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Taylor Marsh has been writing on line since 1996, with the archives provided here a representation of that work.

Archive | January, 2009

Tom Ricks Blackballed at Army War College

By on 07 January 2009

Ricks tells a disturbing tale that reveals a lot about the cost of criticizing the Iraq war, just as Bush trumpets it as his great success.

Did faculty members at the Army War College curtail their criticism of the Iraq war for fear of institutional retaliation?

[...] When I asked him why he would urge his colleagues to shun me, he quickly apologized via e-mail and explained that it had to do with the political climate at the college back then. In fact, he explicitly blamed the strained relationship between the Army and its civilian overseers under then-Secretary Donald Rumsfeld. “[A]t the time — with growing sensitivity to criticism by Rumsfeld and the Army’s attempt to make peace with Rumsfeld after Shinseki left — several members of SSI had been verbally flogged after interviews with you when the stories portrayed [sic] as more critical of the administration than we intended. We were worried about what might happen to SSI, even frightened for the organization. Many of us, including me, simply stopped doing interviews. Luckily, the climate eventually changed.” …

The cascade of truth hidden during Bush-Cheney is just beginning to flow.

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Bush Is Not Only Incompetent, He’s Rude

By on 07 January 2009

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BSbNOPGm7Hg&eurl
video via Think Progress

Bush bumps President-elect Obama for a right-wing Aussie.

Not only is our brush clearin’, g droppin’ outgoin’ president completely incompetent. But he’s also got the manners of a bull in a dining room. This is representative of why George W. Bush is reviled by progressives. He cannot even tell the truth about guest bookings, but also goes out of his way to make life difficult for the Obamas and their girls start school. Classless.

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The Set Up and The Sting

By on 07 January 2009
by Paul Szep

Well, this is getting messy. Jeff Stein is reporting more disgruntled intel folks over the Panetta pick.

This is just noise, because Panetta has plenty of support where it’s needed and Obama should get whomever he wants at the C.I.A., but the reaction should have been foreseen and a strong front prepared. First, Obama underestimated the importance of having leading intel Democrats like Feinstein on board with his pick of Panetta. Her reaction to being stiffed was utterly predictable and now there is blood in the water, so to speak, because the leading Democrat in the Senate on intel sent a message that she’s not impressed. There are only wingnut sharks circling, but they’ve got lots of media outlets from which to squeal. Obama knew Panetta’s resume, so he should have prepared on all sides for what might come as a response to someone outside the intel community.

Which brings me to a rhetorical wild goose chase Rachel Maddow went on last night, which one can only surmise was meant to help Barack Obama, something that can be appreciated, but went way off the tracks. She argued that because Obama went to Wyden on the intelligence committee, but not Feinstein, the president-elect was sending a signal that Dems involved in any way with not holding Bush accountable for his torture policies would be punished. This is ridiculous on its face, that is if you think Obama is politically savvy, which I do. Because the trouble caused by cutting Feinstein out of the process on Panetta allowed an opening for critics to take hold and run with their reviews, which are becoming more and more negative across the traditional media, as I predicted. Additionally, if Rachel’s Wyden gambit is true, then why in the world would Obama apologize “profusely” to Feinstein, reported by multiple sources, with Biden saying not informing her was a “mistake.” You can dissect the rest regarding Feinstein and Wyden on the subject through Glenn Greenwald, but however you come down the bottom line is that keeping DiFi out of the loop didn’t help the cause for Panetta, which is costing them both. No way Obama wanted that to happen or would set up such a scenario purposefully.

This whole drama sets up the one storyline Obama has worked diligently to keep from getting started with his strong national security cabinet picks. Republicans now have their opening line on the “Democrats can’t protect America” pet talking point, which the traditional media is always all too eager to regurgitate on cue. Though no doubt they would have found another opener anyway, it’s just that they were given this one by the Democrats themselves.

It also means that Steve Kappes is likely to stay on (something I wholeheartedly support), though some still are unhinged about the rendition of Abu Amur, as well as other intel programs in which Kappes could be involved. Ackerman has more, making the very important point that the nature of intel, especially during Bush-Cheney, isn’t at all transparent when it comes to truth. Broad brush and all.

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Reid’s ‘Leadership’ Role

By on 07 January 2009


The headline at Politico should come with a laugh track: Reid vows to lead till at least 2015. It depends on what your definition of “lead” is.

After drawing a line in the sand on Burris. Harry Reid then not only rubbed it out, but walked across it. On top of that, after a speech advising Norm Coleman to concede, Reid caved to Republicans, agreeing not to seat Al Franken, even though he’s been certified the winner in Minnesota.

We used to have leaders like Lyndon Johnson. Now we’ve got Harry Reid. Someone needs to tell Reid we actually won in November. He’s reacting like a loser.

Let me also add that the idea to block Burris in the first place included Barack Obama, who weighed in strongly. It would be naive to think that Reid’s collapse wasn’t inspired by Obama’s desire to get this nightmare off the TV screens. Outplayed on all fronts on this one.

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14 Days and Counting Down…

By on 06 January 2009

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Pxdwr1vPUI&eurl

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.

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Reaction on Panetta

By on 06 January 2009

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t4U3OLLTOjk&eurl=http://taylormarsh.com/archives_view.php?id=28945&feature=player_embedded

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.

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It Was Bound To Happen

By on 06 January 2009

Kaboom. …and there goes Israel’s PR battle up in smoke.

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?

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Senate Circus

By on 06 January 2009

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.

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Meanwhile… in Gaza

By on 05 January 2009

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.)

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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.

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Smoke Signals

By on 05 January 2009

“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.

Rule of law is back.

Oh, and so is adhering to the Geneva Conventions.

Dear Dick: Torture is torture.

Enter Leon Panetta, who is most assuredly an outsider. Straight and blunt as they come, but outside the clandestine services. Panneta’s boss is Dennis Blair, DNI designate:

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.

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Burris Appointment Rejected; Coleman on Empty

By on 05 January 2009

Secretary of the Senate rejects Burris appointment.

Meanwhile in Minnesota, Norm Coleman just ran out of options.

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.”

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Dick and George’s Mushroom Cloud, and What Brought Obama to The Show

By on 05 January 2009

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MeYXnXpOwNA&eurl

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.

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Tax Cutting Dems

By on 05 January 2009

This will tie the Obama haters up in knots.

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.

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Netanyahu’s Focus is Regime Change in Gaza

By on 04 January 2009

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BFetOsLOQVk
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.

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Israeli Ground Assault in Gaza

By on 03 January 2009

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aSuEOBLsa9I
Via Haaretz:


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.

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Anticipating Senate Fireworks

By on 03 January 2009

So, Burris shows up on Tuesday and the Senate does what?

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.

UPDATE: Lawrence Tribe believes the Senate doesn’t have to seat Burris.

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New Year Topic Free For All

By on 02 January 2009

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jsR8DVGS9bM
Couldn’t resist posting the video above. It’s blue, so consider yourself forewarned.

For the news today concerning Israel and the Palestinians, see the TM headlines.

Well, it’s amazing who I’m hearing from now that our relocation city is out of the bag. Moving to Washington, D.C. will be quite an adventure. Thanks for all your emails and comments, including on Facebook and through Twitter.

A couple of “In the News” items. Reader nancy50 posts an item that posits it might be Caroline Kennedy for Senate. Dundee19 posts an article on Washington and Israel from Glenn Greenwald, though that’s long before the Holocaust and the state of Israel hit history. History doesn’t happen in a vacuum. Quite a back and forth ensued over Betsy’s posting.

On another note, I’ve posted on the Facebook group “Tear Down This Myth,” the title of Will Bunch’s new book.

Consider this a topic free for all. Have at it.

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HAPPY NEW YEAR!

By on 01 January 2009

It’s a New Year. So, it’s time to start our new adventure.

We’ll be moving to Washington, D.C. It begins after the Inauguration. It’s an exciting time and this just seemed like the right city and the perfect moment.

Lots of new things will result from the move, even if it’s just being in D.C. to witness President Obama and the Democratic Congress first hand, while living in a very exciting city (that also has terrific food, wine, architecture, culture (!), you name it, as well as proximity to other truly great cities as well). I’ve traveled there so many times in the last years, but living there will be something else. Covering Madame Secretary when I get the opportunity is among the fist things I look forward to doing.

Saying good-bye to the west will be difficult, but I’m sure we’ll be back some day. Living back east is something I truly am looking forward to. Living in New York City was a long time ago, but I simply adored living on that side of America. As for my hubby, he’s taking a leap of faith with me, something he promised when we met and I told him I was on a change the world journey without roots. It will no doubt be one hell of a ride.

Happy New Year everyone. It’s sure to be an eventful year, especially around here.

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