The Phrase "UN Oil-For-Food Scandal" Goes AWOL

Another phrase that has gone AWOL from the incredible, shrinking Republican lexicon is: "UN Oil-for-Food Scandal." One reason, of course, is that the CPA's administration of the Iraqi oil proceeds after the invaision and the end of the UN program has been a thousand fold worse in terms of corruption.

Now, The New York Times has this piece about Chevron's soon-to-be acknowledgement that it was paying kickbacks to Saddam.

The key 'graph that has rightwing blowhards running from their "principles" is this one:

According to the Volcker report, surcharges on Iraqi oil exports were introduced in August 2000 by the Iraqi state oil company, the State Oil Marketing Organization. At the time, Condoleezza Rice, now secretary of state, was a member of Chevron’s board and led its public policy committee, which oversaw areas of potential political concerns for the company.

But don't expect Norm Coleman to take to the Senate floor (where he has immunity) and level allegations of criminal behavior as he did against George Galloway and don't expect the right to call for Condi's head as it did Kofi Annan's; those would presume principled behavior.