Why would President Obama appoint Gen Clapper to investigate himself?

[rhett o rick]

Personally I dont think he has the power to fire Gen Clapper.

If you have a different idea, please post.

14 votes, 1 pass | Time left: Unlimited
	He actually embraces the ideologies behind the authoritarian intelligence state built and maintained (to this day) by the Republicans.
	13 (93%)
	He wants to reform the Booz-Allen/NSA but is afraid that if he tweaks with the established system, and we have a terrorist strike, he will bare the full brunt of responsibility.
	1 (7%)
	He doesnt have the power to actually make any changes for one reason or other.
	0 (0%)
	He doesnt think the public can handle the truth of an honest investigation.
	0 (0%)
	1 DU member did not wish to select any of the options provided.
Show usernames Disclaimer: This is an Internet poll

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

1. To remove any doubt that the farcical "investigation" and "debate" is truly a farce.

[rhett o rick]

2. I think that is a good one, but I think could be worded a little more clear.

How about this:

"The choice of Gen Clapper is an "in your face" move to show the left that he wont succumb to pressure."

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

10. Yep. Another display of "toughness" and being the "decider".

[KoKo]

14. Your 4 Poll Questions Above plus.."In Your Face" It could be all of them...

which is a disturbing thought.

I don't vote in DU Polls...but, if I did it would be all of your choices plus that he just loves dissing Left Dems (there's an established pattern, there.)

How could I say "All of the Above?"

Because I just think it could be all of the above..

[EC]

3. He didn't.

He was appointed to set up a panel to do the investigation and to present THEIR findings. Why does so many on here conflate that with being in charge of?

[Pholus]

9. "Set up" rather implies creation of agenda and selection of members.

As an example, Dick Cheney "set up" Bushie's Veep selection committee. The result of that selection is rather unsurprising given Dick Cheney's proclivities. Though from interviews I guess Dick wouldn't have been too bummed if Rumsfeld had got the nod instead.

A committee created by an insider is merely a committee of insiders. Don't expect anything challenging the insider point of view to come out of it.

Which of course was the point.

[rhett o rick]

11. You are implying that Gen Clapper will "set up" an unbiased panel

to investigate the behavior of an intelligence culture that he was at least partial responsible for.

Since Gen Clapper has proven that he has been less than honest with Congress and the American public, I dont think he should be the one to "set up" such a panel.

I would be less suspicious if Sen Wyden was involved.

If our goal is transparency, Gen Clapper is probably not the best to be involved in any way.

[EC]

13. Maybe Wyden will be involved.

We just can't assume what Clapper will do or who he will appoint. I think people are being too quick to indict.

[rhett o rick]

21. The point is that I hoped the President would see the benefit of choosing Wyden.

Instead he is leaving it all up to Gen Clapper. It appears to me that Gen Clapper is running the show and Pres Obama is his media spokesperson.

Do you think Gen Clapper will involve Sen Wyden?

[EC]

22. I think Wyden may ask to be involved. n/t

[tazkcmo]

29. Why can't we assume?

Our pols have a track record so it's not too much to assume they will be consistent.

[Erose999]

15. So Clapper is charged with presenting evidence that may implicate him. Yeah, seems legit.

[limpyhobbler]

4. Is he investigating himself or just appointing a panel to investigate himself ?

Those are supposedly two different things.

[grasswire]

5. the intelligence elites are more powerful than the POTUS

...and are "running the country"

Stark reality.

[rhett o rick]

20. I agree but this poll doesnt. nm

[Ichingcarpenter]

23. Any Questions?

[leftstreet]

6. Substitute 'political capital' for 'power'

It's never been clear how much 'power' any of these politicians actually has

Obama came to office with more political capital/power than any prez in our lifetimes. The people would have backed him on just about anything and would have flooded Congressional offices in support of him.

Now...not so much

Squandered

[Mojorabbit]

16. I wonder if he is just in such a bubble that his perception of what is happening

out here is skewed. I hope that is the reason for how he is governing.

[L0oniX]

7. There's something else Clapper can do to himself ...Dick Cheney will give him instructions. n/t

[uponit7771]

8. delete

[kentuck]

12. You are seeing the real Barack Obama.

And many thought Tim Geithner was just a mistake in judgement.

[KoKo]

17. He does

what he's told...it appears. We've been hoping for something different...

