Sec of State

[CutLass]

http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=stor...x_tt_uc/latest

[CutLass]

I'm not talking about the thoughtful objections. I'm talking about the stuff I've been reading in the Leftist press, websites and other media using such words as "Mammy," "House N----r," "Lackey," etc., as well as descriptions that do not use hurtful words but nevertheless convey the same concept.

I'm not suggesting these are common or to be found in mainstream media. What I am saying is that they are out there and nobody's raising the hue and cry that there would have been had the politics been reversed.

In other words, the world's full of hypocrites. Yes, this isn't news, you're right.

They are "raising the hue" and there is outcry against racist remarks being made. Keep reading, you'll see it. Meanwhile, Ted Rall is a cartoonist, a political cartoonist, and he like the others are making their points the way they do, with gross characterizations of the state of things. Look at this one for example, not racist, but it does point to Condi's willingness and eagerness to please to do whatever GWB says.

http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=stor...x_po_uc/latest

It's often called as it's seen. Any wonder why she's the only one not leaving?

[esskreemr]

I'm not talking about the thoughtful objections. I'm talking about the stuff I've been reading in the Leftist press, websites and other media using such words as "Mammy," "House N----r," "Lackey," etc., as well as descriptions that do not use hurtful words but nevertheless convey the same concept.

I'm not suggesting these are common or to be found in mainstream media. What I am saying is that they are out there and nobody's raising the hue and cry that there would have been had the politics been reversed.

In other words, the world's full of hypocrites. Yes, this isn't news, you're right.

How's about National Educator's Union being called a "terrorist organization" by the [Ex]Secretary of Education. Perhaps they're getting ready to round them up (along with those dastardly leftist scientists) and hold them indefinitely for being enemy combatants.

[Soldier]

I'm personally quite glad to see her get the position. After all the years of Uncle Ben's and San Fransisco Treat jokes, it's about damn time for something good to happen!

[Inquartata]

My belief is that Powell was respected by many in the world community because he disagreed with Bush

So much is obvious. Indeed, that seems to be the main criterion for being lavished with the respect of the "world community"---that one disagree with Bush, the more the better. Because the "world community" itself does so, hence in order to obtain its approval one must not support the wrong-headed and dangerous policies of the wrong-headed and dangerous President too closely, else one risks being tarred with the same black brush as him. Guilt by association, in other words.

As for the matter of qualifications, this IMO is simply a smokescreen, a shabby cloth thrown over the naked bones of partisan animosity in order to disguise its true shape from polite company. Rice's qualifications in the diplomatic realm are not less than those of Powell, or for that matter of many previous Secretaries of State ( go look up William Jennings Bryan, Martin Van Buren or even John Marshall at the time he was appointed ). But she hews too closely to the Bush line for the comfort of her critics: this is the crux of the matter.

[FoilyGeezer]

I would tender than a little dissention is a good diplomatic front. True, it works as you say it does that there is some prestige to be gained from extant disagreement with the administration, but it also gave Bush a fallback position which he'll likely not have to the same degree with Rice. Powell's positions have consistently been close enough to Bush's so that neither was significantly impaired or discredited to the point of ineffectiveness. Was that cooincidence? I think not.

I'll have to concede that my feelings on Condi's qualifications are more gut feelings than based on any of her past malaprops. But it isn't based on partisan bias as much as my feeling that she isn't right for the job. Something which I can't quantify. I would be very surprised if we were to see her name up there with Bryants, Marshall's or Kissenger's very much.

[Inquartata]

I would tender than a little dissention is a good diplomatic front.

Differences of opinion in private consultations and in the decision-making process are very good things; airing them in public makes for a bad image. Once a decision is taken, there should be a united front should be presented, lest apparent divisions be exploited by outside opponents.

it also gave Bush a fallback position which he'll likely not have to the same degree with Rice.

Heh, but when has Bush given us the impression that he's ever likely to "fall back" on anything?

As Jimmy Buffet said,

"We've gotta roll with the punches
Learn to play all of our hunches
Make the best of whatever comes your way
Forget that blind ambition
And learn to trust your intuition
Plowin' straight ahead come what may"

Seems to have been written for Bush. Except for the ambition part.

[FoilyGeezer]

Differences in opinion are an important part of diplomacy (as screwed up as that is). However, Powell has done a good job of not forgetting that he's there as the President's representative, not to unilaterally make policy. He's never really made an issue of airing his differences in public, nor has he caved in by recanting his opinion. That would definitely make for bad image.

And I suspect that if Jimmy Buffet were to hear that you were using lyrics of his to define Bush II he'd personally come around to your house and beat you with a Captain Morgan bottle until you screamed liberal!

[mrbiggs]

I guess we'll see what happens, and whether it's Rice or Bush who's the bad guy in foreign policy.

[Soldier]

Yes, actually give Rice a chance.

I have to admit I'm rather biased here, but all the same...

[FoilyGeezer]

Yes, actually give Rice a chance...

Well at this point there isn't much we can do *but* give her a chance. I'm not setting my expectations really high though...but hey, I've been wrong before.

To paraphrase John Lennon (as long as we're doing song lyrics in this thread)


All we are saying
Is give Rice a chance.
All we are saying
Is give Rice a chance.

[Soldier]

Good to hear.

Though, I must say I've disagreed with my share of Rices before...

[Inquartata]

And I suspect that if Jimmy Buffet were to hear that you were using lyrics of his to define Bush II he'd personally come around to your house and beat you with a Captain Morgan bottle until you screamed liberal!

I would block his attack with a strong parrot of quinte.

[epeezack]

I agree with lochnivar. She's a puppet, and a tool to garner minority/women voters.

Remember folks, just becuse your paronoid dosn't meen there not out to get you.

Sweet Lord let the libral hate and desparation END!!

Look, to all you pissed of Democrats(except Zell Miller), you lost, its over, he concided, he's done. There are no more ballots to count, no more voter iregularitys, no more KKK members standing with guns to black peoples' heads, none of that. GET OVER IT.

*whew* I feel better.