Bush names ex-CIA chief Gates to replace Rumsfeld

[maddezmom]

WASHINGTON (AFP) - US President George W. Bush named former CIA director Robert Gates as defense secretary to replace Donald Rumsfeld, who resigned following the Democratic victories in legislative elections.

Bush announced Rumsfeld's departure and Gates's appointment after acknowledging that the administration's handling of the Iraq war played a major role in giving the Democrats control over the House of Representatives in Tuesday's election.

"Bob Gates will bring a fresh perspective and good managerial abilities," he said.

Bush said he met with Gates, who headed the Central Intelligence Agency from 1991 to 1993 and is currently president of Texas A and M University, on Sunday to discuss the appointment, even before the election was held.

"He is a steady, solid leader who can help make the necessary adjustments in our approach to meet our current challenges," Bush said.

"If confirmed by the Senate, Bob will bring more than 25 years of national security experience and a stellar reputation as an effective leader with sound judgment," he said.

more;http://uk.news.yahoo.com/08112006/323/bush-names-ex-cia-chief-gates-replace-rumsfeld.html

[torrentprime]

1. Wiki on Gates

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Gates

[leftchick]

2. an old friend of poopy

swell.

[Ghost Dog]

26. Until now working with James Baker III in the 'Iraq Study Group'.

(Baker, the 'Bush Family Consigliere').

So, we're looking at a Bush (père) / Baker palace coup, or so I hear just now suggested on the BBC World Service Radio's Newshour...

There would be some Generals behind this move, too? And maybe some 'old' CIA?

[radfringe]

39. looks to me like

daddy and daddy's friends bailed him out....again

[Scriptor Ignotus]

3. Rumsfeld's Replacement : Dr. Roberts M. Gates - Bio

Dr. Robert M. Gates is the 22nd President of Texas A&M University, the nation's seventh largest university and an institution recognized internationally for its teaching, research and public service. He assumed the presidency of the land-grant, sea-grant and space-grant university on August 1, 2002. Dr. Gates served as Interim Dean of the George Bush School of Government and Public Service at Texas A&M from 1999-2001.

He served as Director of Central Intelligence from 1991 until 1993. In this position, he headed all foreign intelligence agencies of the United States and directed the Central Intelligence Agency. Dr. Gates is the only career officer in CIA's history to rise from entry-level employee to Director. He served as Deputy Director of Central Intelligence from 1986 until 1989 and as Assistant to the President and Deputy National Security Adviser at The White House from January 20, 1989 until November 6, 1991 for President George H.W. Bush.

Dr. Gates joined the Central Intelligence Agency in 1966 and spent nearly 27 years as an intelligence professional, serving six presidents. During that period, he spent nearly nine years at the National Security Council, The White House, serving four presidents of both political parties.

Dr. Gates has been awarded the National Security Medal, the Presidential Citizens Medal, has twice received the National Intelligence Distinguished Service Medal, and has three times received CIA's highest award, the Distinguished Intelligence Medal.

He is the author of the memoir, From the Shadows: The Ultimate Insider's Story of Five Presidents and How They Won the Cold War, published in 1996.

Dr. Gates serves on the Board of Directors and Executive Committee of the American Council on Education, the Board of Directors of the National Association of State Universities and Land-Grant Colleges, and the National Executive Board of the Boy Scouts of America. He is President of the National Eagle Scout Association.

Dr. Gates serves as Chairman of the Independent Trustees of The Fidelity Funds, the nation's largest mutual fund company, and on the board of directors of NACCO Industries, Inc., Brinker International, Inc. and Parker Drilling Company, Inc.

A native of Kansas, Dr. Gates received his bachelor's degree from the College of William and Mary, his master's degree in history from Indiana University, and his doctorate in Russian and Soviet history from Georgetown University. Dr. Gates is 62, and he and his wife Becky have two adult children.

[Julius Civitatus]

4. Good ol' boy of Poppy's

All in the family.

[bemildred]

7. Yep, Poppy is back in charge. nt

[Ilsa]

8. My husband is sad that Gates is leaving TAMU.

Texas Monthly featured him this month. We think he's been good for TAMU.

[dxdem]

9. gig em n/t

[libertad]

11. Looks like he's had quite a number of 2 year jobs. nt

nt

[Miss Chybil]

13. But, does he own oil stock, or pharmaceutical stock, or defense industry

stock?

[Straight Shooter]

5. "Five presidents and how they won the Cold War."

Oh, Jeebers. Another idiot.

[rocktivity]

6. Well, at least Tweety, Scarborough, Rush et al

can talk about what a great guy he is instead of spending this evening sulking...

:evilgrin:
rocknation

[uberblonde]

10. He's one of the Iran-contra players.

Played a role in the arms-for-hostages deal, and was instrumental in the massive politicization of intelligence data in the CIA.

He should fit right in.

[phoebe]

12. Robert Michael Gates and Iran-Contra

http://www.fas.org/irp/offdocs/walsh/chap_16.htm

snip

At most, the evidence showed that Gates was in and around meetings where the content of George and Fiers's testimony was discussed, and that he participated in two briefings that helped lull congressional investigators into believing that the CIA was not involved in facilitating private resupply flights. The evidence shows further that Gates was aware of at least general information suggesting involvement by North and Secord with the contras, and that Gates did not disclose this information -- or argue that it should be disclosed. For Gates, the CIA's task in October 1986 was to distance the CIA from the private operation, in part by locking North into statements that cleared the CIA of wrongdoing.47

47 Indeed, according to Allen, when Allen first discussed rumors of a diversion with Gates on October 1, 1986, Gates told Allen he ``didn't want to hear about Central America'' and ``I've supported Ollie in other activities . . . but he's gone too far.'' (Allen, Grand Jury, 1/4/88, pp. 31-33.) See also Gates, SSCI Testimony, 12/4/86, pp. 18-19 (confirming that he told Allen that he ``didn't want to hear anything about funding for the Contras'').

In the end, although Gates's actions suggested an officer who was more interested in shielding his institution from criticism and in shifting the blame to the NSC than in finding out the truth, there was insufficient evidence to charge Gates with a criminal endeavor to obstruct congressional investigations into the Hasenfus shootdown.

snip

Conclusion


Independent Counsel found insufficient evidence to warrant charging Robert Gates with a crime for his role in the Iran/contra affair. Like those of many other Iran/contra figures, the statements of Gates often seemed scripted and less than candid. Nevertheless, given the complex nature of the activities and Gates's apparent lack of direct participation, a jury could find the evidence left a reasonable doubt that Gates either obstructed official inquiries or that his two demonstrably incorrect statements were deliberate lies.

Entire document is well worth a read..

Obviously Gates has been inserted in order to cover up crimes committed by Rumsfeld and high level military (read outsourcing and torture) as well as corruption linked to Cheney and other high level military-industrial complex employees and any kickbacks that the Bush family have received as a result of the "war" in Iraq.

Whistleblowers will prove to be very important to expose his machinations..

[Amused Musings]

14. Bad for America

Out with the old, in with the old. Maybe Bush needs someone who lacks the moral compunction to keep up the legacy of Rumsfeld consistent and disasterous.

[coalition_unwilling]

25. Meet the new boss, same as the old boss. n/t

[phoebe]

15. Mr. Gates' hypocrisy on corruption - from 2002 address to A&M students

http://www.tamu.edu/convocation/convaddress/gates02.html though we ought to keep this for posterity..

snip

In achieving the ambitious goals of vision 2020, we face real challenges. But, of course, each university and college in this country has its own, particular challenges. There is, however, one challenge we all face in common: we graduate too many very smart, very skilled men and women who are deficient in character and integrity.

When surveys suggest that nationwide 75 percent or more of high school and college students cheat, and when we see scholars plagiarize and lie about their backgrounds, I believe we as a people have a problem. When great companies are destroyed by the mendacity and greed of their leaders, when there are so many corporate scandals that a lack of confidence in the integrity of business leadership actually affects the performance of the national economy, I believe we as a people have a problem. When we see political leaders lying under oath and going to jail for corruption, when we see the resulting cynicism of many Americans about the character of their elected officials, I believe we as a people have a problem.

All of these liars and cheats and thieves are graduates of our universities. The university community cannot avert its eyes and proclaim that this is not our problem, that there is nothing we can do, or that these behaviors are an aberration from the norm.

Politicians who lie, business executives who steal, scholars and students who cheat, are far from new. But the frequency, the scale of such behaviors—and their social, economic and political consequences—may well be new. As is the apparent ease with which too many well-known people exhibiting such behaviors seem to get away with it even after public exposure. Clearly, these are object lessons not lost upon the public, and especially not lost upon the young. The consequences are self-evident, and tragic. And, worse yet, too many of all ages, when caught lying, cheating and stealing, seem to think that if they acknowledge the error of their ways and apologize, there should be no consequences—that everyone should just “move on” or should just “get over it”.

snip

Most universities take seriously their responsibility to examine social pathologies and suggest remedies. Widespread lying, cheating and stealing—and resulting public resignation to and cynicism about such behaviors—represent an insidious social pathology. This university—and others — must do more to teach about the consequences for society of such pathology, and to teach the remedy. The remedy is greater emphasis in our universities on ethical behavior and personal integrity—at school and in life.

[grytpype]

16. Gates is Poppy's pick, and on the Baker Commission as well.

I think this marks the end of neocon influence on Bush. Daddy's men are going to start taking the wheel now.

And I think this guarantees that the Baker Commission recommendations are going to be accepted and put into force. That means we pull out and beg Iran and Syria to help clean up the mess Bush/Cheney/Rummy made.

[dbt]

17. Ding! Ding! Ding! We have a winner!

grytpype NAILS it! (The grownups are back in charge?)

:evilgrin:
dbt
Remember New Orleans

[maddezmom]

18. or even let Iraq be divided up into 3 parts

:shrug:

[Zynx]

20. Agree. Bush is shifting cliques.

Cheney may go soon, if that's the case.

[ShortnFiery]

31. Plus if the Senate makes the mistake of confirming Gates,

Both NSA and the Defense Department will be not only lead by former SPOOKS (CIA pukes) but former DIRECTORS of the CIA.

What does that tell us about the possibility of them being skillful at hiding *projects* from Congressional oversight? :scared: :(

[phoebe]

19. CIA analysts view on Gates from 1991

http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1282/is_n20_v43/ai_11523375 - this piece is from a pro-Bushite but the remarks are valuable

snip

THOSE WHO listened to the Senate hearings on the nomination of Robert Gates to be Director of Central Intelligence heard Gates (a former CIA official) accused of having purveyed conservative ideological fancies at the expense of facts. The hearings themselves, however, consisted largely of gossip from the CIA bureaucracy rather than of arguments about the outside world. Listeners quickly got the feeling of witnessing a family squabble they did not really understand. What was going on? Two sets of liberals-Democratic senators and CIA analysts-were bashing Gates in order to push two somewhat overlapping agendas.

The senators' agenda was transparent enough. Ronald Reagan had built a decade's political dominance by depicting the Soviet Union as an evil empire at home and dangerous abroad. Now the Democrats asserted that their (highly unpopular) opposition to U.S. military spending and muscular foreign policy had been right all along because the "real" CIA had always known that the Soviet Union was collapsing at home and a paper tiger abroad. By filling intelligence documents with Mr. Reagan's favorite images-raw meat thrown to Reaganite lions-Gates and his former boss William Casey had indirectly disinformed the American people. Even Daniel P. Moynihan, who knows much better, pilloried Gates along these lines. Dogs bite man.


