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| Sen. Clinton to spend Thanksgiving with troops in Afghanistan, visit Iraq |
| 2003-11-25 |
| Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton will spend Thanksgiving in Afghanistan before traveling to Iraq with a former Army paratrooper turned senator to meet with soldiers and ask questions about the United States’ ongoing nation-building efforts. The former first lady and Sen. Jack Reed, D-R.I., have both been critical of the administration’s handling of post-combat problems in the war on terrorism, particularly after major military operations ended in Iraq. Clinton and Reed said Tuesday they were concerned about the current efforts to win the "hearts and minds" of Iraqis. "This administration is run by people who have been obsessed with Saddam Hussein for more than a decade," Clinton said. Unlike the immediate past president who was more concerned with a White House intern than with Saddam Hussein. "And the fact that they could have been so poorly informed and prepared raises a lot of serious questions about the decisions they are making now." Sure Hillary, if only we had listened to you. Reed said he is worried "the administration seems to be rushing toward an exit strategy" in Iraq by transferring power as quickly as possible to civilian police authority. Damned if we do, damned if we don’t. The trip marks Clinton’s first fact-finding mission abroad as a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee. While in Afghanistan, Clinton, D-N.Y., plans to spend time with members of the 10th Mountain Division, which is based in Fort Drum, New York and is now serving in Afghanistan. "I’m still very worried about Afghanistan Be nice to her, guys, the Army doesn’t need the bad publicity. New York’s junior senator said she wants to "see and hear for myself what people tell me on the ground," adding she will "be supportive where I can be supportive and I’m going to Confused once again with 1998. Reed, a West Point graduate who was once a company commander with the 82nd Airborne Division, voted against the force authorization and for the spending measure. For Clinton, the trip is also a chance to bring attention to one of her long-time public causes: the advancement of women in the political systems of other nations. She plans to meet with different groups of women leaders of both countries, and lobby for their inclusion in the nation-building effort. Let’s see her do that in a Muslim country. Should unwind a few turbans. "I want to be sure that women are involved in all levels," she said, adding she wants to take advantage of Reed’s military experience as she tours military operations. "I do know a So says Hillary, owner of the highest negatives of any major woman politican in this country. Reed said the nation’s attention has "focused dramatically away from" Afghanistan since Taliban forces were routed, and said he is worried "we may have lost some ground in light of the resurgence of the Taliban and the appropriate integration not only of our forces, but NATO forces." Citing security concerns, the exact itinerary of the trip was not disclosed. Clinton, who travels with Secret Service protection, said she was not concerned about her safety, but her office would not discuss what, if any, extra protective efforts were made for her trip. |
| Posted by:Steve White |
| #13 One crazy thought keeps zinging between my ears: Is she scheduled to visit any other countries, such as a) France; b) Pakistan; c) Liberia; d) the Philippines? Long trip, just for one stop. Now, if the ISI were to kidnap her, she might even get a 'face-to-face' with OBL, or whatever is left of him at this point. If she's kidnapped, I absolutely REFUSE to pay any ransom whatsoever to have her back. IF they REALLY want us to take her back, THEY PAY, and HEAVILY! |
| Posted by: Old Patriot 2003-11-25 11:05:18 PM |
| #12 ... and do remember, shortly after 9-11, at a hugh fundraiser in New York, she and Bill both were loudly booed by the firemen and the cops..... Then -- it was news -- But... I'm sure.... some good Rantburg persons, with some contacts in both places, will enlighten us with "the rest of the story." |
| Posted by: Sherry 2003-11-25 11:02:46 PM |
| #11 CF, hopefully some straight shooting soldier will weasel his way in and drop trow for the big picture. Or at least give the camera the old "hanoi hilton hook'em horns this is all bullshit sign". |
| Posted by: Jarhead 2003-11-25 9:23:25 PM |
| #10 Jarhead, Yes. It is just be for photo-ops. Too bad -- I always wondered what a mass-moon looked like. |
| Posted by: CrazyFool 2003-11-25 9:17:13 PM |
| #9 The troops she meets will probably be *hand picked* by the brass in the command & the public affairs folks. They won't want any loose cannons telling her the place sucks or she sucks. |
| Posted by: Jarhead 2003-11-25 9:09:52 PM |
| #8 When I read the headline I thought "Wow! Clinton is going to visit the Taliban!". |
| Posted by: CrazyFool 2003-11-25 8:43:42 PM |
| #7 "I hope they are captured by the taliban!" Well, that would make for some interesting dialogue between the lines: "Americans. you must take this woman back!" "No way. You captured her fair and square. She's all yours." "Americans! In the name of Allah!" "Bwahahaha!" |
| Posted by: Matt 2003-11-25 8:27:12 PM |
| #6 This will be very frustrating for troops on the ground to keep their mouths shut and not to unload their true feelings about this witch. She is just looking for photo-ops. What a waste of taxpayer money and manpower. (*takes diazopam, drinks water*) Ah, feel better now.... |
| Posted by: Anonymous 2003-11-25 8:21:05 PM |
| #5 I read on another blog that the troops when informed of the upcoming trip groaned LOUDLY!! Of course, they'll have to be polite when she is there. |
| Posted by: AF Lady 2003-11-25 8:15:52 PM |
| #4 Well, it is good anytime politicians visit the troops. They will influence the senators more than vice versa. Clinton, who travels with Secret Service protection, said she was not concerned about her safety, but her office would not discuss what, if any, extra protective efforts were made for her trip. I bet those extra protective measures will be making sure Bill stays in line during the trip. With her gone to Asia, he might get a hankerin' to do a little deer hunting. Of the two legged variety. |
| Posted by: Penguin 2003-11-25 8:15:45 PM |
| #3 where o where to begin. She's trying to buff her nat'l security credentials (such as they are) while playing the anti-bush card. Our troops should let her know how much they appreciate her appearance (I'd like to see video of the whole trip, not just the nuggets of PR her staff edits out of the rest). By the way, I guess she was promoting women's rights by kissing Suha while honor killings in the Paleo territories were still going on? Don't recall her speaking out on that.....monica-syndrome...mouth to full to speak? |
| Posted by: Frank G 2003-11-25 7:58:31 PM |
| #2 If I were the troops I would thank both Senators for showing their support by voting AGAINST the funding. Shows just how much they 'support' the troops. I hope they are captured by the taliban! |
| Posted by: Cyber Sarge (VRWC CA Chapter) 2003-11-25 7:48:16 PM |
| #1 Given how much she knows about winning the hearts and minds of people, from whom does Sen. Clinton need extra protection? |
| Posted by: Mr. Davis 2003-11-25 7:30:18 PM |