Bush, Blair, and Enron

After 4 1/2 long years of evidence collection, interviews, and much litigation the trial of Enron founders Ken Lay and Jeff Skillings is finally over. At Ramble On we are happy to hear that both men were found guilty on all counts of various fraud, conspiracy, insider trading and cooking of the books in the Enron bankruptcy scandal. Both men will probably face between 20-30 years in prison for misleading both the public, and those inside the company about the true financial health of Enron, which was the largest company to ever file for bankruptcy at that time. Some believed that Lay and Skillings might get off with a light sentence or conviction by having the jury believed that they themselves received faulty information and were duped by their own accountants, but thankfully the jury saw right through these lies and convicted them both on all counts. Ramble On and millions of other Americans are pleased to see this conviction and hope that corporate executives around the country are feeling uneasy..................

PM Tony Blair will meet with President Bush tonight and hold a press conference to begin two days of talks about the situation in Iraq, as well as tentative pull out strategies and dates. After Iraq's announcement that they will be able to control security within its borders, many around the UK and US are anxiously awaiting a date that will be set for coalition withdrawal from Iraq. Press Secretary Tony Snow announced earlier today that no specific date will be set for British and American withdrawal. Bush and Blair are both hoping to recover some public approval with both leaders current approval ratings below 35% in their respective constituencies. While Blair is no doubt a lame duck figure head across the pond, it is much too late for him to save face even with good news for the British about Iraq, but the Bush administration is still hopeful that he can gain favor with the country.