Elizabeth Barrette (ysabetwordsmith) wrote,
Elizabeth Barrette
ysabetwordsmith
  • Mood: busy

POLITICS: Ups and Downs

Some of Obama's early actions are promising, others less so.

Obama Team Signals No War Crimes Prosecution
Lara Jakes Jordan, The Associated Press: "Barack Obama's incoming administration is unlikely to bring criminal charges against government officials who authorized or engaged in harsh interrogations of suspected terrorists during the George W. Bush presidency. Obama, who has criticized the use of torture, is being urged by some constitutional scholars and human rights groups to investigate possible war crimes by the Bush administration. Two Obama advisers said there's little - if any - chance that the incoming president's Justice Department will go after anyone involved in authorizing or carrying out interrogations that provoked worldwide outrage."


What this signals is that torture is acceptable and corruption will not be punished -- that, as the ruling politicians maintain, some people are above the law. I know Obama is skilled at compromise, but this is a really bad place for it.

Clinton to Accept Offer of Secretary of State Job
Ewen MacAskill, The Guardian UK: "Hillary Clinton plans to accept the job of secretary of state offered by Barack Obama, who is reaching out to former rivals to build a broad coalition administration, the Guardian has learned. Obama's advisers have begun looking into Bill Clinton's foundation, which distributes millions of dollars to Africa to help with development, to ensure there is no conflict of interest. But Democrats believe the vetting will be straightforward."


This, however, is an astute selection. It takes advantage of Hillary Clinton's skills and should help keep the system from locking up completely.
Tags: politics
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  • 14 comments
ideealisme

ideealisme

November 20 2008, 00:06:08 UTC 12 years ago

"I know Obama is skilled at compromise, but this is a really bad place for it."

Obama isn't the radical some people seem to think he is. He is not going to rock the boat and certainly isn't going to touch this issue with a barge pole. I suspect he will have a similar non-intervention strategy to Bill Clinton's.
ideealisme

ideealisme

November 20 2008, 00:06:45 UTC 12 years ago

boats and barge poles... lots of mixed metaphors there.

How's the job search going?
ysabetwordsmith

Not bad!

ysabetwordsmith

November 20 2008, 00:17:09 UTC 12 years ago

I have two leads. We'll see whether either of these pan out.
ideealisme

Re: Not bad!

ideealisme

November 20 2008, 00:18:17 UTC 12 years ago

fingers crossed for you!
fayanora

fayanora

November 20 2008, 00:53:11 UTC 12 years ago

I think Obama is only *pretending* to not be seeking prosecution, so Bush won't be tempted to give himself and his administration a blanket pardon. Then, as soon as he's out of office and Obama is in, WHAM! Prosecute the FUCK out of that mofo.

I think Bush and Cheney (and a few choice others) should ultimately meet the same fate as Saddam Hussein in that case.
ysabetwordsmith

*grin*

ysabetwordsmith

November 20 2008, 00:55:53 UTC 12 years ago

Now there's a gratifying thought.
fayanora

Re: *grin*

fayanora

November 20 2008, 01:31:58 UTC 12 years ago

Oh my, but we are such evil little imps, are we not?
jenny_evergreen

jenny_evergreen

November 20 2008, 01:02:10 UTC 12 years ago

First, hello! :) browngirl recommended you to me.

I can understand the compromise...it's such a hot-button issue. We'll see what he does when he's actually in office...I suspect some sort of statement will be made at least.

I LOVE that Hillary Clinton will be Secretary of State...in my mind, she's just ideal for that position.
ysabetwordsmith

Welcome!

ysabetwordsmith

November 20 2008, 02:07:51 UTC 12 years ago

I'm pleased to meet you.

Yes, I'm waiting to see what Obama will do in office.

I do think Hillary would be an ideal SoS; it totally suits her personality and skills. She's too good a resource to waste, flaws notwithstanding. And she puts up with Bill, so her patience and cool are impressive.
laneth

Re: Welcome!

laneth

November 20 2008, 03:25:44 UTC 12 years ago

One would be quite interested to see if, in a term-or-two, Hillary runs for the Big Seat again and makes it through.
Seems only natural now to break standards - First "Black" President, why not just get the First Female President over and done with? Get it out the way sooner so the people aren't shocked over longer periods of time.

I wish both the US Government and the US Citizens the best of luck with this new relationship. I wish the rest of the world luck in the wake of Georgie-boy...
reileen

reileen

November 20 2008, 03:48:26 UTC 12 years ago

I know I've seen some people express concern over the fact that Obama, contrary to his message of "change" in Washington, seems to be appointing many people who worked in the Clinton administration to various positions and offices. I understand the concern about this, but at the same time, people have been worried about his lack of executive experience as well. So I'm assuming that these Clinton-connected appointments are meant to offset Obama's weakness...?

What are your thoughts?
ysabetwordsmith

Thoughts

ysabetwordsmith

November 20 2008, 03:52:29 UTC 12 years ago

I think that Obama is aware of his weaknesses and determined to offset them; but more importantly, he's a good team-builder. By the time he's done, he should have a group of people with diverse experience and skills. That's a challenge to manage, but it gives great parallax for problem-solving. He's going to need that more than anything.

You think so?

Anonymous

November 20 2008, 15:04:34 UTC 12 years ago

I would disagree about Obama's refusal to pursue the matter of war crimes. Do those who participated deserve it? In most cases, the answer is probably yes. But could he actually make such charges stick? Not a chance in hell. So why waste valuable credit on Capitol Hill pursuing a goal which, although valid, doesn't really do much to help anyone? Far better if he instead spends that credit making sure that such a thing can never happen again.
ysabetwordsmith

Re: You think so?

ysabetwordsmith

November 20 2008, 16:27:11 UTC 12 years ago

>> So why waste valuable credit on Capitol Hill pursuing a goal which, although valid, doesn't really do much to help anyone? <<

Because not pursuing those charges is an endorsement of them, a message that such behavior is acceptable and carries no risk of punishment. It should not be the case that some people are above the law. The law must be for everyone, or it protects no one. Yes, I understand that actually achieving punishment for these criminals is unlikely due to their money and power. I just don't think they should be allowed to walk away without so much as a challenge. They might get away anyhow -- but we can by gods make the bastards WORK for it. We can send a message that what they have done is wrong and will not be tolerated without a fight.