Britain’s then new Prime Minister Tony Blair offers this
off-the-cuff eulogy of “the people’s princess” shortly after news
broke of the death of Princess Diana 10 years ago.
** AP REPORT: GOP SOURCES SAY CRAIG TO RESIGN FROM U.S. SENATE TOMORROW. Unsurprisingly, Republican Senator Larry Craig, caught up in a police sex sting operation in a Minneapolis airport men’s room, will according to party sources resign his seat tomorrow at a press conference in Idaho. The departure of Craig, a staunch “family values” conservative and opponent of gay rights, will help the Republicans hold on to the seat.
** NEW HAMPSHIRE REPUBLICANS CRITICIZE FRED THOMPSON. The chairman of the New Hampshire Republican Party ripped Fred Thompson, saying the timing of the announcement of his long-awaited presidentical candidacy, on September 6th, is intended to keep the former senator out of New Hampshire Republican debate on September 5th, cablecast on Fox News.
“They are clearly trying to avoid this event,” said Granite State GOP Chairman Fergus Cullen.
** LARRY CRAIG TO MAKE SATURDAY ANNOUNCEMENT. Idaho Senator Larry Craig, at the center of a firestorm of controversy after the revelation of guilty plea in a Minneapolis airport men’s room incident, will announce his future plans tomorrow. He is under very heavy pressure from fellow Republicans to announce his resignation from the US Senate.
** SCHWARZENEGGER CANCELS U.K. TRIP, POSTPONES INDIA TRADE MISSION. Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has just cancelled his late September trip to the UK to keynote the British Conservative Party conference. He has also postponed a planned fall trade mission to India.
In a statement, Schwarzenegger said: “While I am confident that we will be able to accomplish quite a bit before the end of the legislative session, I need to maintain the flexibility to call a special session.”
The former action movie superstar will speak to the Tory conference in Britain via satellite.
** RICHARDSON WILL SKIP ALL ROGUE EARLY PRIMARIES. New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson, the former UN ambassador running fourth in the race for the Democratic presidential nomination, says he will skip all rogue state primaries that try to jump ahead of or sandwich themselves in the midst of the four officially sanctioned earliest contests of Iowa, Nevada, New Hampshire, and South Carolina.
** JOHN WARNER RETIRES IN VIRGINIA. Senator John Warner, the former chairman of the Armed Services Committee and Vietnam War US Navy secretary who has become a critic of the Iraq War, announced today at the University of Virginia that he will retire from the Senate at the end of his term. Warner, 80, was first elected in 1978, campaigning with his then wife, actress Elizabeth Taylor. This seat is an excellent opportunity for a Democratic pick-up next year, with former Governor Mark Warner a strong prospect.
** SCHWARZENEGGER IN SAN DIEGO. In his event just webcast earlier from San Diego, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger appeared with a panoply of leaders from business, civic institutions, the medical field, labor, and local government to reiterate his — and their — stand for a universal health care program in California. It was all quite familiar to NWN readers. Schwarzenegger took a few questions from local press (and one British reporter, who asked about greenhouse gases), and nothing new was brought forth. Schwarzenegger says he remains confident that something significant will be achieved, and as reported here yesterday, is back negotiating with Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunez and Senate President Pro Tem Don Perata.
** DIANA, 10 YEARS ON. On this Friday of Labor Day weekend, it’s the tenth anniversary of the death of Princess Diana, an event that transfixed much of the world. I found much of the ’90s Diana worship somewhat mystifying, but no less real for that. I met her once, and she seemed very nice and charming, but aside from being aware that she was the most famous woman in the world, I don’t remember much about it. She used her celebrity for causes, of course, such as AIDS and land mines, and forged a powerful bond with the British public after her divorce, which surprised the royal family which assumed that her celebrity derived principally from all the globally broadcast pomp and circumstance of the Royal Wedding. How wrong they were can be seen again in last year’s best film, The Queen, for which Helen Mirren won a very well-deserved Oscar for her portrayal of Queen Elizabeth and Michael Sheen a British Academy Award nomination for his role as Tony Blair.
What would have become of Diana? Her fairy tale arc of Sloane Ranger to Princess of Wales made her world-renowned in Act I. Her divorce and emergence as “the people’s princess,” in Blair’s famous phrase (actually crafted by spin doctor Alastair Campbell) made her even more of a global icon in Act II. Would Act III have seen her married to her boyfriend of the time, Dodi Fayed, which would have made the playboy son of an Egyptian billionaire stepfather to the future King of England?
