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Burls
11-24-2008, 03:06 AM
Here's a sign of some real change that will be coming to Washington.
Obama has convinced three people who used to work for the Bush administration to join his National Security Team.
The Change: Unlike their former employer, the Obama administration actually wants these people to say what they really think, even when they disagree with the administration.
Can you imagine?!


http://img.slate.com/media/1/123125/123063/2180764/2203914/081121_WS_BeersTN2.jpgRand Beers, a counterterrorism specialist in the National Security Council under Presidents Clinton and George H.W. Bush, resigned in protest (http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/washingtonpost/access/347535321.html?dids=347535321:347535321&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&date=Jun+16%2C+2003&author=Laura+Blumenfeld&pub=The+Washington+Post&edition=&startpage=A.01&desc=Former+Aide+Takes+Aim+at+War+on+Terror) during George W. Bush's administration, stating that the latter's policies—particularly the war in Iraq—strengthened al-Qaida and exacerbated the threat to America.

http://img.slate.com/media/1/123125/123063/2180764/2203914/081121_WS_ErvinTN2.jpgClark Kent Ervin used to be inspector general in the Department of Homeland Security, until he was canned by George W. Bush after complaining about incompetence in the department's intelligence-gathering divisions.

Judith "Jami" Miscik was a longtime analyst at the Central Intelligence Agency—rising, in 2002, to be the agency's deputy director for intelligence—who resigned in 2005, along with many career veterans, during the short-lived, scapegoat-hunting tenure of Porter Goss. In the run-up to the invasion of Iraq, Miscik came under sustained pressure from the White House—especially from aides to Vice President Dick Cheney—to find links between Saddam Hussein and al-Qaida. According to Ron Suskind's book The One Percent Doctrine (https://www.amazon.com/dp/0743271106?tag=slatmaga-20&camp=0&creative=0&linkCode=as1&creativeASIN=0743271106&adid=0B9K16M5TDRPCHXM5XZ4&), Miscik came back from one such meeting "shaking with rage" and telling then-Director George Tenet that she would not put up with any more pressure. (Tenet backed her up, at least for a while.)

rastajenk
11-24-2008, 08:23 PM
the Obama administration actually wants these people to say what they really think, even when they disagree with the administration.
Can you imagine?!How do you know that? You think No Drama Obama is suddenly going to become ringleader in a multi-ring circus? Willingly? Now that's what I call Hope For A Change. But not all hopes are realized.

ArlJim78
11-24-2008, 08:35 PM
looks like the qualification is that if you had a problem with the Bush administration, you're in. instead of getting the best people, they take any who had issues with Bush. not convincing me.

they're likely getting the bottom of the barrel, the rejects. did they hire Scott Ritter yet?

Floyd
11-24-2008, 08:49 PM
looks like the qualification is that if you had a problem with the Bush administration, you're in. instead of getting the best people, they take any who had issues with Bush. not convincing me.

they're likely getting the bottom of the barrel, the rejects. did they hire Scott Ritter yet?

Really? You really think that's what they're doing?
Is that how you handicap?

boxcar
11-24-2008, 09:19 PM
Really? You really think that's what they're doing?
Is that how you handicap?

With real horses, probably he doesn't. But with bona fide, certifiable jackasses soon to be occupying the White House, I'd say he's "handicapped" 'em pretty well.

Boxcar

Jay Trotter
11-24-2008, 09:47 PM
Solid post Burls!

Too me, it looks like Obama is building what could be the strongest team in the history of politics! He is deliberate and seems genuinely interested in surrounding himself with the brightest and the best.

ArlJim78
11-24-2008, 10:14 PM
Really? You really think that's what they're doing?
Is that how you handicap?
yes, exactly how I handicap. they had their chances in these positions and didn't fare well. that will likely happen again.

seriously, if you're a so-called counter-terrorism expert, and you think that after Iraq the threat from al qaida is greater and that they are actually stronger, you should really find another line of work.

Snag
11-24-2008, 10:41 PM
Solid post Burls!

Too me, it looks like Obama is building what could be the strongest team in the history of politics! He is deliberate and seems genuinely interested in surrounding himself with the brightest and the best.

You are really perceptive there. Stongest means they can get the job done. Why were they not able to get it up before? The history of politics is the leading reason why they WON'T get it up. Politics doesn't get it done. The problem is that we all have to suffer the results.

JustRalph
11-24-2008, 10:49 PM
Solid post Burls!

Too me, it looks like Obama is building what could be the strongest team in the history of politics! He is deliberate and seems genuinely interested in surrounding himself with the brightest and the best.

I think you are viewing the payoff that Bill and Hillary worked out with Barry. She is going to run roughshod over his ass and I give her 18 months and she is out of the Sec of State office. 90% of the team assembled is tied to Bill and Hill and when they are all sitting around that big table.......she is going to have lots of allies.

If you think this team is the best in the history of Politics, I suggest you check into those guys who won WWII. Especially the military Generals who really got it done. Half of these positions weren't even around back then.........but Ike and Bradley fending off Patton and his overwhelming prescient abilities while still winning the war was a pretty damn good team. Even if it was more military than political.

Tom
11-25-2008, 08:09 AM
His head of homeland security was a huge failure and roadblock to securing our borders...this dipstick will be the vehicle Al Qeda uses this time. She is not qualified to turn out the lights when she leaves the office.