Does Hagel's Departure Portend More Trouble Ahead?

[KoKo]

Possible Motives for Ousting Hagel
November 24, 2014

At the start of Barack Obama’s second term, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel was seen as the best hope for standing up to the neocons, inside and outside the administration. Though Hagel proved to be a weak champion, his sudden removal could portend more trouble ahead, writes Robert Parry.

By Robert Parry

The abrupt resignation of Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel – along with the failure to reach a final agreement on Iran’s nuclear program on the same day – does not augur well for the last quarter of Barack Obama’s presidency, reflecting his continuing tendency to let the neocons have their way.

Not that Hagel had distinguished himself as a sterling leader of the Pentagon – nor has all hope disappeared that a sensible resolution of the impasse with Iran might be achieved before the next “deadline” in June – but Obama still does not appear to have escaped the spell of the neocons who continue to dominate American geopolitical thought despite the bloody disasters that they helped cause in Iraq, Afghanistan and elsewhere.

Six years into his presidency, Obama still doesn’t seem to understand that just because some people have impressive credentials doesn’t mean they know what they’re doing. Indeed, in a profoundly corrupted system – like the one that now controls Official Washington – rewards are handed out to people who serve the corrupt interests or at least don’t get in the way.

In a time of corruption, the countervailing forces of wisdom and courage will never be found among the credentialed, but rather among the outcasts of the establishment, those who were forced to the margins because they objected to the venality, because they stood up against misguided “group think.”

Continued at:

http://consortiumnews.com/2014/11/24/possible-motives-for-ousting-hagel/

[vi5]

1. This paragraph right here.....

"Six years into his presidency, Obama still doesn’t seem to understand that just because some people have impressive credentials doesn’t mean they know what they’re doing. Indeed, in a profoundly corrupted system – like the one that now controls Official Washington – rewards are handed out to people who serve the corrupt interests or at least don’t get in the way. "

Jesus, that couldn't encapsulate it any better. I dont' know whether it's more or less depressing to thing it's the result of long past it's acceptable date naivete or knowing and willful complicity.

[malthaussen]

3. I've always considered that Mr Obama is a traditional academic...

... in that he gives too-great credence to soi-disant "experts," especially outside his own field. Of course, a President has to inform himself with the best advice he can, since obviously he can't know everything, but Mr Obama seems from time to time to give full faith and credence to persons who might reasonably be suspected of having a vested interest in decision-making.

-- Mal

[Wellstone ruled]

2. Appears the Military Industrial Complex and their

Pawns within the CIA NSA and other Spook agencies want their toys back and Mr. Hagel is just collateral damage as well as the President. And you wonder why we have not seen any Legal Action against Wall Street or the previous administration for Treason or War Crimes. Why do you think there is so much distrust of our Justice System. People are not that dumb,were there is smoke,chances are you have a fire. Looks like the Neo Cons have not left the White House or the State Department.

[quadrature]

4. 2nd term, always difficult

good people leave.
their replacements are crap.
nobody cooperates.
etc etc etc.

26 more months of this.

[blkmusclmachine]

5. War is back on (like it ever ended...)