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In the Think Tank for Obama

Politics | Mon, Nov 17, 2008 at 2:08:43 pm PST

The Wall Street Journal has a report on the think tank from which Barack Obama seems to be drawing his top advisers.

WASHINGTON — The Center for a New American Security, a small think tank here with generally middle-of-the-road policy views, is rapidly emerging as a top farm team for the incoming Obama administration. ...

The think tank’s central role in the transition effort suggests that its positions — which include rejecting a fixed timeline for a withdrawal from Iraq — will get a warm reception within the new administration.

Michele Flournoy, who co-founded the center with Kurt Campbell, a former Clinton National Security Council and Pentagon official, now serves as its president. She is one of two top members of Mr. Obama’s defense transition team and is likely to be offered a high-ranking position at the Pentagon. Some Obama advisers say she could eventually be tapped as the nation’s first female defense secretary.

Wendy Sherman, co-head of the Obama State Department transition team, also serves on the center’s board of advisers and is expected to land a high-ranking post. Richard Danzig, a front-runner for defense secretary, is on the think tank’s board of directors. Susan Rice and James Steinberg, both of whom are on Mr. Obama’s short list for national security adviser, serve on its board of advisers.

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218 comments

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1 doppelganglander  Mon, Nov 17, 2008 2:09:44pm

What's their definition of middle of the road?

2 Big Steve  Mon, Nov 17, 2008 2:10:20pm

I am slightly encouraged by this actually

3 Ben Hur  Mon, Nov 17, 2008 2:11:41pm
The Center for a New American Security, a small think tank here with generally middle-of-the-road policy views,

Translation:

We are too lazy to do any real research and will leave it to the blogosphere to point out what will inevitably be a leftist organization.

4 Bumr50  Mon, Nov 17, 2008 2:12:51pm

Danzig rocks.

5 Charles  Mon, Nov 17, 2008 2:12:53pm

Lots of former Clinton people in there.

6 Big Steve  Mon, Nov 17, 2008 2:12:57pm

Possibly another female Dr. Rice in the cabinet?

7 Kragar (Proud to be Kafir)  Mon, Nov 17, 2008 2:13:35pm

Anything less than a full immeadiate withdrawl from Iraq, bring Bush up on charges and taxing the crap out of "the wealthy" to pay for public health, welfare, and other services will have the moonbats howling for blood.

8 Desert Dog  Mon, Nov 17, 2008 2:14:00pm

Well, it could be worse, I hear the International Brotherhood of the Comintern has not gotten one call...yet.

My verdict is still pending on our new President. I will give him the benefit of the doubt before I start in with the expected complaints.

9 Ben Hur  Mon, Nov 17, 2008 2:14:20pm

Let's do a search of "ISrael" in their search engine and see what comes up.

10 Bumr50  Mon, Nov 17, 2008 2:14:47pm

re: #7 Kragar (Proud to be Kafir)

Not to mention the absence of the word "progress."

11 Honorary Yooper  Mon, Nov 17, 2008 2:15:27pm

re: #5 Charles

Lots of former Clinton people in there.

Then I guess we'll be seeing a lot of reruns over the next two to four years.

12 Quilly Mammoth  Mon, Nov 17, 2008 2:15:32pm

Flournoy has good credentials. She comes from the Admiral Arleigh Burke school, the CSIS which tends to take a long view of things.

Also look for centrists in economy like Brad DeLong to pop up.

13 doppelganglander  Mon, Nov 17, 2008 2:16:10pm

They were only founded in February 2007. Oh, and Michele Fluornoy has an accent grave over the first E in her name. I'm not sure of the relevance of either of these factoids.

14 Ward Cleaver  Mon, Nov 17, 2008 2:16:26pm

If they're middle-of-the-road, can we run over them?

/old barry manilow joke

15 Ben Hur  Mon, Nov 17, 2008 2:16:33pm

juyst links to articles from elsewhere.

16 Outrider  Mon, Nov 17, 2008 2:16:38pm
... with generally middle-of-the-road policy views,..

Middle of the road? No wonder they find Conservatives so radical.

17 Big Steve  Mon, Nov 17, 2008 2:17:19pm

re: #5 Charles

Lots of former Clinton people in there.

Having been out of power for 8 years and assuming that Obama wants to be even the slightest bit effective, I don't think he has much choice but former Clinton types. Its either that or former Carter types or dipping into the untried Bill Ayers types.

18 Outrider  Mon, Nov 17, 2008 2:17:20pm

re: #11 Honorary Yooper

Then I guess we'll be seeing a lot of reruns over the next two to four years.

this is the change from "Washington insiders"?

19 Ward Cleaver  Mon, Nov 17, 2008 2:17:35pm

re: #6 Big Steve

Possibly another female Dr. Rice in the cabinet?

White Rice?

/ducking now

20 quickjustice  Mon, Nov 17, 2008 2:18:06pm

So these will be four among President Obama's 15,000 advisers? Will they be reporting to Secretary Ayers or Secretary Wright?

21 Honorary Yooper  Mon, Nov 17, 2008 2:18:13pm

re: #18 Outrider

this is the change from "Washington insiders"?

Yeah, CHANGE! DRINK!

22 Big Steve  Mon, Nov 17, 2008 2:18:24pm

re: #19 Ward Cleaver

White Rice?

/ducking now


you better duck!

23 transient  Mon, Nov 17, 2008 2:18:33pm

re: #5 Charles

Lots of former Clinton people in there.

re: #2 Big Steve

I am slightly encouraged by this actually

Having lots of former Clinton people is vastly preferable to having lots of former Carter people. I am also somewhat encouraged.

24 Ward Cleaver  Mon, Nov 17, 2008 2:18:43pm

re: #22 Big Steve

you better duck!

Quack!

25 freedombilly  Mon, Nov 17, 2008 2:19:05pm

I will believe middle-of-the-road (whatever the hell that means) policies from Team Obama when I see them.

26 Outrider  Mon, Nov 17, 2008 2:19:08pm

re: #21 Honorary Yooper

Yeah, CHANGE! DRINK!

HOPE! Prosit!

27 Quilly Mammoth  Mon, Nov 17, 2008 2:19:19pm

Michael Ledeen and Edward Luttwak are alumni of CSIS...but so was Madeline Albright. Not likely to be too HAwkish but certainly not doves.

28 bosforus  Mon, Nov 17, 2008 2:19:20pm

re: #5 Charles

Lots of former Clinton people in there.

But at least they're not new Obama people.

29 taxfreekiller[deleted]  Mon, Nov 17, 2008 2:19:21pm
30 Ojoe  Mon, Nov 17, 2008 2:19:24pm

Moving to the center, change I can believe in.

Can't wait to hear the squealing from Code Pink etc.

31 Honorary Yooper  Mon, Nov 17, 2008 2:20:26pm

re: #23 transient

Having lots of former Clinton people is vastly preferable to having lots of former Carter people. I am also somewhat encouraged.

Remember, it's the Clintonistas who set up the conditions whereby 9-11 could be perpetrated. If Jamie Gorelick (geez, I keep seeing her name as Gore-lick for some reason) gets into the Obama cabinet, I do not have much faith in Obama's ability to prevent another such terrorist act on US soil.

32 Russkilitlover  Mon, Nov 17, 2008 2:20:28pm

re: #17 Big Steve

Having been out of power for 8 years and assuming that Obama wants to be even the slightest bit effective, I don't think he has much choice but former Clinton types. Its either that or former Carter types or dipping into the untried Bill Ayers types.

Hmmm... Wonder how his loony base will react to warmed-over Clintonistas.

33 Bumr50  Mon, Nov 17, 2008 2:20:30pm

Their CEO played hoops with Obama at Harvard.

