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RedditThe game of musical chairs is underway as Barack Obama narrows his choices for who he'll appoint to key Cabinet posts. Most of the speculation, naturally, focuses on key economic posts, but there's a steady trickle of leaks and inflating of trial balloons in the national security arena, too.
The New York Times suggests that Obama might want to appoint a secretary of state who is a Republican, "perhaps including Senators Richard G. Lugar of Indiana or Chuck Hagel of Nebraska." In what would be a far, far better choice, the AP reports that John Kerry wants that job:
Several Democrats said Sen. John Kerry of Massachusetts, who won a new six-year term on Tuesday, was angling for secretary of state. They spoke on condition of anonymity, saying they were not authorized to discuss any private conversations.
According to McClatchy, another possibility for State is Bill Richardson, the governor of New Mexico, who broke with the Clintons to support Obama. Like Kerry, Richardson would be wiser choice than selecting a Republican.
At Defense, besides Robert Gates, among those being floated for the job are Richard Danzig, who might have the inside track because he has been part of Obama's inner circle of advisers during the campaign, and John Hamre, a former deputy secretary of defense in the late 1990s and president of the center-right Center for Strategic and International Studies. Hamre,primarily a technocrat and budget expert who is perhaps too closely tied to the defense procurement effort, emerged as a choice in the Times and in The Hill, which outlined the speculation thus:
For Defense secretary, the smart money seems to be on Robert Gates staying put through the first part of the year. Sen. Jack Reed (D-R.I.), an Army veteran and current member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, is another popular choice -- but not now. If Reed took the job, Rhode Island's Republican governor would choose his replacement.John Hamre, deputy secretary of Defense during the Clinton administration, is also mentioned. Hamre is now the president and CEO of the Center for Strategic and International Studies. Marine Gen. Jim Jones, former NATO commander, is also mentioned as a possibility. Richard Danzig, who served as Navy secretary in the Clinton administration, is apparently interested in the deputy secretary job.
And what about Rahm Emanuel? As chief of staff, he won't have a big role in foreign policy making, perhaps, but Emanuel has strong Israel connections, since his father was born in Jerusalem and served as a member of the far-right Irgun militia. In 1991, Emanuel volunteered to serve in the Israeli Defense Forces during the Gulf War, and he's seen as a strong Israel partisan.
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Robert Dreyfuss
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Well, Emmanuel has already set off the AIParanoidACs.
Posted by Maskdelta at 11/06/2008 @ 10:40am
Richardson- SEc Sate
Keep Gates for a while
David Bonior Sec of Labor
Bill Moyers UN Ambassador?
Posted by crabwalk at 11/06/2008 @ 10:51am
Scalia should be appointed Commandant of Gitmo. A full time, live-in position.
Posted by crabwalk at 11/06/2008 @ 10:53am
Why didn't Emanuel volunteer for the US forces during the Gulf War?
Used to be a time when an American serving in the armed forces of another country qualified for loss of US citizenship.
Then came the Israeli exception.
Seems as if Emanuel's first loyalty lies elsewhere.
Big mistake.
Potentially very costly.
A terrible start for the new admin.
Posted by sloper at 11/06/2008 @ 10:55am
For Ponti: Eugene Debs- Sec of Treasury.
hehe.
Posted by crabwalk at 11/06/2008 @ 10:57am
"David Bonior Sec of Labor"
Posted by crabwalk at 11/06/2008 @ 10:51am
How about Richard Gephardt
Posted by Benchrest at 11/06/2008 @ 10:57am
How about Richard Gephardt Posted by Benchrest at 11/06/2008 @ 10:57am
Might be better. Bonior may be tied too close to the auto industry as it gasps for public funding to stay afloat.
any pick is better than Chao!
Posted by crabwalk at 11/06/2008 @ 11:06am
Sec of Energy- Uncle Ralph Nader, of course!
mmmm, MI prop 1 works....
Posted by crabwalk at 11/06/2008 @ 11:08am
Emanuel was born in Chicago, Illinois. His father, the Jerusalem-born Benjamin M. Emanuel, is a pediatrician and was a member of the Irgun, a militant Zionist group considered a terrorist group by the British and the New York Times before the founding of Israel.[6][7][8][9]
Source: Wikipedia, query: rahm emanuel
'Irgun (Hebrew: ארגון; shorthand for HaIrgun HaTzva'i HaLe'umi BeEretz Yisra'el, הארגון הצבאי הלאומי בארץ ישראל, "National Military Organization in the Land of Israel") was a militant Zionist group that operated in Palestine between 1931 and 1948. It was established as a militant offshoot of the earlier and larger Jewish paramilitary organization Haganah (Hebrew: "The Defense", ההגנה). For secrecy reasons, people often referred to the Irgun, during that time, as Haganah Bet (Hebrew: literally "Defense 'B' " or "Second Defense", הגנה ב), or alternatively as Haganah Ha'leumit (ההגנה הלאומית) or Ha'ma'amad (המעמד). In present-day Israel, Irgun is commonly referred to as Etzel (אצ"ל), an acronym of the Hebrew initials.'
