A further reason for wanting Hagel to be the next DOD Secretary: it's got the Republicans in an uproar -- opposing one of their own -- supposedly because of his stand on Israel.
So what is his stand on Israel? Strong support for the state of Israel in reality, but little stomach for pretending Israel is always right in his public statements. In other words, in my opinion, a realistic position, rather than a 'politically correct' one -- politically correct, that is, for those who kowtow to the mentality of "Israel, right or wrong."
Although the opposition ostensibly is about his position on Israel, the same people would probably think he's not sufficiently hawkish on fighting wars. An early critic of the war in Iraq (after initially voting for it as a senator), he would probably support Obama's wish to end the war in Afghanistan, sooner rather than later.
All of which makes his a desirable choice for Secretary of Defense, IMHO.
Ralph
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Israel always right?
ReplyDeleteHardly.
Even within the country and those living in Diaspora, there is strong opposition about the current state of affairs.
The politics of the present Israeli government has taken extraordinary expansion measures, much to the vexation of the rest of the world. Israel does not seem to consider or care about world opinion.
Growing up in a Zionist home, I continue to be a strong supporter for Israels' right to exist; unlike the goal of Hamas, whose intention is to destroy the Jewish State. However, I do not support displacing those who already live there.
And I think Chuck Hagel would agree with you, Alan. I would rather have him in a position of influence than someone who blindly follows the present Israeli government without criticism in just such displacement tactics.
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