Whenever I read something from a progressive trying to put a positive face on Obama's continuing and escalating series of dumps on the American left, I can't help but be reminded of the little boy who got a stocking full of manure for Christmas. Feeling around inside it, he announces that he thinks that Santa left him a pony but he just hasn't found it yet.

I'd like to feel positive about Brennan's defeat. Somehow, though, I suspect that there will be no shortage of torture-supporters and privacy-violators in the Obama Administration - starting, of course, with President "FISA pledge? What FISA pledge?" himself.

That stocking is really starting to stink, and I don't think there's any pony in there.

Sounds like a busy week. Two days before (Pearl Harbor Day, actually), Aafia Siddiqui's hearing for fitness to stand trial is at the SDNY District Courthouse in Manhattan. Then the 9th as you mention. December 10th is International Human Rights Day, the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Digby's take on the reasons behind this decision:

It's very nice [for bloggers] to be seen as being so fearsome, but I suspect this has more to do with Obama's foreign policy. He simply cannot be seen around the world to be backtracking on torture, Gitmo and the rest. If he insists on not investigating or prosecuting anyone for past crimes, which unfortunately seems likely, then he absolutely must make it clear through his appointments, public statements and actions that the practice has ended.

Obama ran, obviously imperfectly, in part on a platform of restoring lawfulness and honor to America's name. Given how clearly inconsistent with that promise John Brennan's coming close to a nomination to Director of Central Intelligence is, what I'd like to know is which close Obama advisors promoted Brennan to a position of influence with Obama, nearly (apparently) to the point of his ascending to run the CIA. I'm not calling for their ouster, but it would be important to know which close Obama handlers deemed this person a creditable intelligence adviser to Obama and so facilitated the introduction. My first instinct would be to look in the direction of Greg Craig.

"My question is how much influence the APA has to dictate the appointment, made by an incoming president with considerable political capital, to leadership positions in the awesomely powerful intelligence establishment. As Glenn noted, this is the first appointment where there was so much as a hiccup."

I get the feeling you may be implying that Brennan could be a sacrificial lamb. Some raw meat to the 'netroots' (whatever that annoying appellation really means) to show that Obama is responsive. I'm not sure what I think; I would be surprised if bloggers held that much sway with presidential appointments, especially after the last eight years of 'do as I like' governance.

Excellent work, Mr. Greenwald. I very much appreciate whatever part you played in making this happen.

dialectical imperialism?

Kudos, Glenn.

John Brennan bites the dust. Good news, that.

Anyone with his clear contempt for the Constitution (as evidenced by his support for warrantless surveillance) should be given the back of one's hand.

Obama's got to draw a clear line regarding constitutionality and legality. Cross it, and you get crossed off!

with a thank you note to all of you - from me -

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OpFhY3mbKWY

"John Brennan, President-elect Barack Obama's top adviser on intelligence, has taken his name out of the running for any intelligence position in the new administration."

A man who gave aid and comfort to the criminal acts of the present administration will not get to be in an "intelligence position" for the new administration. That is all.

And that, my friends, is good news. It is a woot, woot, woot: and the only one we have so far. Thin gruel for Thanksgivings, ain't it?

Congratulations to Glenn and others, for without them even this small victory would not have materialized out of "the one".

Say, is any god damn war criminal in the present administration going to face *any* charges?

http://tpmelectioncentral.talkingpointsmemo.com/2008/11/reports_gates_to_stay_as_secre.php

Well is that not just wonderful news for the Holiday. The head of Bush II's killing department will stay on to help invade some other poor country.

Whose turn is it this time?

Let us first see what is said at the first press conference.

Barack Obama has integrity and is centered enough in Niebuhr and Rousseau. He has kept the Navy at the top of the military. Accountability will come due.

Gitmo is an embarrassment to the service and is tied to a Navy town. Unlike the Army, they don't let bad senior officers go free. Detention and interrogation policies will be under review.

Obama won't give a free pass as continuity's prize.

John F. Kennedy stated that ‘War will exist until that distant day when conscientious objectors enjoy the same reputation and prestige that the warrior does today."

Even though he was no peace lover, Kennedy may have been aware that only way to prevent war is to honor those who courageously stand on his or her conscience and reject state-authorized violence. Or any violence.

A very sharp guess---mine had more to do with the equine head and ass. Yours was better.

From Salon's AP feed:

Nov 26th, 2008 | TBILISI, Georgia -- Georgian authorities mistook messages from the U.S. administration as encouragement to use force against Georgia's breakaway provinces -- an action that triggered war with Russia, a former Georgian diplomat said Wednesday.

Erosi Kitsmarishvili, who was ambassador to Moscow in the months before the August war, said the Georgian government's actions were to blame for the conflict.

~Saguaro Cactus are beautiful plants. O Pot 'em up.

The sharp cactus branch is itch candelabra shaped.

The reddish-purple fruit is used for food and drink.

Ay, creepy war mongers can scratch each other but.

Butt, care? Stir blood. Shed cloak! Red bloods gravy?

Happy Thanksgiving. Smash red cranberries. Sup up.

If he insists on not investigating or prosecuting anyone for past crimes, which unfortunately seems likely, then he absolutely must make it clear through his appointments, public statements and actions that the practice has ended.

Clearly Obama is sensitive on this issue. Of course, even if is he planning on an investigation, he needs to be perceived as clean.