Source: Wikipedia; query: Irgun
The more things change, the more they stay the same. Thanks for article Mr. Dreyfuss - if Israel Firsters had any qualms about Obama, they must certainly be laid to rest by now. The new "West Wing," but of what country?
Posted by OneVote at 11/06/2008 @ 11:16am
Posted by crabwalk at 11/06/2008 @ 11:08am
Who?
Posted by Mask at 11/06/2008 @ 11:45am
Posted by OneVote at 11/06/2008 @ 11:16am
So, OV....
you're saying "Obama will have radical associations" if he picks Emmanuel????
LOL How well did THAT work for the GOP?
Posted by Mask at 11/06/2008 @ 11:46am
LOL How well did THAT work for the GOP?
Posted by Mask at 11/06/2008 @ 11:46am | ignore this person | warn this person
My opinion (and maybe yours) isn't what is at issue here. It is how it will be perceived. As to Emanuel having little influence on foreign policy, well, maybe that is like saying that the First Spouse doesn't have the President's ear.
Posted by OneVote at 11/06/2008 @ 11:57am
I am surprised nobody has suggested Hillary for Secretary of State. I would have thought that she would have been the natural choice.
By the way... Welcome Back America, We really missed you.
Posted by audacity at 11/06/2008 @ 12:02pm
"I am surprised nobody has suggested Hillary for Secretary of State. I would have thought that she would have been the natural choice."
Posted by audacity at 11/06/2008 @ 12:02pm
You thought wrong.
She most likely will be the next Senate Majority Leader. A vastly more powerful position than Sec. State.
Posted by Benchrest at 11/06/2008 @ 12:11pm
Posted by OneVote at 11/06/2008 @ 11:57am
Dude, you picked the smart guy. The one who can listen to advisors but still make his mind up, rather than delegating authority and responsibility without fully understanding the situation (Heck of a job Brownie).
I personally would have no problem with Rahm Emmanuel as chief of staff. He is an incredibly smart guy, and I very much doubt he would be as much an enemy of Israeli interests as Lieberman
Posted by audacity at 11/06/2008 @ 12:13pm
Posted by Benchrest at 11/06/2008 @ 12:11pm
Not going to happen. There is NO way the junior senator from New York can become the majority leader. She lacks the seniority.
Posted by audacity at 11/06/2008 @ 12:15pm
Used to be a time when an American serving in the armed forces of another country qualified for loss of US citizenship. Then came the Israeli exception. Seems as if Emanuel's first loyalty lies elsewhere. Big mistake. Potentially very costly. A terrible start for the new admin. Posted by sloper at 11/06/2008 @ 10:55am | ignore this person | warn this perso
er, not exactly.
http://travel.state.gov/law/citizenship/citizenship_780.html
Posted by emile duBois at 11/06/2008 @ 12:17pm
"She lacks the seniority."
Posted by audacity at 11/06/2008 @ 12:15pm
All that is required is the votes. Reid is extremely vulnerable.
Posted by Benchrest at 11/06/2008 @ 12:18pm
Dude, you picked the smart guy. The one who can listen to advisors but still make his mind up, rather than delegating authority and responsibility without fully understanding the situation (Heck of a job Brownie).
Posted by audacity at 11/06/2008 @ 12:13pm | ignore this person | warn this person
The manner in which his "advisors" frame an issue bears on executive decision making, and if you think that Obama is not going to be delegating decision making authority before he fully understands an issue, I think you don't fully understand the limits of human capacity, even that of President Obama.
I am on board with your assessment of Lieberman.
Posted by OneVote at 11/06/2008 @ 12:31pm
redriver-You make up the oddest things on here.It's,actually,Bush and your side that has weakened our military.
Posted by i'm nobody at 11/06/2008 @ 12:51pm
Sec of Education: Red River
Hey Red, keep an eye out, UN tanks should be rolling through Houston soon. Maybe you should take down the road signs.
Posted by crabwalk at 11/06/2008 @ 1:00pm
Rahm is the pick for Roves old post.
I guess all the worry about socialism has been shown to be so much crapola, again. This should make Happy and Gupdog cringe, though! Luvvy might unpucker just a little.
Obama wins North Carolina!!
We Shall Overcome.
Posted by crabwalk at 11/06/2008 @ 1:04pm
RED, have you noticed how most of the world sees the election of Obama as a positive? Did you hear the "collective" sigh of relief from Asia, Europe and the ME?
Posted by crabwalk at 11/06/2008 @ 1:11pm
Good first move to enamour the leftwingnuts of America!
Posted by RedRiver_. at 11/06/2008 @ 12:47pm | ignore this person | warn this person
Watch this play out. Medvedev (Putin) will get what he wants, and so will Israel.
'To bring Putin's Russia on board we must make it an offer it cannot refuse. The offer has three parts.
First, we must treat Russia as an equal partner when it comes to policy in the Caspian Sea region, recognizing Russia's traditional role in the region. Second, we must offer to make Russia whole if it joins in our Iranian boycott and forgoes trade revenues with Iran. That will cost the U.S. roughly $2 billion to $3 billion a year, about what we spend in Iraq each week. Third, we should tell Mr. Putin we will cease building the ineffective antinuclear missile defense sites in Eastern Europe in return for him joining the boycott.'
