The SecDef Gates Countdown

[babylonsister]

Hmmm. Disaster recognized? :think:

http://thinkprogress.org/2008/02/11/the-gates-countdown/

The Gates Countdown.

In The New York Times Magazine, Fred Kaplan writes that Defense Secretary Robert Gates is counting down the days until the end of the Bush presidency:

When the next president takes the oath on Jan. 20, 2009, Gates will be just 65 years old, but he insists he will retire from public life, this time for good. A friend recently gave him an electronic key chain, inscribed “The Gates Countdown,” with a small screen reading out how many days remain till the end of the term. He carries it everywhere, in part as a joke but not entirely. Told that those screens can be reset, he replied, “Not this one.” When I mentioned that some lawmakers would like him to stay on in the next administration, he replied, “I am very wary of saying, ‘Never,’” but added, “The circumstances under which I would do that are inconceivable to me.”

[Blue_In_AK]

1. Hey, Sister

Long time, no see. Where have you been?

[babylonsister]

4. Hi, Blue! I went to spend some time with some family in Mexico;

my husband worked over the holidays, so it was time to get away. It was pretty near perfect; all of us are Giants fans, and we were there for the Super Bowl. Oye, what a great time, and that was also my and my twin's birthday-what a gift! We were warm, we are brown, and now we're home! :hug:
How are you faring? Is it as cold up there as in the lower states? Lotsa snow? Nice to see you!

[Blue_In_AK]

5. It's been REALLY cold here,

down around zero and below but crystal clear for two or three weeks, but this morning we woke up to beautiful snow, about six inches today and more expected. When it gets up to 9 or 10 after being so cold, it feels like a heat wave. :)

[MADem]

2. The only reason that poor guy is there is because Poppy cried and begged him to

bail out his boy....

[comradebillyboy]

6. Unlike many in the Bush admin, Gates lives in the

reality based community and also appears to be competent. I don't know how anybody convinced the shrub to appoint him.

[MADem]

7. His "deddy" made him do it. I guess there was a little "Come to Jesus" bullying that went on.

I think Jim Baker was part of it, as well.

Gates was a former CIA head, so the connection is pretty obvious as to who picked him out, and why. Left to his own devices, I think Monkey would have continued to ignore Rummy and his hubris-laden excesses. http://www.veteranstoday.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=1704

Gates, 63, is a close associate of former president George H.W. Bush and was deputy national security adviser during the Persian Gulf War. He rose rapidly through CIA ranks as a Soviet expert with extensive White House experience to become director of central intelligence from 1991 to 1993. The only setback in his career came in 1987 when he withdrew as President Ronald Reagan's nominee to be CIA director because of his involvement in the Iran-contra affair. In all, Gates has served six presidents in both Republican and Democratic administrations.

[MADem]

3. Pardon my doubleclick

[Ilsa]

8. Gates had a plum job at a wonderful university that he loved.

He screwed up by accepting the job at the Pentagon. Or was forced to screw up. His old job at Texas A&M is filled now.

[Wizard777]

9. Then comes the count up.

I think this will actually happen.

:party: :hippie: :bounce: :crazy: :silly: :dunce: :wow: :headbang: :grouphug: :pals: :yourock: :woohoo: :applause: