HEADLINES - What's in the news and in the political bloodstream today
Political Hardball Within Hamas: Hardline Militants Calling Shots in Gaza
Despite its myopic focus on promoting violent conflict rather than peaceful negotiations with Israel, Hamas is by no means a monolithic movement. Divisions within the Hamas leadership were evident, for instance, when the recent six-month ceasefire came to a close and varying Hamas leaders issued conflicting statements that both terminated the ceasefire and called for its extension. With Israeli forces currently deployed in Gaza targeting Hamas's military and political leadership, untangling the fissures within the organization is critically important to understanding the group's decisionmaking process. Read More
It's almost over. The administration of George W. Bush and Dick Cheney, that is. Almost. Even as everyone focuses on Bush, around here we will not, because to say Bush's presidency is a failure is to also bring the same indictment against Dick Cheney's vice presidency. They have earned equal condemnation, especially when it comes to abdicating U.S. Middle East policy to Israel. With friends like George and Dick (and John, as in Bolton), Israel could do without our solidarity. See Lebanon, circa 2006.
Looking back there are so many failures of the Bush-Cheney administration. Middle East policy, or lack thereof, unless you call "spreading democracy" through elections people aren't ready for a strategy, is just one. Using the secretary of state as some foreign policy babe shuttle is another. Because even though Bush gave Condoleezza Rice high profile positions, she was always muzzled by the men.
The result is the fury imbedded in Jeffrey Goldberg's title: The World's Pornographic Interest in Jewish Moral Failure. Unfortunately, part of the storyline was parroted by Rush Limbaugh today, making the argument as pornographic as the hideous realities. Jeffrey might do serious; Rush only turns it into parody.
For the record: I defend Israel's right to defend itself, but I fear that Gaza will quickly become a quagmire. I fear for the lives of Israelis, obviously, but I also fear for the lives of Palestinian civilians -- I have friends there, in harm's way -- in part because the Israeli army (and I say this from personal experience) can be a big, rough bulldozer of an army, and in part (large part) because Hamas terrorists unblinkingly and ostentatiously use their own civilians as human shields. I've seen this up-close, and it's repulsive. One story the media isn't telling, because it's impossible to get this story in these circumstances (especially because Israel stupidly won't allow foreign reporters into Gaza) is how much resentment the Hamas policy of using Palestinians as human shields causes among Gaza civilians. Early reports indicate that Hamas mortar teams were firing from the UN School. This shouldn't surprise anyone. -- read the rest to get what Rush used today --
There is no one monolithic "Hamas terrorists." But the distinction rarely gets made. That the military wing has taken over Gaza causing much of the trouble isn't talked about. Just as Palestinian fury against Hamas also gets shrugged off, because people don't do nuance in the Middle East.
[...] The emergence of Gaza's hardline Hamas leadership, one that is closely affiliated with the movement's military wing, provides critical background to understanding recent events. It provides context not only for Hamas's decision to terminate the ceasefire and resume rocket attacks against Israeli civilian communities, but also for the Israeli decision to strike back hard -- first from the air and then on the ground -- at the group's military and political infrastructure in Gaza. read more
No one is without guilt, but until the west understands the layers, moderate Arabs and their leaders (at all levels) will be pulled under by the fury of the militant Palestinians who are inciting the Arab street by the pornographic violence that lays the blame at Israel, who is desperately trying to save their own.
Cressey has a logical argument for Panetta in the video above, while what I'm getting is that sources can't comment because they don't know Panetta at all. Others tell me that their intel sources aren't upset over Panetta. Laura Rozen over at her new blog at FP has collected some reaction from former intel officials as well. As for me, I'm neutral on this one.
But the real noise is over Senator
Feinstein's reaction to the surprise appointment, by anyone's standards,
of Leon Panetta to head the C.I.A. It seems clear to me that Panetta's appointment
leaked out, because there's no reason whatsoever the Transition wouldn't at
least give Feinstein a heads up. Frankly, contrary to some of my esteemed progressive
colleagues, notifying Feinstein is not tantamount to asking for her approval.
It's common courtesy, as Biden
said today as well. She's earned that much over her years, whether you like
her or not, which is why she got an apology today. All this caused an unnecessary
kerfuffle, which I don't believe was intended, but that never matters in these
affairs. It also allowed an opening for the traditional media to jump on Obama's selection of Panetta, which has now got some legs, especially since Feinstein is taking a prove it to me attitude. I do hope Kappes is kept on board, because he'll need him.
