[SJackson]

He's an Arabist, what did anyone expect from him?

Not just an arabist. As I occasionally note on middle east threads, while heading the commission Baker kept his day job, senior partner at Baker Botts, with substantial financial interests in Saudi Arabia and the Gulf States.

When the 9/11 victims sue Saudis, Baker-Botts is among the firms hired for the Saudi defense.

To maintain at least an appearance of propriety, he should have stepped down.

[Arizona Carolyn]

Which is exactly why he has a vested interest in us talking to Syria and Iran so war will just lie down nice a neat and not cost him $$$$.... THAT is irresponsible!

[Dat Mon]

YOU SAID....."Not just an arabist. As I occasionally note on middle east threads, while heading the commission Baker kept his day job, senior partner at Baker Botts, with substantial financial interests in Saudi Arabia and the Gulf States."

This report is a sham IMHO...because no mention has been made of the basic premise of American policy...which to my mind is very simple...

What we do as a nation should be in the long term best interests of America, and the American people ...in regards to

SECURITY...SOVEREIGNTY...PROSPERITY

Its so simple. IMHO, allowing Iraq to degenerate into another Lebanon, or some sort of sectarian violence prone Iranian puppet theocracy, with Al Sadyr and his Hezbollah militia enablers left intact, would be an unmitigated NATIONAL SECURITY disaster for this country long term...and a complete repudiation of the Bush doctrine on the WOT as articulated in his FIRST TERM.

Obviously, we need to start kicking some serious ass over there...starting with the militias and Sadyr. Sadly...the reasonable approach articulated here will not allow us to do what needs to be done over there. Can we WIN??..depends on your defintion of wIN...but we sure need to give it our best shot. But wait...somebody over in the ME wont 'like' it....So, we'll retreat...but gradually...in a 'reasonable' bipartisan consenus stage managed way of course.

But Im not particularly surprised by this Commission, or this report. Thats why Im not shaking my fist at the TV. Its the same old...same old...

Has it ever occurred to folks that the reason these particular people are on this Commission is PRECISELY because of their large MULTINATIONAL SPECIAL INTEREST and LOBBYIST CONNECTIONS???

Baker is King of the Saudi special interests group...but he has alot of competition for the title around DC..on both sides of the aisle of course.

Its time to start connecting the dots here folks.

Ive said it before...Its all about a government of, by and for.....

SPECIAL WELL FINANCED, WELL CONNECTED INTERESTS

And apparently, these particular special interests want a stage managed Iraqi withdrawal...made to look like a reasonable bipartisan consensus. With a bunch of other Saudi approved goodies thrown in for good measure.

Its all so 'reasonable' you see...just like the 9-11 Commission investigative report. Lee Hamilton, with his international connections was on that one too...eh??

Vernon Jordan (LOL, give me a fck'n break guys).....designer suits..K Street power lunches...and lots of nubile DC wenches in tow...oh boy...oh boy!!!

Lets not make waves here people...the K Street crowd dont appreciate it.

When something gets in the way of these 'big shot' bipartisan K Street financed love fests...like Able Danger...well, you know the rest...