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Questions About Negroponte

By TChris, Section Other Politics
Posted on Sat Feb 19, 2005 at 08:40:17 AM EST
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by TChris

Echoing some of the concerns raised by bloggers, the mainstream press is asking questions about John Negroponte, President Bush's nominee as director of national intelligence.

[As ambassador to] Honduras, Mr. Negroponte "looked the other way" when evidence of rights violations came to light, said Reed Brody, counsel to Human Rights Watch. "Unfortunately," Mr. Brody said, "today the United States is involved in serious human rights crimes committed in the process of collecting intelligence. Is he just going to look the other way again?"

While this is the kind of question that Senate Democrats should raise during Negroponte's confirmation hearing, don't count on any serious opposition from a party paralyzed by fear of being labeled "obstructionist."

Senator John D. Rockefeller IV of West Virginia, senior Democrat on the Senate Intelligence Committee, said he was not particularly troubled by Mr. Negroponte's record there.

Senator Christopher J. Dodd, the Connecticut Democrat who pursued the Honduran questions in 2001, when Mr. Negroponte was confirmed as delegate to the United Nations, issued a statement on Thursday praising him and not mentioning Honduras.

Is it too much to hope that Senate Democrats may be emboldened by the willingness of the mainstream media to print criticisms like this one?

Jack R. Binns, who preceded Mr. Negroponte as ambassador to Honduras, said he opposed the confirmation because he believed that Mr. Negroponte had misled Congress in past testimony and because he might slant intelligence to suit administration policies.

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    • Questions About Negroponte | 19 comments (19 topical)
    Re: Questions About Negroponte (none / 0) (#1)
    by Che's Lounge on Sat Feb 19, 2005 at 09:18:08 AM EST
    To reiterate: Zero credibility.

    Re: Questions About Negroponte (none / 0) (#2)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Sat Feb 19, 2005 at 09:19:18 AM EST
    The real question must be asked did he know about the death squads did he help with the death squads and how much did he know and when did he know about what the real picture was.? we all know about what old reagan was doing in the name of freedom by killing kids and old woman and old guys and helping the drug cartels but what did Negroponte do? did he point out the mass murdered happening in mexico and nicaragus? in other words how many people did he setup for mass murder? Remember both parties love him to death, ask why.? will he love you to death when it comes home to all of us here in never, never land.

    Re: Questions About Negroponte (none / 0) (#3)
    by wishful on Sat Feb 19, 2005 at 09:32:34 AM EST
    Finally, Senate Democrats may just have found common ground with the republican electorate--paralyzing fear. Even though it is fear of different things, the source is the same, the republican leadership. It breeds fear of terrorists and democrats in its minions. From this article, it breeds fear in Senate Democrats of being labeled as the opposition par..., I mean, obstructionsts. The republican leaders are to be congratulated for finding and using the most effective means of control that has ever been attempted, fear (while pretending to be victims every time they feel their considerable power grip loosening in the slightest). Those of us not buying it are apparently in the minority. The others, in the majority, might be surprised at the monster they have created when it starts showing up destructively in their personal lives. All of us in middle and lower income categories, or even upper ones who experience devastating illness or accidents or death of the breadwinner, have similar fates. The only difference is that some of us see it coming.

    Re: Questions About Negroponte (none / 0) (#4)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Sat Feb 19, 2005 at 10:00:04 AM EST
    I suspect he was not "looking the other way." I suspect he was actively involved in the funding of the contra type paramilitary groups and hence, connected to the death squads. This guy is totally wrong, but then he fits in with Dubya's crowd: Condi, Alberto, Rummy, and now Negroponte. This country will be almost completely on the wrong track until the electorate succeeds in voting (and having their votes counted) these war criminals and their supporters in Congress out of office. Next stop, next chance: mid term elections. Nothing really matters til then. Negroponte or someone like him is not going to make any difference. We are a country under the control of war criminals. The Nazi comparison and evaluation is completely called for now.

