John Bolton to replace McMaster: "John Bolton's mustache is more qualified to be national security adviser than he is." By David Rothkopf, March 22, 2018 News outlets have reported...

slatten49 Loc: Lake Whitney, Texas

"John Bolton's mustache is more qualified to be national security adviser than he is."

By David Rothkopf, March 22, 2018

News outlets have reported that President Donald Trump has decided to replace his national security adviser, H.R. McMaster. Trump was supposedly waiting to announce the decision until he could find a good next posting for McMaster, who remains an active-duty Army general.

The rationale was that this would be more dignified for McMaster. But of course, leaking the news of his imminent firing had the opposite effect. And it not only humiliated the general, it also undermined the effectiveness of the entire US national security apparatus at an extremely sensitive time when we face complex challenges involving North Korea, Iran, Russia and many other issues. This being the Trump administration, this vitally important decision was undertaken with all the calm discipline of a "Ren and Stimpy" cartoon. The t***h could be, for example, that one of the main reasons no announcement was made is that while Trump knew he wants the independent-minded McMaster gone, he didn't know who he wanted to replace him.

He has now selected John Bolton, former US ambassador to the United Nations. Bolton has distinguished himself as one of America's most hawkish and ineffective diplomats for decades. He is known as an architect of the Iraq War, an enemy of multi-lateralism and foe of the United Nations, where he served during the George W. Bush administration through a recess appointment when he could not win Senate confirmation. He is also a harsh critic of the Iran nuclear deal and of North Korea, and is seen as someone who might promote conflict in both cases. Few prominent national security figures are as ill-suited to the job of national security adviser as Bolton when you consider his views, his temperament and his ability to be an honest broker. In fact, he is actually one of the few people on earth who would be worse than Mike Flynn, who was the worst national security adviser of all time.

That said, in Trump-land even the most outrageously grim developments have an absurdist subtext. In Bolton's case, this was illustrated by a tweet from CBS News' Jacqueline Alemany: "Just asked a source close to the White House if John Bolton's mustache will go if he replaces McMaster as National Security Advisor. Source doesn't think the 'stache will go but call it a 'sensitive subject.' " That such a thing is even being discussed because of Trump's predilection for clean-shaven aides and people who 'look the part' reminds us just how off the rails we have gone.
Having reviewed the available options and the nation's national security needs, if Bolton's famed mustache must go, I would strongly support it for the job over him.

To be fair, there are other reported candidates who would be solid, sensible choices. Former Bush National Security Council official Stephen Biegun is serious, experienced and respected in ways that neither Bolton nor his mustache will ever be. But, then again, so was McMaster.

Therein lies the rub. More than almost any other job in government that of national security adviser is defined and then on a daily basis redefined by the President. The job is ill-defined by statute. The president determines whether he will empower the national security adviser by respecting the process he or she runs and heeding the advice that process produces. If the president does not or if he is disinclined to take advantage of the rich resources of the National Security Council staff because he doesn't for example, like to read ... or if he undermines the national security adviser, as Trump has done with McMaster, then even the very best candidate will fail. The most effective national security advisers, such as Brent Scowcroft, Henry Kissinger or Zbigniew Brzezinski, were empowered by their presidents in ways that would be impossible given Trump's narcissistic personality and volatility.

There are few jobs in the executive branch more important than national security adviser. And particularly at this dangerous moment, with turmoil both overseas and within the US government, with a personnel shuffle rocking the national security apparatus at the State Department, CIA and in the White House, how this t***sition is handled is especially important. So far it has gone about as badly as can be imagined.

Unfortunately, even if Trump had made a good choice to replace the ill-treated McMaster, it is unlikely to fix what is broken at the National Security Council. Because that's not the national security adviser, it is the President --c*********d, erratic, inexperienced, possessed of terrible instincts, corrupt and disrespectful of his office and those who serve around him as he is.
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"David Rothkopf is a senior fellow at the Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies and a visiting scholar at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. He is the author of "Running the World: The Inside Story of the National Security Council and the Architects of American Power" and "The Great Questions of Tomorrow." The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of the writer. This commentary has been updated to reflect the news."

Sicilianthing

slatten49 wrote:

"John Bolton's mustache is more qualified to be national security adviser than he is."