34 DeafDog  Mon, Nov 17, 2008 2:20:38pm

re: #23 transient

Having lots of former Clinton people is vastly preferable to having lots of former Carter people. I am also somewhat encouraged.

I see no difference.

35 Ward Cleaver  Mon, Nov 17, 2008 2:20:43pm

re: #20 quickjustice

So these will be four among President Obama's 15,000 advisers? Will they be reporting to Secretary Ayers or Secretary Wright?

Secretary Mumia (after he gets his pardon).

36 unclassifiable  Mon, Nov 17, 2008 2:21:04pm

Meet the new elitist, same as the old elitist.

We just got fooled again.

--The Huh?

37 Ringo the Gringo  Mon, Nov 17, 2008 2:21:13pm

re: #1 doppelganglander

What's their definition of middle of the road?

Bill Clinton, I assume.

38 jroberson  Mon, Nov 17, 2008 2:21:15pm

If Obama is so set on putting a woman in charge of the Pentagon, I suggest Margaret Thatcher. She may be old but she can certainly run circles around a Clintonite.

39 debutaunt  Mon, Nov 17, 2008 2:21:16pm

re: #5 Charles

Lots of former Clinton people in there.

Hope there'll be some change.

40 Quilly Mammoth  Mon, Nov 17, 2008 2:21:17pm

Interesting how Obama's more firm choices for the upcoming administration came _after_ his meeting with Dubya. I think Sen. Obama had an "Aw S**t" moment.

41 Honorary Yooper  Mon, Nov 17, 2008 2:21:53pm

re: #39 debutaunt

Hope there'll be some change...

in my pocket when they're done.

42 kansas  Mon, Nov 17, 2008 2:21:55pm

I heard him last night. Seems like he's saying OK things. I wasn't suicidal.

43 bosforus  Mon, Nov 17, 2008 2:22:11pm

re: #40 Quilly Mammoth

Interesting how Obama's more firm choices for the upcoming administration came _after_ his meeting with Dubya. I think Sen. Obama had an "Aw S**t" moment.

Hopefully it won't be his last.

44 Big Steve  Mon, Nov 17, 2008 2:22:34pm

Most of us have this impression that cabinet members sit around a big table and think great thoughts and advise the President. Actually this is a very very minor part of their job. For the most part they run incredibly large, big budget, institutions that without much fanfare or control I might add, probably have bigger affect on our lives within the myriad of decisions that get made. These are hard jobs and most of these agencies have built in inertia that make it nearly impossible for someone without some inside or lower level experience to get anything accomplished.

45 Russkilitlover  Mon, Nov 17, 2008 2:23:21pm

Zero stacking his deck with Clinton people does make some sense. He can calm the nerves of all who have voiced concern about him, his background, his associations, his beliefs, and then pick them off one-by-one and replace with his designees. Before we know it - bunch of radicals in seats of power.

46 debutaunt  Mon, Nov 17, 2008 2:23:41pm

re: #28 bosforus

But at least they're not new Obama people.

Their failures will be the fault of Clinton people! Clever!

47 Honorary Yooper  Mon, Nov 17, 2008 2:23:42pm

re: #1 doppelganglander

What's their definition of middle of the road?

A double yellow line painted over roadkill.

48 Eowyn2  Mon, Nov 17, 2008 2:23:45pm

re: #1 doppelganglander

What's their definition of middle of the road?

driving on the left

49 Big Steve  Mon, Nov 17, 2008 2:23:58pm

re: #38 jroberson

If Obama is so set on putting a woman in charge of the Pentagon, I suggest Margaret Thatcher. She may be old but she can certainly run circles around a Clintonite.


She is also quite senile at the moment.

50 Killgore Trout  Mon, Nov 17, 2008 2:24:14pm

Koskidz support the troops.....

What Is "Good" About Our Military?

I do not feel pity or compassion for U.S. soldiers killed or wounded in combat unless they were involuntarily drafted in the first place. Anyone who signs up for military service at the recruitment office simultaneously signs away their right to righteously complain about getting shot or otherwise wounded by "enemies".
...
As long as we Americans continue to glorify the existence of soldiers, we will never embrace the pursuit of peace. We are, ironically, a War Nation.
...
We create enemies (e.g. Iraq and Iran) so that we can justify the military's existence and the profit that it brings to the wealthy. We blindly glorify our troops with flags and parades and fireworks and the label of "honorable".

Somehow, we've equated "honor" with killing faceless humans. Nothing is more dishonorable than murdering a fellow human whose face you cannot see. Nothing is more uncivilized than allowing oneself to be ordered to murder without first determining for oneself if this human target is trying to kill you or just trying to defend himself/herself.
...
I think that it is finally the time in our history to reject a military trained to kill and instead have a small, technologically efficient force of peacekeepers and philanthropists with the mission of ONLY maintaining or restoring peace and human rights on our troubled yet hopeful planet.

51 buzzsawmonkey[deleted]  Mon, Nov 17, 2008 2:24:49pm
52 kansas  Mon, Nov 17, 2008 2:24:49pm

re: #50 Killgore Trout

Koskidz support the troops.....

What Is "Good" About Our Military?

No offense, but if I wanted to read that shit, I would go there.

53 KingKenrod  Mon, Nov 17, 2008 2:25:55pm

I hope "center" means more than just right of Chomsky.

Here's the board:

* William J. Perry, chairman
* Madeleine K. Albright
* Richard L. Armitage
* Norman R. Augustine
* Admiral Dennis C. Blair, USN (Ret.)
* Richard J. Danzig
* William J. Lynn, a Raytheon executive
* Leo S. Mackay, Jr., a Lockheed Martin executive
* Lt. Gen. Gregory S. Newbold, USMC (Ret.)
* John D. Podesta
* Mitchell Reiss, a vice provost for the College of William & Mary

54 buzzsawmonkey[deleted]  Mon, Nov 17, 2008 2:26:09pm
55 Jack Reacher  Mon, Nov 17, 2008 2:26:11pm

OT: Greek rioters throw firebombs at police and U.S. embassy.
Maybe they didn't hear; Obama was elected, so all the world loves us now.

56 Eowyn2  Mon, Nov 17, 2008 2:26:29pm

"cindy sheehan for president'
'barack didnt keep his promises'
....

57 Ben Hur  Mon, Nov 17, 2008 2:26:31pm

re: #50 Killgore Trout


I have a moonbat friend who thinks the exact same thing.

Not only about soldiers, but about firefighters, policepeople (?).

Basically, anyone who puts their lives on the line for others.

58 bellamags  Mon, Nov 17, 2008 2:26:35pm

re: #1 doppelganglander

What's their definition of middle of the road?

That was exactly what I thought.

59 Ben Hur  Mon, Nov 17, 2008 2:27:06pm

re: #50 Killgore Trout


We create enemies (e.g. Iraq and Iran) so that we can justify the military's existence and the profit that it brings to the wealthy. We blindly glorify our troops with flags and parades and fireworks and the label of "honorable".

Obviously, a 12 year old.

60 FrogMarch  Mon, Nov 17, 2008 2:27:09pm

retreads. Change!

I can't stand Madelaine Albright. Madelaine Notbright.

61 buzzsawmonkey[deleted]  Mon, Nov 17, 2008 2:27:12pm
62 Silhouette  Mon, Nov 17, 2008 2:27:21pm

re: #50 Killgore Trout

As long as we Americans continue to glorify the existence of soldiers, we will never embrace the pursuit of peace

These guys are geniuses!

Now, all we need to do is get rid of our local police force, and we'll have a crime-free city!

Why didn't I see it before?!

63 taxfreekiller[deleted]  Mon, Nov 17, 2008 2:27:28pm
64 unclassifiable  Mon, Nov 17, 2008 2:27:41pm

re: #50 Killgore Trout

Did you handle that with gloves when you lifted it?

65 quickjustice  Mon, Nov 17, 2008 2:28:09pm

re: #38 jroberson

IIRC, tragically, Lady Thatcher has Alzheimer's. Despite her disability, she nonetheless may remain more competent than many political hacks likely to land jobs in this administration. ;-)

66 Bumr50  Mon, Nov 17, 2008 2:28:11pm

I was listening to a speech this guy Danzig gave that aired on C-Span 2.
That's where the CEO of this group Mr. Campbell said that he played hoops with Obama and Dick Armitage.
Danzig hadn't spoke three minutes before he quoted Winnie the Pooh.
Now where have I heard that before?

67 Eowyn2  Mon, Nov 17, 2008 2:28:11pm

re: #50 Killgore Trout

Koskidz support the troops.....

What Is "Good" About Our Military?

Yeah
that'll work

68 transient  Mon, Nov 17, 2008 2:28:15pm

re: #31 Honorary Yooper

Remember, it's the Clintonistas who set up the conditions whereby 9-11 could be perpetrated.

There's plenty of blame to spread around. People have argued that Carter's pathetic response to Khomeini and the Iranian Revolution set the stage for many things that ensued. And foolish Republican efforts to remove Clinton from office, when anyone with elementary knowledge of the Constitution could see that the votes weren't there in the Senate, drew attention of the White House and Congress away from more important issues. I don't have nearly as many problems with Clintonian foreign policy as with Carter's.

re: #34 DeafDog

I see no difference.

Carter is/was anti-Israeli (and arguably anti-Semitic) and attracted same (see under Brzezinski). Even though Oslo was a failure, Clinton was much fairer and his people were better. I'd rather have people like Ross in there than Brzezinski.

69 bosforus  Mon, Nov 17, 2008 2:28:19pm

re: #50 Killgore Trout

...small, technologically efficient force of peacekeepers and philanthropists with the mission of ONLY maintaining or restoring peace and human rights on our troubled yet hopeful planet.

This person thinks they're intelligent for realizing the world that everyone would like to live in? They don't realize that the military that exists is the smallest possible military required to ensure our rights and freedoms. Ranting brainless idiots over there on the left.

70 ploome hineni[deleted]  Mon, Nov 17, 2008 2:28:22pm
71 ploome hineni[deleted]  Mon, Nov 17, 2008 2:28:35pm
72 eschew_obfuscation  Mon, Nov 17, 2008 2:28:37pm

re: #50 Killgore Trout

Koskidz support the troops.....

What Is "Good" About Our Military?


...
I think that it is finally the time in our history to reject a military trained to kill and instead have a small, technologically efficient force of peacekeepers and philanthropists with the mission of ONLY maintaining or restoring peace and human rights on our troubled yet hopeful planet.

I wonder what he thinks peacekeepers and philanthropists will do when attacked?......Surrender? After all, what're they going to do if they aren't trained to kill?

73 Quilly Mammoth  Mon, Nov 17, 2008 2:29:05pm

re: #53 KingKenrod

I hope "center" means more than just right of Chomsky.

Here's the board:

* William J. Perry, chairman
* Madeleine K. Albright
* Richard L. Armitage
* Norman R. Augustine
* Admiral Dennis C. Blair, USN (Ret.)
* Richard J. Danzig
* William J. Lynn, a Raytheon executive
* Leo S. Mackay, Jr., a Lockheed Martin executive
* Lt. Gen. Gregory S. Newbold, USMC (Ret.)
* John D. Podesta
* Mitchell Reiss, a vice provost for the College of William & Mary

Uhmmm...most of those people _are_ centrists. But the board isn't where you look. You look at the Fellows and President.

74 WrathofG-d  Mon, Nov 17, 2008 2:29:10pm

I'd still accept the Sec of State position.

75 shiplord kirel  Mon, Nov 17, 2008 2:29:17pm

Fwiw, I'm generally suspicious of national security think tanks. Remember, it was the RAND corporation and various similar gangs who cooked up the insane McNamara doctrine of national defense in the 60s, and its barking mad Vietnam corollary.
I know of one think tank that is essentially a cover for an S&M Bondage group. Unfortunately, it has a hawkish orientation and does in fact include some highly respected, though batshit crazy, analysts.

76 quickjustice  Mon, Nov 17, 2008 2:29:49pm

re: #53 KingKenrod

Armitage and his boss, Powell set up the White House, and let Libby take the rap for the Plame debacle. Just the people O needs covering his back!

77 Bumr50  Mon, Nov 17, 2008 2:29:51pm

Dinner is ready. BBL.

78 Silhouette  Mon, Nov 17, 2008 2:29:57pm
instead have a small, technologically efficient force of peacekeepers and philanthropists with the mission of ONLY maintaining or restoring peace and human rights

In the early days of the US, someone suggested limiting the US Army to a maximum of 5000 men.

Washington snarked (yes, it's a snark), "That's great idea. But first we need a law limiting the size of any army invading these United States to only 3000 men. "

79 swamprat  Mon, Nov 17, 2008 2:30:16pm

re: #34 DeafDog

Check the inflation rate at the end of both administrations.

80 Ben Hur  Mon, Nov 17, 2008 2:30:22pm

Sec of State PRison?

81 BBEV  Mon, Nov 17, 2008 2:31:07pm

re: #7 Kragar (Proud to be Kafir)

Anything less than a full immeadiate withdrawl from Iraq, bring Bush up on charges and taxing the crap out of "the wealthy" to pay for public health, welfare, and other services will have the moonbats howling for blood.

Let them howl it ain't going to happen.

82 Eowyn2  Mon, Nov 17, 2008 2:31:10pm

re: #57 Ben Hur

I have a moonbat friend who thinks the exact same thing.

Not only about soldiers, but about firefighters, policepeople (?).

Basically, anyone who puts their lives on the line for others.

there would be no fires if not for firemen, there would be no bad-guys if not for the cops.
WITHOUT LAWS THERE WOULD BE NO OUTLAWS.!
- it makes perfect sense to me
/anarchism rules!

83 Silhouette  Mon, Nov 17, 2008 2:31:12pm

re: #72 eschew_obfuscation

I wonder what he thinks peacekeepers and philanthropists will do when attacked?......Surrender? After all, what're they going to do if they aren't trained to kill?

In their world, no one attacks but the US.

WE are the only source of evil aggression, so once we're neutered, World Peace.

84 bellamags  Mon, Nov 17, 2008 2:31:36pm

re: #78 Silhouette

I really would have liked to met Washington when he was alive. Brilliant.

85 unclassifiable  Mon, Nov 17, 2008 2:32:07pm

I wonder how many of these appointees will really just be mentors for the real folks who Obama wants to assume these offices?

86 Killgore Trout  Mon, Nov 17, 2008 2:32:14pm

re: #72 eschew_obfuscation


I wonder what he thinks peacekeepers and philanthropists will do when attacked?


You're missing the LLLogic; Nobody would attack them because they're philanthropists. Their "goodness" removes any possibility of violence.

87 Silhouette  Mon, Nov 17, 2008 2:32:22pm

re: #82 Eowyn2

there would be no fires if not for firemen

That's even better than the policeman analogy. It really drives home their illogic.

88 quickjustice  Mon, Nov 17, 2008 2:32:34pm

Obama and his gang would rather have us equally poor than unequally rich.

Lincoln: "You cannot enrich the poor by impoverishing the rich."

89 Daisy  Mon, Nov 17, 2008 2:32:46pm

Whatever happened to Change!? Obama never was, and never will be the 'reformer' he touts himself to be.