As a contrarian aside, I am thankful that President-elect Obama isn't taking Hillary Mann Leverett's
expert advice, which she stated on "Countdown" last night is to make a statement
on Gaza. Obama shouldn't be compelled or guilted into speaking out on Gaza until
he's president. Of course he's concerned about the situation, as well as being
briefed. However, no statement from Obama means anything with Bush still in
office refusing to even condemn the violence or sign off on a cease fire. Getting
in the middle of Bush's Middle East policy is the last thing with which Obama wants to
be associated.
UPDATE: And so it begins, Obama now on "damage control" over Panetta pick, according to CNN.
Anyway, if you look at the "professionals" that have headed the
C.I.A. recently, Porter Goss or George Tenet, it's hard to imagine Panetta being
as incompetent as Goss, or screwing up as badly as Tenet by pontificating Iraq
was a "slam dunk," missing A.Q. Khan in Pakistan, or 9/11 clues, for
that matter.
The traditional media, however, has already hopped on the theme that Panetta has an uphill battle in front of him, which you'll hear screeching out of wingnut radio, as well as Hannity's new show on Fox, debuting next week. By not informing Feinstein, because Panetta's name leaked out or it was an oversight, Obama's team opened the playing field on this one.
Mr. President-elect, you're not in Chicago anymore.
Two tank shells exploded outside the Gaza school, spraying shrapnel on people inside and outside the building, where hundreds of Palestinians had sought refuge from fighting between Israeli soldiers and Hamas militants. In addition to the dead, several dozen people were wounded, the officials said.
Medical officials said all the dead were either people sheltering in the school or local residents. [...]
The Israel Defense Forces had no comment on the incident, but in the past has accused militants of using schools, mosques and residential neighborhoods to store weapons or launch attacks.
There have been reports for several days that Palestinians fled to nearby schools, because their homes in Gaza were not safe.
Closed conversations are one thing for Egypt's Mubarak: Hamas must not be allowed to win its conflict with the IDF, Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak on Monday told a delegation of European foreign ministers in a closed conversation. But after days of quiet, Egypt's Mubarrak has been forced off the ledge.
[...]with the Mubarak demanding Israel immediately end its "monstrous" assault, and the GCC calling for an immediate end to the violence. The limits of their concessions can be seen in the fact that they continue to blame Hamas for the crisis, though, and refuse to do anything substantive in response (calling for an Arab summitt to eventually be held, or photo opportunities of blood donations don't really count). Their media are trying to portray those governments as acting effectively, but that doesn't seem to be getting much traction with a deeply skeptical and outraged public. If the crisis grinds on, we'll see whether these regimes are forced to start making more concessions to public views --- but most of the real impact will only be felt long-term.
Again, what's Israel's end game? To test the Obama administration on day one?
Well, Burris has been turned away. Legally, except for Lawrence Tribe, most experts believe Burris will win this in the end. Who knows, but Senate Democrats look like idiots.
On another plain, in another state, Caroline Kennedy has fallen from grace, at least in popularity among New Yorkers. From PPP:
When it comes to whether they would prefer to see Kennedy or Andrew Cuomo appointed, 58% now prefer Cuomo to 27% for Kennedy.
However, the only New Yorker that matters on this one is Gov. Paterson.
Bush is reason number one why Obama shouldn't and won't weigh in, despite insistence from some that he should.
In Washington, President Bush again defended Israel's actions. "I understand Israel's desire to protect itself," Bush said. "The situation now taking place in Gaza was caused by Hamas." [...]
Leave it to Code Pink to give Obama more room on the issue with their statement on his appropriate silence. But it's truly amusing that Fox uses this group to say that "Obama Catches Heat from the Left." If they're the "left," I'm a wingnut. They are a righteous group, no doubt, but they have the subtlety of Ann Coulter. (Hate mail because of that comparison sure to follow.)
Evidently there were 24 protesters against Obama regarding his continued discipline on maintaining president-elect silence, which caused headlines in the wacky world of outer ether to blare "protesters greet Obama!" Iran is reportedly prepared to take up the slack.
The headlines and coverage of the Gaza battle are becoming increasingly shrill. Not that we shouldn't be used to this, but there's nothing that can be done until Obama is sworn in. Even then it's important for everyone to realize this is between Israel and the Palestinians, all of whom rightly want Hamas out.
"We cannot and we must not use torture under any circumstances. We are better than that." - Leon Panetta
The New York Times is reporting that Obama's choice for the C.I.A. is Leon Panetta. It
continues the signals the president-elect sent earlier today on Justice. The
Office of Legal Counsel is getting a heroine, Dawn Johnsen. See
Glenn Greenwald, which seems to be the consensus of the law dogs.