The agenda of the CIA analysts who testified against Gates-and hence made possible the senators' attack-was harder to figure out. Their personal vehemence was the sort normally reserved for criminals. One former analyst, Melvin Goodman, said that "Gates's role . . . was to corrupt the process and the ethics of intelligence." Gates had been "responsible" for "misleading and false information" that had "cost lives." According to another, Jennifer Glaudemans, Gates contributed to "the culture of fear and cynicism among frontline analysts" and had left her "scarred."


It's entirely possible that ex-CIA vets will out Gates before he can do the crooks-in-charge any favors. Between these men and the whistleblowers methinks Gates is in for a very rough time..

[DLnyc]

21. If you've read "Confessions of an Economic Hitman" (--Perkins)

Mr. Gates sure smells like one more of the same Oil/War/MegaMoneyScam crew as Rummy, Dick Halliburtun Cheney, Bechtel (Shultz, Weinberger). If Gates is really being put forward his title should be "Haliburton/Bechtel/Carlisle Sales Manager", methinks, not "SOD"

Some links from about 5 minutes looking around:
http://www.oilvoice.com/Parker_Drilling_Announces_Tax_Opinion/6511.htm

http://www.parkerdrilling.com/newsroom/newsrelease.aspx?id=849506

[phoebe]

22. Congressional Record on nomination of Gates to CIA director

http://www.fas.org/irp/congress/1991_cr/s911105-gates2.htm

snip

MR.COHEN:
I mention this because some have accused the Bush administration through its release of certain declassified CIA documents of trying to rewrite history. And the charge is that the CIA missed the collapse of the Soviet Union, the Soviet empire; that it misread Soviet economic indicators; that it misunderstood who Mikhail Gorbachev was, and thereby allowed Ronald Reagan to spend billions of dollars on arms that we had no need for whatsoever.

snip

LINCOLN CHAFEE:

There has never been any serious doubt about Mr. Gates' aptitude or expertise. He has served this country with distinction for over 20 years in a variety of sensitive assignments. He was an Air Force officer. A CIA analyst and manager, and served in the National Security Council under both Republican and Democratic administrations. He was promoted and rose quickly through the ranks because of his performance and effectiveness in the eyes of men such as Zbigniew Brzezinski, Stansfield Turner, and Adm. Bobby Inman. By all accounts, Mr. Gates functioned very effectively as Deputy National Security Adviser during the gulf war with Iraq and during Operation Just Cause in Panama. So the key questions regarding Mr. Gates are not about his competence but his integrity. Has he been truthful about his role in the Iran-Contra affair? Did he politicize estimates in order to ingratiate himself with his superiors? Did he smother evidence about illegal BCCI activities in order to protect CIA operations?

I am satisfied that Mr. Gates has been forthcoming regarding the Iran-Contra affair. The Iran-Contra committees of the House and Senate interviewed over 500 witnesses and reviewed 300,000 documents pertaining to this matter. As Senators Boren, Nunn, and Rudman, who served on that committee know, this extensive and unprecedented investigation did not produce any evidence of impropriety on the part of Mr. Gates. Since that time, the independent prosecutor, Judge Walsh, has spent over 4 years and $25 million probing the Iran-Contra affair, and he has publicly acknowledged that Mr. Gates is not a target of his investigation. The record has long shown that Mr. Gates was not involved in the diversion of funds to the Contras and that he raised the issue with his superiors when he was informed by Charles Allen that such activities might be occurring. Our own independent investigation, which has included the testimony of individuals such as Alan Fiers and Charles Allen, confirms these facts.

The other allegations against Bob Gates have also been thoroughly investigated and found to be lacking. The documents obtained by staff demonstrate that the CIA appropriately disseminated the information it had regarding BCCI to the Treasury Department and other Federal agencies.