By David Rothkopf, March 22, 2018

News outlets have reported that President Donald Trump has decided to replace his national security adviser, H.R. McMaster. Trump was supposedly waiting to announce the decision until he could find a good next posting for McMaster, who remains an active-duty Army general.

The rationale was that this would be more dignified for McMaster. But of course, leaking the news of his imminent firing had the opposite effect. And it not only humiliated the general, it also undermined the effectiveness of the entire US national security apparatus at an extremely sensitive time when we face complex challenges involving North Korea, Iran, Russia and many other issues. This being the Trump administration, this vitally important decision was undertaken with all the calm discipline of a "Ren and Stimpy" cartoon. The t***h could be, for example, that one of the main reasons no announcement was made is that while Trump knew he wants the independent-minded McMaster gone, he didn't know who he wanted to replace him.

He has now selected John Bolton, former US ambassador to the United Nations. Bolton has distinguished himself as one of America's most hawkish and ineffective diplomats for decades. He is known as an architect of the Iraq War, an enemy of multi-lateralism and foe of the United Nations, where he served during the George W. Bush administration through a recess appointment when he could not win Senate confirmation. He is also a harsh critic of the Iran nuclear deal and of North Korea, and is seen as someone who might promote conflict in both cases. Few prominent national security figures are as ill-suited to the job of national security adviser as Bolton when you consider his views, his temperament and his ability to be an honest broker. In fact, he is actually one of the few people on earth who would be worse than Mike Flynn, who was the worst national security adviser of all time.

That said, in Trump-land even the most outrageously grim developments have an absurdist subtext. In Bolton's case, this was illustrated by a tweet from CBS News' Jacqueline Alemany: "Just asked a source close to the White House if John Bolton's mustache will go if he replaces McMaster as National Security Advisor. Source doesn't think the 'stache will go but call it a 'sensitive subject.' " That such a thing is even being discussed because of Trump's predilection for clean-shaven aides and people who 'look the part' reminds us just how off the rails we have gone.
Having reviewed the available options and the nation's national security needs, if Bolton's famed mustache must go, I would strongly support it for the job over him.

To be fair, there are other reported candidates who would be solid, sensible choices. Former Bush National Security Council official Stephen Biegun is serious, experienced and respected in ways that neither Bolton nor his mustache will ever be. But, then again, so was McMaster.

Therein lies the rub. More than almost any other job in government that of national security adviser is defined and then on a daily basis redefined by the President. The job is ill-defined by statute. The president determines whether he will empower the national security adviser by respecting the process he or she runs and heeding the advice that process produces. If the president does not or if he is disinclined to take advantage of the rich resources of the National Security Council staff because he doesn't for example, like to read ... or if he undermines the national security adviser, as Trump has done with McMaster, then even the very best candidate will fail. The most effective national security advisers, such as Brent Scowcroft, Henry Kissinger or Zbigniew Brzezinski, were empowered by their presidents in ways that would be impossible given Trump's narcissistic personality and volatility.

There are few jobs in the executive branch more important than national security adviser. And particularly at this dangerous moment, with turmoil both overseas and within the US government, with a personnel shuffle rocking the national security apparatus at the State Department, CIA and in the White House, how this t***sition is handled is especially important. So far it has gone about as badly as can be imagined.

Unfortunately, even if Trump had made a good choice to replace the ill-treated McMaster, it is unlikely to fix what is broken at the National Security Council. Because that's not the national security adviser, it is the President --c*********d, erratic, inexperienced, possessed of terrible instincts, corrupt and disrespectful of his office and those who serve around him as he is.
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"David Rothkopf is a senior fellow at the Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies and a visiting scholar at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. He is the author of "Running the World: The Inside Story of the National Security Council and the Architects of American Power" and "The Great Questions of Tomorrow." The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of the writer. This commentary has been updated to reflect the news."

"John Bolton's mustache is more qualified to ... (show quote)

>>>>>>>

Hmm very very interesting... and I do love REN and Stimpy !
One of my all time favorites.

I think Bolton has something or knows something Trump wants on NK and Iran but why ?

At this point I feel Trump will be getting us into the next war soon for the NeoCon CryptoJews Bankster Families et al. ... and who else ?