Excerpt from:
Russia Can Be Part of the Answer on Iran; Senator Charles Schumer - New York; Wall Street Journal, June 3, 2008.
Note this article was published prior to Russia's assertion of control over Ossetia (and Georgia).
'Schumer was and remains a supporter of the Iraq War Resolution, AIPAC member, and a strident Pro-Israel member of Congress, although he has since become very critical of President George W. Bush's strategy in the Iraq War; He has suggested that a commission of ex-generals be appointed to review it.[21] Nat Hentoff of the Village Voice has criticized Schumer for his stance on the issue of torture.[22]'
Source: Wikipedia; query: Charles Schumer
Posted by OneVote at 11/06/2008 @ 1:19pm
redriver-No one drinks the partisan kool aid more than you do nor does anyone live in a partisan fantasy world more than you do.
Posted by i'm nobody at 11/06/2008 @ 1:23pm
"No surprise to the 48% of Americans who did NOT vote for Obamanation is the latest news! Obamanation and his team is planning to destroy the U.S.A. military complex in such a manner as to empower all other militarily strong world governments. He plans to consolicate and destroy our defenses so any third rate world power will pose a threat to our future! Good first move to enamour the leftwingnuts of America!"
Posted by RedRiver_. at 11/06/2008 @ 12:47pm
BETTER-DEAD-THAN-RED RIVER:
You have alot of courage pushing your head above the parapet to bark out anti-State slogans.
But BEWARE!
ACORN is on the march! They are out for you, picking up your scent!
You may want now to change your name to "John Galt", a reference that scummy ACORN collectivists would not understand anyway, to better evade them as they swarm over the streets seeking to castrate rugged individualists like yourself. I hear that ACORN has already nabbed PONTI-FECES's penis and they are displaying it like a trophy.
Posted by PhilMcCrevice at 11/06/2008 @ 1:29pm
RAHM ACCEPTS OBAMA OFFER OF CHIEF OF STAFF POSITION!
Posted by Metteyya at 11/06/2008 @ 1:32pm
Why not Jim Webb for Secretary of Defense?
Posted by palehorse67 at 11/06/2008 @ 1:49pm
Why not Jim Webb for Secretary of Defense? Posted by palehorse67 at 11/06/2008 @ 1:49pm
He'd far, far too good. A near perfect choice.
Feared by the military bureaucrats, AIPAC, weapons suppliers.
Which is why he may be rather unlikely a pick.
Posted by sloper at 11/06/2008 @ 2:16pm
..and nothing says defense like bringing a pistol to the Hill!
Posted by palehorse67 at 11/06/2008 @ 2:26pm
I'd like to see more of his campaign staff get positions too. They did way too good of a job not to deserve something.
Posted by palehorse67 at 11/06/2008 @ 2:34pm
Nothing major of course...
Posted by palehorse67 at 11/06/2008 @ 2:36pm
Posted by OneVote at 11/06/2008 @ 1:19pm | ignore this person | warn this person
a hard line against Iran is what we DON"T need.
you notice that our European friends aren't on board with that?
Posted by emile duBois at 11/06/2008 @ 2:36pm
It is more than a bit troubling that he is lining up the Clintonista retreads already. Now that the voting is over and while the campaign signs are still stuck in yards all over the neighborhoods, already it is like the voices of the people fall on deaf ears and it is back to the business of the insiders, as usual. The voting is over so what do we matter anymore? Tread carefully Barack Obama, already you have some of us doubting our vote with some of your own past votes. We have been fooled too many times and it will stop at your door.
Posted by Lil at 11/06/2008 @ 2:43pm
geez. give the guy a break.
Posted by emile duBois at 11/06/2008 @ 2:48pm
I don't know that much about Rahm Emanuel, but what I do know is that the right wingnuts quickly started bitching and pounced on his role as Chief of Staff.
If they don't like him it usually means I probably will. In reality I could care less if Obama appointed Elmer Fudd as his Chief of Staff. It is his decision to chose those in his inner circle.
I will more concerned who he appoints to major cabinet positions.
Posted by chaoszen at 11/06/2008 @ 3:03pm
It is interesting what is happening with Joe Lie-berman. Now that Jeff Merkley has taken the Oregon senate seat that brings the total to 56. If Franken manages to pull out his Senate seat that would be 57. With the independent Bernie Sanders caucusing with the Democrats that would make 58.
So unfortunately it looks like the Democrats need Lie-berman more than he needs them. If they give him what he wants that would make 59. And with a Republican like Chuck Hagel appointed to a significant cabinet position that might make the magic number 60.
60 is a moving target however and the pleasure of booting Lie-berman migh be worth the sacrifice.
Posted by chaoszen at 11/06/2008 @ 3:18pm
oops my reasoning is messed up. If Obama appoints Hagel to a cabinet seat that would screw it up.
Is there another bone they could toss Hagel? I guess I need a couple beers to get my head screwed on straight.
Posted by chaoszen at 11/06/2008 @ 3:23pm
I will more concerned who he appoints to major cabinet positions.
