chicken hawk.
“Can you grace us w/ your elevated political thoughts come election day.”
If you insist.
“We can all post our local ballots and you can grace us w/ your wisdom and tell us who we “should vote for.””
No need. I’ll just put up facts like the ones above.
Progressives don’t want money in politics, which I’m willing to bet would put an end to some of these dynasties.
Progressives also don’t want the Patriot Act.
They are alone in these beliefs. If those are important to you, you should consider voting for progressives.
What kind of comment is:
‘Carter just had his own soldiers killed’
My name is George Soros and I am donating to all the Progressive causes I want.
Nick Spinelli
“Carter just had his own soldiers killed”
How many US soldiers died while Carter was President, Nick?
How many while Bush was?
Glibertarians have the worst case of Manichean Paranoia of all.
I was merely pointing out that ALL US presidents save one have used the military to kill foreigners. That is not the definition of chicken hawk.
“Can you grace us w/ your elevated political thoughts come election day.”
If you insist.
“We can all post our local ballots and you can grace us w/ your wisdom and tell us who we “should vote for.””
No need. I’ll just put up facts like the ones above.
Supak – how many foreigners did Washington have the military kill while he was President?
Darren – absolutely, Ukraine is continuing its time honored tradition of corruption.
Here is what my father had to say about the Vietnam war – politicians sent our troops over there, but then they didn’t let the military do its job. Politicians tried to run the war from DC, instead of letting the brass handle it. We sent our boys over there but wouldn’t let them fight all out – just fits and starts and sitting targets.
And then when they returned, they were spit on by hippies who had absolutely no clue what they had been through.
Karen – this is what is happening in our fighting zone right now. JAG officers are attached to units to give the orders allowing the units to fire or not fire. That is no way to run a war.
Schulte: “Lots of Democrats, including Bill Clinton supported GW Bush.”
So? Lots didn’t. Some Republicans didn’t. Who supported whom on the largest misadventure in modern foreign policy doesn’t excuse the actions of those who were in leadership positions while they actively cheered to have other people’s children die, something almost all of them didn’t sign up for the chance to do when it was their time.
“because he is wrong”
Prove it.
“It appears that there is some doubt about the lying and who did it.”
No there isn’t. They all lied. Only Powell apologized.
“They article is counting up all the Bush admin lies. I would love to see what they do with the Obama administration just on Obamacare.”
Go ahead. Compare lies to get us into a war that killed a half a million people to lies to get people affordable health insurance.
I dare you.
“However, my concern is, just how did Bush lie? Not anyone else, just Bush.”
You got me there, dude. I should really stop using “Bush” for shorthand for “the Bush Administration.”
“30000 and 100000”
Bull.
But for the sake of the argument, let’s say it’s 30,000 and counting. How many people died in the aspirin factory bombing? In Bosnia?
There is no “personal” chicken hawk. You’re either willing to send other kids to die or you’re not.
SO, back to the point. It’s a matter of degree. Even if you only count US deaths, GW’s numbers are astoundingly shameful. So, please, keep defending it.
I said that the threat of a fully committed war would be the only way to actually stop Putin, not that I wanted it to happen. I am a military brat and fully aware of the implications of war, as well as the implications of a re-established USSR.
I do not believe that Putin wants a war with the US. But if he believes we are fully committed to stopping the reformation of the USSR, that might be enough.
Otherwise, we should stop grumbling about it and punishing, what was it, 7 people on his staff, with sanctions? Get involved, or don’t get involved, but it is suicide to appear dithering or weak.
Supak – I thought you were against this comparison thing. Supak I really cannot follow your train of thought anymore you are all over the place. And you do not understand the definition of chickenhawk.
Chickenhawk (also chicken hawk and chicken-hawk) is a political term used in the United States to describe a person who strongly supports war or other military action (i.e., a war hawk), yet who actively avoided military service when of age.
The term indicates that the person in question is hypocritical for personally dodging a draft or otherwise shirking their duty to their country during a time of armed conflict while advocating that others do so. Generally, the implication is that chickenhawks lack the moral character to ask others to support, fight and perhaps die in an armed conflict. Those who avoid military service and continue to oppose armed aggression are not chickenhawks.