90 bellamags  Mon, Nov 17, 2008 2:32:53pm

re: #82 Eowyn2

there would be no fires if not for firemen, there would be no bad-guys if not for the cops.
WITHOUT LAWS THERE WOULD BE NO OUTLAWS.!
- it makes perfect sense to me
/anarchism rules!

I saw a bumper sticker once that said :
Guns cause crime like
Flys cause garbage.

91 bellamags  Mon, Nov 17, 2008 2:33:42pm

Reporter on Fox just said "They are going after bigger and bigger and bigger booty" (regarding the pirates)

92 taxfreekiller[deleted]  Mon, Nov 17, 2008 2:34:15pm
93 eschew_obfuscation  Mon, Nov 17, 2008 2:34:35pm

re: #86 Killgore Trout

You're missing the LLLogic; Nobody would attack them because they're philanthropists. Their "goodness" removes any possibility of violence.

But, but, but....

What about the UN in southern Lebanon? .....oh wait....he's right.....nobody attacks them, 'cause they don't do anything except sit and watch troop build-ups, arms trafficing....

94 lifeofthemind  Mon, Nov 17, 2008 2:34:42pm

re: #31 Honorary Yooper

Remember, it's the Clintonistas who set up the conditions whereby 9-11 could be perpetrated. If Jamie Gorelick (geez, I keep seeing her name as Gore-lick for some reason) gets into the Obama cabinet, I do not have much faith in Obama's ability to prevent another such terrorist act on US soil.

Gorelick is the free floating weapon of mass destruction of policy. She is like the bomb in Dark Star; cruising through the Universe waiting for the wrong moment to destroy everything.

95 jroberson  Mon, Nov 17, 2008 2:35:05pm

re: #49 Big Steve

I was unaware of that fact. What a shame.

Governing from the Middle, aka New Middle, aka The Clinton Method reinforces, for me, the opinion many have stated imperatively all along: Obama is way out of his league, and has no idea how to lead a nation, much less a nation in need of real solutions to looming existential issues.

Obama should have stayed in the Senate where mediocre is the norm, and where he had a comparatively bright luster, if only for his manufactured image. Now, he will have to stand in the long deep shadows of Presidents like Lincoln and Reagan. Can he do it? Or will he fizzle and bomb like Clinton? Or worse, will he further along liberal socialism and set America on a course for ruin?

I'm betting on the latter, but hoping for the best.

96 Eowyn2  Mon, Nov 17, 2008 2:35:48pm

re: #69 bosforus


re: #50 Killgore Trout

...small, technologically efficient force of peacekeepers and philanthropists with the mission of ONLY maintaining or restoring peace and human rights on our troubled yet hopeful planet.

This person thinks they're intelligent for realizing the world that everyone would like to live in? They don't realize that the military that exists is the smallest possible military required to ensure our rights and freedoms. Ranting brainless idiots over there on the left.

Efficient force of peacekeepers like the UN Peacekeepers who kept the peace in southern Lebanon. You know the ones. The ones that had to sit by and watch Hezbos set up their rockets in front of them and then use them as shields when the Israelis tried to fire back. Oh yeah. It wont take many of them there peacekeepers to straighten out the world.

97 WrathofG-d  Mon, Nov 17, 2008 2:35:54pm

re: #80 Ben Hur

Sec of State of Denial

98 eschew_obfuscation  Mon, Nov 17, 2008 2:37:01pm

re: #96 Eowyn2

re: #50 Killgore Trout

...small, technologically efficient force of peacekeepers and philanthropists with the mission of ONLY maintaining or restoring peace and human rights on our troubled yet hopeful planet.


Efficient force of peacekeepers like the UN Peacekeepers who kept the peace in southern Lebanon. You know the ones. The ones that had to sit by and watch Hezbos set up their rockets in front of them and then use them as shields when the Israelis tried to fire back. Oh yeah. It wont take many of them there peacekeepers to straighten out the world.

Now THERE's some serious GMTA!

99 Big Steve  Mon, Nov 17, 2008 2:37:46pm

re: #68 transient

Carter is/was anti-Israeli (and arguably anti-Semitic) and attracted same (see under Brzezinski). Even though Oslo was a failure, Clinton was much fairer and his people were better. I'd rather have people like Ross in there than Brzezinski.

and sorry to say but Osama himself was quoted as being emboldened when Reagan pulled the Marines out of Beruit after their headquarters was truck bombed......so agree lots of blame.

100 transient  Mon, Nov 17, 2008 2:38:19pm

One thing about this election that I found very interesting. We all know that candidates issue more extreme pronouncements during the primary season and then "move to the center" during the campaign.

This suggests that there is really quite a lot of common ground among most Americans. Why the he// don't leaders work with that?

101 yochanan  Mon, Nov 17, 2008 2:38:35pm

re: #96 Eowyn2

peacekeeper another name for pancake

102 taxfreekiller[deleted]  Mon, Nov 17, 2008 2:39:07pm
103 Ayatollah Ghilmeini  Mon, Nov 17, 2008 2:39:14pm

Ok Iran say to the US up yours, yes we are building the bomb and it is too late to stop us.

Does anyone think Obama will issue an order to bomb?

Try this. Eight jihadis detonate in shopping malls the Friday after Thanksgiving 2009, does anyone think Obama will issue an order to bomb?

Russia undermines the Ukraine, think O will do anything?

The killing will go on in the Sudanand the Congo. The pirates will run wild off the shores of Asia and Africa. The US defense budget will get cut 40%, the US Navy will have less than 100 ships patrolling the oceans.

This is a President elect who deep down does not see any US interest worth fighting for.

And if you expect him to do anything about illegal immigration...

104 Quilly Mammoth  Mon, Nov 17, 2008 2:39:14pm

re: #75 shiplord kirel

But most of this group, unlike many Think Tanks, are not lifers in the think tank industry. Same with CSIS. The problem with the RAND Corporation is that once it split from Douglass it became nery incestuous in some of it's areas. However, in areas where it experienced turn over, such as IT, with people leaving, working in private industry and coming back it has had success.

105 lifeofthemind  Mon, Nov 17, 2008 2:39:26pm

re: #75 shiplord kirel

I know of one think tank that is essentially a cover for an S&M Bondage group.

Aww come on you aren't going to tease us like this withour even a hint? a linky? You Sadist.

106 lifeofthemind  Mon, Nov 17, 2008 2:40:36pm

Secretary of Altered States of Conciousness

107 CalBear84  Mon, Nov 17, 2008 2:41:05pm

re: #53 KingKenrod

Armitage was a royal pain in GW's arse leading up to OIF
He and Powell really made things difficult for us in Iraq, IMO

108 jroberson  Mon, Nov 17, 2008 2:41:06pm

re: #84 bellamags

Unfortunately, in politics, today's brilliance is yesterday's common sense.

109 alien_mind  Mon, Nov 17, 2008 2:41:50pm

re: #89 Daisy

Whatever happened to Change!? Obama never was, and never will be the 'reformer' he touts himself to be.


but the question is, how long before the Obamatons realize this? if ever.

110 SWPaul  Mon, Nov 17, 2008 2:42:44pm

Even the best advisers in the world will probably not solve all the problems in the world. Obama's got a huge plate of problems before him, his supporters are sure as hell not going to like centrist policy, and right-wingers and moderates will be scrutinizing over every single decision he makes.

Maybe if he had chosen from the large pool of ready advisers from the "Justice League"...

111 bellamags  Mon, Nov 17, 2008 2:43:01pm

re: #108 jroberson

Unfortunately, in politics, today's brilliance is yesterday's common sense.

yep. also, we had real men running the country.