That’s the scenario that tantalizes those who see conspiracy in the Princess Di’s death following that late night chase by papparazzi through the streets of Paris. But it all happened on the fly. I was acquainted somewhat with Fayed, and once stayed at his beach house. The son of the billionaire owner of Harrod’s, Mohammed al-Fayed, Dodi Fayed was a playboy, a thrower of big parties he didn’t always pay for, as you see in the link above, a film producer who brought cash to the table rather than a particular expertise.
He was a nice man, fun, short, plain, clearly someone who would be utterly thrilled to be running around with the glamorous and ultra-famous princess. He was also not a very strong personality. When the photographers became a problem that night in Paris 10 years ago, he wasn’t prepared to deal with it. A getaway car and driver were hurriedly arranged on the spot — rather than pre-planned as you might do if you have large resources and are squiring around the most famous woman in the world — and disaster ensued. But that can be life in the fast lane.
** CRAIG EXPECTED TO RESIGN SOON. CNN reports that well-placed Republican sources say that Idaho Senator Larry Craig, who pled guilty a few months ago to a charge of misconduct in a Minneapolis airport men’s room, will soon resign his seat in the Senate, perhaps today.
** SCHWARZENEGGER IN SAN DIEGO FOR HEALTH CARE REFORM, LIVE WEBCAST THIS MORNING. Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, now negotiating with Democratic legislative leaders on the shape of possible comprehensive health care reform, campaigns for a plan this morning in San Diego. At 10:30 AM, he will appear with San Diego business, civic, and labor leaders in a press conference webcast live.
** WESTLY DECRIES BUSH ADMINISTRATION IMMIGRATION CRACKDOWN. Former California Controller and eBay honcho Steve Westly, now a greentech venture capitalist in Silicon Valley, blasts the coming Homeland Security crackdown on workers without valid Social Security numbers in a California Majority Report column. Westly says that what is needed in comprehensive immigration reform, and that the crackdown threatens key sectors of California’s economy, including coming seasonal harvests. It also threatens the workers, he argues, making it likely they will be forced further into an underground economy.
** CALIFORNIA POWER ALERT CONTINUES. A heat wave continues to strike much of the state. Today’s forecast peak electric power demand is 2000 megawatts below the record established in last year’s heat storm, in which levels were reached that had not been forecast for another five years. You can track peak electric power demand in near real time via Cal ISO (California Independent System Operator).
** AL QAEDA’S AMERICAN PRISONERS STILL NOT LOCATED. American troops are now in the midst of a 109th day of searching for the remaining two US soldiers captured by Al Qaeda in an ambush south of Baghdad. They have had no luck so far. A video put out by Al Qaeda forces in Iraq claims that all three men were executed after being captured. But, with the exception of the Californian found floating in the Euphrates River, that claim can’t be confirmed. The US high command in Baghdad has revealed that ID cards for the other two American prisoners were found in an Al Qaeda safehouse on June 9th.
** Track global and national energy prices in near real time via Bloomberg. After going up earlier, crude oil prices have risen to the $71 to $74 per barrel range on concern about a storm in the Atlantic.
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That is a great speech by Tony Blair
That is a great speech by Tony Blair
He’s a real good talker. Isn’t that what Bush said about Tony Blair? lol
Schwarzenegger’s hanging in there with health care. You have to give it to him for persistence.
Persistence is his hallmark.
I remember when they both spoke at the Azores summit just prior to the invasion of Iraq.
Bush spoke, and I was shaking my head.
Blair spoke, and I was nodding my head.
>Ann :
He’s a real good talker. Isn’t that what Bush said about Tony Blair? lol
Aug 31, 2007 09:15 AM
I love the movie “The Queen”. It is a tradition to watch The Queen and Austin powers in the car,on long trips. I am a new fan of Graham Norton. I am looking for a DVD collection of his shows.
That is a great speech by Mr. Blair. I recall him being an actor at one point.
Where is Schwarzeneger?
Carole W scribed:
I love the movie “The Queen”.
—-
“The Queen” was a very enjoyable movie.
Running late again.
>Ann :
Where is Schwarzeneger?
Aug 31, 2007 10:32 AM
Only in school.
Actually, he wanted to be a rock star.
>Jonathan Hemlock :
That is a great speech by Mr. Blair. I recall him being an actor at one point.
Aug 31, 2007 10:29 AM
Only in school.
Actually, he wanted to be a rock star.
>Jonathan Hemlock :
That is a great speech by Mr. Blair. I recall him being an actor at one point.
Aug 31, 2007 10:29 AM
It’s a wonderful movie. The musical score is quite good as well, Oscar-nominated.
