ZZZZZZ.........

Derrick Z. Jackson’s editorial in the Boston Globe is stupid. He tries a New York Times kind of “AH-HA” about Dick Cheney and that tired excuse of a pummel, Halliburton. Vice President Cheney said on Meet The Press:

"Since I left Halliburton to become George Bush's vice president, I've severed all my ties with the company, gotten rid of all my financial interests. I have no financial interest in Halliburton of any kind and haven't had now, for over three years."

Senator Lautenbergs office immediately released Cheney’s financial disclosure forms that show he has received deferred salaries each year since leaving Halliburton and will continue to do so for years to come.

AH-HA!

The key word here is “deferred”. As Cheney’s office pointed out, that salary was already earned, he’s not receiving payments for anything current. He is due this because of an option he took BEFORE becoming Vice President to receive payouts in the future, much like an annuity. But to Jackson, this is not at all what it is, it’s a lie.

Jackson also mentions the 433,000 stock options Cheney still holds, but downplays the fact that they are in a charitable trust. A trust in which Cheney can do nothing with the options.

Jackson also seems shocked, shocked! That Halliburton gave “$280,000 to Republican candidates for office in the first half of 2000. It gave less than $10,000 to Democrats.” Ah, so that must be proof of…of, well, something. How about the donation split of the AFL-CIO, huh?

Get a life Jackson, and drop that Z, ok?