Very very bad idea, Nothing Has Changed and the Beat Goes on in the District of Criminals
Who is Trumpf really working for ?

kankune Loc: Iowa

slatten49 wrote:

"John Bolton's mustache is more qualified to be national security adviser than he is."

By David Rothkopf, March 22, 2018

News outlets have reported that President Donald Trump has decided to replace his national security adviser, H.R. McMaster. Trump was supposedly waiting to announce the decision until he could find a good next posting for McMaster, who remains an active-duty Army general.

The rationale was that this would be more dignified for McMaster. But of course, leaking the news of his imminent firing had the opposite effect. And it not only humiliated the general, it also undermined the effectiveness of the entire US national security apparatus at an extremely sensitive time when we face complex challenges involving North Korea, Iran, Russia and many other issues. This being the Trump administration, this vitally important decision was undertaken with all the calm discipline of a "Ren and Stimpy" cartoon. The t***h could be, for example, that one of the main reasons no announcement was made is that while Trump knew he wants the independent-minded McMaster gone, he didn't know who he wanted to replace him.

He has now selected John Bolton, former US ambassador to the United Nations. Bolton has distinguished himself as one of America's most hawkish and ineffective diplomats for decades. He is known as an architect of the Iraq War, an enemy of multi-lateralism and foe of the United Nations, where he served during the George W. Bush administration through a recess appointment when he could not win Senate confirmation. He is also a harsh critic of the Iran nuclear deal and of North Korea, and is seen as someone who might promote conflict in both cases. Few prominent national security figures are as ill-suited to the job of national security adviser as Bolton when you consider his views, his temperament and his ability to be an honest broker. In fact, he is actually one of the few people on earth who would be worse than Mike Flynn, who was the worst national security adviser of all time.

That said, in Trump-land even the most outrageously grim developments have an absurdist subtext. In Bolton's case, this was illustrated by a tweet from CBS News' Jacqueline Alemany: "Just asked a source close to the White House if John Bolton's mustache will go if he replaces McMaster as National Security Advisor. Source doesn't think the 'stache will go but call it a 'sensitive subject.' " That such a thing is even being discussed because of Trump's predilection for clean-shaven aides and people who 'look the part' reminds us just how off the rails we have gone.
Having reviewed the available options and the nation's national security needs, if Bolton's famed mustache must go, I would strongly support it for the job over him.

To be fair, there are other reported candidates who would be solid, sensible choices. Former Bush National Security Council official Stephen Biegun is serious, experienced and respected in ways that neither Bolton nor his mustache will ever be. But, then again, so was McMaster.

Therein lies the rub. More than almost any other job in government that of national security adviser is defined and then on a daily basis redefined by the President. The job is ill-defined by statute. The president determines whether he will empower the national security adviser by respecting the process he or she runs and heeding the advice that process produces. If the president does not or if he is disinclined to take advantage of the rich resources of the National Security Council staff because he doesn't for example, like to read ... or if he undermines the national security adviser, as Trump has done with McMaster, then even the very best candidate will fail. The most effective national security advisers, such as Brent Scowcroft, Henry Kissinger or Zbigniew Brzezinski, were empowered by their presidents in ways that would be impossible given Trump's narcissistic personality and volatility.

There are few jobs in the executive branch more important than national security adviser. And particularly at this dangerous moment, with turmoil both overseas and within the US government, with a personnel shuffle rocking the national security apparatus at the State Department, CIA and in the White House, how this t***sition is handled is especially important. So far it has gone about as badly as can be imagined.

Unfortunately, even if Trump had made a good choice to replace the ill-treated McMaster, it is unlikely to fix what is broken at the National Security Council. Because that's not the national security adviser, it is the President --c*********d, erratic, inexperienced, possessed of terrible instincts, corrupt and disrespectful of his office and those who serve around him as he is.
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"David Rothkopf is a senior fellow at the Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies and a visiting scholar at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. He is the author of "Running the World: The Inside Story of the National Security Council and the Architects of American Power" and "The Great Questions of Tomorrow." The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of the writer. This commentary has been updated to reflect the news."

"John Bolton's mustache is more qualified to ... (show quote)

The best thing Trump could've done was get rid of McMasters. He's a stab you in the back t*****r. John Bolton is a heck of a lot better choice!!