Posted by chaoszen at 11/06/2008 @ 3:03pm | ignore this person | warn this person
'In the job, Emanuel would oversee the White House staff. The chief of staff is usually involved in all the major decisions that the president makes and is responsible for making sure the administration carries out the president's wishes.
The chief of staff also often is involved in negotiations with congressional leaders when major legislation is under consideration.'
Excerpt from:
EmanuelExpected to Bring "Tough Minded" Approach to White House; Scott Anderson; CNN - CNNPolitics.com - Today
Posted by OneVote at 11/06/2008 @ 3:23pm
There are way too many complaints about the guy who's picked ONE Clinton administration official and is mulling over a few more. The Bill Richardson camp doesn't seem to be crawling with lobbyists. Just because Emmanuel is Jewish and a strong supporter of Israel doesn't mean he's going to suggest any nefarious foreign policy, or that Barack would even listen.
People would bitch (including me) if McCain won. People are bitching now because of who he's choosing for positions. Guess you can't please 'em all right?
Posted by palehorse67 at 11/06/2008 @ 3:23pm
The Irgun, along with the Stern gang, conducted the massacre of the the Arab village of Deir Yassin . This operation was coordinated with the Hagannah. Former Prime Ministers Menachem Begin and Yitzhak Shamir headed the Irgun and the Stern Gang respectively. Shamir signed off on the assassination of UN Representative of Count Folke Bernadotte. The bombing of the King David hotel was one of the Irgun's better known operations. I don't know if Begin or Shamir were present at Deir Yassin. Hopefully, they will run national security checks on all the new members of the White House staff. Though not Irgun, Shamir had Mossad connections. It won't hurt to check them all out.
Posted by P. J. Casey at 11/06/2008 @ 3:25pm
Or is it possible for a Senator to accept a Cabinet position and still keep the Senate seat?
I need to research that.
Posted by chaoszen at 11/06/2008 @ 3:30pm
Red, I think you can drop your concern about weakening the military--if anything, Bush has done that, especially with the poor VA care and nonsense about "personality disorders." I can well understand fear about Clinton re-treads and I hope Obama appoints really thoughtful minds like Hagel at State. Judging by the New Yorker article about Hagel, he'd be great to head State...it'd be nice if Obama polled people on his e-mail list about these appointments to see what we think.
Posted by mimsky at 11/06/2008 @ 3:31pm
Posted by P. J. Casey at 11/06/2008 @ 3:25pm | ignore this person | warn this person
the Brits did a few atrocities too. it was a civil war.
Posted by emile duBois at 11/06/2008 @ 3:34pm
Posted by RedRiver_. at 11/06/2008 @ 12:47pm
Red, I notice you weren't too concerned about the percentages of Americans that didn't vote ....for Dubya??!?!?!??? over the last 8 years.
Posted by Maskdelta at 11/06/2008 @ 3:35pm
I think Wesley Clark should replace Robert Gates. He's not a neocon and is a reasonable and smart person to fill that position. There's a change, and yet a change that would come with some experience that we can trust.
Posted by Wolfgang1 at 11/06/2008 @ 3:42pm
Or is it possible for a Senator to accept a Cabinet position and still keep the Senate seat? I need to research that. Posted by chaoszen at 11/06/2008 @ 3:30pm | ignore this person | warn this person
I don't think so. executive branch vs legislative branch. there would be huge conflict of interest issues.
."it'd be nice if Obama polled people on his e-mail list about these appointments to see what we think. Posted by mimsky at 11/06/2008 @ 3:31pm | ignore this person | warn this person"
you must be joking. we elected HIM to make the decisions.
Posted by emile duBois at 11/06/2008 @ 3:42pm
a hard line against Iran is what we DON"T need.
Posted by emile duBois at 11/06/2008 @ 2:36pm | ignore this person | warn this person
I agree with you. We've tried that - unsuccessfully.
Posted by OneVote at 11/06/2008 @ 3:43pm
Actually, it is almost all Clintonistas--and the worst of the lot too. Folks shouldn't comment on Emanuel until they are familiar with the Zionist DLC hack who was point man for NAFTA. Give me a break, Obama's courting the center threatens to alienate the progressive base with his whored out votes to Wall Street and FISA capitulation. Don't think we forget. Don't think we are not paying attention and quit moving the goalposts everytime he betrays himself yet again.
Posted by Lil at 11/06/2008 @ 3:47pm
I don't care if Iran gets a nuke or not. they are not our enemy. Al Qaeda, who is our enemy is not being protected by Iran but by Pakistan.
Posted by emile duBois at 11/06/2008 @ 3:47pm
Some other appointment ideas....How about Ralph Nader overseaing something along the lines of consumer protection agency like the FDA, energy commision or something along those lines. He'd make sure that things were transparent and would actually protect the consumers instead of only protecting overseas business ventures.
Another person to possibly use as an advisor or somewhere could be Elliot Spitzer. Ya, he got caught paying for prosititues, but he's also the same guy who too took on the big cheeses and kicked their asses. That is why he was railroaded with the prostitute thing in the first place. He was about to spill the beans on capitol hill and was rapidly outed as a John. The guy is still smart... just needs to keep his pants on and make his visits to legalized brothels. He's no different than probably 90% of those in D.C. using hookers, he was just outed.