It is hard not to take "snips" of this hearing and have them be entirely in context. The point of reading this in it's entirety shows how willing some politicians are to elect someone who is just as/more corrupt as they are..

[skip fox]

23. BOY, that was fast. Think of all the considerations he went through in just

a few hours!


Hmmmmm.

How long has he prepared for this and WHY didn't he do it a month ago (it may have changed the elections . . . interviewing new man, hearings, feelings of a fresh start, etc.)

I think it just again points to the WH falling apart.

[coalition_unwilling]

24. Bush cannot "name" anyone SecDef. He can "nominate" but

the Senate must confirm following confirmation hearings, this time with Dems presiding. Should be fun to watch :)

[Bushh8er]

27. wanna bet

Shrub gets him nominated before the dems take over the house and senate??

[coalition_unwilling]

32. Well, that could be an extremely counter-productive strategy,

given that Dems will control Armed Services Committee, Appropriations and Ways and Means come January '07.

[BrokenBeyondRepair]

28. replace a well known criminal w/ an unknown criminal.. nice trick

[RestoreGore]

29. He's Also Proud They Funnelled Billions To Bin Laden...

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/6130302.stm

In a speech in 1999, Mr Gates said that its most important role was in Afghanistan.

"CIA had important successes in covert action. Perhaps the most consequential of all was Afghanistan where CIA, with its management, funnelled billions of dollars in supplies and weapons to the Mujahideen, and the resistance was thus able to fight the vaunted Soviet army to a standoff and eventually force a political decision to withdraw," he said.
~~~~~~~~~~~
As the saying goes, the more things change the more they stay the same.

[mitchum]

30. Great,,,a corrupt spook associate of poppy. Fuck that

[LetsGoMurphys]

33. Dont be so quick to judge

he is certainly not a neo-con. This could be a totally new direction in US foreign policy. Wait and see.

[bemildred]

34. Yeah. I don't like Gates at all, but he's not nuts. nt

[ghreport]

37. DoD making foreign policy

This statement made be really think. Do we want our foreign policy dictated by the military? I don't know what type of foreign policy this promotes. Military is the option of failed foreign policy to the driving force behind it.


Loren Senior
www.goodharborreport.com

[Hosnon]

35. Bush is the President and gets to make the nomination. I am glad Rummy is gone.

I'll give this guy the benefit of the doubt.

[ghreport]

36. Is this any better?

Can the President do anything not oil related? Is this what is taught at the George Bush school of International business.....where Gates was a former dean. I find it almost impossible to believe that President Bush has selected another Oil executive to replace Rumsfeld. Gates is a director at Parker Drilling Company. A company that does business in the Middle East. I just posted some more details here at GoodHarborReport.com as well. This is amazing that I am the only one concerned with this

[dos pelos]

38. Rumsfeld resignation means nothing......

I don't think there is any plan to withdraw from Iraq.Gates is a CIA goon,heavy into Iran/Contra.Cheney gives no indication that the Iraq effort will wind down,rather,will probably rachet the effort up,abandon any pretext of installing a democracy and go for a military rule there.Bush will now rule through executive order.The huge upwelling of popular discontent/revulsion evidenced in this election is upsetting and unanticipated by the true ruling establishment which controls the republican and much of the centrist portion of the democratic party.The media apparatus,corporate controlled,used to control the public has broken down.Now begins an effort to coopt the democrats into being the cooperative loyal opposition.A position of quislings.What is needed is a vigorous,principled effort to reverse the course of the last six years.This includes a withdrawl from Iraq,a repeal of the Patriot act and the military commisions act and the bankruptcy act.

[hayu_lol]

40. LOL! Senator Reid, D-Nev, has already stated that he has a number...

of questions vis-a-vis Iran/Contra to ask Mr Gates. Gates is not a done deal...and the Reid's interest in the I/C connection ought to make Poppy Bush and his 'buddies' sorta queesy. Hehehehe.

Wonder if the Bush family will get any decent sleep at all?