In his own words: “The use of large-scale military force in volatile regions of underdeveloped countries is difficult to do right, has major unintended consequences and rarely turns out to be quick, effective, controlled and short lived.” (Congressional testimony, Nov. 7, 2007)
Used to work as: The Central Intelligence Agency’s first associate director of military support, and served a tour on the National Security Council. He was also director of the Joint Staff at the Pentagon, and commanded the Kitty Hawk Battle Group and the destroyer Cochrane. In civilian life, Mr. Blair was president of the Institute for Defense Analyses, a nonprofit largely financed by the federal government to analyze national security issues for the Pentagon, from 2003 to 2006. [...]
Complete repudiation of Bush-Cheney fear policies, especially when it comes to the "war on terror."
Reaction of the clandestine crew at C.I.A. to come, no doubt.
So, if you want to see an example of learning from Gore 2000, but also Kerry in Ohio 2004, see Al never give up the fight Franken. What a brawl he delivered. The Wall Street Journal provides the sound effects. Waaaaaah.
UPDATE: Coleman's statement on state Supreme Court ruling.
“Given our campaign’s unwavering commitment to ensuring that the vote of no Minnesotan is disenfranchised, today’s ruling by the Minnesota Supreme Court is both disappointing and disheartening. The fact that the Franken campaign now rejects the notion of every valid vote being counted so they can attempt to declare victory on the basis of a broken process, and an artificial lead built on double counting of votes should concern all Minnesotans. Today’s ruling, which effectively disregards the votes of hundreds of Minnesotans, ensures that an election contest is now inevitable. The Coleman campaign has consistently and continually fought to have every validly cast vote counted, and for the integrity of Minnesota’s election system, we will not stop now. The Minnesota Supreme Court has made sure that an election contest will need to be filed quickly in order to ensure that an accurate and valid recount can be achieved.”
Dick and George's Mushroom Cloud, and What Brought Obama to The Show
BY TAYLOR MARSH
With the flippancy of a teenage thug shrugging off his personal responsibility
for the lies he told that got someone else killed, outgoing Vice President Dick
Cheney proclaimed with the ease that the goals of Iraq have mostly been accomplished. The truth, as always with Bush-Cheney, is something quite different, as Rand Beers NSN outlines in full. It's nothing short of a "national security legacy of failure."
“...it’s been pretty well confirmed that (9/11 al-Qaeda hijacker
Mohammed Atta) did go to Prague and he did meet with a senior official of
the Iraqi intelligence service in Czechoslovakia last April, several months
before the attack.” - V.P. Cheney, “Meet the Press,” 12.9.01
Every Democrat who voted to authorize Bush-Cheney's preemptive nightmare into
Iraq should take pause today, with president-elect Obama remembering what inspired
so many to support him in the first place.
“But we know that Saddam has resumed his efforts to acquire nuclear
weapons... Many of us are convinced that Saddam will acquire nuclear weapons
fairly soon.” - Vice President Cheney, Speech to VWF’s 103rd National Convention, 8.26.2002
Politicians often forget how we got where we are today, where the dialogue
from Dick Cheney can completely ignore that to get into Iraq he and the president
had to not only stovepipe intelligence, but stack the deck, while the White
House Iraq Group waged a publicity campaign that included traditional media
outlets that sold their souls for access.
"...And as the President said on Tuesday night, it would take just one
vial, one canister, one crate to bring a day of horror to our nation unlike
any we have known." - Vice President Dick Cheney, Remarks to the Conservative
PAC, 1.30.03
"... we know he has, in fact, developed these kinds of capabilities,
chemical and biological weapons... We know he's reconstituted these programs
since the Gulf War. We know he's out trying once again to produce nuclear
weapons and we know that he has a long-standing relationship with various
terrorist groups, included the al-Qaeda organization." - Vice President
Dick Cheney, "Meet the Press," 3.16.03
The American public's lazy trust revealed a soft inner core allowing belief
to replace facts and truth. Because remember, the majority of America was gung-ho for war, while people like myself (on radio at the time) railed against the congressional spinelessness that accepted an Administration's word for proof.
"And we believe he has, in fact, reconstituted nuclear weapons."
- Vice President Dick Cheney, "Meet the Press," 3.16.03
The biggest lie of all the notion that Saddam Hussein could ever attack the
U.S., using fantasy weaponry against the most powerful military on earth, never
once thinking about the consequences. Proving how far U.S. foreign policy has gone astray that anyone would believe that Saddam was a clear and present danger to this country or our assets.