Do you remember that huge creep show of Dick Cheney dressed in black overcoat with black hat being escorted around in a Wheel Chair at Obama's first inauguration? Remember the media fanfare that he was there in the wheelchair because of some accident. PBO and Michelle actually had to do the long walk down the Capitol steps to "see him off" as he was hauled into the Black Limo...to depart. I thought that astonishing at the time because he certainly could have just shaken their hand and departed without them having to follow him down to "see him off with respect."

That image was so creepy to me at the time. Like the whole thing was done for for effect...to show his power and grab attention with the wheelchair which the media went on about and the cameras kept cutting to. Do you remember how the first year of his presidency Cheney would pop up on CNN or make a statement at a convenient time when Obama needed to make a decision? It lessened as his first term moved on. I assume it was because Cheney was more comfortable with the policies that were being put into place and with the staffing.

"Cheney/MIC"

That's were the power lies along with Wall Street who benefits from MIC.

[Myrina]

18. Cheney in his wheelchair = Mr. Potter in "It's A Wonderful Life" ....

.... greasy rat bastard owns us all & he knows it. And so does most of Washington DC.

[rhett o rick]

24. I remember well. I think the Ruling Cabal told him and Bushy to bow out gracefully.

And let the Democrats have their black president. And then the Ruling Cabal would pull out all stops to ruin Pres Obama's presidency and teach the masses a lesson.

[Skeeter Barnes]

26. Once he doesn't have to worry about getting elected again, you will see the real Obama.

He will be able to do what he really wants to do in his second term!

[flt rsk]

19. Clapper was

instrumental in getting the agency that did background and adverse action investigations of cleared personnel outsourced to contractors. (Reference OPM, USIS, & Snowden) He started pushing for it in the mid 90’s. When he was on active duty, that agency would have conducted his investigation. They must have asked the right questions and pissed him off. Seems the higher up you go the less you want to be asked about what you did to get there.

[Skeeter Barnes]

28. welcome to the forum

[rhett o rick]

25. I am surprised at the result. nm

[Common Sense Party]

27. I once bared the full brunt.

I spent three days in jail for indecent exposure.

[rhett o rick]

32. Your bared your "full brunt" in public? You deserved everything you got. nm

[Fire Walk With Me]

30. Consider his glowing praise for racist, unConstitutional "stop and frisk" mastermind

Ray Kelly and the Trend begins to become clear.

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) — President Barack Obama says New York City Police Commissioner Ray Kelly would be “well-qualified” to run the Department of Homeland Security.

“I think Ray Kelly is one of the best there is, so he’s been an outstanding leader in New York,” Obama said in an interview Tuesday with with New York’s Univision affiliate.

http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2013/07/17/obama-says-ray-kelly-well-qualified-for-homeland-security-post/


However:

Occupy Wall Street ‏@OccupyWallStNYC

Secret police recordings: "We're going to go out there and violate some rights." Disgusting.
#StopAndFrisk
http://ow.ly/ncTK0


CIA Agent Had "No Limitations" Working With NYPD After 9/11
http://gothamist.com/2013/06/27/cia_agent_had_no_limitations_workin.php


NYC 'Stop and Frisk' Policy Ruled Unconstitutional
http://www.policymic.com/articles/22375/nyc-stop-and-frisk-policy-ruled-unconstitutional-conservatives-immediately-start-whining


Racial Profiling Muslims: NYPD is Violating Civil Liberties by Spying on Religious Groups
http://www.policymic.com/articles/24817/racial-profiling-muslims-nypd-is-violating-civil-liberties-by-spying-on-religious-groups


"Every year since 2003, blacks and Latinos have consistently accounted for around 85 percent of stop-and-frisk selectees."
http://www.slate.com/blogs/crime/2013/07/01/mayor_bloomberg_stop_and_frisk_yes_the_controversial_policy_is_really_really.html


Center for Constitutional Rights articles:
http://ccrjustice.org/search/node/NYPD+Stop+and+Frisk+Statistics


And of course Occupiers know all about NYPD and Ray Kelly. Add that Kelly works for Bloomberg, a Wall Street billionaire, and add that to Obama and his nomination of legendary foe of worker's rights Penny Pritzker, and you've got a 1%-a-palooza.

[zipplewrath]

31. Not too many with thte proper clearances

One way or another he's going to have to be involved. The clearances associated with doing this are going to be very high and rare. He'll either have to be devolving classifications for the committee, or granting clearances for the committee members.

[rhett o rick]

33. I think we can overcome that. nm