    Re: Questions About Negroponte (none / 0) (#5)
    by Andreas on Sat Feb 19, 2005 at 11:03:32 AM EST
    The fundamental change embodied in this unification of intelligence agencies is the abrogation of the legal prohibition against the CIA and military intelligence engaging in domestic spying and covert operations. This ban was put in place as part of the National Security Act of 1947, amid warnings by both Democrats and Republicans that the newly formed CIA could turn into an “American Gestapo.” Now, under Negroponte, the framework is being erected for precisely such an all-encompassing secret police apparatus, with extraordinary powers and resources to spy on and suppress anyone seen as a threat to the American ruling elite and its government.
    Bush names Negroponte as national intelligence director A veteran of US subversion and dirty wars By Bill Van Auken, 18 February 2005

    Re: Questions About Negroponte (none / 0) (#6)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Sat Feb 19, 2005 at 11:34:23 AM EST
    In Honduras, Mr. Negroponte "looked the other way" when evidence of rights violations came to light, said Reed Brody, counsel to Human Rights Watch. "Unfortunately," Mr. Brody said, "today the United States is involved in serious human rights crimes committed in the process of collecting intelligence. Is he just going to look the other way again?" Answer: You can count on it. Negroponte = more of the same "Looking the other way" is the M O of Bushco. And yes, the Democrats in the Senate are equally to blame if he gets a pass. "The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing." Edmund Burke

    Re: Questions About Negroponte (none / 0) (#7)
    by wishful on Sat Feb 19, 2005 at 12:37:49 PM EST
    So when do the indoctrination classes begin for the children, providing instruction and encouragement in how to secretly report on their parents' and neighbors' Unamerican activities? I hope I'm kidding...

    Re: Questions About Negroponte (none / 0) (#8)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Sat Feb 19, 2005 at 01:18:19 PM EST
    Thanks for the pep talk Simon. You make a powerful, arrogant, and profane argument with your shut the f*** up approach. As for dimwitted, I saw a correlation between average iq's in a state and its red/blue state status. Was that a scam or for real? As I recall, lower average state iq's correlated well with redstate electoral results.

    Re: Questions About Negroponte (none / 0) (#9)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Sat Feb 19, 2005 at 01:21:32 PM EST
    There's been nothing but praise from both Dems and Republicans regarding negroponte on all the cable news shows. I predict he'll be confirmed unanimously. Bush gets whatever he wants!!!

    Re: Questions About Negroponte (none / 0) (#10)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Sat Feb 19, 2005 at 01:24:54 PM EST
    You want a substantial argument against Negroponte? Praise this. Link

    Re: Questions About Negroponte (none / 0) (#11)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Sat Feb 19, 2005 at 03:55:11 PM EST
    "Next stop, next chance: mid term elections. Nothing really matters til then." Waiting around for fake elections is the strategy of the LAZY IDIOT. "I predict he'll be confirmed unanimously." I predict you will continue to be beaten by your boyfriend. The ONLY way to proceed is to PROTEST, LOUDLY these abuses of representation and law. The list of Dems who need pressure is long, but pressure we must, regardless of outcome. Sit back, wait two years, get a new heroin habit. Shave your head so you can get it rubbed by the assh*le your passivity abets. Or fight. Like scalded dogs. March 21 is a national protest day like this earth has never seen before. You owe it to you country to protest, every week, at least one letter, at least one street protest, at least one flyer, at least something. Get off your asses -- everybody is dancing in the streets. Do what you know, don't be slow. Pass it along, pass it along to young and old....

    Re: Questions About Negroponte (none / 0) (#12)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Sat Feb 19, 2005 at 05:21:03 PM EST
    Correction: March 19th.

    Re: Questions About Negroponte (none / 0) (#13)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Sat Feb 19, 2005 at 08:36:56 PM EST
    Thanks for the pep talk, Paul. I am out to two events tomorrow in Olympia with FOR. I will do what I can every day, but I think Negroponte is going to be confirmed. And if he isn't, they will bring in a ringer with less baggage and similar propensities. One of the places I want to see progress before the next election is election reform. WA State is likely to jump into that since the recent gov election was such a mess to sort out. It's grass roots stuff to get the vote out, get the vote counted and elect candidates who will vote against torture, aggression, and fascism. I am represented by dem Brian Baird as Rep and Maria Cantwell and Patty Murray in the Senate. I worked a lot of places this last election for Baird and Murray. They already know what I think they need to do and they will hear more of it from me. The republicans in congress are already putting distance between themselves and Dubya because they fear the midterm elections. God, I hope the electorate can see the tortured handwriting on the wall by that time.