Posted by Wolfgang1 at 11/06/2008 @ 3:47pm
I don't care if Iran gets a nuke or not. they are not our enemy. Al Qaeda, who is our enemy is not being protected by Iran but by Pakistan.
Posted by emile duBois at 11/06/2008 @ 3:47pm
Well put Emile. Ditto here.
Posted by Wolfgang1 at 11/06/2008 @ 3:49pm
Posted by Wolfgang1 at 11/06/2008 @ 3:49pm |
Ditto here aswell.
Posted by chaoszen at 11/06/2008 @ 3:51pm
Though not Irgun, Shamir had Mossad connections. It won't hurt to check them all out.
Posted by P. J. Casey at 11/06/2008 @ 3:25pm | ignore this person | warn this person
I agree with you. The old saying "Like Father, Like Son," I am sure has a Middle East equivalent, if not the origin of the saying to begin with. A careful vetting is entirely appropriate and might be an important move toward restoring some semblance of trust of the Obama administration with the Muslim world.
Posted by OneVote at 11/06/2008 @ 3:57pm
As long as we have a nuclear weapon stockpile the rest of the world will strive to have some also.
Until all countries agree to dismantle their nuclear weapons, they will proliferate. That evil Genie was let out of the bottle a long time ago..
Posted by chaoszen at 11/06/2008 @ 3:58pm
I don't care if Iran gets a nuke or not. they are not our enemy. Al Qaeda, who is our enemy is not being protected by Iran but by Pakistan.
Posted by emile duBois at 11/06/2008 @ 3:47pm | ignore this person | warn this person
Absolutely! US needs to focus on the security of the US.
Posted by OneVote at 11/06/2008 @ 4:03pm
Jones might be alright for Defense. My source for the Bernadotte assassination was Avi Shlaim's book "the Iron Wall, Israel and the Arab World". My source for Deir Yassin was Tom Segev's "One Palestine Complete". Both are Israeli authors! Shamir's connection with the Mossad was mentioned in Hareetz, which is my favorite newspaper for fact base reporting. I started opposing the Vietnam war after the Mylai Massacre. There are no excuses for War Crimes. I don't scare!
Posted by P. J. Casey at 11/06/2008 @ 4:07pm
Another person to possibly use as an advisor or somewhere could be Elliot Spitzer. Ya, he got caught paying for prosititues, but he's also the same guy who too took on the big cheeses and kicked their asses. That is why he was railroaded with the prostitute thing in the first place. He was about to spill the beans on capitol hill and was rapidly outed as a John. The guy is still smart... just needs to keep his pants on and make his visits to legalized brothels. He's no different than probably 90% of those in D.C. using hookers, he was just outed.
Posted by Wolfgang1 at 11/06/2008 @ 3:47pm | ignore this person | warn this person
I totally agree. Those Wall Street bastards could hardly wait to out him. Attorney General has a nice ring to it. He nailed the same investment banks and insurance companies that are the recipients of Bush largesse under the bailout. Who should hang their head in shame? Alas, the probability is about nil, but it is nice to dream.
Posted by OneVote at 11/06/2008 @ 4:08pm
I don't care if Iran gets a nuke or not. they are not our enemy. Al Qaeda, who is our enemy is not being protected by Iran but by Pakistan.
Posted by emile duBois at 11/06/2008 @ 3:47pm
If Iran gets a nuke, it has the potential to set off a nuclear arms race in the Middle East at a time when we are trying to draw down the number of nuclear weapons. I would be in support of them nuclear reactor for energy purposes, only that they have been accused of and actually admitted they have trained Shia insurgents to fight in Iraq.
The only ingredient missing from that recipe for disaster is to actually put some of their spent nuclear rods in the hands of the insurgents. Then you have a whole new level of danger for the troops in Iraq.
Posted by palehorse67 at 11/06/2008 @ 4:12pm
Spitzer is a corpse politically speaking. there is no chance of him in the Obama administration. he turned out to be a major jerk, with the prostie thing being just one issue. going after the senate leader in such a clumsy way was another. there was no need to do so, Bruno is gone and the dems control all of Albany, legislature and executive.
Posted by emile duBois at 11/06/2008 @ 4:13pm
I don't know, Alaskans re-elected Ted Stevens, so I guess you can be a convicted felon and hold a seat in Congress.
Posted by palehorse67 at 11/06/2008 @ 4:33pm
Do you actually believe the shit that comes out of your mouth Red? Or do you you surprise yourself sometimes?
Posted by palehorse67 at 11/06/2008 @ 4:42pm
the Brits did a few atrocities too. it was a civil war. Posted by emile duBois at 11/06/2008 @ 3:34pm
Don't recall that that Irgun or Stern Gang operated within UK.
Palestine was not a part of UK or Brit Empire, just a WWI mandate.
Neither of those 2 terrorist groups had Palestinian nationality.
Hence, not a "civil war."
Similar US wars against Native Americans weren't "civil wars" either.
The Irgun/Stern Gang/Haganah war against Palestinians was a war of primarily European Jewish colonizers against Arabic peoples who'd been living there for about 1500 years.
