Posted on 04/14/2005 5:47:32 AM PDT by OESY
The [Bolton hearings] unmasked the campaign which has been underway to discredit him and derail his nomination. They also demonstrated once again the need to reform the Senate confirmation process, which has become so politicized that it is not serving its constitutional purpose....
It was stated repeatedly at the hearings that Mr. Bolton and I tried to get an intelligence analyst--referred to as "Mr. Smith"--fired, or tried to block his promotion or to get him transferred. I cannot speak for Mr. Bolton (though having known him since 1981, I can attest to his integrity). But I can speak for myself: In 2002, after consulting with many of my interagency colleagues about how to handle the loss of confidence in Smith's judgment, I most certainly did complain to Smith's supervisor about the consistently unacceptable quality of his work. My actions are now being distorted and attributed to Mr. Bolton in order to harm his nomination.
Though... I'd made myself available to offer testimony, I was never summoned....
Too often those hearings are used by senators and their staff to pursue an ideological agenda and engage in personal destruction. If they cannot force a nominee to withdraw, hearings can be blocked by only one senator, while he and his staff spread scurrilous rumors about the nominee--who is unable to counter because he is told that "it will hurt your chances"....
Why is it easy for critics to believe that Executive Branch officials will "politicize" intelligence but not an analyst? Most analysts are good, but human, and humans err. When one errs consistently, and when his errors are exposed by others in the intelligence apparatus, as was the case of "Smith," then it's time for someone to step forward and say we can do better....
John Bolton... deserves to be confirmed....
(Excerpt) Read more at opinionjournal.com ...
The cowards are mostly on the GOP side. They continually allow themselves to be whipped by the senate RATs.
Anyone have the pro Bolton vote count?
This was an excellent article.
One of the things that I learned from other reading is that the "Mr. Smith" in question was the one who consistently misread and minimized - possibly even wilfully - the threat posed by Chavez and the resurgence of the virulent left in Latin America. Hence, he was to a great extent responsible for our failure to aggressively support Venezuelans who were working against Chavez, be prepared for Castro's sudden surge in influence, etc.
I think that's worth getting a little angry about!
You bet! The GOPers better stand up for this guy or they will regret it.
"If you fear being conquered, your defeat is certain." -Napoleon
the LIBERALS ideas are USELESS, that's why they resort to denigration at hearings and pie throwing at conservatives. Their day is DONE!!!
I think it's split down party lines, with Chaffee being the GOP weak sister. I think that's why the RATs got an extension...to have a few more days to work on Chaffee. I wouldn't be a bit surprised if he folds.
Thanks ... I think. ;)
No kiddin ! The majority acts like a minority when its the GOP.
Can any member summon a witness to testify? If so I think Coleman or Allen should ask that he come up and do so.
True, but don't to the the Republicans to step forward and do it. Their gonads are far too small, practically non-existent it seems.
It's scary when the Dems believe the UN interests are more important they THEIR OWN COUNTRY'S INTEREST
The only reason I can think of that Allen or Coleman haven't called Reich, is because they REALLY want to get off that subject and talk about the UN---and if they bring him in, it would just "legitimize" this spurious complaint of the Dems---
One of the things that I learned from other reading is that the "Mr. Smith" in question was the one who consistently misread and minimized - possibly even wilfully - the threat posed by Chavez and the resurgence of the virulent left in Latin America. Hence, he was to a great extent responsible for our failure to aggressively support Venezuelans who were working against Chavez, be prepared for Castro's sudden surge in influence, etc. I think that's worth getting a little angry about!What you say adds up. As a former ambassador to Venezuela Amb. Reich was in a position to really understand what was happening. He also said in this piece:
...I most certainly did complain to Smith's supervisor about the consistently unacceptable quality of his work. My actions are now being distorted and attributed to Mr. Bolton in order to harm his nomination.
Great article , thanks for the post.
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