Nov. 9th, 2006

amari_z: (grr)
So I've been holding off on saying anything, lest it get jinxed, but it looks like the Democrats have now won the majority in both chambers of Congress. Taylor has finally conceded and James Webb has won the Virgnia seat (despite appearing on the voting machines as “James H. Jim” in parts of the state (notably in the liberal parts)). Woot!!

For a little while anyway, I'm going to let myself just be optimistic about this and be happy that (despite the voting machines, the redistricting, the terror-politics and Fox news) starting January there will finally be something to check this administration. I'm not particularly happy with the Dems, whose saving grace right now is mainly just that they aren't Republicans, but, at last, there is ray of hope after five bleak years. Don't let us down, Democrats. I want the day to come when I'm once more feeling complacent about the longevity of the Constitution and its system of checks and balances, the rule of law that it enshrines and the fundamental rights it guarantees. I want to wake up one day and no longer feel quite so ashamed of the country I was born in.

Also as everyone knows by now, Rumsfeld has finally resigned, which can only be a thing of joy. But I will be very surprised if Gates is any way better than Rumsfeld, although Gates is being touted as more moderate and pragmatic than the neo-cons--no doubt, precisely why he was chosen. He's no prize. One, he's Bush's choice (pretty much enough to make me dubious about anyone). Two, he's a former head of the CIA (and we all know how law abiding that institution is). Three, he's known as being less than honest about his government activities (for example, if you recall, he was investigated for lying to Congress about his role in Iran-Contra). Four, he is not a military expert (he served only two years in the military). Five, his expertise is in the cold war, not the Middle East. Six, he has a reputation of pressuring analysts to shape conclusions to fit the administration’s positions (exactly what this administration needs more of).

From an article in the Times:

“This is not a person with a history of telling truth to power,” said the former subordinate, Melvin A. Goodman, a Soviet analyst from 1966 to 1990. Mr. Goodman called Mr. Gates a micromanager and “not a big-picture person,” though he also called him “a hard-working, disciplined person who’s totally loyal to his bosses.”

Sounds like Bush’s kind of guy, so don't hold your breath on the bold new path thing--if he even manages to be confirmed. I hope it’s a tough battle.

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