Posted by sloper at 11/06/2008 @ 4:42pm
"Our outgoing Gov. was a super delegate and although 70% of the Undemocrats in the state primary voted Hillary, he cast his vote for Obamanation dooming his future political desires!"
Posted by RedRiver_. at 11/06/2008 @ 4:42pm |
Gov. Brad Henry's approval ratings are sky high. He has doomed nothing. He simply knew who was going to win.
Posted by Benchrest at 11/06/2008 @ 4:50pm
Speaking of Spitzer...
No charges for ex-NY governor in prostitution case By TOM HAYS, Associated Press Writer Tom Hays, Associated Press Writer 30 mins ago
'NEW YORK – Federal prosecutors said Thursday that they will not bring criminal charges against Eliot Spitzer for his role in a prostitution scandal, removing a legal cloud that has surrounded the former New York governor since his epic downfall eight months ago.
U.S. Attorney Michael Garcia said investigators found no evidence that Spitzer or his office misused public or campaign funds for prostitution. Investigators found that Spitzer solicited high-priced call girls, but federal prosecutors typically do not prosecute clients of prostitution rings.
"In light of the policy of the Department of Justice with respect to prostitution offenses and the longstanding practice of this Office, as well as Mr. Spitzer's acceptance of responsibility for his conduct, we have concluded that the public interest would not be further advanced by filing criminal charges in this matter," Garcia said in a statement.
A remorseful Spitzer issued a statement in which he expressed relief that he will not face charges......."
Posted by OneVote at 11/06/2008 @ 4:52pm
How about it......Spitizer resigns and Ted Stevens runs as a convict and is posed to pull it off. What a Country!
Posted by OneVote at 11/06/2008 @ 4:55pm
damn redriver. give the exclamation point a rest.
Posted by palehorse67 at 11/06/2008 @ 4:59pm
"Only among Undemocrats! I find few outside of state education who don't despise his partisonship extremism."
Posted by RedRiver_. at 11/06/2008 @ 4:58pm
Baloney. I was born, raised, and live in Oklahoma. Govenor Henry is as centrist as they come, otherwise he could never have been elected, and re-elected in a state where not one single county went for Obama, and still maintain approval ratings in the high seventies.
Posted by Benchrest at 11/06/2008 @ 6:02pm
Progressive Internationalism: globalize with US pre-eminence.
Emanuel adopted the manifesto, "A New Agenda for the New Decade": Build a Public Consensus Supporting US Global Leadership The internationalist outlook that served America and the world so well during the second half of the 20th century is under attack from both ends of the political spectrum. As the left has gravitated toward protectionism, many on the right have reverted to "America First" isolationism.
Our leaders should articulate a progressive internationalism based on the new realities of the Information Age: globalization, democracy, American pre-eminence, and the rise of a new array of threats ranging from regional and ethnic conflicts to the spread of missiles and biological, chemical, and nuclear weapons. This approach recognizes the need to revamp, while continuing to rely on, multilateral alliances that advance U.S. values and interests.
A strong, technologically superior defense is the foundation for US global leadership. Yet the US continues to employ defense strategies, military missions, and force structures left over from the Cold War, creating a defense establishment that is ill-prepared to meet new threats to our security. The US must speed up the "revolution in military affairs" that uses our technological advantage to project force in many different contingencies involving uncertain and rapidly changing security threats -- including terrorism and information warfare.
http://www.ontheissues.org/IL/Rahm_Emanuel_Foreign_Policy.htm
Posted by OneVote at 11/06/2008 @ 6:40pm
Progressive Internationalism? Sounds like more neocon doublespeak to me. Welcome aboard Rahm!
Posted by OneVote at 11/06/2008 @ 6:42pm
REDRIVER, you are the only person here that has brought up Stalin etc. You are a sick, twisted individual. Your grasp of reality is weak, at best.
Posted by crabwalk at 11/06/2008 @ 6:53pm
Only among Undemocrats! I find few outside of state education who don't despise his partisonship extremism.-------Posted by RedRiver_. at 11/06/2008 @ 4:58pm
I'm sorry....RED/RIO BRAVO....attacking...."partisanship extremism"?!?!?!?!?
Mr. "I'm an Independent, but I HATE Everything About Only ONE American Political Party"?!??!?!?!?
We need a battleship to float in that bullshit level!
Posted by Mask at 11/06/2008 @ 9:59pm
I wonder who will be appointed as ambassador to Finland. Perhaps Bernie Sanders?
Posted by sntauri at 11/06/2008 @ 10:22pm
Posted by chaoszen at 11/06/2008 @ 3:51pm |
i'll add a ditto to that.
philmc--very funny. thanks.
:)
wolfgang, lots of great ideas on appointments. i agree.
rio, keep it up and i'll have to send the demons after you once again.
crab, it was incredibly generous of you to say rio has a weak grasp on reality.
hi mask, glad to see you have your name back.
Posted by loveloki at 11/06/2008 @ 10:31pm
hi mask, glad to see you have your name back.
Posted by loveloki at 11/06/2008 @ 10:31pm
...and ibble is all blibbley again.
Much better.
Posted by Malcontent at 11/06/2008 @ 10:46pm
How about it......Spitizer resigns and Ted Stevens runs as a convict and is posed to pull it off. What a Country!
