Rubio & Menendez; 35 Minute Eye-Opening Video (oldie, but a goodie)

C-Span ^ | 12/15/2011 | Senate committee on Foreign Relations

[PieterCasparzen]

"PANEL FOR ALL OF YOUR INSIGHTS HITS US, THE COSTS OF THAT ARE PARTICULARLY MR. BENSON, TO YOU WE'RE GOING HAVE TO DEAL WITH D.E.A., THANK YOU VERY MUCH...."

My comments... this is a great video.

The part I'm fascinated by starts at 1:06:51; just go to the Timeline scroll and click on the Rubio comment that starts at that point.

This is a long Senate hearing on "Trafficking and Narcotics in the Caribbean" broadcast on C-Span, if you've got 35 minutes to kill.

The first half is one panel; this 1:06 marker is the second half where a second panel is just being seated for their testimony.

The whole thing is interesting, but the second half plays out like a movie script of paradoxes; with all the behind-the-scenes information, personalities, politics and corruption spoken of, it almost seems as if the speakers don't think the public will never really see this video, IMHO.

This one will have you thinking and grumbling to yourself for a while... :)

[PieterCasparzen]

My favorite video of Rubio, since IMHO it reveals a glimpse into the complex tapestry of terrorism funding, drug trafficking, politics, two Senators who theoretically should be political opposites, China, oil; the list goes on.

Among the anomalies or seeming contradictions to typical public opinion:

1) Senate tradition is the idea that they are a "club"; not only that but the most powerful one in the world. Accordingly, Senators typically reserve a cordiality between each other even when at extreme opposite ends of the political spectrum. Also, seniority is an essential part of the body's structure; freshmen Senators, being newly minted members of this club, often become sort of proteges of the more senior Senators. The cordiality between Rubio and Menendez stands out to me; and of course there is nothing wrong with that. It is amazing to watch, however. After all, Rubio was swept in as a Tea Party candidate; one that, in theory, would be diametrically opposed to the politics of Menendez, a Democrat representing the Democratic establishment of New Jersey. IMHO, Rubio comes across definitely as a "freshman"; as they both have significant political "investment" in the latino community, in a sense, Rubio in that respect looks and sounds like a protege of Menendez. It all makes me wonder how many Tea Party candidates will break any "molds" and how many will be molded right into Congress as all those who have gone before them.

2) Menendez says things way out of touch with standard Democratic party talking points. Mind boggling how he comes across as so conservative regarding the drug trafficking, so-called "narco-states" and the drug funding of islamic terrorism. He seems completely unaware of the Chavez ties to the Kennedys.

3) What of the "party-on" attitude of liberals ? The "war on drugs" is a terrible thing according Democrats... typically. Menendez openly acknowledges that all this is a big problem. His only issue - like Rubio - seems to be insuring that there's enough funding for efforts to combat the problem, and making sure their is further study/updates. Everyone seems - very appropriately - very concerned.

4) The amount of detail and facts about the connections to islamic terrorism; state-sponsored terrorism; South and Central American governments, etc., is quite interesting to hear being said publicly. Amazing what you hear OUTSIDE of the establishment press/media.

[FreeManWhoCan]

Thanks for posting this. Great and informative video.