Monty Python Makes Times Headline

"A nod's as good as a wink to a blind bat!" NYTimes (06.23.05):

"David Grosh was living the mellow life of an off-season lifeguard in Rehoboth Beach, Del., when his childhood friend Michael Scanlon called from Washington in 2001 with a proposition. 'Want to be head of an international corporation?' Mr. Grosh said Mr. Scanlon asked him, almost in jest. 'I was like, sure,' Mr. Grosh said. Collecting less than $2,500, he became director of the American International Center, which used his rental beach house as its official address. 'I was not really taking it seriously.'" Senators Hear of a Wink-Wink Lobbyist Move

This exchange is priceless:

"Mr. Grosh, now an excavator for a construction company, described the American International Center as essentially a phantom organization. After accepting the post of director to pay off a few bills, Mr. Grosh said he began to grow wary when he heard Mr. Scanlon talk about the rest of his business enterprises. Mr. Grosh quit after about five months out of a 'gut feeling,' he said, that if 'it involved the federal government, Indian tribes and gambling, I knew that was headed down the wrong way.' Mr. Grosh testified that he did little work for the center - which paid $1.5 million to Greenberg Traurig, Mr. Abramoff's lobbying firm - other than to install some computers in his house. 'Did you have any board meetings?' Mr. McCain asked. 'Um, I recall one,' Mr. Grosh replied. 'How long did that last?' Mr. McCain continued. 'Fifteen minutes,' Mr. Grosh said, drawing titters from the room. 'Do you recall any business that was discussed at these meetings?' Mr. McCain said. 'Off the top of my head?' Mr. Grosh said. 'No.' Then, he added: 'I'm sure we discussed something.'"

Probably drank a lotta beer too.