And Now One for the What the Fuck?! File or, Alternatively, If You're a Bush Operative with Deep Pockets, This Space for Rent

Seeking to build support among black families for its education reform law, the Bush administration paid a prominent black pundit $240,000 to promote the law on his nationally syndicated television show and to urge other black journalists to do the same.

The campaign, part of an effort to promote No Child Left Behind (NCLB), required commentator Armstrong Williams "to regularly comment on NCLB during the course of his broadcasts," and to interview Education Secretary Rod Paige for TV and radio spots that aired during the show in 2004.

Williams said Thursday he understands that critics could find the arrangement unethical, but "I wanted to do it because it's something I believe in."

The top Democrat on the House Education Committee, Rep. George Miller of California, called the contract "a very questionable use of taxpayers' money" that is "probably illegal." ...

The contract may be illegal "because Congress has prohibited propaganda," or any sort of lobbying for programs funded by the government, said Melanie Sloan of Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington. "And it's propaganda." ...

Williams, 45, a former aide to U.S. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, is one of the top black conservative voices in the nation.

In other words, he learned at the feet of the master.

Given that Clarence only pocketed a little over $40,000 in gifts, though, while Armstrong cha-chinged $240K with his sweetheart deal, I'd say the circle is complete -- the pupil has become the teacher -- and that until this story broke, their social interactions began with Armstrong taunting Clarence with chants of "Who's yo' graft daddy, C.T.?! Who's yo' graft daddy?!"

Now, not so much.

Obviously, it's going to take us black folk a little more time to get a handle on the nuances and finer shadings of political and corporate graft before we can manipulate the system without going to jail or, more important, giving back our ill-gotten booty. Please be patient.

That plea goes out to those of you looking at these recents allegations and thinking "They really aren't flourishing in our political, economic, and civil systems. Perhaps, we should just enslave them again for their own good." (I'm looking at you, Mississippi.) To you I say, "Calm down. We're really not doing that badly, all things considered. So drop the shackles and fetters. We're fine. Okay? We're just going to need another decade or so before we're as deftly corrupt as you. After all, Sodom wasn't built in a day. Oh, and when you get a chance, a little help?" Thanks.