I know today was a great day. And, believe me, I wanted to wait at least one day, but I can't. While we are celebrating and talking about final tallies and recounts, I have heard too many reports that people like Gates and Petreaus intend on sticking around. I heard Dr. Dean think it 'a wonderful idea' for Republicans to be in Obama's cabinet. I even suffered through Thomas Friedman claiming that the Civil War is finally officially over, apparently 148 years after it started.
I must register my objection to including any Republicans in Obama's cabinet; however, in the spirit of cooperation and conciliation, I understand it as a symbol of Obama's graciousness. If it happened to involve either of the Senators from Maine, then so much the better.
More on the flip side....
However, it is seriously dispiriting if after yesterday's utter repudiation of the last 8 years, Obama thinks it right to keep such monsters as Petreaus or Gates on, that then seems to be cause for concern in my opinion. I know the man has good judgment, and I've known that he is going to try to be President of us all, but, seriously, this is an offense to all the people who voted for him because they do not want Bush's wars. They are not America's wars. They are Bush's wars. I wish Obama could see that. What is it that Obama does not understand about Afghanistan? Who is telling him to stay and add more troops? I know Obama said the Afghan War is a good war, but I can't believe, if adequately informed, that he really believes it.
I'm sorry but the continued engagement of criminals like Petreaus and Gates just shocks and saddens me. It is so sad to know that this is what we waited for: no change in Pakistan or Afghanistan> learned today that the US military is making contracts with Pakistani companies to build Humvees (fuck the American worker, we need to bribe the Pakistanis), and, according to the Pakistani company, that is only the beginning. I firmly believe that as a good Liberal/Progressive I want to work with Republicans on the issues that we can, and I don't want to ram things down their throat, but do we really have to carry out their policies. Even Rahm is a seriously disturbing turn of events.
I know we can't get everything we want, but serious choices are being made, and, it looks to me like Obama seeks to be President for the 46% of the people who did not vote for him. I also believe this is worth fighting these sorts of scandalous picks because as Obama himself said, 'Now is the time.'
Sorry for the brevity, but I had to get this off my chest and I didn't want to just tack it up in some unrelated diary. Try to explain to me how Obama could include Petreaus and Gates or Emmanuel. I understand the notion of keeping your enemies close, but I don't think that applies here.
These are the people we fought, these are the people that the country repudiated, why are they rewarded?