Holy Shit! Hillary Mann Leverett, ex-NSC, on KO just said

[leftchick]

"The SoS advisers Hillary Clinton is appointing may make us long for the bush years."! In regard to future MidEast policies, Given her appointments of neocons.

:wow:

[truebrit71]

1. I heard that too....

....definitely NOT encouraging...

[leftchick]

4. no it is

fucking depressing. Imagine a world with out Palestine. :(

[madfloridian]

9. I missed the names, the phone rang about that time.

Did you catch any of them. This lady sounded upset.

[leftchick]

14. This Lady is one sharp educated cookie on Mid East Affairs

Ken Pollack aka: Neocon shill for the Iraq war was one, though she mentioned two others.

[Captain Hilts]

42. A lot of sharp, educated on MidEast Affairs have crazy ideas about the MidEast.

When you read the foreign press, they're delighted HRC got the nod.

[Xipe Totec]

2. Not fucking likely

Not even close.

Long for the Bush years?

Not even if I was water boarded by Hillary herself.

[Warpy]

3. Reining in the NSC might be one of the tallest orders

that Obama has to face. They've existed as a shadow government, overriding the foreign policy of both the Senate and Executive, since Truman made the mistake of signing them into existence.

It's one of the things I can't forgive Truman for.

Unless we sign them out of existence, now that the Cold War is long over and their charter no longer applies to anything, they will continue to poison our foreign policy.

[liberalmuse]

5. Who in the FUCK is Hillary Mann Leverett...

and why should I care what she thinks? Really. It would take ONE HELL OF A LOT to make me wish for the Bush years. I suspect she is full of shit. But hey, keep posting fodder for the Clinton haters. God knows there are plenty of those cockroaches around.

[leftchick]

7. you should care a lot..

Flynt Leverett and Hillary Mann

She and her husband are true heroes spilling their guts on bush travesties...

http://www.wingsofjustice.com/06/12/woj06052.html

Flynt Leverett served as an analyst at the CIA and on the National Security Council of George W. Bush. His wife Hillary Mann "a former Foreign Service officer, participated in the United States discussions with Iran from 2001 to 2003."

Together, they know a good deal about how the Bush administration blew the possibilities for negotiations with Iran in the wake of 9/11. So they penned an op-ed for the New York Times detailing why the Busheviks could have possibly avoided the threat of war with Iran, but failed at every turn. Leverett had the commentary cleared by the CIA, which they approved without censoring it because it was based on publicly available statements and information.

But the White House political apparatus didn't want a prominent, informed analysis of their Iraq II tale of deceit concerning Iran, so they had the CIA redact large portions of the op-ed for public relations, not national security reasons.

Leverett didn't take this affront to truth lying down. He spoke out forcefully and vigorously denouncing Soviet style censorship by the Bush administration. In a follow-up explanation of the censored document, Leverett and Mann note that "In the entrance to the C.I.A.'s headquarters the words of the Gospel of John are inscribed, 'And ye shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free.'"

They add, "National security must be above politics. In a democracy, transparency in government has to be honored and protected."

For standing up so vocally for democracy and the public's right to be free of the political manipulation of the truth, we honor Flynt Leverett and Hillary Mann with this week's BuzzFlash Wings of Justice Award.

[liberalmuse]

15. I consider myself a bit more informed than the average person...

but truth be told, I've never heard of these people. Did I enter a new Universe in the past few months, or what??? I really feel like I have.

[leftchick]

23. I only learned about her and her hubby a few months ago

I do believe it was on KO as well. The weird thing is Keith seemed totally dumbfounded by her comments. I believe he may never have her on again. :(

[stillcool]

16. What's wrong with that?

I would think the State Department would kind of want people who know what's been going on, and had the gall to speak up. I don't understand the wish for pure novices in these positions.

[leftchick]

26. do we really need a continuation of neocon policies?

that was her point. It will be the death knell for the US and several other nations.

[tkmorris]

28. You misunderstand I think

The woman referred to, the one who knows the Middle East and spoke up against Bush, is not the appointee. She is the one saying Clinton's appointees are as bad, or worse, than those made under Bush.

[leftchick]

31. thanks for translating

perhaps I was not clear?

[Captain Hilts]

38. That's exactly right. Bubba got the MidEast closest to peace of anybody...

why would we NOT want people with that experience, whether it be Hillary or whomever?

