AL GORE, CURRENT TV SUED FOR CUTTING OUT THE "IDEA MAN" WHO ALLEGEDLY SUGGESTED THE AL JAZEERA SALE?
A lawsuit against Al Gore, Current TV and others has been filed in the Superior Court of the State of California, County of San Franciso alleging that a deal-maker was screwed out of his rightful fee for developing the idea to sell the struggling enterprise to Al Jazeera to be rebranded Al Jazeera America. What makes this lawsuit interesting is that it reveals the inner workings of the liberal elites and how business is really done.
Three things stand out.
One, that the deal contemplated focusing on strategies to overcome Al Jazeera's negative image and make AI Jazeera acceptable to American viewer; two, making the deal “ palatable to U.S. lawmakers, pro-Israel factions, cable operators and, most importantly, the American public;” and three, the involvement of Senator Diane Feinstein's husband, Richard Blum.
From the lawsuit (CGC- 13-529261 filed March 5, 2013) …
In or about late 2011, Terenzio conceived an idea for the distribution of an American version of Al Jazeera, the Arab world's leading news organization. The proposal contemplated the creation of "Al Jazeera English," aimed solely at English speaking audiences in the United States.
Terenzio presented his proposal for Al Jazeera, captioned "Path to U.S. Distribution," to Richard Nanula ("Nanula"), a principal in Colony Capital, in order to explore potential financing and joint venture partners for the project. In or about June 2012, Terenzio identified Current as a potential acquisition target for the Al Jazeera project to Nanula. Terenzio recognized that Current TV's vast distribution network would provide a unique and instantaneous gateway into the American market for Al Jazeera and its Qatari owners. Furthermore, in light of Current's well-publicized financial woes, its principals might well be interested in selling the struggling network.
At Terenzio's direction, Nanula approached Richard C. Blum ("Blum"), a member of Current's Board of Directors, and a significant investor in the flailing network, with Terenzio's idea for a sale of Current to Al Jazeera. Blum expressed immediate interest in hearing Terenzio's proposal, explaining to Nanula that he and other Current investors were concerned about prospect of losing their shirts in the financially troubled Current. A meeting between Terenzio and Blum was arranged.
Prior meeting with Blum, Terenzio created a sophisticated PowerPoint presentation incorporating his proposal for the sale and marketing of a new network, to be christened "Al Jazeera America," which would inherit Current TV's existing distribution network.
Terenzio and Blum met in Blum's office on July 23, 2012. Emails between Terenzio and Blum confirm that the subject of the meeting would be a proposal relating to Blum's "media investments," namely, Current.
The sole topic of the July 23 meeting was Terenzio's proposal for Current's sale to Al Jazeera, for the creation of "Al Jazeera America." Terenzio explained his proposal for the sale of Current to AI Jazeera for an English language news network and presented a detailed PowerPoint on the proposed transaction. Terenzio's PowerPoint presentation included a step-by-step approach for making the sale of the liberal media outlet to Al Jazeera palatable to U.S. lawmakers, pro-Israel factions, cable operators and, most importantly, the American public.
Terenzio's presentation was tailored specifically for Current, focusing on strategies to overcome Al Jazeera's negative image and make AI Jazeera acceptable to American viewers. The structure proposed by Terenzio was based in large measure on the strategies developed by Terenzio in adapting CCTV [English version of China Central Television] for American distribution.
Terenzio's business proposal to Blum was based on the mutual understanding that Terenzio would be compensated if Current TV utilized his idea to consummate a sale to Al Jazeera. It was plainly understood and accepted by Blum that Terenzio would be compensated if Current TV moved forward with Terenzio's idea for the sale of Current TV to Al Jazeera for the creation of Al Jazeera America. Terenzio also proposed that in addition to compensation for the use of his concept, he would consult and manage the sale and transition as part of a joint venture with Current. Thus, it was contemplated that Terenzio would "engineer" the transaction, by bringing in a team to oversee distribution, handle political issues arising from the deal and provide the creative expertise necessary to adapt Al Jazeera and its programming for American audiences. Terenzio made clear that he expected to be compensated for these services. The proposed joint venture is specifically described in Terenzio's PowerPoint presentation.
Terenzio would not have met with Blum, or disclosed his concept for a sale of Current to AI Jazeera, without Blum's understanding and acknowledgement that Terenzio would be compensated for his concept if the transaction was consummated.
Bottom line …
Until the matter is settled in Court, we have no idea whether or not the allegations concerning the deal are true. However, we do know that Diane Feinstein’s husband played a prominent role in this portion of the transaction and that it is likely that government officials and regulators may have been approached to pre-approve the deal. Whether or not this involved the offices of Senator Feinstein is unknown, but should be a legitimate query of interest for the mainstream media.
The other thing we know is that liberals have little or no compunction of doing deals with our ideological enemies to assist them in their propaganda war – and possibly for agents to infiltrate the United States disguised as journalists, broadcast technicians and executives. With access to government and other institutions as the gather and report the news.
Perhaps we should be looking closer at the spouses of legislators and high government officials as well as further scrutinizing deals with our ideological enemies. While the Constitution guarantees a free press, I wonder if we should allow foreign entities to use our own laws and customs against us?
-- steve
“Nullius in verba.”-- take nobody's word for it!
“Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance.”-- George Bernard Shaw
“Progressive, liberal, Socialist, Marxist, Democratic Socialist -- they are all COMMUNISTS.”
“The key to fighting the craziness of the progressives is to hold them responsible for their actions, not their intentions.” – OCS "The object in life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane." -- Marcus Aurelius “A people that elect corrupt politicians, imposters, thieves, and traitors are not victims... but accomplices” -- George Orwell “Fere libenter homines id quod volunt credunt." (The people gladly believe what they wish to.) ~Julius Caesar “Describing the problem is quite different from knowing the solution. Except in politics." ~ OCS