via Xinhua/Zhang Yan
While the editorials from the New York Times and Washington Post focused on Bill Clinton’s global work, the world was more interested in what Hillary Clinton’s statements meant in contrast to Bush-Cheney policies.
The world welcomed the change, because the bigger picture has nothing to do with Bill. That Clinton’s respect from the Senate Foreign Relations committee infuriated wingnuts and the usual suspects like David Shuster, who couldn’t wait to give Christopher Hitches another chance to bloviate about the Clintons, but was relegated to a sideshow, was fitting. Because the signal sent from President-elect Obama through Clinton was received loud and clear around the world.
Secretary of State-designate Hillary Rodham Clinton told her confirmation hearing on Tuesday that fighting terrorism in Pakistan and Afghanistan would be the highest priority of the Obama administration.
“It is imperative that we work with our friends in both Pakistan and Afghanistan” to defeat terrorists in that region, she told the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
“The democratically elected government in Pakistan seems to be much more aware (than the previous government) of how this is their fight, not just ours,” she added.
Both President-elect Barack Obama and Senator Clinton believe that the United States should make a more focussed commitment to stabilising Afghanistan and to pushing Pakistan to eliminate the so-called terrorist havens in Fata. [...]
That would be the Federally Administered Tribal Area, with the reference about efforts to try to stabilize Afghanistan causing indigestion in quarters of the progressive community, which I’ll address at length another time.
RT has this headline: Hillary to seek dialog with Moscow.
China View focuses on the Middle East. But it ends with Iran, quoting Clinton on what will be the Obama administration’s “new, perhaps a different approach,” but ending with Clinton’s line on Iran that “no option is off the table,” a line that would ring for the leadership inside China.
Turkey got the message on the Middle East (via Juan Cole):
Secretary of state designate Hillary Clinton Tuesday promised a “smart” blend of U.S. military and diplomatic power projection under Barack Obama, and said America must never give up on Middle East peace.
Clinton promises smart power under Obama
In the latest twist to her trail-blazing political career, Clinton got a warm embrace from the Senate Foreign Relations committee in her confirmation hearing, and laid out the first building blocks of the new U.S. foreign policy.
As Israel’s war on Hamas in Gaza rages, she ruled out talks with the Islamist militant group but expressed disquiet over civilian casualties on both sides. [...]
That last line is important, because it signals that the Obama administration will not be tone deaf when it comes to the plight of Palestinians in Gaza. It’s a beginning step away from Bush’s tunnel vision where Palestinians are concerned.
Back here… Jay Solomon of the Wall Street Journal has a smart article up that includes Syria, catching Kerry’s question on whether we will finally, at long last, have an ambassador to Syria under Obama, but more specifically what that would mean to U.S. policy in the region.
The Obama administration also views efforts to engage Syria as central to U.S. efforts to stabilize Iraq, Lebanon and the Palestinian territories. Sen. Clinton acknowledged that the U.S. has continued concerns about Damascus’s support of terrorist groups such as Hamas and Hezbollah. But she said Washington should test Syria’s willingness to break its strategic alliance with Iran and these extremist groups.
“I believe that engaging directly with Syria increases the possibility of making progress in changing Syrian behavior,” Sen. Clinton said in her written testimony, noting Washington would directly support Syrian-Israeli peace talks.
The L.A. Times has the headline, capturing what the world has been waiting to manifest under an Obama administration: Hillary Clinton promises new approach to diplomacy.
Do I have an amen?
Amen!!!!!!!!
heh-heh… !!!
HRC is talking about the most effective “smart bomb.”
Amen! I keep thinking that the rest of the world sees that, after 8 years, the US is going to conduct foreign policy with adults in charge.
And that the State Departments will not be seen by the rest of the administration as a roadblock.
I can’t wait for her to hit the ground running, she’s got a lot of damage to try to repair.
Just as an aside, I see that Biden has been talking with leaders in Pakistan, Iraq and Afghanistan. If McCain had won, does anyone seriously think he would he have sent Palin so she could get that valuable on-the-job-training?
Hallelujah… another amen!
Very much on topic, DaveB, regarding Biden. You are absolutely correct, bringing up a very important point of substance. That’s especially true since Palin is on her rehabilitation tour.
“Smart bomb,” indeed.
So happy to see Hillary in this new role and I know she will do a great job and I cant wait to see what she can do.
After hearing about what happened to Condi Rice yesterday I was raging, she should have voted for the ceasefire anyway and then told Bush to go shove his job up his ass.
Where can I see this clip of Hillary shooting a look at Vitter?