[Lydia Leftcoast]

55. No, that's precisely what the State Department doesn't want

New Foreign Service officers are purposely sent to countries that they know nothing about so that they will identify with the U.S. government instead of with the local population. If the people of a country are pissed off with the U.S., we can't have someone who actually understands why! We need someone who can mindlessly parrot the position of whatever president happens to be in office. :sarcasm:

[elleng]

12. Check her out. Lots of 'juicy' stuff:

http://www.state.gov/s/p/24656.htm

Her husband:

"On December 16, 2006 Leverett was denied permission to publish a 1,000 word opinion piece, co-written with his wife, Hillary Mann and based on his previously approved 35 page paper "Dealing with Tehran: Assessing U.S. Diplomatic Options Toward Iran". The longer paper and its shorter piece are critical of the current administration's refusal to engage in "comprehensive" negotiations with the government of Iran. <2><3>

Leverett had intended to publish the shorter article in the New York Times. In a statement to the online publication Talking Points Memo, he disputed the official justification for the decision."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flynt_Leverett

'Former Officials Say Iran Helped on al-Qaida'

http://www.newamerica.net/pressroom/2008/flynt_leverett_and_hillary_mann_leverett_ap_news_former_officials_say_iran_helped_al_qaida

http://www.thewashingtonnote.com/archives/2008/12/hillary_mann_le/

[liberalmuse]

17. Thanks to both of the responders above.

I will be reading all the links you've provided. How could I have missed this?

[donco6]

I've never heard of them either.

It's very interesting.

[Captain Hilts]

36. I've never heard of them either. nt

[elleng]

39. Easy I guess! So did I!

Trying to see KO online; not UP yet.

[Warpy]

18. She has an impressive educational pedigree

http://www.state.gov/s/p/24656.htm

This is her husband, Flynt: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flynt_Leverett

Both have had the brains to be openly critical of Stupid's policies toward Iran. Hillary Mann Leverett has also been openly critical of Rice.

This is one of their tries to get the truth out about Iran's conduct post 9/11: http://www.newamerica.net/pressroom/2008/flynt_leverett_and_hillary_mann_leverett_ap_news_former_officials_say_iran_helped_al_qaida

Why she'd say such an incredibly stupid thing about Obama appointees is puzzling, unless she's talking specifically about Hillary Clinton as a clone of Bill, with his willingness to listen to corrupted "experts" at the Pentagon and CIA and form foreign policy without checking a little further.

She needs to remember that even Bill Clinton didn't go beyond rhetoric, that he was never dumb enough to invade.

I don't think I'd call her full of shit, at least not on foreign policy. She actually seems to know quite a bit about that.

(The NSC still needs to be disbanded, though)

[liberalmuse]

20. Thanks for schooling me.

Really, I'm just surprised I missed this tiny bit of info in my 8 years of what I thought was diligent watchfulness of the Bush administration. Apparently it wasn't as diligent as I made myself believe.

[Warpy]

54. Hell, I didn't know it until I looked it up

[Captain Hilts]

35. The Middle East is thrilled to have a Clinton back. As are Pakistan and India. Screw HillaryML. nt

[SoCalDem]

6. Scenario:

HRC resigns from senate, gets replaced
pisses off Obama
buh-byeee
checkmate

possible..

[Sebastian Doyle]

29. We can only hope.

The last thing we need heading the state department right now are more neocons led by the queen of obliteration. :nuke:

[Poll_Blind]

37. Ha! I hadn't talked about it before but when considering Obama's appointment...

...of Clinton it eventually occurred to me that he could/would have her over a barrel in that regard.

  Barack Obama is not only no slouch, he is sharp. But the future holds what the future holds and we'll see how this unique situation plays out.

PB

[MADem]

40. When pigs fly.

Obama is not a hopeless nitwit. All of these appointees have been vetted by his staff, too. This is HIS State Department, after all. The SECSTATE works for HIM. She takes direction...from HIM.

Obama cannot be both a DECISIVE LEADER and a VICTIM of The Evil Mrs. Clenis.

He's either the boss, or he's not.

Which is it?


I vote for BOSS. I don't think Obama is stupid, helples, or being gamed. To suggest it insults him. And the Clinton hatred here really needs to fucking cease.

[stray cat]

8. worse than Bush - I don't think so. Will people disagree with some actions - of course

[leftchick]

11. I am not so sure

Hillary Mann Leverett, CEO, Stratega
Biography provided by participant

Hillary Mann Leverett is CEO of STRATEGA. She has more than 20 years of academic, legal, business, diplomatic, and policy experience working on Middle Eastern, Central Asian, and African issues.

In the Bush Administration, Leverett worked as the Director for Iran, Afghanistan and Persian Gulf Affairs at the National Security Council, Middle East specialist on the Secretary of State's Policy Planning Staff, and as Political Advisor for Middle East, Central Asian and African issues for the U.S. Mission to the United Nations. From 2001-2003, she was one of a small number of U.S. diplomats authorized to negotiate with the Iranians over Afghanistan, al-Qaida and Iraq. In the Clinton Administration, Leverett also served as Political Advisor for Middle East, Central Asian and African issues for the U.S. Mission to the United Nations, Associate Director for Near Eastern Affairs at the National Security Council, and as Special Assistant to the Ambassador at the U.S. embassy in Cairo. She was awarded a Fulbright Scholarship and a Watson Fellowship, and from 1990-1991 worked in the U.S. embassies in Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Egypt and Israel.