    Re: Questions About Negroponte (none / 0) (#14)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Sat Feb 19, 2005 at 10:29:13 PM EST
    "Posted by conscious angel: " I will do what I can every day, but I think Negroponte is going to be confirmed. And if he isn't, they will bring in a ringer with less baggage and similar propensities." Right there you shoot yourself in the foot. IF they can find a ringer with similar propensities, that's news to me. They just move the small handful of conspirators they have from chair to chair, which is EVIDENCE that they don't have an endless supply of ringers. You are being defeatist, and it's understandable, but wrongheaded. Negroponte is a KEY player in their conspiracy, and it behooves us to fight him tooth and nail when he is to be placed in charge of the nation's intel, a job he is unqualified for. He was, of course, unqualified for the UN post as well, but that was a 911 after-effect. This isn't. He can be stopped, he should be stopped, and any attitude that 'anyone else they get will be as bad' is so self-destructive that I recommend you counsel yourself good and hard. We may not be able to win, but we can fight losing. We don't get what we want, but we can stop them from getting what they want. That's politics, and even in a coup they are facing the politics of the situation. People who want to play Chicken Little with the coup are really working FOR the coup. It's bad enough, without exaggerations that are demonstrably untrue. " One of the places I want to see progress before the next election is election reform." No lie. But that's a different topic.

    Re: Questions About Negroponte (none / 0) (#15)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Sun Feb 20, 2005 at 07:40:27 AM EST
    Paul: I respect and agree with your position on Negroponte. We disagree on tactic and their long term impact. For democracy to regain its footing in this country, we need a congress that is more representative of our interests and views. Unfortunately, about 40% (maybe 60%?) of the electorate makes their voting decisions the same way they pick out their breakfast cereal - packaging and advertising impact. I worry that progressives in the streets will not appeal to these poorly informed voters. I think for now, we have lost the ability to have a fair presidential election. Money, voter access, vote counting processes have allowed for POTUS elections to be fixed, but that kind of thing works less well in the congressional elections. That is where the chink exists to make change, imho. Yes, I am discouraged after three straight elections where the neocons posted gains. Their gains have translated into tremendous suffering by Afghani and Iraqi families. Those gains have been translated into huge budget deficits that American famiies will bear for generations. And of course, our militarism has put us on the road to ruin. Though the object of being a Great Power is to be able to fight a Great War, the only way of remaining a Great Power is not to fight one. A.J.P. Taylor Keep up the good fight, Paul, but remember who your friends are.

    Re: Questions About Negroponte (none / 0) (#16)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Sun Feb 20, 2005 at 09:00:17 AM EST
    CA writes - "but that kind of thing works less well in the congressional elections. That is where the chink exists to make change, imho." If true, why did the Repubs gain seats in the House and the Senate? et al - Bush won because the Demos, caving to the Left anti-war group, had very unpopular positions.