Posted by OneVote at 11/06/2008 @ 4:55pm
Right on O.V. Ted Stevens got caught with his hands in the cookie jar. Ten to one says that these weren't isolated incidents.
So, which is the greater sin. Paying for hookers (with your own money) or being a senator accepting bribes through graft. Spitzer had the decency to step down and apologize. Stevens, even after being convicted by his peers, not only won't resign, but ran in the backwards state of Alaska and won.
Can you be a state senator from a prison cell?!
Posted by Wolfgang1 at 11/06/2008 @ 11:16pm
Here's some food for thought. Sarah Palin is still the gov. of Alaska is she not? Wonder if she'll commute Ted Stevens' sentence or appoint some investigative board to over turn his guilty verdicts?
By pardoning Stevens, Palin will score big points with the GOP base (they love crooks on their side) and Stevens will of course owe her some favors after the fact. Palin may even appoint herself Senator Stephens from AK. After 2 plus years as a senator, a couple years as governor and her mayor stint, she'll be vetted by the GOP to make a run in 2012. LOL
Posted by Wolfgang1 at 11/06/2008 @ 11:27pm
none of this will happen, Wolfgang
Posted by emile duBois at 11/07/2008 @ 12:05am
Posted by Malcontent at 11/06/2008 @ 10:46pm
:)
hi eric! yes, that is much better. wonderful to see that you're still around.
Posted by loveloki at 11/07/2008 @ 12:18am
emile, i noticed that you were wondering where maasch has been. i've been wondering the same. it is odd for him to be silent for so long. i hope he's ok.
as far as frankgrits goes.....good riddance. his silence couldn't last long enough. his racism was such a surprise to me. yuck.
Posted by loveloki at 11/07/2008 @ 12:24am
John R. Bolton, ambassador antarctica.
Posted by koroviev at 11/07/2008 @ 03:43am
Locus of love,
Glad to see you're back on the blogs.
I saw your county (Silverbow, correct?) go for Obama in fine fashion.
The other somewhat interesting fact from Montana was the higher than national average for third party candidates. Granted the number was still a pathetically low one in my opinion, but Montana's >3 % beat out the typical 1 to 2 % seen elsewhere --one county in the far eastern part of the state showed 5 %.
I had a great time partying with many others on Tuesday night. But it's back to reality pretty quickly I think. And a sobering reality it is.
I liked Alex Cockburn's take in the new Nation issue.
I wore my "Misleader, No More Lies" button --that I purchased at a Howard Dean rally in Phoenix back in January '04-- to the election bash I went to Tuesday night.
The button has a picture of Dubya with a partly pursed open mouth that closely resembles a chimpanzee's typical vocalization expression when riled up.
Catch 'ya on the flip side.
Posted by b_kool_66 at 11/07/2008 @ 03:58am
John R. Bolton, ambassador antarctica.
~Koroviev
You're too kind, Koro. With global warming kicking in with increased vengeance Antarctica is gonna be the new Hawaii in short order.
How about Bolton for ambassador to Bikini atoll, or some other soon to be nonexistent locale?
Posted by b_kool_66 at 11/07/2008 @ 04:02am
How about Bolton for ambassador to Bikini atoll, or some other soon to be nonexistent locale?
Posted by b_kool_66
You are correct. I suggest John R. Bolton, ambassador to City of Dis, Hell's 6th ring (at least according to Dante)
Posted by koroviev at 11/07/2008 @ 04:57am
Just to set the record straight, Menachem Begin led the Irgun's massacre at Deir Yassin, an event he later called a "splendid operation." He proudly labeled himself as "the world's number one terrorist." Shamir wasn't any better; both became prime ministers. The 1948 ethnic cleansing of the Palestinians was pre-planned down to the last detail - Tochnit Dalet, "Plan B". See Ilan Pappe's excellent book "The Ethnic Cleansing of Palestine."
Posted by uberneocon at 11/07/2008 @ 07:08am
See Ilan Pappe's excellent book "The Ethnic Cleansing of Palestine."
~"uberneocon"
It's posts like this that really make me proud of the Nation's weblogs.
Excellent reference, Uber.
I also recommend the monumental "The Gun and the Olive Branch" by David Hirst. It's one of those books that is difficult to put down once you start.
Interestingly, it is precisely the issue of the U.S.-Israel relationship that exposes a sometimes strikingly apparent split personality at The Nation magazine. For instance, in an interview that Ms. vanden Heuvel recently gave on Democracy Now (I think I saw it there), she was quick to point out Rahm Emanuel's DLC roots and the attendant pro-corporate stances while pretty much ignoring the much more significant point of Rahm's pro-Iraq war, and rabid pro-Israel inclinations.
Nothing against Katrina --I love her-- but it appears rather blatantly obvious from time to time that The Nation must walk a fine line when the name of Israel is spoken.
This is one of the larger realities of modern America that any historian looking back from the future simply must include --along with the amazingly complex and deeply embedded tendrils of the Pentagon in our society-- in order to make sense of American actions in the world.
P.S. Another stellar example of the purblindness at The Nation was the virtual silence over the absurdly obsequious Obama speech before the AIPAC extravaganza this past June--and indeed, the lack of coverage of that most fascinating event in general.