112 doppelganglander  Mon, Nov 17, 2008 2:43:41pm

re: #31 Honorary Yooper

Remember, it's the Clintonistas who set up the conditions whereby 9-11 could be perpetrated. If Jamie Gorelick (geez, I keep seeing her name as Gore-lick for some reason) gets into the Obama cabinet, I do not have much faith in Obama's ability to prevent another such terrorist act on US soil.

That is exactly the thought I was trying to express. I'm glad Obama seems to be drawing from experienced, mainstream people instead of ACORN and ANSWER, but unless they've learned something since 9/11, we'll be in the same situation as we were under Clinton.

113 IlyaUnion  Mon, Nov 17, 2008 2:44:25pm

re: #5 Charles

That's not necessarily a bad thing. Hypocritical of Obama to run on a mantra of change in Washington, but not a bad thing.

114 Iron Fist  Mon, Nov 17, 2008 2:44:35pm

re: #103 Ayatollah Ghilmeini

I'd bet you cashy money that Obama would use military force against American civilians under the right circumstances. We've been here and done this before.

115 DeafDog  Mon, Nov 17, 2008 2:44:35pm

re: #68 transient

Clinton and Carter were presidents during different eras (in relation to the cold war), but they both did more fumbling of the ball than advancing it. Carter was handed an economic basket case and made the situation worse.

Clinton was handed a global economic boom, which is the only reason he is remembered foondly. I would argue that the economic boom was luck, not the result of great policy awareness. He did virtually nothing to use the economic bounty to preserve a lasting peace.

116 debutaunt  Mon, Nov 17, 2008 2:45:03pm

re: #78 Silhouette

In the early days of the US, someone suggested limiting the US Army to a maximum of 5000 men.

Washington snarked (yes, it's a snark), "That's great idea. But first we need a law limiting the size of any army invading these United States to only 3000 men. "

The guy who put the peace deal together with Hitler could handle it.

117 buzzsawmonkey[deleted]  Mon, Nov 17, 2008 2:45:05pm
118 taxfreekiller[deleted]  Mon, Nov 17, 2008 2:45:10pm
119 CalBear84  Mon, Nov 17, 2008 2:45:14pm

re: #66 Bumr50

Nice Floyd avatar.

120 bellamags  Mon, Nov 17, 2008 2:45:16pm

re: #112 doppelganglander

That is exactly the thought I was trying to express. I'm glad Obama seems to be drawing from experienced, mainstream people instead of ACORN and ANSWER, but unless they've learned something since 9/11, we'll be in the same situation as we were under Clinton.

maybe after his first security briefing he changed his tune a little. perhaps just a different key.

121 Adrenalyn  Mon, Nov 17, 2008 2:45:18pm

hopefully he won't further bankrupt the country by overhiring

like Arnold in California
he has hired a ton of "scientists" to advise on "global warming"

instead of cutting spending when he was elected, in a recall of former Governor Gray Davis
Arnold went on a hiring spree
and borrowing spree

now, we're going to be the first state deemed insolvent
but also the first with the 24 inch plan

that's the estimate rise in sea level in 0bama's term(s)

122 Salem  Mon, Nov 17, 2008 2:46:22pm

DANZIG RULES! WOOOO!

123 Eowyn2  Mon, Nov 17, 2008 2:46:27pm

re: #98 eschew_obfuscation

Now THERE's some serious GMTA!

Goals-Means Task Analysis?
or
Great Minds think alike:?

124 bosforus  Mon, Nov 17, 2008 2:46:33pm

re: #96 Eowyn2

What exactly is the motivation for someone to become a UN peacekeeper?

125 Salem  Mon, Nov 17, 2008 2:46:51pm

Oh, wait...

126 IlyaUnion  Mon, Nov 17, 2008 2:47:16pm

re: #23 transient

Likewise, if democrats think this is good news, why didn't they choose hillary? Oh I remember, the far-left won the primaries!

127 Ben Hur  Mon, Nov 17, 2008 2:47:19pm

re: #101 yochanan

Why did you ding down my Naval Search post?

128 eschew_obfuscation  Mon, Nov 17, 2008 2:47:25pm

re: #123 Eowyn2

Goals-Means Task Analysis?
or
Great Minds think alike:?

I don't do "Corp-speak", so it'd have to be the latter ;-)

129 jroberson  Mon, Nov 17, 2008 2:47:36pm

Middle of the road for Obama means he'll get hit by cars from both lanes.

130 nikis-knight  Mon, Nov 17, 2008 2:47:49pm

re: #2 Big Steve

I am slightly encouraged by this actually

Yeah, it sounds about as good as could reasonably be expected.

131 GeeWiz  Mon, Nov 17, 2008 2:47:52pm

OT:

A friend asked me today if G. Soros was an American citizen. All I could say was if he was he sure don't act like one. Does anyone know?

132 DeafDog  Mon, Nov 17, 2008 2:47:53pm

re: #79 swamprat

Check the inflation rate at the end of both administrations.

From an economic policy perspective, Carter got a bad economy and made it worse. Clinton was handed a perfect economy and almost f-ed it up. Newt got into power, handed the country winning pro-growth strategies and the economy improved. I see nothing that Clinton actually did to enhance the global boom - even if he gets credit because it happened during his presidency.

133 transient  Mon, Nov 17, 2008 2:47:53pm

re: #102 taxfreekiller

#100
THEY LIE.


All the time. But that doesn't answer the question.
Excluding the fringes, I think most Americans could come to some reasonable compromise about our priorities. But the politicians feel obligated to satisfying the extreme constituencies.

What we need: an Ungrateful President.

Now he faces one of the most difficult and challenging environments ever faced by an incoming president. He needs the very best people at his side. He should pick them based entirely on their merits. Only the most qualified individuals should be appointed to the most important positions, without regard to who they supported in the primaries, the amount of money they contributed to the campaign or the constituency they claim to represent. Choosing the best people to get us out of the difficulties we face should be like choosing a heart surgeon or an oncologist.


[It's a Dershowitz commentary, and you might want to take the first paragraph with a shaker of salt.]

134 Eowyn2  Mon, Nov 17, 2008 2:48:21pm

re: #114 Iron Fist

I'd bet you cashy money that Obama would use military force against American civilians under the right circumstances. We've been here and done this before.

Agreed.
Of course some people claim that Bush used the national guard against the citizens of New Awleans after causing hurricane katrina with underwater detonation.

135 SWPaul  Mon, Nov 17, 2008 2:48:26pm

re: #122 Salem

Glenn Danzig as National Security Adviser.

That would surely terrify our enemies, allies, and countrymen alike.

136 Outrider  Mon, Nov 17, 2008 2:48:35pm

re: #50 Killgore Trout

Koskidz support the troops.....

What Is "Good" About Our Military?

Wonder if they thought how long our country would last with their "Army"?

I like people like this. I really do. I would like them to dress in nice clothes. Carry a full billfold and carry absolutely no weapons. Then walk around the worst part of their city at 11 pm - 2 am. Then try and convince the little thug that WILL accost them how we should all just try and get along and the world should be peaceful. Then let me know how that worked out.

137 Adrenalyn  Mon, Nov 17, 2008 2:48:41pm

re: #103 Ayatollah Ghilmeini

Ok Iran say to the US up yours, yes we are building the bomb and it is too late to stop us.

Does anyone think Obama will issue an order to bomb?

Try this. Eight jihadis detonate in shopping malls the Friday after Thanksgiving 2009, does anyone think Obama will issue an order to bomb?

Russia undermines the Ukraine, think O will do anything?

The killing will go on in the Sudanand the Congo. The pirates will run wild off the shores of Asia and Africa. The US defense budget will get cut 40%, the US Navy will have less than 100 ships patrolling the oceans.

This is a President elect who deep down does not see any US interest worth fighting for.

