I doubt any of us here are ignorant of the fact that corruption taints the history of the UN. The investigation just under way is long overdue, and I hope we see an honest assessment of the problem and a willingness to reform the institution.

But as Bowser points out, corruption is an unfortunate and apparently universal aspect of human nature. Where's the outrage over the deep and costly corruption in Iraq? NPR is reporting that some 20% of all the billions we are pouring into that country are going into people's pockets by way of bribes and kickbacks. And it's not just the Iraqis who are demanding under-the-table payment...Americans have their faces in the trough as well.

Members of the Iraqi Governing Council are allegedly stealing tens of millions of dollars, which should instead be going directly to helping the people under their care. Some care, huh? This is the government that we're installing? Corrupt from top to bottom? Why doesn't this seem to bother the likes of Bush and Cheney? Perhaps, as Lindy's been saying for a long time now, they don't have any ethical problems with corruption as long as they are the beneficiaries.