    Re: Questions About Negroponte (none / 0) (#17)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Sun Feb 20, 2005 at 03:05:45 PM EST
    "Posted by conscious angel : "Paul: I respect and agree with your position on Negroponte. We disagree on tactic and their long term impact." You are giving up that fight before it is met. That's not how to go forward. "Unfortunately, about 40% (maybe 60%?) of the electorate makes their voting decisions the same way they pick out their breakfast cereal - packaging and advertising impact." The evidence of that is what? "I worry that progressives in the streets will not appeal to these poorly informed voters." Then you either don't do street protest, or don't understand it. Street protest has two powerful purposes: 1) Expression of outrage. Street protest (and I of course mean nonviolent in all cases) opens free speech and allows people who may feel depressed by their day to open back up. This has a powerful effect on the local social setting. When people protest great injustices in public, it helps multitudes, including children and immigrants, who otherwise are in passive relationship to social pressures. 2) Waters the grassroots. By raising political speech, street protest helps people to stay strong in the face of injustice. It helps people to join together to fight. And it gives the people an encouragement to find a way to fight back. " I think for now, we have lost the ability to have a fair presidential election. Money, voter access, vote counting processes have allowed for POTUS elections to be fixed, but that kind of thing works less well in the congressional elections. That is where the chink exists to make change, imho." No, without paper trail, no election is legal or fair. It doesn't matter if it's for dog catcher. "Yes, I am discouraged after three straight elections where the neocons posted gains." This I don't understand. You're discouraged, that is clear from your statements. But what about FIVE YEARS of illegal elections don't you understand? When one party counts the votes using their secret, illegal software, with no way to check their count, the results are quite predictable. Jim: "If true, why did the Repubs gain seats in the House and the Senate?" 28 states have no paper trail. That's an illegal election system, for the first time in US history. 'Gaining or losing' seats in illegal elections cannot be called evidence of anything other than illegal elections. It is also evidence of anti-Americanism among Republicans like yourself who don't care about fair elections, but that's just the stink on the carcass.

    Re: Questions About Negroponte (none / 0) (#18)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Sun Feb 20, 2005 at 07:02:03 PM EST
    Jim - gerrymandering. Also, the issue that Paul raised with paperless, unaccountable elections. Paul, do you really want to spend your energy berating your friends and allies? We are not far apart on our political views, yet I am starting to feel put upon by your fundamentalism. We all take to the streets when the spirit moves us. The spirit moves us differently. Can you stand to let me go my way? Do you actually think you can do anything to derail the plans of Dubya and the boys? The American people have to become sickened enough to turn off Fox and look out the window. We aren't there yet in my opinion. Negroponte is an absolute disaster, but the congressional rules have been chopped and diced. All of the principled members will not be able to stop this appointment. Hope I am wrong. But if Alberto and Condi are in, why not Negroponte?

    Re: Questions About Negroponte (none / 0) (#19)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Sun Feb 20, 2005 at 10:33:18 PM EST
    "Paul, do you really want to spend your energy berating your friends and allies?" This is about Negroponte. You obvious don't understand the issue, or are too depressed to rise up and fight it. "Do you actually think you can do anything to derail the plans of Dubya and the boys?" You are DAMN RIGHT we can. Or shall we stare at your defeatism instead? "The American people have to become sickened enough to turn off Fox and look out the window. We aren't there yet in my opinion." That opinion does not hold water, but maybe you live in a tiny community surrounded by Nazis. I do not. I live among people who are just as enlightened as they were in 1999, before the coup. I live among people who are FURIOUS with the damage the coup is doing to our nation. "Negroponte is an absolute disaster, but the congressional rules have been chopped and diced. All of the principled members will not be able to stop this appointment." That's not a given, though your resignation is noted. Negroponte has NO qualifications for a job that involves intelligence management. He's a diplomat, not a past CIA director or other person qualified for the job. This isn't just my view; that's the view of a lot of R Senators as well. "Hope I am wrong. But if Alberto and Condi are in, why not Negroponte?" Both have the minimal qualifications for the job, though Rice is of course horribly underqualified to do anything other than sit in a jail cell for her crimes. Those jobs, though, are far less important than this NEW position, which will have awesome power to control the movement of government toward war and other dangerous machinations against our civil rights. And here you are spreading defeatism the relativism with past losses. You probably don't even know that N. was faced with HUNDREDS of negative testifiers at his original hearing, which is why it was delayed six months until the day after 911. There are very good reasons to try to obstruct his repositioning, and it is not just a partyline issue. He's not qualified; he has ongoing diplomatic responsibilities; he has never had a domestic role in managing a super-bureaucracy. He also supposedly wasn't the first choice, so he is weak on that end too. Why don't you just get out of the way, and then people who aren't feeling defeated by a five-year vote coup don't have to climb over your fence to get where we are going? This criminal bunch have violated many laws, and their day is coming. Passivity and defeatism, and spreading such, IS BUSH'S WORK. Why are you working against your own interests, and helping them to grease their skids?

    Questions About Negroponte | 19 comments (19 topical)