miraclesrule
Ideal_Rock
- Joined
- Mar 29, 2008
- Messages
- 4,442
Ellen: Since I have become involved in political activism at the Federal level, lobbying for a cabinet level Department, I have come to learn a LOT about the State Department, their budget, and the "symbolic" position. There is always a counter argument to our proposed department by stating that it is already the responsibility of the State Department. Therefore, we have had to reiterate the limited duties and even more limited budget of the State Department before offering the comprehensive nature of our proposed department, both internationally and domestically. Once I started to do that, I began really watching how Condelezza Rice performed her duties and how influential she was in creating or debating policy. Don''t get me wrong, Ms. Rice is a smart woman, but she was also a political pawn. There was more picture taking and highly promoted "visits" than there was actual power in crafting or influencing our international affairs. Maybe it will be different under the Obama administration.
For example, although ideally Ms. Rice was in a capacity to act as a national security advisor, she said "I read the National Intelligence Estimate (NIE REPORT) cover to cover a couple of time." As documented in a thorough investigation, it was the consensus of 16 U.S. intelligence agencies that Hussein was not an imminent threat to this country unless he feared we were about to attack him. Ms. Rice knew this information, knew it was removed from the NIE report that was provided to Congress and the American people. So if she really had any institutional heft herself or behind her position, why didn''t she say "You know, guys, these other distortions are bad enough. But this is going too far."
Wait, now that I think about it....I just don''t see Hillary as the type of person who is capable of the level of deception beyond which she would be willing to go in helping her boss take America to war under false pretenses, as did Rice. But she was capable of being misled. I guess I shouldn''t hold that against her because she was as duped as most everyone else in Congress as to the manipulation of intelligence. I suppose I can be grateful that she is in that position now so that it could never happen again. I hope...at least during this administration.
beebrisk: Seriously, I am still confused. I can''t wait until the appointments are official so I can read the reason why Obama selected the individuals that he did.
For example, although ideally Ms. Rice was in a capacity to act as a national security advisor, she said "I read the National Intelligence Estimate (NIE REPORT) cover to cover a couple of time." As documented in a thorough investigation, it was the consensus of 16 U.S. intelligence agencies that Hussein was not an imminent threat to this country unless he feared we were about to attack him. Ms. Rice knew this information, knew it was removed from the NIE report that was provided to Congress and the American people. So if she really had any institutional heft herself or behind her position, why didn''t she say "You know, guys, these other distortions are bad enough. But this is going too far."
Wait, now that I think about it....I just don''t see Hillary as the type of person who is capable of the level of deception beyond which she would be willing to go in helping her boss take America to war under false pretenses, as did Rice. But she was capable of being misled. I guess I shouldn''t hold that against her because she was as duped as most everyone else in Congress as to the manipulation of intelligence. I suppose I can be grateful that she is in that position now so that it could never happen again. I hope...at least during this administration.
beebrisk: Seriously, I am still confused. I can''t wait until the appointments are official so I can read the reason why Obama selected the individuals that he did.
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