>carole w :
I love the movie “The Queen”. It is a tradition to watch The Queen and Austin powers in the car,on long trips. I am a new fan of Graham Norton. I am looking for a DVD collection of his shows.
Aug 31, 2007 10:18 AM
Bill-what’s your take on the Bush administration crackdown on businesses? I saw they basically shut-down a manufacturer in Ohio this week. As a Democrat, I think Bush’s move will expand our ranks within the business community and fire-up the Latino base.
There’s Schwarzeneger.
I love the scene where Helen Mirren breaks down in the creek, in her Range Rover. I never knew the real Queen was a mechanic during the war? The real Queen seems like a cool lady.
Are we going to see a Craig resignation today? Yes or No?
Yes, speaking of The Queen, are we going to be seeing the Craig resignation today?
That’s up to Larry Craig. I don’t know him.
My girl was funny on Letterman last night. Did anyone watch? She did the top ten
Sacto,
:0,:], ;]= oh,smirk,wink
Bad boy, Solon. Bad.
Didn’t see it. This is a very loooong campaign.
>carole w :
My girl was funny on Letterman last night. Did anyone watch? She did the top ten
Aug 31, 2007 11:35 AM
That is a wonderful scene.
>carole w :
I love the scene where Helen Mirren breaks down in the creek, in her Range Rover. I never knew the real Queen was a mechanic during the war? The real Queen seems like a cool lady.
Well, if one is seriouis about cracking down on illegal immigration, illegal employment is a key to that.
But illegal immigrants have become an integral part of the economy. I think your assessment is probably right.
>Brasky :
Bill-what’s your take on the Bush administration crackdown on businesses? I saw they basically shut-down a manufacturer in Ohio this week. As a Democrat, I think Bush’s move will expand our ranks within the business community and fire-up the Latino base.
Aug 31, 2007 10:53 AM
That Schwarzeneger event was boring. Same stuff.
That Schwarzeneger event was boring. Same stuff.
Carole W/KK…
Just funning. I already punished myself…just walked five miles on the path to Discovery Park and back. Tad warm out there (93) but with just a hint of a breeze.
To complete your penance, you should wear a coarse hair shirt while enjoying your evening medicinal nip. Seems like a pretty good night for some Bug Juice.
Have a nice Privileged Pension Class weekend all.
KK,
Thank you. I shall!
with former Governor Mark Warner a strong prospect.
…if he isn’t the VP candidate, a possibility for which I still harbor hopes. Edwards/Warner would be a pretty traditional winning Dem ticket (both southern) and would combine Edwards’ populist message (which has some appeal at a time when economic growth is going almost entirely into corporate profits, with median income barely budging), and Warner’s more tempered, New Dem appeal.
My guess is the three leading candidates would want to burnish their national security credentials which makes retired General Wesley Clark look good for Veep.
Of course there’s also Bill Richardson with the added plus of being Latino.
Frequently, the running mate is someone already tested in the presidential race.
But if not, there is also Senator and former Navy Secretary Jim Webb, the most highly decorated Marine officer of the Vietnam War.
Frequently, the running mate is someone already tested in the presidential race.
But if not, there is also Senator and former Navy Secretary Jim Webb, the most highly decorated Marine officer of the Vietnam War.
Looks like a special session on Schwarzenegger’s agenda if he’s cancelling big trips.
Special session is just posturing. I think we are going to see some deals between now and Tuesday.
Pretty drastic moves for posturing.
Webb? Where has he been?
The threat of calling a special session seems like posturing to me. It’s a tactic to keep everyone moving forward.
I don’t assume that cancelling the trips is actually tied to a special session.
I think Schwarzenegger is letting the Reps know their stall of the budget will not mean they have killed any chance of real action this year, even if it requires a special session. So the far right self-congratulations should about now collapse as the adults reassert their authority…
Of course.
Of course.
Actually, the upcoming speech in Britain, first revealed on NWN months ago, has been a top priority for Schwarzenegger.
>Juan Cortina :
The threat of calling a special session seems like posturing to me. It’s a tactic to keep everyone moving forward.
I don’t assume that cancelling the trips is actually tied to a special session.
Aug 31, 2007 03:34 PM
Schwarzeneger is governor, the righty wingnuts are not.
Schwarzeneger is governor, the righty wingnuts are not.
Apropos of which, Schwarzenegger just made an interesting veto, which I’ll write about later.
I certainly like Webb and Clark as well. I saw Clark at both YearlyKos conventions (Vegas and Chicago), and he was one of the most compelling speakers there, both times.
Wes Clark is too slick.
They all have their merits.
Clark, incidentally, is being ripped in the former British army commander’s memoirs.