Tempered hope for progressive change
Abel Tomlinson
Issue date: 12/8/08 Section: Opinion
Now that the election has concluded, we must critically analyze what to expect from Barack Obama. There are two approaches. As Noam Chomsky recently said, we can investigate Obama's rhetoric like "hope" and "change," or we can study political action.
His recent actions are more powerful predictors of what to expect, and they are raising serious questions from progressive supporters. Obama's choices for his Cabinet and advisement are beginning to break his promise to bring "Change We Can Believe In."
Obviously, we must discuss Obama's pro-war foreign policy appointments. First, his choice of Joe Biden as a running mate was backstabbing for supporters opposed to Bush's Iraq War. Biden was a crucial Democratic facilitator for this multitrillion dollar economic disaster.
As chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Biden refused to call on expert witnesses that could challenge Bush's war justification, effectually silencing informed debate. Moreover, before voting for war, Biden "corroborated" Bush's lies by stating in the Senate, "[Saddam] possesses chemical and biological weapons and is seeking nuclear weapons."
Appointing Rahm Emanuel as chief of staff was another affront to Obama's peace supporters. Emanuel was a leading House war supporter. Additionally, when serving as chair of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee in 2006, Emanuel supported 22 candidates and only one supported Iraq withdrawal.
Appointing Hillary Clinton as secretary of state is another disappointment. Clinton voted for war and regurgitated Bush's war mantra in the Senate: "[Saddam] has worked to rebuild his chemical and biological weapons stock … [and] nuclear program … [and] given aid, comfort and sanctuary to terrorists… I want to ensure [Saddam] makes no mistake about … our support for the president's efforts to wage America's war against terrorists and [WMD]."
Obama's utilization of former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright also is troubling. When confronted by Lesley Stahl of "60 Minutes" about Clinton's economic sanctions in Iraq that killed "a half-million children," Albright notoriously replied, "We think the price is worth it."
His recent actions are more powerful predictors of what to expect, and they are raising serious questions from progressive supporters. Obama's choices for his Cabinet and advisement are beginning to break his promise to bring "Change We Can Believe In."
Obviously, we must discuss Obama's pro-war foreign policy appointments. First, his choice of Joe Biden as a running mate was backstabbing for supporters opposed to Bush's Iraq War. Biden was a crucial Democratic facilitator for this multitrillion dollar economic disaster.
As chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Biden refused to call on expert witnesses that could challenge Bush's war justification, effectually silencing informed debate. Moreover, before voting for war, Biden "corroborated" Bush's lies by stating in the Senate, "[Saddam] possesses chemical and biological weapons and is seeking nuclear weapons."
Appointing Rahm Emanuel as chief of staff was another affront to Obama's peace supporters. Emanuel was a leading House war supporter. Additionally, when serving as chair of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee in 2006, Emanuel supported 22 candidates and only one supported Iraq withdrawal.
Appointing Hillary Clinton as secretary of state is another disappointment. Clinton voted for war and regurgitated Bush's war mantra in the Senate: "[Saddam] has worked to rebuild his chemical and biological weapons stock … [and] nuclear program … [and] given aid, comfort and sanctuary to terrorists… I want to ensure [Saddam] makes no mistake about … our support for the president's efforts to wage America's war against terrorists and [WMD]."
Obama's utilization of former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright also is troubling. When confronted by Lesley Stahl of "60 Minutes" about Clinton's economic sanctions in Iraq that killed "a half-million children," Albright notoriously replied, "We think the price is worth it."
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
EJ Blasick
posted 1/03/09 @ 12:17 AM CST
We need to get the elections out of the hands of the 2 parties, and back to the people. You'll never get a Kucinich, and I'll never get a Ron Paul, as long as the 2 parties have the sysem rigged. (Continued…)
Post a Comment