And if you expect him to do anything about illegal immigration...

ah, but the pirates today have a tanker with 2 million bbl's of oil aboard

you bet they want a big ransom
maybe even the US out of _____

or they sink it, all 2 million barrels

quite the environmental disaster

and by the way, WHO the f*ck is going to clean it up and foot the bill ?

I'd like Bush to tell the world to piss off when/if that happens
but that's just me

138 Ben Hur  Mon, Nov 17, 2008 2:48:41pm

re: #103 Ayatollah Ghilmeini


He may pull a Shimon Peres.

Grapes of Wrath was to show how "tough" he could be while giving away the farm.

139 CalBear84  Mon, Nov 17, 2008 2:48:43pm

re: #83 Silhouette

So true. That's why they desperately want to believe that 9-11 was an "inside" job.

140 yochanan  Mon, Nov 17, 2008 2:48:56pm

re: #124 bosforus

well in the congo RAPE AND GOAT HUMPING

141 WrathofG-d  Mon, Nov 17, 2008 2:49:39pm

re: #127 Ben Hur

How is that woman a model? Not very good looking.

142 Outrider  Mon, Nov 17, 2008 2:49:43pm

re: #124 bosforus

What exactly is the motivation for someone to become a UN peacekeeper?

Cool blue berets? Powder blue. yeeech. lol

143 Iron Fist  Mon, Nov 17, 2008 2:49:56pm

re: #134 Eowyn2

Well, there is that. but that was only because Bush hates black people. No white people were harmed in Hurricane Katrina.

144 Ben Hur  Mon, Nov 17, 2008 2:50:30pm

re: #133 transient


Now he faces one of the most difficult and challenging environments ever faced by an incoming president.

Am I the only one that thinks this is more than a slight exaggeration?

145 debutaunt  Mon, Nov 17, 2008 2:50:53pm

re: #121 Adrenalyn

hopefully he won't further bankrupt the country by overhiring

like Arnold in California
he has hired a ton of "scientists" to advise on "global warming"

instead of cutting spending when he was elected, in a recall of former Governor Gray Davis
Arnold went on a hiring spree
and borrowing spree

now, we're going to be the first state deemed insolvent
but also the first with the 24 inch plan

that's the estimate rise in sea level in 0bama's term(s)

Got my fingers crossed for a sales tax increase.

146 MandyManners  Mon, Nov 17, 2008 2:51:04pm

It's Clintonistas all the way down.

147 Salem  Mon, Nov 17, 2008 2:51:32pm
148 buzzsawmonkey[deleted]  Mon, Nov 17, 2008 2:51:35pm
149 Eowyn2  Mon, Nov 17, 2008 2:51:40pm

re: #124 bosforus

What exactly is the motivation for someone to become a UN peacekeeper?

There was a Canadian trooper who became a UN peacekeeper after his enlistment. He seriously wanted to help maintain peace in troubled areas. If I recall correctly, he was killed in southern Lebanon when the hezbos used his bunker to hide behind. Before that time though, he filed reports (publicly) of how the Hezbos were bombing Israel from mere meters away from his bunker. And he could do nothing, absolutely nothing, to stop them.

150 Eowyn2  Mon, Nov 17, 2008 2:52:32pm

re: #136 Outrider

Wonder if they thought how long our country would last with their "Army"?

I like people like this. I really do. I would like them to dress in nice clothes. Carry a full billfold and carry absolutely no weapons. Then walk around the worst part of their city at 11 pm - 2 am. Then try and convince the little thug that WILL accost them how we should all just try and get along and the world should be peaceful. Then let me know how that worked out.

full billfold, hell, ten bucks in a jeans pocket.

151 Iron Fist  Mon, Nov 17, 2008 2:52:36pm

re: #142 Outrider

The blue does make an excellent, um, well, not to put too fine a point on it, but it does show up well against most backgrounds.

152 Ben Hur  Mon, Nov 17, 2008 2:53:07pm

re: #141 WrathofG-d

How is that woman a model? Not very good looking.


She has a "look."

Some like it.

Some don't.

I wouldn't kick her out of the mikvah.

153 Big Steve  Mon, Nov 17, 2008 2:53:33pm

re: #146 MandyManners

It's Clintonistas all the way down.

oh you are bad!

154 Iron Fist  Mon, Nov 17, 2008 2:53:45pm

re: #146 MandyManners

The Second Coming of Bill Clinton. And Monica Lewinsky is nowhere to be seen...

155 bellamags  Mon, Nov 17, 2008 2:53:47pm

re: #117 buzzsawmonkey

Surely he will appoint a Secretary of de Fence?

LMAO still.

156 Spiny Norman  Mon, Nov 17, 2008 2:54:10pm

re: #5 Charles

Lots of former Clinton people in there.

Big surprise. I guessed that before I even read the quote you posted.

157 itellu3times  Mon, Nov 17, 2008 2:54:57pm

re: #73 Quilly Mammoth

Uhmmm...most of those people _are_ centrists. But the board isn't where you look. You look at the Fellows and President.

You know more than three of these people?

The corporate guys know nothing about policy, they are acquisition wonks. Does this place have a web site? OK.

[Link: www.cnas.org...]

Let me turn it around, then: do they have anything *besides* a web site?

What I can see of this group gives me the willies, for reasons unclear, but certainly including the names Madeleine K. Albright and Richard L. Armitage.

158 Ward Cleaver  Mon, Nov 17, 2008 2:55:08pm

re: #122 Salem

DANZIG RULES! WOOOO!

Dude, they're not talking about the band. Put the lighter away.

159 Spiny Norman  Mon, Nov 17, 2008 2:55:14pm

re: #55 Jack Reacher

OT: Greek rioters throw firebombs at police and U.S. embassy.
Maybe they didn't hear; Obama was elected, so all the world loves us now.

Still mad about us rejecting Mike Dukakis in '88, are they?

160 Outrider  Mon, Nov 17, 2008 2:55:59pm

re: #149 Eowyn2

There was a Canadian trooper who became a UN peacekeeper after his enlistment. He seriously wanted to help maintain peace in troubled areas. If I recall correctly, he was killed in southern Lebanon when the hezbos used his bunker to hide behind. Before that time though, he filed reports (publicly) of how the Hezbos were bombing Israel from mere meters away from his bunker. And he could do nothing, absolutely nothing, to stop them.

Could follow the French Peacekeepers lead and put in anti-aircraft guns in order to control the arms smuggling against Hizballah. Can't imagine why they were facing Israel though. /

161 mitthrawnurdo  Mon, Nov 17, 2008 2:56:29pm

re: #142 Outrider

Blue helmets...camouflage-wise, this is only good if you're fighting in the air or underwater. But fighting isn't what UN peacekeepers are known for, is it?

162 WrathofG-d  Mon, Nov 17, 2008 2:56:47pm

re: #152 Ben Hur

That was odd.

I would kick her out of bed. Not so good looking. Looks like a fugly bird.

This is more my style

163 Eowyn2  Mon, Nov 17, 2008 2:57:13pm

re: #143 Iron Fist

Well, there is that. but that was only because Bush hates black people. No white people were harmed in Hurricane Katrina.

nor did they lose homes, businesses, employment.....

164 pat  Mon, Nov 17, 2008 2:57:27pm

So no one in Defense actually knows a damn thing about defense or the military. Great.

165 SixDegrees  Mon, Nov 17, 2008 2:57:28pm

re: #7 Kragar (Proud to be Kafir)

Anything less than a full immeadiate withdrawl from Iraq, bring Bush up on charges and taxing the crap out of "the wealthy" to pay for public health, welfare, and other services will have the moonbats howling for blood.

The moonbats don't mean jack. Their numbers are small and there's no one else for them to vote for. They're the easiest group for the new Administration to flush down the toilet. Their shrillness and increasing command of money also makes them dangerous. Look for Obama to do everything possible to undermine them over the first two years of his term.

