Israel row derails Obama nominee

Published by You on 15 March, 2009 - 01:48

The Obama administration's candidate for a top US intelligence post has withdrawn, after his past criticism of Israel came under heavy fire.

Charles Freeman had been named to head the National Intelligence Council, which produces security assessments.

But his comments about Israel, as well as links to China and Saudi Arabia, had enraged dozens of US lawmakers.

Mr Freeman said he did not think the council could work effectively "while its chair was under constant attack".

It is the latest embarrassment for President Barack Obama, who has seen a number of appointees withdraw or forced out...

read more @

Is Obama being derailed, coming off his hinges? Its like every week someone he has nominated to some position resigns, stands down or does not get it due to some scandal or other.

Submitted by You on 15 March, 2009 - 20:07

The lessons of Freeman's fall

The undoing of Charles Freeman, who had been nominated as the next chairman of the US National Intelligence Council, is continuing to draw a barrage of reactions from a surprisingly diverse range of corners.

Chinese dissidents, former American ambassadors and intelligence officials have all weighed in, as the debate continues over whether Mr Freeman was brought down by his views on Israel.

An outspoken former ambassador to Riyadh, Mr Freeman found himself at the centre of a growing controversy about his views on Israel, China and Tibet while the campaign against him, first online and then on Capitol Hill kept growing.

On Tuesday, 10 March, his soon-to-be boss, Dennis Blair, defended his choice in Congress. Later that afternoon, Mr Blair's office sent out a note announcing that Mr Freeman was withdrawing his nomination.

Mr Freeman sent out an acerbic letter, accusing the "Israel Lobby" of "plumbing the depths of dishonour and indecency", using "character assassination" and controlling policy by vetoing people who disagreed with them...

read more @

—

"For too long, we have been a passively tolerant society, saying to our citizens 'as long as you obey the law, we will leave you alone'" - David Cameron, UK Prime Minister. 13 May 2015.

Post reply