Trust me when I say this wasn't easy, but I managed to track down Geithner's cell phone number (like I said, don't ask!) and I just finished up a conversation with him.
I also did something I know is an absolute no-no... I tape-recorded our conversation without his consent. But I think this Elizabeth Warren issue is critical, and, thus, I'm willing to risk the consequences of my actions in order to get this information out there as quickly as possible so we know we where we stand in this situation.
If any of you are lawyers, please let me know what kind of legal jeopardy I may be facing in light of the activities I have described here.
But here's the really BIG news from my conversation...
Never mind whether or not he's trying to block Warren! Wait until you read what I uncovered on this call!
Read on for the full transcript...
After tracking down the phone number (I repeat... Don't ask!), here is how the call went down:
[PHONE RING]
[Geithner ANSWERS]
GEITHNER: Geithner here.
ME: I want a straight answer. Are you trying to block Elizabeth Warren?
GEITHNER: Who is this? What the fuck are you talking about?
ME: Don't give me that shit and never mind who this is. Are you blocking Warren?
GEITHNER: What do you mean, "blocking Warren?"
ME: Please don't play this game with me, Geithner.
GEITHNER: Look, I'm busy right now. I don't know who you are and I don't know what the fuck you're talking about, but I'm in the middle of a fucking huge inflation project and I don't have time for this crap. So--
ME: Don't hang up on me, Geithner, you coward! And you aren't fooling anyone. The real risk is deflation, not inflation!
GEITHNER: That's a problem once this thing gets off the ground, but right now, I'm worried about inflation. Look, I have to go...
ME: There is no inflation!
GEITHNER: How the hell do you know?
ME: Because I pay attention to these things.
GEITHNER: If there's no inflation, then I'm outta' business.
ME: Oh, so you want inflation?
GEITHNER: Of course I want inflation! That's how I make my money!
ME: Holy shit. I can't believe you just admitted that.
GEITHNER: Admitted what? That inflation makes me money?
ME: Are you still tied to Goldman?
GEITHNER: Yeah, so? Goldman's the money partner behind my operation. Has been for years.
ME: I knew it! I fucking knew it!
GEITHNER: You're a regular Sherlock Holmes. Look, who is this?
ME: None of your business.
GEITHNER: I'm hanging up.
ME: So you're not going to comment on Warren for CFPB?
GEITHNER: No, I'm not going to comment on Warren for CPFB or whatever.
ME: Why not?
GEITHNER: Jesus Christ...
ME: I don't even need your comment. I got even better information on this call.
GEITHNER: Fine. Have a nice day. Don't call me again. I'm busy.
ME: Boosting inflation.
GEITHNER: Yeah.
ME: Fine.
GEITHNER: Bye.
ME: Bye.
[CLICK]
Holy shit! Goldman is the money behind Geithner's plan to whip up inflation! Never mind the Warren issue. What I got was even bigger than the report that he was trying to block Warren!
I have to get in touch with someone at Huffington Post!
Update [2010-7-16 15:28:17 by Bob Johnson]:
IMPORTANT UPDATE!
Um, hang on. I called the number back and got a recorded message. Apparently, I called a number for Ed Geithner's Hot Air Balloon Rides. According to the company's website, Geithner's long-time business partner is Sid Goldman.
Fuck.
Sorry about this, everyone...