"Simply stated, there is no doubt that Saddam Hussein now has weapons
of mass destruction. There is no doubt he is amassing them to use against
our friends, against our allies, and against us." - Vice President Dick
Cheney, August 26, 2002
A small group starting the lies, which grew into the case for preemptive war
against a thug dictator that had plenty of company in a world of ruffians.
“Many of us are convinced that Saddam will acquire nuclear weapons
fairly soon ... “Deliverable weapons of mass destruction in the hands
of a terror network, or a murderous dictator, or the two working together,
constitute as grave a threat as can be imagined.” -Vice President Dick
Cheney on 8.26.02
Mushroom cloud whoppers made complete by a hero general, Colin
Powell, who convinced everyone, including himself, that fear was justified to wage war. Proving that cowardice now was the main thread weaving through the U.S. government. No one having the real stuff to stand up and demand answers before the magnificent self-destruction of shock and awe.
Dick Cheney on “Meet the Press,” 9.8.02: “We do know, with
absolute certainty, that he is using his procurement system to acquire the
equipment he needs in order to enrich uranium to build a nuclear weapon.”
(This reference is to aluminum tubes that were disputed by many intelligence
analysts.)
“And we believe he has, in fact, reconstituted nuclear weapons.”
- Vice President Dick Cheney, Meet the Press, 3.16.03
President Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney can attempt to rewrite history,
but at the foundation of their story lies the unvarnished truth that the case
for war was concocted, so that any story about the alleged achievements accomplished
after five years is accompanied by the stark reality that a war of choice was
waged by mounting a fictional case against Saddam Hussein that was full of holes.
The Bush-Cheney administration stands on this foundation. Taking the U.S. and the world to war against a dictator who had been reduced to a figurehead and nothing more.
Bush and Cheney took us from 9/11 to war to torture, all on the wings of lies over the "war on terror," a term forever ingrained in our language that allows no path to peace.
Let's hope
President Obama and the incoming administration remember this lesson and how our new president became our nominee, then won, starting
with his objection to the Iraq war, with the confidence to state his opposition to popular belief when few had the foresight to do so.
President-elect Barack Obama and congressional Democrats are crafting a plan to offer about $300 billion of tax cuts to individuals and businesses, a move aimed at attracting Republican support for an economic-stimulus package and prodding companies to create jobs.
The size of the proposed tax cuts -- which would account for about 40% of a stimulus package that could reach $775 billion over two years -- is greater than many on both sides of the aisle in Congress had anticipated. It may make it easier to win over Republicans who have stressed that any initiative should rely more heavily on tax cuts rather than spending. [...]
"We're working with Congress to develop a tax-cut package based on a simple principle: What will have the biggest and most immediate impact on creating private-sector jobs and strengthening the middle class?" said transition-team spokeswoman Stephanie Cutter. "We're guided by what works, not by any ideology or special interests." ...
Wingnut radio will be drooling on themselves trying to find a way to attack Democrats on this one.
The Israeli government wants to remove the threat of Hamas shooting rockets
into Israel. Simple goal, however difficult it might be to achieve. Mr. Netanyahu on the other hand made his position clear today with Wolf Blitzer. Call it an election
year dividing line, at the very least. The current Israeli government has one plan. Bibi has another.
But with Barack Obama coming into office in just a couple of weeks, many are
waiting cautiously optimistic about the possibility of a real change in policy
from the last years. Aaron David Miller has written a piece for Newsweek that
is the best advice for Obama I've heard coming from a traditional news source.
He also mentions one of the real challenges facing the new team coming in: settlements.
... If Obama is serious about peacemaking he'll have to adjust that balance
in two ways. First, whatever the transgressions of the Palestinians (and there
are many, including terror, violence and incitement), he'll also have to deal
with Israel's behavior on the ground. The Gaza crisis is a case in point.
Israel has every reason to defend itself against Hamas. But does it make sense
for America to support its policy of punishing Hamas by making life unbearable
for 1.5 million Gazans by denying aid and economic development? The answer
is no.
Then there's the settlements issue. In 25 years of working on this issue
for six secretaries of state, I can't recall one meeting where we had a serious
discussion with an Israeli prime minister about the damage that settlement
activity—including land confiscation, bypass roads and housing demolitions—does
to the peacemaking process. There is a need to impose some accountability.
And this can only come from the president. But Obama should make it clear
that America will not lend its auspices to a peacemaking process in which
the actions of either side willfully undermine the chances of an agreement
America is trying to broker. No process at all would be better than a dishonest
one that hurts America's credibility.