AMEN!!!! And DaveB did you hear what Biden said about our soldiers. He said they were entusiastic about Obama as President. It seems that the wingnuts may not have been able to convince our fighting men that McCain was their man. Now I know not all wanted Obama, but I do believe that a slim majority was pro-Obama.
Taylor, just read the article about the Afghani girls that were hit with acid by the Taliban. What a remarkable story. Too bad the US can’t bring her here to give her the medical treatment that she needs.
So appreciate you hitting that article and reading it. It’s one of the many reasons why I fully support not only Clinton’s cry that human rights are women’s rights, but also Pres.-elect Obama’s call for more security in Afghanistan.
I, too , thank you Taylor for the post. I wonder how long it will take for a lot of the progressives to “see” the harm caused by the righteous behavior many men see as their right to exercise toward women. It comes from many places including some postings here over the year plus I’ve been here.
You might be interested to take a peek at the comments at the Roger Simon Gender article.
I plan to do that later tonight when I have some time.
And then we have a young woman selling her virginity. Sheesh!!!
Betsy | 01.14.2009 – 6:54 pm | #
I wonder what her parents and family think about that?
AG her sister is a prostitute in one of the brothels in Nevada.
Betsy, What person are you and AG talking about?
Taylor, I’ve posted a Gene Lyons article I think you would be interested in reading.
Here is a snipit:
“An interesting list, don’t you think? The timing of Israel’s assault, immediately before the Bush administration leaves office, suggests an anxiety that Americans might remove our moral blinders and recognize that our true national interest lies in restraining extremists on both sides rather than in worshipping Israel like a Golden Calf.
Free-lance columnist Gene Lyons is a Little Rock author and recipient of the National Magazine Award.
January 14, 2009
[
djjl it was in the Huffington Post. The auction is being held at the Bunny Ranch in NV. So far the price is 3 million if you can believe it. She’s nice looking, looks a lot like the Spitzer gal. Anyway, that’s all I know.
Betsy,
Thanks I hadn’t seen that. It’s disgusting from her side and the “bidders.” What a sad commentary.
She couldn’t possibly have any self esteem. Very sad.
Taylor, I don’t know where to ask this, so I’ll apologize in advance for taking space here. But, I’ve been thinking about this for quite a while.
What is the real difference between Kimba Wood, Zoe Baird and Tim Geithner?
Geithner has huge support among Republicans, not just Democrats, and is lauded for his economic prowess, which we need so desperately right now.
On what really matters, I agree.
what are they thinking?
Israeli forces shell UN headquarters in Gaza
http://uk.reuters.com/article/latestCrisis/idUK12320115962
I thought Hillary articulated the direction exceptionally well.
Clinton Nomination Passes
The Senate Foreign Relations Committee has endorsed Hillary Rodham Clinton, 16-1, as the next
secretary of state.
1= Bitter Vitter (my guess)
I only have a quick minute to say -
AMEN, AMEN, AMEN.
And Vitter, Sen. Diapers, is an ass.
That is great news! Now, she can go back to being quiet while the drama plays out with Geitner’s situation.
I wonder what Hillary would say about capturing Bin Laden? Did that come up?
Obama has flip-flopped on that one.
while the drama plays out with
Geitner’s situation.
AnninCA | 01.15.2009 – 10:24 am | #
come back to earth, there is no drama… he’ll be confirmed as strongly as Hillary just was.
Obama has flip-flopped on that one.
AnninCA | 01.15.2009 – 10:28 am | #
prove it, or mark it as something in your head mistaken for a fact.
You think? I heard that there’s a plan B in place yesterday, in anticipation that it would take some time.
Not paying $37,000 is really not exactly small potatoes.
BTW, I have no dog in this race. He seems dandy to me. Wall St. likes him.
Clinton Nomination Passes
The Senate Foreign Relations Committee has endorsed Hillary Rodham Clinton, 16-1, as the next secretary of state.
1= Bitter Vitter (my guess)
GeoT | 01.15.2009 – 10:08 am | #
Yay!! Love your sense of humor, GeoT. You have quite a knack for coming up with stuff that makes me smile.
Prove what? He made a huge issue out of capturing Bin Laden in the campaign. Don’t you recall?
Yesterday he said that if Bin Laden was holed up in a cave, that would be OK. He backpeddled on the importance of going after him.
BTW, I agree totally that capturing Bin Laden is not essential. He’s influential still in one sense, but I never thought that discussion in the campaign made a lick of sense.
Not paying $37,000 is really not exactly small potatoes.
