tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329595.post8474896499469359465..comments2024-03-29T00:02:58.832-05:00Comments on Althouse: Should John Brennan be the new Director of National Intelligence?Ann Althousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01630636239933008807noreply@blogger.comBlogger62125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329595.post-28985973400307650142010-05-23T06:07:21.176-05:002010-05-23T06:07:21.176-05:00And, in all my travels the city I have come to lov...<i>And, in all my travels the city I have come to love most is al-Quds, Jerusalem where three great faiths come together.</i><br /><br />If a Bush official had called the city "Yerushalayim", the Muslim world and their supporters would have been flipping out all over the place.<br /><br />Moreover, the only reason that Jerusalem is actually a city "where three great faiths come together" is that the Israelis are controlling it.New Yorkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04799493668420550166noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329595.post-71519811709423525712010-05-22T18:10:09.258-05:002010-05-22T18:10:09.258-05:00traditonalguy: "The other shoe drops in Obama...traditonalguy: "The other shoe drops in Obama's plans to remove Israel from political control in the old city of Jerusalem."<br /><br />For most Americans the central issue in John Brennan's nomination for intelligence director is not whether he's good for Israel but "is he good for America?"Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329595.post-49853325816551920272010-05-22T13:55:06.539-05:002010-05-22T13:55:06.539-05:00"You called Jerusalem the Capital as if it wa...<i><b>"You called Jerusalem the Capital as if it was a universally accepted fact, when that is hardly the case. Hardly the case at all."</b></i><br /><br />Considering that it is accepted by Israelis as their capital and they have most of their main government institutions there, I'd say that's a pretty strong argument. The fact that it's been the capital of the Jews off and on for about 3000 years by every objective historical standard also makes a damn strong argument.<br /><br />The fact that you think this is deceitful is just weird.<br /><br />The fact that you think that a universal international consensus is required for a legitimate people to determine their own capital is instructive.<br /><br />I pretty much smelled you at "real allies" but was willing to give you the benefit of the doubt. You've shown your hand it's just the usual anti-Zionist pablum.<br /><br />I think you and I are done here.GMayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12231225580249665221noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329595.post-53245571379572800122010-05-22T01:43:16.780-05:002010-05-22T01:43:16.780-05:00John Burgess,
If Brennan had been speaking in Ara...John Burgess,<br /><br />If Brennan had been speaking in Arabic, you'd have a point (and a thoroughly correct one). But he wasn't, so you don't (as far as I can see.) Brennan was speaking in English, and the English name for that city happens to be "Jerusalem".Kirk Parkerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05921711310191924997noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329595.post-72145420500405728762010-05-22T00:31:08.847-05:002010-05-22T00:31:08.847-05:00fls,
You obviously don't understand the intel...fls,<br /><br />You obviously don't understand the intel community. Each of the elements of that community prepares a briefing book for the leadership, both senate/congress and executive branches of the govt. These books are handed over and can be used to work up a consensus of what the intel community finds of interest. The job of pulling this info together into coherence to get the whole picture is the job of the DNI and the National Security Advisor. To name someone to that position who does not have intel background is ridiculous. That official would then be fair game for anything the various intel agencies want to tell him. You need someone there who knows the players and how to read what they are offering. Brennan would not even begin to know what was being handed over and would end up being a gross liability to this president who doesn't have a clue to begin with and seems hell bent on naming advisors who don't either.dickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08976498133597991337noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329595.post-56034231827295952322010-05-21T21:48:19.307-05:002010-05-21T21:48:19.307-05:00Roger J - "And C4--your examples are from the...Roger J - "And C4--your examples are from the 73 Yom Kippur war--and the israeli's learned that lesson: they have to be self dependent. You need to update your data base."<br /><br />In 1953, Dear Leader Kim Il-Sung said the organizing principle of N Korea was that they would be self-reliant. The result is they proclaim they are, but the pathetic fact is they only survive on the sponsorship and under the protection of the ChiComs.<br /><br />Israel still is not anywhere near self sufficient.