That's What Friends in High Places Are For

[cal04]

Although collaborations happen all the time in pop music, they do not generally involve R & B hitmakers and Senator Orrin G. Hatch.

But the release of a music producer from a Dubai jail this week, quick on the heels of his conviction for drug possession, turns out to be a story of high-level string-pulling on the part of Mr. Hatch, the conservative Utah Republican and songwriter, along with Lionel Richie, the singer; Quincy Jones, the music entrepreneur; and an array of well-connected lawyers, businessmen and others, spanning cities and continents.

Dallas Austin, 35, who has produced hits for Madonna, Janet Jackson and others, flew home to Atlanta on Wednesday, after being released after midnight on Tuesday from a holding cell in a Dubai jail. Hours earlier Mr. Austin had been sentenced to four years in prison for carrying just over a gram of cocaine with him when he entered the country on May 19 to attend a birthday celebration for Naomi Campbell.

Senator Hatch made numerous phone calls on Mr. Austin's behalf to the ambassador and consul of the United Arab Emirates embassy in Washington — Dubai is one of the seven emirates — and served as an intermediary for Mr. Austin's representatives, the producer's lawyers said.

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/07/08/arts/music/08pard.html?hp&ex=1152417600&en=4eb717d9c1de93c9&ei=5094&partner=homepage

[Laughing Mirror]

1. Did Naomi tell her guests to bring their own party favors?

What a dumb thing to do, trying to sneak a little bit of X & and a little bit of coke past customs.

[Burried News]

2. First thing Urine Pissface has ever done for anybody in his

entire life. Is he up for re-election?

How's that perjury charge against Joe Wilson doing, Orrin?
And what about the Senate Intell Committies' Phase II Report - working hard on that one too Hatchet man?