Miller doesn't take on that one of the most important dynamics about to play out is
Secretary of State Clinton's ability to represent what Obama's policy will be
towards Israel, something that is anything but a minor aspect. It will be Secretary Clinton who has to navigate the complicated mind field (yes, mind field) now set up between Israel and the Palestinians. Obama's primary role on coming into the White
House must be one of setting policy that Clinton will have to carry out. The test will
be if Obama will direct Clinton to separate U.S. policy from Israel's, especially at
first, putting daylight between our good friend and ourselves in order to help all parties
that long ago became entrenched in a cycle of insanity. The bottom line putting America's interest back on the table as their first priority.
The bottom line gets down to declaring U.S. independence from Israel, requiring separating
our foreign policy goals, something that the U.S. hasn't been able to do in
years. This goal must be emphasized out loud, in public, so the world can hear, but also in order to set up the real possibility that President Obama can finally get something done in the Middle East. Instead of being just another American president whose team talks a good game, but has no leverage to manifest peace because we tip our hand towards the Israelis no matter the circumstance.
Second, Obama will have to maintain his independence and tactical flexibility
to play the mediator's role. This means not road testing everything with Israel
first before previewing it to the other side, a practice we followed scrupulously
during the Clinton and Bush 43 years. America must also not agree to every
idea proposed by an Israeli prime minister. Our willingness to go along with
Ehud Barak's make-or-break strategy at the Camp David summit proved very costly
where more disciplined critical thinking on our part might have helped preempt
the catastrophe that followed. Coordinating with Israel on matters relating
to its security is one thing. Giving Israel a veto over American negotiating
tactics and positions, particularly when it comes to bridging gaps between
the two sides, is quite another.
Goal of Israel, according to Amir Oren of Haaretz (interviewed on MSNBC), is to "break the will" of Hamas to launch missiles at Israel.
...At one tank base along the border, the roar of tank engines and the rumble of their movements toward the border could be heard after dark, though none moved across the frontier. Hamas officials also reported tank movement toward the border near the northern Erez crossing point.
Defense officials said some 10,000 troops, including tank, artillery and special operations units, were massed on the Gaza border and prepared to invade. They said top commanders were split over whether to send in ground forces, in part because such an operation could lead to heavy casualties but also because they believe Hamas already has been dealt a heavy blow. [...]
The international press is not being allowed into Gaza by Israeli troops. But through television reports available one can't help but ask what will be Israel's end game? How do they de-escalate from this with a victory, something Spencer asks as well. Let's hope they're not headed for Lebanon II.
And with due respect to Siun at FDL, there is absolutely no evidence whatsoever of "ethic cleansing." This rhetoric is not helpful, no matter how well meaning and righteously felt.
The most stark assessment that can be made in my view is that this is an all out effort to drive Hamas out of Gaza, perhaps even destroy their ability to "lead." There is one part of the Palestinian leadership that wholeheartedly supports Israel's actions, with Egypt in the bull's eye right now because Mubarak has closed the border and is not supporting Hamas at all, something NBC's Richard Engel has reported. But Egypt is not alone in not supporting Hamas as Israel's attacks escalate. There is a political wheel turning within a wheel among Palestinians. For the Israelis it's far simpler.
Burris will not be allowed on the Senate floor, according to this aide and
a Senate Democratic leadership aide.
Watch: What if Burris shows up?
The aide familiar with Senate Democratic leaders' plans said if Burris tries
to enter the Senate chamber, the Senate doorkeeper will stop Burris. If Burris
were to persist, either trying to force his way onto the Senate floor or refusing
to leave and causing a scene, U.S. Capitol Police would stop him, said the
aide.
"They (police) probably won't arrest him" but they would call the
sergeant-at-arms," the aide said. [...]
However, the
most hilarious line from Burris doesn't need a laugh track: "There
is no confrontation here, there is no antagonism here," Burris said in
a phone interview from Chicago.
That is simply not believable. The confrontation began when Mr. Burris and Gov. Blogojevich staged the press conference on the Senate announcement
by making sure Bobby Rush came to the podium to warn not to "hang or lynch" anyone over it. (Surely no one believes it was a coincidence that Bobby Rush was in the audience.) The language and posturing of all three of these Democrats, but particularly Rush, was designed specifically
for a confrontation, with a dare on top, with Rush purposefully antagonistic by dragging
race into the picture. We won't rehash Rush's complicated relationship with Obama that goes back years, though it's a juicy story the traditional media will eat up with both hands. But the dare was implicit through Rush's presence.
One can only imagine how the old boxer of the Senate, Harry Reid, is taking
all of this. Not well, I suspect, especially considering the latest political nuggets bursting
forth that Reid inserted himself into the process in Illinois. Not that the majority
leader of the Senate shouldn't be concerned that the appointed senator be the
best gamble to win re-election.
