05-10-2008, 03:18 PM
For Linda - whose amazing research skill I admire very much and any one else who wants to chip in with examples and information.
Okay. A thumbnail sketch. Just as an example take Bob Hawke former Australian Labor Party Prime Minister. Son of baptist preacher. Very humble origins from all accounts. Studied law in Western Australia. Went to UK on Rhodes scholarship. Returned to Australia and became involved in the Labor Party and the ACTU, peak trade union body here. Married Hazel, a social worker, had three or four children. Daughter is a heroin addict. Plays around on wife. Drinks a lot. Supposed to have given all that up when he went for leadership in politics. In office starts all the gov. deregulation and begins privitisation, floats the AU$ etc. Good friends with transport magnates. Helps scuttle pilots strike for owners. 'Pilots are paid too much' - not like other real workers. Quite close to influential (and wealthy) Jewish community members. When, or shortly afterwards, he leaves politics is a multi millionaire and extremely well connected in business. Now has gambling interests. No obvious corruption but.... where did all that money come from? Any favors bought and sold? Also played a role in the 1975 coup here by quietening down the masses who were ready to take to the streets to reinstate Gough Whitlam and have the English queen's man's head on a platter. Smooth transition to a change in government more suitable for some. US got to keep their 'weather station' at Pine Gap which the ALP was probably about to end the lease on almost on the same day as coup if I remember correctly.
Or an example in the US I might like to know more about is Wickliffe Preston Draper. Family back ground. How they made their money, what he did with it. Connections with others involved with the Pioneer Fund. Connections with others involved in eugenics and his role if any in the JFK assassination.
Or even Colonel House. He is a most interesting character surrounded by others also most curious.
What sort of places does one go to look for this information? What are some of the avenues one may take to get information? Apart from first hand interviews straight from the horses mouth and how does one corroborate what comes from the horses mouth also? Money trails? Assets owned? Relationships with others, and how strong or not are they? Moving into and out of positions, jobs, office, committees? Timing of events and any significance or not? When is a cigar just a cigar?
Okay. A thumbnail sketch. Just as an example take Bob Hawke former Australian Labor Party Prime Minister. Son of baptist preacher. Very humble origins from all accounts. Studied law in Western Australia. Went to UK on Rhodes scholarship. Returned to Australia and became involved in the Labor Party and the ACTU, peak trade union body here. Married Hazel, a social worker, had three or four children. Daughter is a heroin addict. Plays around on wife. Drinks a lot. Supposed to have given all that up when he went for leadership in politics. In office starts all the gov. deregulation and begins privitisation, floats the AU$ etc. Good friends with transport magnates. Helps scuttle pilots strike for owners. 'Pilots are paid too much' - not like other real workers. Quite close to influential (and wealthy) Jewish community members. When, or shortly afterwards, he leaves politics is a multi millionaire and extremely well connected in business. Now has gambling interests. No obvious corruption but.... where did all that money come from? Any favors bought and sold? Also played a role in the 1975 coup here by quietening down the masses who were ready to take to the streets to reinstate Gough Whitlam and have the English queen's man's head on a platter. Smooth transition to a change in government more suitable for some. US got to keep their 'weather station' at Pine Gap which the ALP was probably about to end the lease on almost on the same day as coup if I remember correctly.
Or an example in the US I might like to know more about is Wickliffe Preston Draper. Family back ground. How they made their money, what he did with it. Connections with others involved with the Pioneer Fund. Connections with others involved in eugenics and his role if any in the JFK assassination.
Or even Colonel House. He is a most interesting character surrounded by others also most curious.
What sort of places does one go to look for this information? What are some of the avenues one may take to get information? Apart from first hand interviews straight from the horses mouth and how does one corroborate what comes from the horses mouth also? Money trails? Assets owned? Relationships with others, and how strong or not are they? Moving into and out of positions, jobs, office, committees? Timing of events and any significance or not? When is a cigar just a cigar?
