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I Did Not Take A Bribe From That Woman…Denise Rich

Bill Clinton, shamed former US President, never uttered those words. We all know when he uttered similar words and how those words turned out to be, how shall we say, A LIE.

It appears that Marc Rich, the billionaire oil man and former US fugitive, as well as the former husband of the aforementioned Denise Rich, might have been involved in the oil for food scandal at the UN. I know that many on the left like to dismiss the oil scandal and make claims that the US was involved. This has been commented on before and as it turns out, not quite the way the left likes to make it sound. Rich, on the other hand, has been dealing in oil with sanctioned countries. Rich, who lives in Switzerland, confirmed that he was an authorized trader with Iran, though oil sales were banned at the time. In the 1980s Rich dealt with Iran, confirming what his company failed to reveal to Fox when questioned about it last year. Rich made his statements by responding in writing to the House International Relations Committee. Committee chairman, Rep. Henry Hyde, stated that he felt Mr. Rich was being less than forthright with the committee.

Rich has been living outside the US as a fugitive of justice and his statements come as a Federal Grand Jury in New York probes whether his pardon by President Clinton was the result of a bribe. Denise Rich gave $400,000 to the Clinton Library just prior to his pardon. Both Ms. Rich and President Clinton deny the payoff money was a bribe. Given the veracity of past Clinton denials, it is only reasonable that this is being investigated.

Strange thing is, the left has been all over President Bush about Iraq. They have maintained that the invasion was all about oil. There have been protests with signs reading “No Blood For Oil.” I think any reasonable person will conclude that we did not go in for oil. If we did gas would be cheaper and we would have tankers bringing the black gold to the US. It is interesting that the left will deride the President for, what they call, helping his buddies in the oil business get rich, but they do not bat an eyelid over Marc Rich making billions of dollars dealing the forbidden substance.

Maybe it is because Rich has been exonerated through a Presidential bribe pardon. In any case, the man is a criminal and he disgraced himself. Clinton helped to further disgrace the country by accepting money to let this man off the hook. Given that there is indication that Rich was involved with the Iraq oil for food scam then it is reasonable to assume he has not changed his ways and was not worthy of a pardon.