Freeman named as chairman of the National Intelligence Council

[NateRiver]

http://www.regularfolksunited.com/index.php?tab=article_view&article_id=1103

The appointment by the Obama administration of Charles “Chas” Freeman as chairman of the National Intelligence Council on Thursday caused some outrage, In fact it this confidence inspiring pick from President Obama made Sean Casey's Outrage of the day.

[youtube=425,350]vAOY5cAuyKc[/youtube]

[thundley4]

Is he the guy that said that China did not go far enough in putting down the uprising at Tienemen (sp) Square?

[Chris]

http://www.weeklystandard.com/weblogs/TWSFP/2009/02/the_realist_chas_freeman.asp

"In this optic, the Politburo's response to the mob scene at 'Tian'anmen' stands as a monument to overly cautious behavior on the part of the leadership, not as an example of rash action. [...] Such folk, whether they represent a veterans' 'Bonus Army' or a 'student uprising' on behalf of 'the goddess of democracy' should expect to be displaced with despatch from the ground they occupy. I cannot conceive of any American government behaving with the ill-conceived restraint that the Zhao Ziyang administration did in China, allowing students to occupy zones that are the equivalent of the Washington National Mall and Times Square, combined. while shutting down much of the Chinese government's normal operations. I thus share the hope of the majority in China that no Chinese government will repeat the mistakes of Zhao Ziyang's dilatory tactics of appeasement in dealing with domestic protesters in China."

[Chris]

Blame the JOOOOOOOOS...

Back in 2007, Freeman addressed the pro-Israeli Washington Institute of Foreign Affairs, and said: “Israel no longer even pretends to seek peace with the Palestinians; it strives instead to pacify them.”

The primary reason America confronts a terrorism problem today, he continued, is “the brutal oppression of the Palestinians by an Israeli occupation that is about to mark its fortieth anniversary and shows no sign of ending.”

http://www.arabnews.com/?page=4&section=0&article=119703&d=28&m=2&y=2009

[Chris]

Schumer Privately Tells White House He’s Concerned About Freeman On Israel

Senator Charles Schumer has privately expressed concerns directly to White House chief of staff Rahm Emanuel about Chas Freeman, the Obama administration’s pick to head the group that prepares some of the intel community’s most politically sensitive assessments, a person familiar with their conversation tells me.

Obama’s choice of Freeman as head of National Intelligence Council — which has aroused opposition because of his strong criticism of Israel and other things — signaled that the President isn’t afraid to buck the pro-Israel lobby and the neocon critics who aggressively opposed the Freeman pick.

But Schumer’s concerns could create serious problems for Freeman, since Schumer is a Democrat and a high-profile voice on Israel, and could give cover for other Democrats to come out and vocally raise questions about the appointment.

(more...)


Schumer is "concerned", but he won't actually oppose Freeman's appointment.