<br /><br />And as for the threat to use nukes to incinerate countries and ME Gulf Oil supplies...that was only credible if Israel had assurance that it would not face nuclear retaliation and the US and Russia would "back" their "Special Friend", as AIPAC puts it.<br />The so-called Sampson Option was barely a tenable idea 20 years ago. It is unlikely to work now.Cedarfordhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00602418702398818596noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329595.post-18636802440625409732010-05-21T21:21:26.085-05:002010-05-21T21:21:26.085-05:00Belmont Club has the best explanation.<a href="http://pajamasmedia.com/richardfernandez/2010/05/21/rudderless/" rel="nofollow">Belmont Club</a> has the best explanation.rhhardinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06901742898653890646noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329595.post-58126665083891420242010-05-21T21:17:17.256-05:002010-05-21T21:17:17.256-05:00One thing is for sure, whether you think of Jerusa...One thing is for sure, whether you think of Jerusalem as Israel's capital or not: The Zionists have been infinitely more tolerant and respectful of other faiths' need for access to Jerusalem holy sites than the Jordanians were when they controlled the old city.Automatic_Wing https://www.blogger.com/profile/10174899673368042634noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329595.post-53751410044158786592010-05-21T20:01:58.130-05:002010-05-21T20:01:58.130-05:00GMay - You called Jerusalem the Capital as if it w...GMay - You called Jerusalem the Capital as if it was a universally accepted fact, when that is hardly the case. Hardly the case at all.<br /><br />Your statement was deceitful, and I called you on it.<br /><br />And hardly "insulting to anyone" to call it by names other than "the Jewish Capital".<br /><br />Basically, what happened was enthusiastic Zionists declared Jerusalem the "Eternal Capital of All Jews" and Yishrael in 1950 and moved their government there. DEmanding other nations recognize the Zionist decision. No one did, because it was a direct breach of the Partition Plan and the Zionists own acceptance that the status of Jerusalem was to be an Open city for 3 faiths, with control over sections TBD.<br /><br />So no nation recognizes the "Jewish Capital" though the Zionists have worked furiously to induce somebody to accept Jerusalem as "Zionist-ruled".<br />After 60 years, the only progress they got was: <br />1 Pacific Island paid well by overseas Jews to say it is so.<br />One Central American nation, since rescinded.<br />A bribed and cajoled by AIPAC US Congress that passed a bill in 1999 saying Zionists would call the shots there. Blocked by 3 US Presidents and State Dept from moving the US Embassy from Tel Aviv...Cedarfordhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00602418702398818596noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329595.post-6007530083545192562010-05-21T19:26:14.361-05:002010-05-21T19:26:14.361-05:00fls - "I know the mosque was built in the Sev...fls - <i><b>"I know the mosque was built in the Seventh Century, and recently its foundations were excavated by Israelis, is that what you mean?"</b></i><br /><br />Close. Are you unaware of the Al-Aqsa intifada and the years of violence that it's wrought? <br /><br />What did the invading Muslims build the mosque on? What building did the invading Muslims destroy to get building materials for the mosque? (I think that should answer one of your questions)<br /><br />Bottom line (to make a long sad story short) the area has served as a way for major cultures to insult one another and strain relations. Which again, goes back to Brennan's remarks.<br /><br />Speaking of Aelia Capitolina, want to tell me how it became Aelia Capitolina and to whom even the Romans considered it belonged?GMayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12231225580249665221noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329595.post-25831286289995544172010-05-21T19:04:16.734-05:002010-05-21T19:04:16.734-05:00Cedarford,
Oh yay, the standard anti-zionist bilg...Cedarford,<br /><br />Oh yay, the standard anti-zionist bilge. "Real Allies"? Are you serious? <br /><br />No mention of CAIR bribes or the clear Jew hate expressed by so-called "real allies" and Islamic fundamentalist states and organizations.<br /><br />Color me shocked.GMayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12231225580249665221noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329595.post-1767108919893488702010-05-21T16:48:57.049-05:002010-05-21T16:48:57.049-05:00Lemondog, since you checked wiki about Brennan, go...Lemondog, since you checked wiki about Brennan, go check it for Dennis Blair.<br /><br />They were right up to date about him on the day of his resignation. Additionally they had bold headings that surely catch your eye.<br /><br />- "Reports of Disobeying Orders"<br />- "Conflict of Interest"<br /><br />I am imagining Heidi Klum bestowing the honors...<br /><br />"John, you are IN."