AnninCA | 01.15.2009 – 10:33 am | #
OMG pay attention he paid it back, with penalties BEFORE the nomination when he found out about it. He was working for the IMF.
You have got to stay off the right wing news sites, they’ll rot your brain.
Have happy thoughts about the dinner the Obama’s are giving in honor of your guy McCain next Wednesday… now THAT’S classy.
AnninCA | 01.15.2009 – 10:37 am | #
I doubt that’s what he said, but in any case, you need to make a habit of providing a link when you “quote” something.
I know he paid it and when he paid it. It is simply ironic that he’ll be in charge of Treasury.
Yes, I saw that they are going to have dinner. He’s smart. Bill Clinton always said that John McCain helped him out a lot when he was president. McCain will twist arms if he agrees with legislation proposed by Democrats. Always has.
I think Obama will need McCain when immigration hit the table again, as it surely will.
Ann, I’ll help you out:
“My preference obviously would be to capture or kill him. But if we have so tightened the noose that he’s in a cave somewhere and can’t even communicate with his operatives then we will meet our goal of protecting America.”
http://www.boston.com/news/politics/politicalintelligence/2009/01/obama_tight_noo.html
Jeesh, Geo…it’s the number 1 news story this morning.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20090115/ts_afp/mideastconflictgazabinladen_20090115121739
Jeesh, Geo…it’s the number 1 news story this morning.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20090115/ts_afp/mideastconflictgazabinladen_2009011 5121739
AnninCA | 01.15.2009 – 10:44 am | #
point is you only used part of the quote… he said FIRST KILL OR CAPTURE, in the meantime isolate Bin Laden
That’s not at all the way you stated it.
AnninCA | 01.15.2009 – 10:44 am | #
you said: He flip-flopped,
NO, there is no change of policy, at all, 0.
Oh yeah, right, Geo. *haha
Don’t you remember his insults about how McCain wouldn’t go into the caves?
Don’t you remember his insults about how McCain wouldn’t go into the caves?
AnninCA | 01.15.2009 – 10:57 am | #
what does that have to do with anything?
Your characterization of a flip-flop is just false, sorry Ann.
more fresh air in Washington:
AG-nominee Holder declares ‘waterboarding is torture’
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/holder_confirmation
Well, we’ll call it backpeddaling then. Better?
Back to Hillary, one thing interesting to me about her confirmation is that all the Democrats who were silent during the campaign now are quick to rush to point out how brilliant she is.
Of course, they are right.
But she was that brilliant in the campaign, too, and I’m finding myself ambivalent about their compliments.
While I’m grateful to see the validation that she’s one of the best political minds of my lifetime, I’m irritated that they did not admit this was the case when she was struggling against the star phenomena of Obama in the campaign.
It leaves me with a queasy feeling about politicians in general. It has, in fact, reinforced my own decision to exit from the Democrats formally. I’ll still probably vote Democrat more than Republican, but I’m glad I’ve opened up the world, so to speak.
My mantra is I’ll vote for those who strike me as authentic and actually willing to risk doing what’s right, not what is always most expedient, within reason.
Feinstein impresses me more and more, for example. Her sharp comment about seating Burris was right on the nose.
Boxer unimpressed me with her comments about Hillary. She was ridiculously silent during the campaign. I’ll not give her an ounce of credit just because it’s safe now to compliment Hillary.
Their silence denied Hillary one stark truth that EVERYONE in Washington knew. She had forged strong relationships with her peers. The characterization of her as divisive was inaccurate as heck, and it really bugged me to see her peers not speak out.
Their silence denied Hillary one stark truth that EVERYONE in Washington knew. She had
forged strong relationships with her peers. The characterization of her as divisive was
inaccurate as heck, and it really bugged me to see her peers not speak out.
AnninCA | 01.15.2009 – 11:25 am
I agree totally with you on this one. But that divisive line was the creation of 15 years of anti-Clinton press, not the Democratic party. (Although they sure could have stuck up for her) Politics knows no fairness or loyalty, sad to say. As for Boxer, she is friends with both Obama and Hillary and she is running again in 2010 I believe. She couldn’t afford to alienate herself from either side as she is going to need money to run, especially if it is against Arnold. So everyone, in the end, looks out for themselves. I don’t think the grass is any greener on the other side. It is ironic, isn’t it, that since Obama chose Hillary for SoS, she has finally had some positive press and people are saying good things about her – not like before. What a refreshing change.
Well, lynnette, I think it’s just sexism.
They always say nice things about women when we take the lower position.