Has anybody read/is reading The Price of Loyalty?

[fishguy]

If so, how is it?!

[jono]

1. I just bought it at lunch today.

Can't wait to go home and dig in!

[Emboldened Chimp]

8. Me, too!

I'm psyched.

[sangha]

2. I'm not sure if it's on sale yet

Often there's a lot off talk about a new book before it's even available.

[sangha]

3. I stand corrected

see post #1

[Clark4VotingRights]

5. I wanna buy it. Get it on the best seller list!

Up there with the progressives' books.

[sangha]

10. I'm defnitely gonna get it

but it wasn't in my bookstore today, so I bought the Kevin Phillips book about the Bush Family.

[PaDUer]

14. How's that Phillips' book?

Is it a good read or what? Is it worth buying?

[sangha]

15. Didn't start it yet.

I'm reading DU instead. If you want an update, PM me, and once I'm into it, I'll PM a report to you. (I'm a fast reader. It won't be long wait)

[cthrumatrix]

4. yes...here you go... a few thoughts (we discussed earlier)

Let me first start by saying, anyone (press, TV, radio friends etc) that bash O'Neill, I have one reply -- did you read the book?

Most comments have been made:

* early Iraq planning (neocon's pushing)
* lack of bush leadership skills
* how everything is "politically charged and calculated"
* how almost everything is "scripted" for shrub
* and the list goes on ...adn you could quote numerous pages


What hasn't been shared is (IMHO)
O'Neill is the one who comes out "as a principled man ...by his actions:
---------------------------------------------------------------
* He stood up for Americans raising the deficit concern and how it would impact their social safety net (soc sec)
* He warned the president of the dangers of future govt obligations ($44 Trillion Govt gap in rev vs. exp ) ..the president shelved this report -- amazing.
* He went to Africa and tried to help those in need with plans of water well and need for fighting AIDS -- all this stopped. While the press only brought up the fact that he was with Bono on the tour.
* He fought hard for very high standards for CEO "accountability"...which was later watered down because CEO's didn't want potential litigation.
* He told Ken Lay that the govt. "would not bail" Enron out of financial insolvency...told the press of the conversation and reasons for the decline.

Quite frankly, he comes off looking like the most fiscally responsible one in the organization --- and fired as a result of that. If conservative republicans read this book ...I think even they would side with O'Neill.

This is bad news for bush*

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=104&topic_id=1016265&mesg_id=1016265

[cthrumatrix]

6. And more...this link where Rummy starts on the Oil -- so soon!

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=104&topic_id=1015846&mesg_id=1015846

Page 96 (This as after the first NSC Meeting in January 10 days into Office)

"Documents were beign prepared by the Defense Intelligence Agency, Rumsfeld Intelligence arm, maping Iraq's oil fields and exploration areas and listing companies that might be interested inleveraging the precious asset."

more

"The desire to disuade countries from engaging in "asymetrical challenges" to the United States -- as Rumsfeld said in his January articulation of the demonstrative value of a premptive attack -- matched with plans for how the world's second largest oil reserve might be divided among the worlds contractors made for an irresitable combination, O'Neill later said."

Comment
-------
O'Neill talks of how ideas came from outside into these meetings and Rummy's memo of "outside powers" engaging in trade could get weapons and therefore we have to "engage".

How he connects "stopping groups who could harm the US" with splitting Iraq's oil is beyond me. This book just floors you with "leaps" in how things were "discussed or should I say NOT Discussed"

[leetrisck]

7. Reading now - very distressing as

we actually know a lot of this as do reporters - it's just that none of them have wanted to make an "issue" of any ot it. South Korean President, Christie Whitman, etc - we watched these disasters play out right in front of us - years of hard work down the tubes in the flash of an eye

[kskiska]

9. What I've always wondered

is just when *'s advisors (cabinet members, etc.) become aware of *'s "special needs" (scripts, short attention span, etc.) Does someone take them aside on their first day on the job and clue them in? (Well, you see, Paul, it's not going to be like it was working for Ford/Reagan/Bush. It's going to be …well, "different.") Or are these guys left to figure it out for themselves? I have to wonder about their private reactions when it hits them that * is a virtual retard.

[cthrumatrix]

11. O"neill does share that in the book...but it was a learned process

At first he thought the inital NSC meeting seem scripted with the order of information that came out...adn then as time went on...each person was asked to read their script.

Usually , not an exchange of ideas or policy "give-take" but only "readouts".

He thought it was very odd.

[kskiska]

12. Who writes the scripts?

I'm going to Barnes & Noble tomorrow night to pick up the book. Sounds fascinating. The reviews never do these books justice, like "The Clinton Wars," which was marvelous and beautifully written.

[cthrumatrix]

13. the script is who goes in what order and they are to cover...like a

"read out". However, O"neill comments that at one meeting...the language seemed "role played" and that was the meetign leading up to Iraq.

The real question is where to they gather the "agreement" to come forward with such a talking point or plan.

Like Rummy talking about Iraq. I'm guessing that he and Wolfowitz and pearle and others brainstorm and sold shrub on what to do --- and then it's played "out" in the NCS meeting.

O"neill comments on the policy process or the lack of it as a major problem. Bu then again..shrub is a puppet ...they or he are told waht to do...otherwise they as a group we be engaged and talking about issues "real time" -- as least I would think.

And during these meetings shrub doesn't say much at all -- which means he was pres-sold, told what to do or had prior meetings and acted like this was new.

[kskiska]

16. Sort of like dress rehearsals

Thanks for the info. I'll read it ASAP.

[economic justice]

17. Bought it today!

Finishing Walter Issacson's "Benjamin Franklin" (great book!) and then it's on to Suskind and O'Neill...