<br />"Dennis, I'm sorry, you are OUT."Pennyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02094488084214911115noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329595.post-78367688361120284392010-05-21T16:40:18.132-05:002010-05-21T16:40:18.132-05:00From my reading, it seemed as if John Brennan was ...From my reading, it seemed as if John Brennan was already functioning as the go-to guy for intelligence issues. Why mess that up by giving him a new title.Pennyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02094488084214911115noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329595.post-62041522185952747902010-05-21T16:27:19.512-05:002010-05-21T16:27:19.512-05:00FLS--we are in complete agreement re the current s...FLS--we are in complete agreement re the current state of intelligence (no pun intended)--appreciate your reasoned response.<br />thanksRoger J.https://www.blogger.com/profile/12639676792043324100noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329595.post-6744327295648473522010-05-21T16:15:33.774-05:002010-05-21T16:15:33.774-05:00Zionists like to assure us they "stand with u...<i>Zionists like to assure us they "stand with us", but have never actually stood with us in a conflict</i>.<br /><br />Well, they did do us a solid when they let Saddam Hussein lob Scuds into their cities during the first Gulf War so that Jim Baker's anti-Saddam coalition could remain Jew-free and we could keep the all-powerful Syrian brigade on our side.<br /><br />Who knows, we might have lost that one if not for the presence of those Syrians.Automatic_Wing https://www.blogger.com/profile/10174899673368042634noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329595.post-37313988261745937252010-05-21T16:14:05.040-05:002010-05-21T16:14:05.040-05:00And C4--your examples are from the 73 Yom Kippur w...And C4--your examples are from the 73 Yom Kippur war--and the israeli's learned that lesson: they have to be self dependent. You need to update your data base.Roger J.https://www.blogger.com/profile/12639676792043324100noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329595.post-14153843106169732842010-05-21T16:10:54.936-05:002010-05-21T16:10:54.936-05:00C4: I do enjoy your posts, but if you are asserti...C4: I do enjoy your posts, but if you are asserting Israel would cease to exist without US support you are overstating the case. The Israelis are quite capable of maintaining their existence--that they use US assistance simply lessens their expense. If that safeguard goes away, then they will be capable of going it alone.<br /><br />And the Arabs know that--Israel can reduce any arab state to cinders if their existence is threatened.<br /><br />The bottom line is that the israelis are a lot smarter than all the ragheads in the mideast, and smart will carry them thru--hell, they've won every war with the rags since 1948.Roger J.https://www.blogger.com/profile/12639676792043324100noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329595.post-76024735526674618242010-05-21T16:04:04.770-05:002010-05-21T16:04:04.770-05:00What can you tell me about the Al-Aksa mosque and ...<i>What can you tell me about the Al-Aksa mosque and recent history?</i><br /><br />I know the mosque was built in the Seventh Century, and recently its foundations were excavated by Israelis, is that what you mean?<br /><br />What can you tell me about how Aelia Capitolina became al-Quds? Are you aware that's where Muhammad's (and Jesus's, for that matter) ascent to heaven took place? Tell me about the building of the Dome of the Rock?former law studenthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15196697206046544350noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329595.post-58685989027802173822010-05-21T15:24:21.292-05:002010-05-21T15:24:21.292-05:00GMay - Not to mention the already-pointed-out fact...GMay - Not to mention the already-pointed-out fact that calling the Jewish capital by an Arab name is pretty insulting for anyone, let alone a political appointee."<br />============================<br /><br />Actually, calling it the Jewish Capital is pretty insulting for every nation that has resisted Zionists demands that it be termed "The Jewish Capital" and diplomatically recognized as such.<br /><br />As is, the Jews have managed to bribe one Pacific Island into diplomatic recognition. One Central American nation did, then rescinded it. <br />The Jews of AIPAC thought they had spread enough money and threats around in Congress to "seal the deal" with the US officially recognizing the Zionist Capital back in 1999 - but since then, the US has been told by our real allies that without a peace agreement and specific recognition of other parties interests in Jerusalem - it would be a spectacularly stupid deal.<br /><br />So for now it is only the Jewish capital in terms of Zionists, one bribed Pacific island, and one bribed US Congress.Cedarfordhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00602418702398818596noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329595.post-27809376294035239592010-05-21T14:54:42.066-05:002010-05-21T14:54:42.066-05:00"Roger J. said...
