Speculation on Obama's Intelligence Team | Newsweek Scope

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Posted By: jmm55 @ 12/14/2008 1:34:01 PM

Dennis Blair has a quite sordid record when it comes to East Timor and Indonesia. As militia and Indonesian military violence was escalating in 1999 Blair went to Indonesia. Instead of delivering a strong message that the Indonesian military should back off and respect human rights, he offered understanding and further U.S. military assistance. The East Timor and Indonesia Action Network (ETAN) describes this <a href="http://etan.org/news/2008/12blair.htm">here</a>.
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  Posted By: gdf140 @ 12/14/2008 9:20:23 PM
  
  I would say his record is hardly "sordid"... A little news flash to the Blogosphere on the Left, intent on smearing this guy. The PACOM CINC does not make US foreign policy - the President does. The CINC carries it out to the best of his ability, of which he did a remarkable job. There are also greater national security considerations than going to Indonesia and slamming its government. Those types of theatrics may give you a warm and fuzzy feeling inside, but it accomplishes NOTHING. From a Chinese military who is upgrading itself, to al-Qaeda - who had entrenched itself in the country, the US has much greater national interests. ETAN has NO appreciation for anything beyond its own narrow agenda, and for the Obama team to even consider changing their pick on their account is LUDICROUS! With the greater military and political ties that Blair encouraged, the US is better positioned to affect the actions of the Indonesian government, as it can use aid as leverage. Going into this country and criticizing its leadership will only alienate it, pushing it into the sphere of influence of China. Then the US would have ZERO say, and the Indonesians would continue to kill civilians unimpeded, as they would have China's backing. If you doubt this, just ask a refugee from Darfur how US condemnation has helped his lot in life. Get a grip!

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Posted By: jmm55 @ 12/14/2008 1:33:43 PM

Dennis Blair has a quite sordid record when it comes to East Timor and Indonesia. As militia and Indonesian military violence was escalating in 1999 Blair went to Indonesia. Instead of delivering a strong message that the Indonesian military should back off and respect human rights, he offered understanding and further U.S. military assistance. The East Timor and Indonesia Action Network (ETAN) describes this <a href="http://etan.org/news/2008/12blair.htm">here</a>.

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Posted By: gdf140 @ 12/14/2008 5:25:32 AM

Baginski? While the Presidency may not require much executive leadership experience, this position indeed does. Leading the 16 agencies of the Intelligence Community with all of their (often divergent agendas) is often like herding cats. Please... Do not bend to the base when choosing the DNI. What was Baginski's experience? - She was the Undersecretary for Intelligence at the FBI. Over 7 years after 9/11, the FBI still sucks at intelligence. Dennis Blair is the former CINC at PACOM...Wholly more qualified than Baginski.

Posted By: gdf140 @ 12/14/2008 5:24:17 AM
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While the Presidency may not require much executive leadership experience, the DNI position indeed does. Leading the 16 agencies of the Intelligence Community with all of their (often divergent agendas) is often like herding cats. Please... Do not bend to the Democratic base when choosing the DNI. What is Baginski's previous experience? - She was the Undersecretary for Intelligence at the FBI. Over 7 years after 9/11, the FBI still sucks at intelligence. Dennis Blair is the former CINC at PACOM...Wholly more qualified than Baginski.

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Posted By: jscs @ 12/14/2008 12:08:03 AM

The previous (current) intellengence team wasn't all that bad. They called most everything including 9/11. It was the idiot in office who ignored them. Thank god in a month those days are over.