http://i.timeinc.net/time/asia/magaz...6/albright.jpg

Here is to cronyism!!

http://www.cbsnews.com/images/2004/0...age630626x.jpg

Main Entry: cro·ny·ism
Pronunciation: -nE-"i-z&m
Function: noun
: partiality to a close friend especially of long standing, especially as evidenced in the appointment of political hangers-on to office without regard to their qualifications

Seems to be a misuse of the term.

Main Entry: cro·ny·ism
Pronunciation: -nE-"i-z&m
Function: noun
: partiality to cronies especially as evidenced in the appointment of political hangers-on to office without regard to their qualifications

Merriam-Webster's Online Dictionary...More accurate.

Crony can apply to an appointee who secures a position based on fund-raising prowess or favor regardless of true friendship.

i just substituted the definiton of crony into cronism

crony:close friend especially of long standing.

I would use political patronage as a more correct term, perhaps?

Not very accurately recalled. Six were fired fromt he WH travel office. Five were rehired after less than 2 weeks. Billy Dale, the one who ran the office and was not rehired, had offered to return $69,000 and serve a brief jail sentence. But he was tried and ultimately acquitted.

Harry Thomason was an "aviation broker" and his tip lead to busting Dale.

You cant teach a raisin to fish.