Uri Avnery at Counterpunch issued the necessary tail-whacking for Obama's ridiculously over the top speech:
www.counterpunch.org/avnery06092008.html
Posted by b_kool_66 at 11/07/2008 @ 08:17am
there's only one good pick i can think of for secretary of state: dennis kucinich
Posted by ghzskr at 11/07/2008 @ 12:25pm
oh, I don't know, Al Gore? he has the respect and good will of much of the world.
I don't know if Kucinich is diplomatic enough or has enough foreign affairs experience.
Posted by emile duBois at 11/07/2008 @ 12:33pm
I like Obama but i guess change does not include the Middle East.It seems the Israelis will be still in control of Americas forign policy, which is baddd for America.Can we ever have a president who can stand up to Israel.the last 40 years we had an insane policy in the middle east which created insane people.Israel is the biggest threat to America and will stay so until the congress, media, White house dare to put America first
Posted by adam777 at 11/07/2008 @ 5:58pm
Posted by adam777 at 11/07/2008 @ 5:58pm | ignore this person | warn this person
hysterical. in both senses of the word
Posted by emile duBois at 11/07/2008 @ 6:04pm
No one should be surprised of the depth of zionist influence in this administration.
American polity is zionist occupied territory it doesnt matter who gets in, they pay their allegiance to israel, else they are not allowed to become viable candidates for high office.
What do think AIPAC is for?
Mr Obama is no exception, I wish he was but then I be deluding myself.
Posted by mrmb at 11/07/2008 @ 8:53pm
Mr Obama is no exception, I wish he was but then I be deluding myself more than I am already deluded. Posted by mrmb at 11/07/2008 @ 8:53pm | ignore this person | warn this person
Posted by emile duBois at 11/07/2008 @ 9:32pm
none of this will happen, Wolfgang
Posted by emile duBois at 11/07/2008 @ 12:05am
Emile, You may be right that none of this will happen.
You seem to be a purist or idealogue which I salute, but this is far from a perfect world.
Spitzer screwed up big time and set himself up, but the man is one of the only people around really proven to take on the powers that be....that is why they used the prostitution situation on him. Was he a hypocrit? Absolutely. But just about every person posing as your average Joe in D.C. is a hypocrit.
It's kind of like fielding a good football or baseball team. Find the best players you can get if you want to be successful. Spitzer proved himself time and time again and was rail roaded. A blind man can see that. What happened to him wasn't too different that Bill Clinton, yet Spitzer didn't perjure himself. He was cleared of charges of using N.Y money to pay for his hookers.
If the Obama administration doesn't use this man in some fashion, they are making an astronomical mistake. They can use him behind the scenes if need be, but the boy has talent and intestinal fortitude to match....something most of the assholes in D.C. never ever heard of.
http://www.thenation.com/doc/20081103/williams
Posted by Wolfgang1 at 11/08/2008 @ 10:17pm
none of this will happen, Wolfgang
Posted by emile duBois at 11/07/2008 @ 12:05am
Emile, On a side note, I also predicted gas prices would drop drastically from October to election day...which they did. You told me I was full of it if memory serves.
You are a little older than I am, but not that much older, but I can't recall very many election cycles when the republican party was at the helm where gas prices didn't spike at the pinacle of their power and drop come election time to make it appear like they were doing something to lower fuel prices, or perhaps hoping that the people would forget that they and their oil buddies had screwed us over while in office.
The puppets in political office are put in place to serve their masters pulling the strings behind the scenes. My big question now is who is pulling Obamas? Hopefully no one is, but history doesn't support that niave perception unfortuantely.
Posted by Wolfgang1 at 11/08/2008 @ 10:29pm
unfortuantely.
Posted by Wolfgang1 at 11/08/2008 @ 10:29pm
Sorry, meant to say unfortunately.
Posted by Wolfgang1 at 11/08/2008 @ 10:32pm
Tell me now, why would Kerry be a better choice than a Republican? Because you don't really want to break the partisan divide? That was all just talk? John Kerry would be an absolutely god-awful choice for anything, especially an important position like secretary of state. You know how Obama won Virginia, North Carolina, Ohio, Florida, Indiana, Nevada, Colorado, New Mexico and Iowa? All states that DIDN'T vote for Kerry? Remember how Kerry managed to lose to George Bush, who was already unpopular? John Kerry is worthless. Bill Richardson would be a good candidate for those positions. But the Republicans would still be far better than Kerry. In fact, I would argue that Obama has an obligation to put some Republicans on his staff. Obama campaigned on a promise of unity and bipartisanship. I know that you hardcore lefties at The Nation don't really like bipartisanship when you find out that it means that you do have to listen to the other 45% of the country, but if Obama is the man that America elected, he will.
Posted by cowpunkrva at 11/11/2008 @ 12:50pm
>ran in the backwards state of Alaska and won.
God, everyone whose not in the palm of the left is backwards. You want to know why Bush and the Republicans kept winning? That is exactly why. That is what everybody means by liberal elitism. You suck. You make me sick.
Posted by cowpunkrva at 11/11/2008 @ 1:29pm