Scott, Can you grace us w/ your elevated political thoughts come election day. We can all post our local ballots and you can grace us w/ your wisdom and tell us who we “should vote for.” LOL!
Carter just had his own soldiers killed, but “He didn’t kill a foreigner.” That is a glimpse into a truly twisted mindset.
slohrss29:
“The out-of-touch elites in Washington know no party boundaries.”
Not everyone in Washington is an elite. Or out of touch.
The Congressional Progressive Caucus is now the largest caucus on the hill. Bigger than the Tea Party Caucus. And growing fast.
Today, the Senate is looking at a constitutional amendment that would overturn the Professor’s precious Citizens United.
If you want to get the money out of politics, and you should, then you should vote for progressive Democrats.
If you want to get politics out of your personal life, you should vote for Progressive Democrats. 70% of Democrats voted against renewing the Patriot Act. Only 14% of Republicans did.
If you get the money out of politics no one is going to get to meet the Hollywood elites.
Supak – I looked at your article about the 500,000 deaths but it was squishie at best. Deaths attributable to Bush were between 30000 and 100000. The total used included deaths due to terrorist bombings in Iraq and included 2 years under Obama.
Chickenhawk (also chicken hawk and chicken-hawk) is a political term used in the United States to describe a person who strongly supports war or other military action (i.e., a war hawk), yet who actively avoided military service when of age.
The term indicates that the person in question is hypocritical for personally dodging a draft or otherwise shirking their duty to their country during a time of armed conflict while advocating that others do so. Generally, the implication is that chickenhawks lack the moral character to ask others to support, fight and perhaps die in an armed conflict. Those who avoid military service and continue to oppose armed aggression are not chickenhawks.
Supak – I think we had a few presidents with shortened terms who are unlikely to have gotten us into a foreign war. Getting into a war usually takes a little time, at least. The War of Northern Aggession took several months before the Northern armies invaded the South. I am having a little trouble with this. I am pretty sure George Washington, as President, was not involved in a foreign war.
feyman, you got their number, and Shulte’s latest comment proves it.
A cruise missile is not a US soldier. Bosnia was an air campaign. Not once did Bill Clinton order the ground invasion of another country using troops that he did not join when he was of the right age.
Ergo, Bill Clinton is not a Chicken Hawk.
But I’m more interested in the continued lack of noting matters of degree. “Both sides do it” completely misses the fact that one side, generally speaking “does it” much more than the other.
And even if we want to discount non-American lives, as seems to be the habit for Americans, what, about 4,500 Americans died in Bush’s Excellent Mesopotamian Adventure (they’re still dying everyday, BTW… PTSD keeps claiming victims).
How many Americans died in the aspirin factory? In Bosnia?
Scott,
You may disagree regarding the classification of our role in Bosnia and Yugoslavia. I will respect that. Yours is a position that is grounded in investigation and the historical account.
The ‘other’ opinion has no credibility at all. It is simply a knee-jerk attack on anything that resembles a Democrat – just because it is a Democrat.
I have problems with Supak’s positon, not because he is a Democrat, but because he is wrong. Lots of Democrats, including Bill Clinton supported GW Bush.
Iraq was certainly the one of the worst foreign policy blunders in American history. Although, we’ve been trying really, really hard to beat that with first, Syria, then Russia–by using diplomacy that would be more at home on a 50s Looney Tunes reel. The out-of-touch elites in Washington know no party boundaries.
Clinton was not a chickenhawk.
Google Bosnian and combatants. You won’t find the US on the list. Bosnia was a peace-getting mission. An aspirin factory is not a war. A total of 32 US killed and wounded in Bosnia and NATO bombing of Yugoslavia.
Get real, Paul S. Do you know what a hawk is?
Schulte:
“Clinton lobbed a Cruise missile at an aspirin factory and bombed Bosnia.”
Are you aware that Jimmy Carter is the only US President who didn’t kill a foreigner with the US military?
And he would have if the hostage rescue attempt hadn’t failed.
It is a matter of DEGREE. If you can’t see that Iraq was one of the worst foreign policy blunders in US history, then you’re willfully blind.
Elaine, whoa–don’t count McCain out yet… he’ll get back to them. He has a tendency to “circle around.” He’ll need something to get back to to want to kill.
Looks like I completely misinterpreted the statement on the GOP and 1928. Sorry for the confusion.