Sicilianthing

kankune wrote:

The best thing Trump could've done was get rid of McMasters. He's a stab you in the back t*****r. John Bolton is a heck of a lot better choice!!

>>>>>

Bolton is Cut from the same cloth, same g***ming, same era... not to be trusted.

More dirt coming on Bolton next.

slatten49 Loc: Lake Whitney, Texas

kankune wrote:

The best thing Trump could've done was get rid of McMasters. He's a stab you in the back t*****r. John Bolton is a heck of a lot better choice!!

Although I doubt it...hopefully, you're right KK. It is what it is, and time will tell.

kankune Loc: Iowa

slatten49 wrote:

Although I doubt it...hopefully, you're right KK. It is what it is, and time will tell.

I think he's better then McMasters..I never trusted that guy from the get go!

kankune Loc: Iowa

Sicilianthing wrote:

>>>>>

Bolton is Cut from the same cloth, same g***ming, same era... not to be trusted.

More dirt coming on Bolton next.

I don't know Sici. I'll have to wait and see.

Sicilianthing

kankune wrote:

I don't know Sici. I'll have to wait and see.

>>>>

yep

Airforceone

Sicilianthing wrote:

>>>>>>> br br Hmm very very ... (show quote)

With Pompeo at the State Department and Bolton as national security advisor can you imagine what they will be whispering in the White House i***ts ear.

War, war, Bomb bomb bomb Iran and lets Nuke North Korea

Sicilianthing

Airforceone wrote:

With Pompeo at the State Department and Bolton as national security advisor can you imagine what they will be whispering in the White House i***ts ear.

War, war, Bomb bomb bomb Iran and lets Nuke North Korea

>>>>

Wow seriously not a good scenario, wtf is Trump doing?

whitnebrat Loc: In the wilds of Oregon

Sicilianthing wrote:

>>>>

Wow seriously not a good scenario, wtf is Trump doing?

Getting us into a war so all the other stuff that's threatening him will be overshadowed ... wraps himself in the f**g and all else is forgotten in the fog of war...

Bad Bob Loc: Virginia

kankune wrote:

The best thing Trump could've done was get rid of McMasters. He's a stab you in the back t*****r. John Bolton is a heck of a lot better choice!!

What, Trump said he only picks the best for his team. Looks like he ran out of the best.

kankune Loc: Iowa

Bad Bob wrote:

What, Trump said he only picks the best for his team. Looks like he ran out of the best.

You libs are all the same. DRAMA QUEENS!! Now you're new narrative is Bolton will shove us into a war. Go cry in you're pillow and cry wolf some more.

lpnmajor Loc: Arkansas

slatten49 wrote:

"John Bolton's mustache is more qualified to be national security adviser than he is."

By David Rothkopf, March 22, 2018

News outlets have reported that President Donald Trump has decided to replace his national security adviser, H.R. McMaster. Trump was supposedly waiting to announce the decision until he could find a good next posting for McMaster, who remains an active-duty Army general.

The rationale was that this would be more dignified for McMaster. But of course, leaking the news of his imminent firing had the opposite effect. And it not only humiliated the general, it also undermined the effectiveness of the entire US national security apparatus at an extremely sensitive time when we face complex challenges involving North Korea, Iran, Russia and many other issues. This being the Trump administration, this vitally important decision was undertaken with all the calm discipline of a "Ren and Stimpy" cartoon. The t***h could be, for example, that one of the main reasons no announcement was made is that while Trump knew he wants the independent-minded McMaster gone, he didn't know who he wanted to replace him.

He has now selected John Bolton, former US ambassador to the United Nations. Bolton has distinguished himself as one of America's most hawkish and ineffective diplomats for decades. He is known as an architect of the Iraq War, an enemy of multi-lateralism and foe of the United Nations, where he served during the George W. Bush administration through a recess appointment when he could not win Senate confirmation. He is also a harsh critic of the Iran nuclear deal and of North Korea, and is seen as someone who might promote conflict in both cases. Few prominent national security figures are as ill-suited to the job of national security adviser as Bolton when you consider his views, his temperament and his ability to be an honest broker. In fact, he is actually one of the few people on earth who would be worse than Mike Flynn, who was the worst national security adviser of all time.