Leverett has published Op Eds on Middle Eastern and South Asian issues in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, al Hayat, The National Interest, and Salon, and has appeared on news and public affairs programs on BBC, CNN, MSNBC, and al Jazeera. Along with her husband, Flynt Leverett, she was profiled in a feature story in the November 2007 issue of Esquire magazine. She has provided expert testimony to the U.S. House Government Reform and Oversight Committee. Leverett is a graduate of Harvard Law School and Brandeis University. She also studied at the American University in Cairo and Tel Aviv University.
Recent Responses

December 8, 2008 03:43 PM
RE: How Will Obama First Be Tested?

I'll focus on the impending crisis that Obama's advisers will bring us closer to the brink of conflict with Iran by failing to seek genuine strategic rapprochement with the Islamic Republic. Obama's public call for talks with Iran has again heightened expectations in Tehran that strategic change is possible with a new U.S. administration. But Obama's initial, and apparently strategic, call for engagement with Iran has been walked back by his advisers towards the already tried and failed "carrots and sticks" tactical approach taken by both the Bush and Clinton Administrations late in their second terms. The basic flaw in this approach is the idea that economic goodies and increased sanctions are going to simultaneously… Read more

http://security.nationaljournal.com/2008/12/how-will-obama-first-be-tested.php#1188160

[notadmblnd]

10. The Clintons are bought and paid for by the BFEE

Why do you think Poppy keeps Bill so close?

[camera obscura]

13. not sure anything could make me long for Bush but Hillary was a bad bad bad choice.

I wish there was some way to reverse it.

[malaise]

19. I heard it

frightening.

[leftchick]

27. thanks for the affirmation

denial seems to be a disease lately.

[Individualist]

21. Why are you surprised?

HC is a DLC member.

[leftchick]

30. oh I am not surprised at all by HRC's Neocon choices

I was surprised to see that on my TV! I suspect KO will not invite her back anytime soon. Too much information and all.

[MADem]

22. Barack H. Obama is not a helpless idiot. He is not a wimp or a wuss.

If you don't think he and his staff vet and approve EVERY fucking appointment in his administration, or if you think for a second that "Clever Hillary" is conning the "poor dumb fellow," I have a bridge to sell you.

Obama is large, and Obama is IN CHARGE.

[ErinBerin84]

24. well, I don't think the OP mentioned Obama being conned or anything....

[MADem]

41. The suggestion is that the EVIL MRS CLENIS is hiring NEOCONS, all on her own!

She's doing the bidding of her BOSS. Her boss is the PRESIDENT ELECT.

Obama owns this administration, and Senator/Sec-State Presumptive Clinton WORKS FOR him.

I think they know what they're doing and where they want to go. I'm inclined to trust them, not some unknown alarmist busy collecting her appearance fee on a cable news program.

[Captain Hilts]

43. I hope Hillary hasn't hired someone like...Rick Warren!!!

[MADem]

45. Heh, heh...

Why do I get the sense she'd slap the living shit out of that fat bastard?

[ErinBerin84]

44. no, that's not the suggestion, but go on.

I'm sure the people who are blaming Clinton for this would also blame Obama for appointing her, but I'm with you at giving them a chance and trusting them before I see evidence not to. I don't think that's what the op was getting at though. And, not sure what this has to do with Rick Warren either, but whatever. I'm sure we'll be disappointed plenty in the next eight years, with enough blame to go around, but I'm hopeful.

[MADem]

46. You're confusing me with someone else.

I didn't bring up Warren, I just opined that she'd slap his fat ass.

[camera obscura]

48. I don't think Obama is stupid or a wuss. I just think he made a bad choice.

[MADem]

51. SECSTATE is the MOST important cabinet selection. You're saying his judgment failed on the single

most important selection he could make? That doesn't say much for your confidence in him.

I think he made a great choice. I think the whole cabinet looks pretty good. Too bad about the Richardson drop-out, but better now than later.

[camera obscura]

53. I think he put too much confidence into the "Team of Rivals" concept, but the world is not b&w

and making one bad decision does not ruin you forever. The idea that I could no longer trust him because he made an error is ridiculous... if that was the case there would never have been a worthwhile president, EVER, because they all made high-profile mistakes at some point.

[spanone]

25. she would have to be recruiting proud nazis to make me long for bu$h* years

i doubt any advisers would be worse than what cheney had

[seemslikeadream]

32. Tell the truth lefty

you are not suprised at all :rofl:

[leftchick]

33. some people can not handle the truth

I am beginning to think Most People. :crazy:

[Captain Hilts]

34. That's bullshit, actually. nt

[TomClash]

47. If she's right and Pollack, Ross and Indyk go with her to State . . .

Ugh.

I'm betting Leverett is wrong, though.

[Name removed]

49. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[leftchick]

50. a very astute observation

that seems to be sorely lacking around here.

[elleng]

52. Just heard her.

Is it true? Indyk? Ross? Who else? supported W re: Iraq, etc? Neocons? Is she overstating? I'd like to look into this.

[leftchick]

56. Here is the Video link

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_bJaLrZBg98

scary

[xchrom]

57. obama is getting the state department he intended to get.

you're gonna have to get used to that.