Some news that’s surfacing slowly is Iran’s new bluster on refining higher grade uranium. Russia and Israel seem to be talking the same language, while China still isn’t willing to sign on to harsh sanctions, something SecDef Gates is promising will come sooner rather than later. Even as it will take some time to reconfigure the Natanz facility to handle higher grade enrichment. Let’s call this one developing…
Meanwhile, landing in front of hotel rooms across the nation, Brennan’s USA Today op-ed, as excerpted below. Brennan continues the campaign he began over the weekend on “Meet the Press.”
I have no idea why Scott over at Powerline has decided to channel Daniel Pipes in rebutting Brennan. Well, actually I do, it’s just it’s hard to take anyone seriously who believes hitting Iran is good for the U.S. That is what matters, right? Not to the right. Anyway, if you don’t know, he was the inspiration for Sarah Palin’s “declare war on Iran” (see video) advice to Obama on how he could “save” his presidency, with an Iran bombing also supposed to illustrate his “support for Israel.” Pipes going to great lengths in his article to illustrate the effectiveness of Obama hitting Iran.
And, no, these people aren’t kidding.
Now to Brennan:
Immediately after the failed Christmas Day attack, Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab was thoroughly interrogated and provided important information. Senior counterterrorism officials from the White House, the intelligence community and the military were all actively discussing this case before he was Mirandized and supported the decision to charge him in criminal court.
The most important breakthrough occurred after Abdulmutallab was read his rights, which the FBI made standard policy under Michael Mukasey, President Bush’s attorney general. The critics who want the FBI to ignore this long-established practice also ignore the lessons we have learned in waging this war: Terrorists such as Jose Padilla and Saleh al-Mari did not cooperate when transferred to military custody, which can harden one’s determination to resist cooperation.
It’s naive to think that transferring Abdulmutallab to military custody would have caused an outpouring of information. There is little difference between military and civilian custody, other than an interrogator with a uniform. The suspect gets access to a lawyer, and interrogation rules are nearly identical.
Would-be shoe bomber Richard Reid was read his Miranda rights five minutes after being taken off a plane he tried to blow up. The same people who criticize the president today were silent back then.
Pres. Obama’s approval rating on foreign affairs is high, even according to Gallup, is compared to Bush. Even without any real progress in the Middle East, the world thinks anything is better than Bush-Cheney.
Perceptions of U.S. leadership worldwide improved significantly from 2008 to 2009. The U.S.-Global Leadership Project, a partnership between the Meridian International Center and Gallup, finds that a median of 51% of the world approves of the job performance of the current leadership of the U.S., up from a median of 34% in 2008.
Unfortunately, not everyone is like me and votes on foreign affairs. It’s on the economy that Obama’s getting creamed (h/t Laura Rozen), which is what moves most voters. See Bob Herbert, an Obama loyalist who is not very happy anymore.
The thing that I don’t get about Scott Brown’s victory is how fear mongering on terrorism works in MA? I know many voters in MA are blue collar workers but if you read Hurbert’s piece they are in far more danger from the lack of economic policy coming forth from either side then they are from a terrorist act.
As I said in the last line, most people vote on economics. That is fueling the Dem backlash, which is across the board, as the Gallup graph suggests.
What Scott Brown did was *very* specific, using a very tightly wound quote that resonated with people. Not just fearmongering, but basic belief about terrorists and TAX DOLLARS. It hit that Reagan Democrat chord, which is national security driven.
“In dealing with terrorists, our tax dollars should pay for weapons to stop them, not lawyers to defend them.” – Scott Brown
This line is well written and obviously dynamite for Rep. It hits a million EMOTIONAL buttons at once. It will be used again and again.
Getting people back to work should be Obama’s, and the Democrats, number one concern until the unemployment rate falls below 3%. That said, the issues of the underpants bomber and the trial of KSM in New York are a close second. The “terrorist” issue relates directly to our civil liberties. And whether or not we are going to continue to enjoy the freedoms that our Constitution grants to us. The “terrorists” are simple thugs. Just like the Mafia are simple thugs. Or the Crips and the Bloods. We don’t require massive armies to invade New York, Chicago or Los Angeles to rid ourselves of these thugs. A good law enforcement effort is all that is required. The same holds true for the “Islamofascist terrorists.” We do not need to invade countries to rid ourselves of this ‘problem’. Nor do we need to occupy a country for 8 years , 15 years, or forever. bush/Cheney and the neocons, for their own profiteering reasons, got this whole “war on terror” all wrong. It’s time “we the people” take our country back from the Republican, Democratic, and Tea Party “law and order” fascist fanatics. That means you on the Right. Peace
Ms. Palin calling for Divine Intervention and the BOMBING of Iran makes my head spin. That is the only revolution I experience from her words. She is the personification of Crack Cocaine.
America is all about NOT killing unless all reason has been spent. At least it was somewhat that way B4Bush. Er, before WWII. Well maybe before Tyler.
The people of Iran are precious jewels. They have great beauty, intelligence, and passion for life and freedom.
They are asking— How long, must we suffer, under the yoke of this oppressor?
I love the people of Iran.
Sarah Palin is dangerous…The woman will do what whatever the Neocons tell her to do…Of course, her followers will not realize this until it’s to late…I can actually see this woman as President calling for a draft to support a war she feels is gods will….
As for the jobs coming back and the economy recovering…I think maybe three years from now…but right at this moment America is in a very bad place…It’s similar to what happen during Regan time in office.
Hey, Taylor I don’t know if you have seen this poll by gallup but it shows Obama internationally is helping to improve the US image…that was damage by Bush. Poll link below
http://www.gallup.com/poll/125720/Global-Perceptions-Leadership-Improve-2009.aspx
MArie205
Thank you, personally, for that. It would be difficult not to improve the US interest. I’m thankful for that.
LADIES, WAKE UP… I posted the graphic & linked to it.