SILOAM SPRINGS — I think it’s fair to say that the Chicago mob was mugged in Copenhagen.

Last week, a retinue from the Windy City converged upon Copenhagen. It included none other than Oprah herself along with a supporting cast of Michelle Obama, Richard Daley, David Robinson, and Chicago’s adopted son and sitting president, Barack Obama.

This gaggle of stars from the worlds of entertainment, sports and politics was confident of winning the bid for the 2016 Olympics. The fix was in. Who could possibly resist this celebrity crowd? Besides, Obama had restored the stature of not only Chicago but of the entire United States. He said so himself, when talking to his chums at the United Nations just a few days earlier.

Unfortunately, the International Olympic Committee didn’t buy what the gang from Chicago was selling. The first ballot was cast, andChicago was cast out. A few rounds later, Rio de Janeiro was in.

How could this happen? Well, Roland Burris, the stand-in for Obama as senator from Illinois, had the answer. It’s George W. Bush’s fault.

That’s right. Bush so alienated the rest of the world, it still hasn’t forgiven us, even though Obama has made one apology after another.

Last December I asked you to memorize the slogan “It’s Bush’s fault.” I predicted then that he would be blamed for a myriad of things, but never in my wildest dreams could I have imagined he would be blamed for this. The Olympics slipped my mind. I guess I should have known better.

Yes or No, Senator Lincoln

Here are a few things I’ve noted as the Senate Finance Committee deliberated the Baucus version of ObamaCare. Numerous amendments offered by both Democrats and Republicans were voted down.

Few changes were made. Our own Sen. Blanche Lincoln has sided with Republicans on several issues, only to be defeated by the liberal cabal that controls the committee. It remains to be seen how she will vote when the bill comes to a full Senate vote. More important, if it’s not defeated in the Senate, how will she vote when it comes out of conference. It will almost certainly contain a public option inserted by the House. She’s voted against the public option in committee, but the test will come in the final vote after conference.

I know it’s very early, but have you seen the recent Rasmussen pole regarding Lincoln vs. four Republicans who have announced their candidacy for Senate. She is behind all of them and her unfavorable rating is 52 percent, with only a 45 percent approval rating. Besides her vote on ObamaCare, she will face tough decisions on Cap and Trade and Card Check. Even if she votes against all the bills it appears that she can be beaten, provided the GOP can field a candidate who can attract a following that transcends Northwest Arkansas.

What’s news?

I know some of my critics will say I’m picking on Hillary again, but I’m simply reporting a few items that have been sorely overlooked or ignored by the media.

Remember the name Norman Hsu? When he was sent to prison last week, it was of so little importthat it was barely noted in most local and national newscasts, and only a few lines were devoted to it in most newspapers hereabouts. Norman was Clinton’s top campaign cash bundler during her run for the White House.

But Norman had a problem.

He was a crook, and Hillary returned $800,000 he had bundled for her. Last week, a judge sentenced him to 24 years in prison for his illegalcampaign activities and for cheating investors out of at least $50 million.

Clinton has another fundraising buddy with legal troubles. His name is Hassem Nemazee, who was indicted for identity theft and scheming investors out of $292 million. He was her national finance chairman in 2008, yet I didn’t see more than a few lines about this. I wonder why?

My guess is that most media are distracted by where the president is or has been, who he is speaking to, and in helping him promote ObamaCare or describing whatMichelle Obama is wearing while she tends the White House garden.

There just isn’t time on newscasts or room in the press to report this stuff, yet this same media finds time to castigate a republican for shouting “you lie” and to give Jimmy Carter a forum to tell the world that those who oppose President Obama are racists, but any hint of scandal regarding a Democrat is not newsworthy enough to cover.

I opine, you decide.

- Willie Williams is a Siloam Springs resident. He can be reached at bryjwil@yahoo.com.

Opinion, Pages 4 on 10/07/2009

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