EDITOR’S NOTE: This column appears in the December 27, 2004, issue of National Review, in Rob Long’s regular “Long View” spot.
From the Washington Post, Page 1, January 11, 2005:
Former Iraqi strongman Saddam Hussein has agreed to a plea-bargain arrangement with the interim Iraqi government, according to State Department sources. The terms of the plea, which was finalized over several days last week in consultation with American officials and Hussein’s attorney, Mark Geragos, stipulate that in exchange for his public and vociferous support for the upcoming Iraqi elections, the former dictator will receive safe passage to a villa in the Arab city-state of Dubai. Known as the “Idi Amin Scenario,” the possibility of a deal was first floated by Geragos before the Christmas holidays after a long and tearful session with his client. “He just wants some of his stuff,” Geragos told reporters. “He wants to move on and begin a new chapter of his life, in privacy and seclusion.” Hussein’s forthcoming autobiography, Call Me Sad, is set to be released this autumn.
From the New York Times, Business Day section, March 12, 2005:
Ousted United Nations secretary general Kofi Annan confirmed this morning that he had been offered, and has accepted, the position of president and CEO of the Disney Company. “It is with great excitement and anticipation that I turn to this new opportunity, and I look forward to stewarding this great American brand into the next century.” In a statement released by company directors, they cited Mr. Annan’s “brilliant financial management” of the world diplomatic body as a “key factor” in their decision to offer him the post. Concern about Mr. Annan’s lack of experience in the entertainment industry was brushed aside by Disney’s chief executive, Michael Eisner. “Has he ever made an animated fairy tale? Of course not,” Mr. Eisner said at the news conference announcement. “But is he familiar with the concept of make-believe? Emphatically yes.”
From Time, May 23, 2005:
Former President Bill Clinton’s doctors are mystified by his persistent heart trouble and have confirmed that the former leader has suffered numerous small heart “events” since his successful heart surgery last year.
“We just haven’t been able to nail down the problem,” Clinton’s cardiologist said. “He’ll be fine, and then after a relaxing weekend with his wife, suddenly he’ll start having chest pains. Weird.”
The gregarious former president, who in recent months has become something of a national spokesman for heart-disease prevention, maintains that he has closely followed his new heart-healthy diet. “I eat right, exercise, all of it.” His wife, Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton, has confirmed her husband’s discipline in a phone interview as she was traveling to a speaking engagement in Iowa. “I know he’s not cheating,” she said, “because I fix all of our meals when we’re together. He eats whatever I put in front of him. But you know, sometimes heart disease is tricky. You never know when disaster may strike.”
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