The Curmudgeon Chronicle - #207

Time Line: May 16, 2007
Date Line: Flemington New Jersey

Paul Wolfowitz was appointed to the Presidency of the World Bank, (a position requiring empathetic leadership), to finance under-developed countries throughout the world. The kind of leaders the Bank and the IMF had in the past have had differing political views, but they were men of character and probity, with a selfless commitment to the task.

Jim Wolfenson is a man with those qualities and a demonstrated interest in helping the developing world. The fact the first four letters of his last name are the same as Jim’s, is the only apparent qualification Paul Wolfowitz had for presidency of the World Bank, other than extra compensation for services rendered in taking us to war.

Once Wolfowitz got the Presidency of the Bank he proceeded to act as though he were anointed by a Higher Power and free from the constraints of decency. What this contretemps proves is: you may take the boy out of the administration, but you can’t take what he learned there out of the boy. The newspapers have reported on his doings and there is no need to retell that story here. If on the other hand you have been on another planet this past month, the gist of it is that he gave special favors to his “girlfriend”. Nothing changes, does it?

It is important to note (recognize and guard against) the conduct that demonstrates the teachings of the gospels of Saint Karl and Saint George W.

When faced with discovery of misconduct the first defense is to pooh-pooh it. If that doesn’t work, bluster and feint. Should that fail, put on your white hat and tell the tribunal that to punish you would upset the vital order of the world and any ensuing disasters “… will be your fault, not mine.” Finally, threaten a counterclaim and get an appointment to an Evangelical College as Dean of “Something or Other” or become a member of the Board of Directors of a munitions manufacturer.

Wolfowitz has departed a bit from the typical scenario by adding a cringe to the menu. Reportedly, he told the Board of the Bank that if they don’t fire him things will be different. He said he would not rely on the Bush administration for personnel, direction, and final decisions; would be more accessible, and would try to learn and adhere to the rules of decent human and corporate conduct.

He got back “on message” concluding with the warning that firing him would be more harmful to the Bank than letting him stay. He failed to make clear why it would be better for the Bank if he stayed than if he went. The answer is ion the courts of course.

We suspect that since he has now lost his girlfriend, if he loses his job as well, he will file suit against the World Bank Board for disturbing the piece.

Howard Stamer