Meanwhile, all Presidents tend to move to the middle after the election. It's important to win over your opponents if you want things to go smoothly and if you don't want to waste time in a battle during the next election cycle. It's in Obama's best interest to take steps toward keeping the Republicans at least marginally happy, and prevent them from organizing an effective opposition.

166 stevieray  Mon, Nov 17, 2008 2:57:48pm

This could be a good sign. It all depends on what Obama wants... to be a successful president, or an ideologically beloved president.

If he governs from his hard-left base, he will be a disaster... and I hope he realizes this.

In a way, this topic ties into the first post of the day about the rampant intellectual fraud of the left. Attitudes adopted in the hot-house of academia fail with frightening regularity once exposed to the real world, and I suspect many on the left know this. If Obama recognizes that the policy positions demanded by the Democrat base are both naive and childish, and he only espoused them for their vote-getting potential, he may choose to govern from the center.

/a longshot, but I can hope...

167 Outrider  Mon, Nov 17, 2008 2:59:21pm

re: #151 Iron Fist

The blue does make an excellent, um, well, not to put too fine a point on it, but it does show up well against most backgrounds.

I know. i would still like to know one single instance where the UN peacekeepers have done anything but further exacerbate the situation.

168 Ben Hur  Mon, Nov 17, 2008 2:59:23pm

re: #162 WrathofG-d

That was odd.

I would kick her out of bed. Not so good looking. Looks like a fugly bird.

This is more my style


Duh.

169 Ben Hur  Mon, Nov 17, 2008 2:59:43pm

re: #162 WrathofG-d


Odd?

170 transient  Mon, Nov 17, 2008 3:00:11pm

re: #126 IlyaUnion

Likewise, if democrats think this is good news, why didn't they choose hillary? Oh I remember, the far-left won the primaries!

I have no idea what the Dems think about this. I'd be curious to hear. But while most of my friends/relatives voted for O in the general election, I bet a lot of them voted for Hillary in the primary. On the other hand...I'm afraid to ask.

Remember, the big CHANGE most of them wanted was a Republican out of the White House and a reduced US profile in Iraq. Hillary didn't represent enough CHANGE for them because she tried to position herself as a centrist on national security/defense.

Anyway, lying during a political campaign is almost a requirement, and if Obama turns out to be more centrist than he intially appeared, I can only be relieved.

171 Eowyn2  Mon, Nov 17, 2008 3:00:13pm

re: #137 Adrenalyn
I'd like to see a lot more seal teams off Somali.

172 WrathofG-d  Mon, Nov 17, 2008 3:00:43pm

re: #169 Ben Hur

"kick her out of the mikveh"

I knew what you were trying to say though. But I should add.......she had a belly button?

173 mitthrawnurdo  Mon, Nov 17, 2008 3:00:58pm

re: #162 WrathofG-d

Didn't Heidi and her husband threaten to leave the US if McCain was elected?

174 WrathofG-d  Mon, Nov 17, 2008 3:01:57pm

re: #173 mitthrawnurdo

I'm not sure, but Seal can leave anytime he'd like. Just divorce & leave Heidi here.

175 Spiny Norman  Mon, Nov 17, 2008 3:02:19pm

re: #50 Killgore Trout

Koskidz support the troops.....

What Is "Good" About Our Military?

I think that it is finally the time in our history to reject a military trained to kill and instead have a small, technologically efficient force of peacekeepers and philanthropists with the mission of ONLY maintaining or restoring peace and human rights on our troubled yet hopeful planet.

Replace the Marine Corps with the Peace Corps. What a wonderful idea.

At least in the minds of the Ahmadinejads of the world.

How old is that twerp? 12?

176 Outrider  Mon, Nov 17, 2008 3:02:19pm

re: #161 mitthrawnurdo

Blue helmets...camouflage-wise, this is only good if you're fighting in the air or underwater. But fighting isn't what UN peacekeepers are known for, is it?

Sending in UN peacekeepers is kind of like pouring sugar on an open wound.

177 doppelganglander  Mon, Nov 17, 2008 3:02:32pm

re: #75 shiplord kirel

Fwiw, I'm generally suspicious of national security think tanks. Remember, it was the RAND corporation and various similar gangs who cooked up the insane McNamara doctrine of national defense in the 60s, and its barking mad Vietnam corollary.
I know of one think tank that is essentially a cover for an S&M Bondage group. Unfortunately, it has a hawkish orientation and does in fact include some highly respected, though batshit crazy, analysts.

Are you serious? I don't suppose you could name it, but wow. Just wow.

178 uncle_monkey  Mon, Nov 17, 2008 3:03:27pm

Wendy Sherman is a member of the Albright Group, sits on the "nonpartisan" Bretton Woods Committee with "philanthropist" George Soros and has some other interesting ties.

Every time I hear "Think Tank" I think George Soros.

179 vapig  Mon, Nov 17, 2008 3:03:44pm

#168 Ben Hur

#162 WrathofG-d

It's the same woman. You guys are playing, right?

180 jaunte  Mon, Nov 17, 2008 3:04:59pm

I hope they have no objections to armored support in Somalia when that hotspot heats up again.

181 Ben Hur  Mon, Nov 17, 2008 3:05:36pm

re: #172 WrathofG-d

"kick her out of the mikveh"

I knew what you were trying to say though. But I should add.......she had a belly button?


It was Joomur.

182 Eowyn2  Mon, Nov 17, 2008 3:05:46pm

re: #175 Spiny Norman

Replace the Marine Corps with the Peace Corps. What a wonderful idea.

At least in the minds of the Ahmadinejads of the world.

How old is that twerp? 12?

Someone didnt get a gi joe for Christmas when he was 12, thats for sure.

183 Outrider  Mon, Nov 17, 2008 3:05:55pm

re: #180 jaunte

I hope they have no objections to armored support in Somalia when that hotspot heats up again.

Soviet tanks still there on the ship?

184 Outrider  Mon, Nov 17, 2008 3:06:55pm

re: #182 Eowyn2

Someone didnt get a gi joe for Christmas when he was 12, thats for sure.

I'm thinking he got the Ken.... and Ken. Special San Francisco models.

185 Ben Hur  Mon, Nov 17, 2008 3:07:15pm

re: #179 vapig

#168 Ben Hur

#162 WrathofG-d

It's the same woman. You guys are playing, right?

We're talking about a something I posted on the last thread.

Karlina (?) Kurkova (?) has no belly button.

186 reloadingisnotahobby  Mon, Nov 17, 2008 3:08:00pm

In the think tank for Obama?
That's a joke ...right?

187 transient  Mon, Nov 17, 2008 3:08:16pm

re: #144 Ben Hur

Am I the only one that thinks this is more than a slight exaggeration?


LOL, now that you mention it, I see a lot of irony in that line. Aside from the economy, the major challenges are of course Islamism/War on Terror, and Iran. But according to the left wingers, Iran isn't really that serious a threat and our concern about Islamism is just Islamophobia. And Iraq was a huge mistake which can be easily corrected by immediately withdrawing our troops. So really the only problem is the economy, and surely Obama--he's a sharp guy--can deal with that, right?

Oh, and there's that nasty Israel-Palestinian thing going on which is really what's making the rest of the Mideast all pesky. But He can clear that up in his first term.

188 Silhouette  Mon, Nov 17, 2008 3:08:46pm

A woman with no belly button would be

A) a clone
or
B) Eve

189 ploome hineni[deleted]  Mon, Nov 17, 2008 3:09:33pm
190 jaunte  Mon, Nov 17, 2008 3:10:33pm

re: #183 Outrider

I can't find any followup stories on that.

