Robert Parry: The Neocons Strike Back

[laststeamtrain]

The Neocons Strike Back

By Robert Parry
March 11, 2009

The neoconservatives have demonstrated that their power in Washington remains strong as they have succeeded in keeping veteran diplomat Chas Freeman out of a top intelligence job.

Freeman dropped out of the running for chairman of the National Intelligence Council, which oversees preparation of intelligence estimates about threats to the United States, after an intense campaign spearheaded by neocons angered over Freeman’s criticism of Israel’s treatment of Palestinians.

In effect, the neocons showed that their influence over the national news media, especially the Washington Post and the Wall Street Journal, combined with solid Republican support and some key Democratic backing, still lets them blackball potential government appointees who favor a more evenhanded approach toward the Middle East.

The neocons directed a powerful media campaign against Freeman denouncing his criticism of Israel and his associations with the Saudi and Chinese governments. One influential column, entitled “Obama’s Intelligence Blunder,” was published Feb. 28 on the Washington Post’s op-ed page, written by Jon Chait of The New Republic, another important neocon journal.

As Republicans on the congressional intelligence committees, Connecticut Independent Sen. Joe Lieberman and New York Democratic Sen. Charles Schumer joined the fight against Freeman, the former U.S. Ambassador found himself facing formidable – perhaps unprecedented – opposition to a choice for a staff position in the U.S. intelligence community.

<snip>

What the successful neocon campaign against Freeman also showed was that there is little media power at the national level to defend a public figure who comes under sustained assault of this type. Several articles defending Freeman appeared on the Internet, and the Veteran Intelligence Professionals for Sanity published a supportive letter, but those efforts paled in comparison to the neocon barrage.

<more>

http://www.consortiumnews.com/2009/031109.html

[CoffeeCat]

1. The neocons may have thwarted many appointments...-

Does it strike anyone as odd that any Progressive, who has dared to be in the running
for an Obama-administration position---suddenly finds himself embroiled in scandal?

Look at Richardson. Daschle. And many others. Dean, who wanted and deserved a cabinet
position--never made it up to the plate.

Also, look at some of Obama's appointments--many of whom are DLC types or neocon sympathizers.

Stuff like this makes me sick.

I can only imagine how it makes Obama feel and I would love to know this future plans for dealing
with this cancer that has infected our government. I mean...how CAN you fight this?

I can't imagine that Obama would plan to continue feeding this disease. My estimation is that
he wants to apply come powerful political chemotherapy. But can it be done? And how?

[xiamiam]

2. obama is in a corner with this..he either deals with it..or our foreign policy remains controlled ..

[CoffeeCat]

3. Do you think he fully understood...

...the extent of this neocon disease--before he took office?

Obviously, he knew who the neocons were and about their radical views.

However, did he fully understand the grip that they have on this country? He needs
to get their shenanigans on tape, and go to the American people and ask them if
this is how they want their government run.

It's clear to me that the 'powers that be' didn't want Obama as President. They
were happy with Hillary for the Dems and McCain for the Republicans. Both corporatist
hawks.

Obama was not in the plan. Basically, he's our only hope and this is a window of
opportunity that probably won't come along anytime soon. They've got the voting
machines, and the next election will be more contentious and close--due to the
magnitude of the problems.

[burning rain]

4. I have no doubt Obama understands the power of the Israel lobby.

Otherwise, why'd he have made the (pretty radical, despite later "clarification") pledge to AIPAC during the primaries to support an undivided Jerusalem? But, it's reasonable to take some comfort. Any president enters office with increased pressure to give the Palestinian side a fair shake as opposed to just catering to AIPAC and Likudnik hard cases. Hillary's been making reasonable statements lately, and Obama's always had decent instincts there anyhow.

[xiamiam]

5. yes..call me naive, but i believe he will deal with it...and sieze the opportunity

tricky situation..but i agree with you...i had expected this to come to a head later, however...looks like the next appointment will tell the tale...aipac either continues controlling or obama lets them know who is president..hopefully, he will do the later..will be interesting and prophetic at the same time..

[Enthusiast]

6. Rec. Once again, it comes

down to media manipulation and control. One side has control, the other does not. Guess who wins.

Nothing is as pressing as the media issue. It is having a negative effect on President Obama's attempt to help the economy. It underlies every significant issue.

[CoffeeCat]

7. I sorta get the feeling that when Obama....

...pisses them off, a few neocon henchmen arrive in his office close the door
and say, "You not gonna play ball this week? Oh really. Well, until you do,
you're getting blamed for the economy, and several of your political appointees
are going to suddenly find themselves with scandals on their hands. We'll
turn off the spigot and release the pressure when you come to your senses."

Stupid neocon trash!

[Enthusiast]

8. That feeling is becoming widespread. nt

[burythehatchet]

10. At what point does the decider become responsible for these things? Never.

[dmr]

12. That, but most of all, I fear for his safety.

With Darth-Cheney and his crew still working and pulling strings inside their shadow government; and the Bush/Cheney loyalist career workers embedded inside Federal agencies .... how can anyone be certain who can be trusted and honorable.

When I think about this, I remind myself that Rome wasn't built in a day, and I should think 'baby steps' might be the safest way to go in certain instances - even when more than anything I'd like us to take one good giant leap toward sanity.

I truly fear the Neo-Cons will come up with another lone-gunman or terrorist scenario to take the blame for their treasonous black-ops.

I hate those bastards.

[Enthusiast]

14. This seems so like

when Clinton first took office. It seemed to me at the time that Clinton was not in full control, as Poppy Bush had been. With President Obama, same thing. The Shadow government is still there.

[CoffeeCat]

15. I hear ya...

...about Rome not being built in a day.

The problem is--we have less than four years--because these bastards are going to pull so many dirty
tricks. They can manipulate the media, start messaging campaigns that position Obama as a failure.
If the economy doesn't go well for a while, they'll try to blame him. Plus, they have the voting
machines.

I feel the next time they take control--they will NEVER relinquish it.

It's now or never. I'm not faulting Obama. He's still finding his groove and assessing the situation.

However, we just don't have time to build it back up--because those Nazi scum bags are sitting on their haunches,
just waiting to steal back power.

I don't think Obama has a choice. I think he must tell the American people just what in the hell has been going on
in this country. No matter how ugly it is.

Get these bastards on tape. Make a case and bring it to "We The People".

It's really the only way. That's a lot on his shoulders, but it is what it is.

Lincoln freed the slaves. Maybe Obama will free everyone.

[Enthusiast]

17. Drinking my homeroast

and nodding my head. The sheep still have no clue. They are so far gone that they would need intervention and therapy to recover. It would be like deprogramming.

[burythehatchet]

9. TRagic. I remember Barack Obama out there every day defending his pick and urging

his confirmation.
















:rofl:

[whathehell]

11. If I am not mistaken, Rahm is the son of an Israeli soldier and actually fought with the Israeli

army years ago.

I've seen the question of his having dual citizenship with Israel publicaly shot down, but I don't believe it.

[wroberts189]

13. What ever happened to "the President gets to pick his appointees" ?

"And congress should not oppose them" "they should give great deference to the president" That is what we all used to hear when bushie picked his... and got all of his no matter what.

double standards again.

[MasonJar]

16. This does NOT mention Rahm Emmanuel, but according to other

articles on DU, Schumer called Emmanuel. We know that Obama does what Rshm tells him. This is totally unacceptable. Obama must get control of his own administration. I did not vote for Rahm Emmanuel.