I've gotten ahold of some documents that show that a speakers association is currently offering some prominent neoconservatives $15,000 a pop to speak at a pro-MEK rally Thursday. So far, several have turned them down, I hear. I talked to the firm trying to recruit speakers for the event, and they said they've done their due diligence. (The firm's rep mentioned the Washington Post article that embarrassed Richard Perle last year; Perle apparently wasn't aware until too late that he was speaking at a pro-MEK event, which had been billed as a Bam earthquake relief fundraiser. In case you were wondering, this is the same firm recruiting speakers with a letter that never mentions the MEK but has plenty of hints.).

The speakers' bureau says this year, the Iranian organizers flew down to Texas to meet with former House Majority leader Dick Armey, and he has assured the speakers' bureau that the Iranian American group is ok. They have also checked out the funding sources of who's writing their checks, and it's all Iranian American money (as it was last year, dingbats). Someone named Nasser Rashidi. All I can say is for the negative publicity the firm could draw upon itself for the second year in a row, it would seem they must be being paid an arm and a leg (so to speak). (Here's some background on the MEK).

So, will the FBI be there on Thursday at the DAR Constitution Hall, to see who's come to represent the group? And how much is Armey being paid to support this effort? Hey, if the MEK just waits a few months, next year they can probably get DeLay to represent them.

I'm waiting for a call back from Mr. Armey so expect an update. And the Agonist will have a correspondent at the Thursday event.

Posted by Laura at April 12, 2005 05:52 PM