191 Mark1957  Mon, Nov 17, 2008 3:11:05pm

Ooohhhhh, judging from the above story, the Kossacks are starting to feel like the jailhouse bitches of the Democratic Party. Used, abused, and then kicked out of the bunk.

I hope the KosKidz bought lots of K-Y before the election, because they're probably going to need a lot of it during the next four years. Jeez, most president-elects at least have the decency to welsh on their campaign promises after they're sworn in. However, this time, Obama Wan Husseini isn't even giving Kos the benefit of a "pre-inauguration reach-around" as he's "slipping the Old Hope & Change" to him.

192 CharlieBravo  Mon, Nov 17, 2008 3:12:39pm

re: #168 Ben Hur

Nice rug...

193 MacGregor  Mon, Nov 17, 2008 3:12:55pm

As the shadow party comes back, we can at least count on the CIA and State dept not to stab them in the back. That's encouraging.

194 transient  Mon, Nov 17, 2008 3:15:17pm

re: #191 Mark1957

Ooohhhhh, judging from the above story, the Kossacks are starting to feel like the jailhouse bitches of the Democratic Party. Used, abused, and then kicked out of the bunk.

There we go, another silver lining to the Obama victory!
--Watching the Kossaks bitch and moan about how Obama betrayed them!

} starts searching for popcorn{

195 snowcrash  Mon, Nov 17, 2008 3:20:17pm

re: #188 Silhouette
Or C) didn't pay extra to have a navel created after an extensive abdominoplasty.

196 mattm  Mon, Nov 17, 2008 3:20:49pm

IF the article is accurate, this could be goodbetter than Ayers types.

197 Silhouette  Mon, Nov 17, 2008 3:21:08pm

re: #195 snowcrash

So, not a clone?

/disappointed

198 mattm  Mon, Nov 17, 2008 3:21:23pm

re: #194 transient

There we go, another silver lining to the Obama victory!
--Watching the Kossaks bitch and moan about how Obama betrayed them!

} starts searching for popcorn{

Do I dare venture over to Kos? Hmmmm...

199 Ben Hur  Mon, Nov 17, 2008 3:30:38pm

re: #192 CharlieBravo

Nice rug...

LOL!


BBL

200 transient  Mon, Nov 17, 2008 3:32:19pm

re: #198 mattm

Do I dare venture over to Kos? Hmmmm...

It's early yet. You might want to wait, unless you have a strong tolerance for insanity masquerading as reason.

201 Daisy  Mon, Nov 17, 2008 3:39:39pm

re: #109 alien_mind

but the question is, how long before the Obamatons realize this? if ever.

I wonder too. Realizing reality doesn't appear to be their forte.

202 DonS  Mon, Nov 17, 2008 3:46:39pm

This is somewhat positive.

Remember that the left was able to put up with Clinton reforming welfare, as long as it meant "their side" was winning. For Obama, I think they will be even more willing to "turn the other cheek".

203 Daisy  Mon, Nov 17, 2008 3:50:49pm

re: #50 Killgore Trout

From the KKids you cited: "Nothing is more uncivilized than allowing oneself to be ordered to murder without first determining for oneself if this human target is trying to kill you or just trying to defend himself/herself."

And I say nothing - just about nothing - could be stupider than what that KK just wrote.

As for: "I think that it is finally the time in our history to reject a military trained to kill and instead have a small, technologically efficient force of peacekeepers and philanthropists with the mission of ONLY maintaining or restoring peace and human rights on our troubled yet hopeful planet."

Sounds like this ass is afraid of being drafted (under Obama's dominion ) into the real military and is trying to put together his resume in order to be drafted as a 'Community Organizer' instead.

204 Pope Urban  Mon, Nov 17, 2008 3:51:19pm

re: #61 buzzsawmonkey

And, which road?

Highway to Hell?

GwG

205 jopa416  Mon, Nov 17, 2008 3:54:40pm

How do you apply for a job at a think tank. That is what I want to do for a living, think all day, get paid a lot for it. It would be great.

206 Dr. Shalit  Mon, Nov 17, 2008 3:55:12pm

re: #50 Killgore Trout

Koskidz support the troops.....

What Is "Good" About Our Military?

"K-T"

"Horse Hockey" - Sherman Potter, Col., US Army. That is all.

-S-

207 Dr. Shalit  Mon, Nov 17, 2008 4:07:31pm

re: #191 Mark1957

Ooohhhhh, judging from the above story, the Kossacks are starting to feel like the jailhouse bitches of the Democratic Party. Used, abused, and then kicked out of the bunk.

I hope the KosKidz bought lots of K-Y before the election, because they're probably going to need a lot of it during the next four years. Jeez, most president-elects at least have the decency to welsh on their campaign promises after they're sworn in. However, this time, Obama Wan Husseini isn't even giving Kos the benefit of a "pre-inauguration reach-around" as he's "slipping the Old Hope & Change" to him.

"M-'57" -

They should have, used abused and kicked to the curb. Tony (Joe Batters) Accardo would be proud of the incoming administration were he still alive.
Joe Batters was a killer for sure - AND - one with something of a sense of honor and civility. Kos and his Sad Sacks have neither. That is all.

-S-

208 AuntAcid  Mon, Nov 17, 2008 4:24:56pm

THE DIPLOMATS HAVE LANDED AND THE SITUATION IS WELL IN HAND!

209 AuntAcid  Mon, Nov 17, 2008 4:40:56pm

re: #205 jopa416

How do you apply for a job at a think tank. That is what I want to do for a living, think all day, get paid a lot for it. It would be great.

First you go to think tank school where you will learn the mystery of scotch whiskey, at which point the "how do's" will reveal themselves.

210 Archimedes  Mon, Nov 17, 2008 4:54:51pm

I hope it is "middle of the road", that would give me some hope.
Hope and Change. argh...

211 Ruttgen  Mon, Nov 17, 2008 5:38:27pm

now I would like to note (but it may of already been pointed out) that there are not much of a minority presence on his advisors board.....nor are there a lot of capitalistic minded choices on that board.

I guess Socialism is a one way street....

212 jblair  Mon, Nov 17, 2008 5:42:39pm

re: #135 SWPaul

Glenn Danzig as National Security Adviser.

That would surely terrify our enemies, allies, and countrymen alike.

I'd hold off on that Glenn Danzig SecDef appointment...

213 Hard Right  Mon, Nov 17, 2008 5:58:38pm

Anyone else use IE 6 and having problems? I try to quote someone and it boots me to the front page.
I click on someone's icon and it boots me to the front page.
What the heck?

214 NOBAMADADA  Mon, Nov 17, 2008 5:59:45pm

I think the WSJ meant to say In the YES WE CAN TANK for Obama..

215 Maui Girl  Mon, Nov 17, 2008 6:22:14pm

Lots of former Clintonians, eh? So much for change and reform of Washington, DC.

216 Darius_LaMonica  Mon, Nov 17, 2008 6:42:59pm

In SnObama's defense (I hate myself for saying that), this think tank does have John Nagl, a retired army officer who helped Petraeus write the new counterinsurgency manual. Although Ralph Peters skewered parts of the manual, Nagl should get props for his contribution to Petraeus' COIN efforts.

Whether The One will listen to him is another story.

217 Jimmah  Mon, Nov 17, 2008 7:01:18pm

This is encouraging.

218 loggiedog  Mon, Nov 17, 2008 7:11:56pm

When it comes to Israel, Albright scares me greatly. She was a big bully during the Clinton era, and will be awful to Israel. I just remember how she pushed so hard on the Barak government to give up 95% to Arafish, and now she'll start all over again, and claim she can do it because she has a couple of ancestors from Eastern Europe who were Jewish. What a nightmare.


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