That said, in Trump-land even the most outrageously grim developments have an absurdist subtext. In Bolton's case, this was illustrated by a tweet from CBS News' Jacqueline Alemany: "Just asked a source close to the White House if John Bolton's mustache will go if he replaces McMaster as National Security Advisor. Source doesn't think the 'stache will go but call it a 'sensitive subject.' " That such a thing is even being discussed because of Trump's predilection for clean-shaven aides and people who 'look the part' reminds us just how off the rails we have gone.
Having reviewed the available options and the nation's national security needs, if Bolton's famed mustache must go, I would strongly support it for the job over him.

To be fair, there are other reported candidates who would be solid, sensible choices. Former Bush National Security Council official Stephen Biegun is serious, experienced and respected in ways that neither Bolton nor his mustache will ever be. But, then again, so was McMaster.

Therein lies the rub. More than almost any other job in government that of national security adviser is defined and then on a daily basis redefined by the President. The job is ill-defined by statute. The president determines whether he will empower the national security adviser by respecting the process he or she runs and heeding the advice that process produces. If the president does not or if he is disinclined to take advantage of the rich resources of the National Security Council staff because he doesn't for example, like to read ... or if he undermines the national security adviser, as Trump has done with McMaster, then even the very best candidate will fail. The most effective national security advisers, such as Brent Scowcroft, Henry Kissinger or Zbigniew Brzezinski, were empowered by their presidents in ways that would be impossible given Trump's narcissistic personality and volatility.

There are few jobs in the executive branch more important than national security adviser. And particularly at this dangerous moment, with turmoil both overseas and within the US government, with a personnel shuffle rocking the national security apparatus at the State Department, CIA and in the White House, how this t***sition is handled is especially important. So far it has gone about as badly as can be imagined.

Unfortunately, even if Trump had made a good choice to replace the ill-treated McMaster, it is unlikely to fix what is broken at the National Security Council. Because that's not the national security adviser, it is the President --c*********d, erratic, inexperienced, possessed of terrible instincts, corrupt and disrespectful of his office and those who serve around him as he is.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
"David Rothkopf is a senior fellow at the Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies and a visiting scholar at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. He is the author of "Running the World: The Inside Story of the National Security Council and the Architects of American Power" and "The Great Questions of Tomorrow." The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of the writer. This commentary has been updated to reflect the news."

"John Bolton's mustache is more qualified to ... (show quote)

Considering that Trump has a one man administration, it really doesn't matter who is in what position. Today he may be trying to open diplomatic talks with N. Korea, but becoming impatient for another "win" to crow about at his next "rally", he'll be asking the Joint Chiefs to prepare an invasion plan on Monday.

Trump has the patience of a hummingbird, who flits around looking for the sweet taste of approbation nectar, and not finding it instantly HERE, will flit over THERE to see what happens. Trump is insanely paranoid, and the few people he allows in his orbit keep telling him that everyone else is out to get him...........which secures their own hold on power. I have no doubt that the constant leaking from the WH is orchestrated by those closest to Trump, to be blamed on whoever is interfering with their own agenda, knowing that Trump will get rid of them.

The Emperor has new clothes.......and he'll not brook anyone telling him he's naked. BTW, those new clothes? They were made in China by an Ivanka Trump company.

slatten49 Loc: Lake Whitney, Texas

lpnmajor wrote:

Considering that Trump has a one man administratio... (show quote)

I responded to Bolton's appointment on another thread with this reply...

I can't logically explain his choosing Bolton anymore than I can many of his decisions. It is, perhaps, too simplistic to believe that he prefers presenting a chaotic appearance to many of those decisions. It may well be intentional to make his enemies, both domestic and international, question the sanity of his thought process. The current world situation makes for a dangerous game board, and his style of gamesmanship is highly risky...especially on the international level. My ultimate fear is that Trump continues in his seeming quest as an autocrat and will keep cabinet members, etc., only so long as they cow-tow to his exact wishes/whims. Trump certainly doesn't seriously seek advice. He is, IMO, a one-man wrecking crew for destroying international and domestic relations.

The appointment of Bolton, IMO, is a serious mistake. But, it is what it is, and as always...time will tell.