Fortunately, the Israelis ..."Roger J. said... <br />Fortunately, the Israelis are not dependent for their survival on the US. They are quite capable of managing their own affairs." <br /><br />Not true.<br />The Israelis are as dependent on the USA for survival as N Korea is on China for it's continued existence.<br /><br /><br />How vulnerable they are was demonstrated back in 1973 War - where they could have been choked out of existence<br />1. By an oil embargo the Jews couldn't break but for the US.<br />2. By suddenly needing new military ecm only the US was willing to give them or the would have a defeated air force. And the spare parts to keep their beleagured IDF Army viable.<br />3. Only the US had the ability to keep sea lanes open, or Israel would have been choked off by lack of food and raw resources and inability to export as surely as they would have been by no one sending oil.<br /><br />================== <br />"TMink said... <br />So what you are saying is that he prefers the Arab states that attack and kill us to the Jewish state that stands beside us."<br /><br />Zionists like to assure us they "stand with us", but have never actually stood with us in a conflict. Not in any war, nor the Cold War, when they were ALSO assuring the Soviet Union that "Israel stands committed to progressivism and the cause of Socialism, and are as much friends of the noble Soviet people as America".<br />On the other hand, while we may be indeed "philosophically closer" to Israel than Arab states - many of the Arab States, as well as other Muslim countries - HAVE fought along with us side-by-side in the hot wars and in the Cold War.Cedarfordhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00602418702398818596noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329595.post-51979907372357363562010-05-21T14:03:08.606-05:002010-05-21T14:03:08.606-05:00"GMay excuses his inability to support his as...<b><i>"GMay excuses his inability to support his assertions by alluding to alleged flaws of my own."</i></b><br /><br />I'd say your flaws are fairly common knowledge around here. Along with your penchant for fact free postings. And your hourly beatdowns.<br /><br />Here, let's test you out a little. We'll start with some history. What can you tell me about the Al-Aksa mosque and recent history?<br /><br />The reason this question is important is because it only <b>begins</b> to address the absurdity of Brennan's statement about three religions coming together. Not to mention the already-pointed-out fact that calling the Jewish capital by an Arab name is pretty insulting for anyone, let alone a political appointee.<br /><br />So just chew on that little facts for awhile.GMayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12231225580249665221noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329595.post-44013502540669329142010-05-21T13:19:19.810-05:002010-05-21T13:19:19.810-05:00RogerJ -- Since WW II there's been a turf batt...RogerJ -- Since WW II there's been a turf battle between the FBI and what became the CIA. Toss in the military intelligence services and you have a serious coordination challenge. This challenge makes a central point of contact necessary for the President -- else he becomes his own DNI. <br /><br />The job of DNI appears to be of one with responsibility without authority. The CIA director is not about to report to him, for example. The director should avoid formal power plays and stick to working informal networks to get the information he needs. To get people to give him information he needs to be credible and respected.former law studenthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15196697206046544350noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329595.post-79904707772837138002010-05-21T13:11:57.958-05:002010-05-21T13:11:57.958-05:00Drill Sgt: I agree that terrorists that are radica...Drill Sgt: I agree that terrorists that are radical Muslims should be called radical Muslim terrorists, and you seem to agree that being Muslim (or even radical Muslim) is not synonymous with being a terrorist. So I think we're fine there.<br /><br /><i>It's a simple deal dude, stop trolling (tall order I know) and I'll be as respectful and thorough as you could ever ask.</i><br /><br />GMay excuses his inability to support his assertions by alluding to alleged flaws of my own.former law studenthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15196697206046544350noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329595.post-85783084217621483512010-05-21T12:55:02.948-05:002010-05-21T12:55:02.948-05:00So what you are saying is that he prefers the Arab...So what you are saying is that he prefers the Arab states that attack and kill us to the Jewish state that stands beside us.<br /><br />Sounds perfect for Obama.<br /><br />TreyTMinkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07221261635305430323noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329595.post-5605649457478415152010-05-21T12:46:31.098-05:002010-05-21T12:46:31.098-05:00former law student said...
I don't understand...<i> former law student said... <br />I don't understand this point. Was not the Admiral qualified? Or are you saying the former CIA Saudi station chief isn't qualified?</i><br /><br />Director Panetta had no intel experience<br /><br />Director Blair was not an intel guy, though he'd been inside the CIA before.<br /><br /><br /><i>So considering Muslims and Arabs to be fellow human beings will hamper our understanding of them?</i><br /><br />That's not what I said. Don't accuse me of aling them non-human.<br /><br />My point is that excising the words "radical Islamic Terrorist" out of documents will increase the number of successful attacks, not decrease them.The Drill SGThttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16394309533144027391noreply@blogger.com