Clinton Calls on Senate Armed Services Committee to Investigate Circumstances of Fallon Resignation

[rodeodance]

March 12, 2008

Clinton Calls on Senate Armed Services Committee to Investigate Circumstances of Fallon Resignation

Urges Committee Chairman to Call Hearings

Washington, DC – Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton today called on the Senate Armed Services Committee to hold oversight hearings in order to gain a better understanding of the circumstances surrounding the resignation of Admiral William Fallon as Commander, U.S. Central Command. In a letter to Chairman Carl Levin (D-MI), Senator Clinton, who sits on the committee, voiced concern that Admiral Fallon may have been coerced to resign because of his willingness to offer unfiltered, independent advice.

“Admiral Fallon was a sensible and reasoned voice within the Pentagon on the need for a multi-pronged strategy toward Iran that would include support for engagement. He stood in stark contrast to an administration that has used inflammatory rhetoric against Iran,” said Senator Clinton. “I am asking that the Senate Armed Services Committee hold hearings to shed light on the circumstances of his departure.”

The text of Senator Clinton’s letter follows:

March 12, 2008

The Honorable Carl Levin
Chairman
Senate Armed Services Committee
228 Russell Senate Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20510

Dear Chairman Levin:

I am writing to request that the Senate Armed Services Committee hold oversight hearings to gain a better understanding of the circumstances surrounding the recent resignation of Admiral William Fallon as Commander, U.S. Central Command.

As you know, Admiral Fallon was a voice of reason in an administration which has used inflammatory rhetoric with respect to Iran, and I am deeply concerned by indications that Admiral Fallon's decision to resign may not have been his own. I believe it is in the interest of both our military and the policy making process for flag officers to be able to express their professional, unfiltered advice to civilian leaders. Regrettably, Admiral Fallon is resigning at a time when his straight speaking style would provide our nation with the unfiltered advice we need as we seek a new direction in Iraq and the region.

As you know, I strongly oppose any efforts by the Bush Administration to take our country to war against Iran, and I have urged the Bush Administration to pursue diplomacy, including direct talks with Tehran, at its earliest opportunity.

I know that you share my commitment to providing effective oversight of the Department of Defense through the work of the Senate Armed Services Committee. Holding hearings to gain a better understanding of the circumstances surrounding Admiral Fallon's resignation would contribute to the Committee's important mission.

Thank you for your consideration of this request. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Sincerely,

Hillary Rodham Clinton

http://clinton.senate.gov/news/statements/details.cfm?id=294680&&



Sen. Hillary Clinton heads to the Senate floor for a vote, Thursday, March 13,2008, on Capitol Hill in Washington.

[islandmkl]

1. I didn't notice the 'request for donation' text anywhere in the letter...

is this a real Hillary Rodham Clinton correspondence?

[rodeodance]

3. did you notice was written to Sen. Levin?---no, instead we get your FOOLISHNESS

[rodeodance]

5. k

[jazzjunkysue]

46. Lol!

:pals:

[ElsewheresDaughter]

2. good on Hillary!!!

[rodeodance]

4. yes, she pays attention to her responsilities in the senate.

[ElsewheresDaughter]

9. yes she does

[rodeodance]

6. k

[writes3000]

7. Good for Hillary! Smart move. n/t

[journalist3072]

8. And that, ladies & gents, is a LEADER. eom

[libbygurl]

12. Yup - no prompting by anyone. Go, Hillary! nt

[Beaverhausen]

41. exactly right.

[jazzjunkysue]

47. She lead us right into Iraq, and over a cliff. Thanks. Wonderful.

She voted to give the Smirkmonkey the power to attack Iran and then wrote a pretty speach against it, just like she did in Iraq.

There are words, and there are actions, and I don't trust people when their words and actions don't match.

Leaders like that, we've already had enough of.

[Catchawave]

10. I know Fallon was "retired" for a reason,

I hope she gets this hearing :D

[libbygurl]

11. Yay, Hillary! Still hard at work as US Senator while on the campaign trail.

Good on her! Thanks for posting, rodeo!

[rodeodance]

27. thanks to bigtree---she had a good photo but i was unable to insert.

[libbygurl]

13. Kickety-koo! nt

[rodeodance]

24. :-)

[NastyRiffraff]

14. I'm glad someone is paying attention to this!

Good on her. Fallon's "resignation" reeks.

[rodeodance]

18. it needs to be looked into no matter the outcome.

[maddiejoan]

15. Always on the job

This is one of the many thousands of reasons I support her --AND ALWAYS WILL.

[Bigleaf]

16. I'm an Obama supporter but I'm glad to see this. I don't trust Georgie.

He probably wants to go out in a blaze of glory against Iran and all the knuckleheads would fall in behind him waving the flag. Let's get to the bottom of why he was forced out.

[libbygurl]

19. It will be interesting to know the reasons.

Just a nice hello to a nice poster here - :hi:

[rug]

30. You're right. After days in here I almost forgot George Bush is still president.

[rodeodance]

32. The bigwigs are all out trying to reassure no war with IRAN--very telling

[rodeodance]

17. AP Candidates return to Senate day jobs

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080313/ap_on_el_pr/obama_clinton;_ylt=AmTxjBEzAuCLpCj_wi352o.yFz4D

Candidates return to Senate day jobs

By DAVID ESPO, AP Special Correspondent 1 hour, 12 minutes ago

WASHINGTON - Suddenly, unexpectedly, they were together, in a place where aides dare not follow.


Eager to talk? Perhaps. Or maybe nowhere else to turn.

Whatever, Barack Obama and Hillary Rodham Clinton sat down for a quiet little chat Thursday on the Senate floor, colleagues, as well as rivals in a historic race for the Democratic presidential nomination.

She spoke animatedly, gesturing with her hands. He leaned in to listen, occasionally nodding his head and replying briefly.

Her cell phone rang. But because life does not imitate campaign commercials, it is not red, and on this occasion, evidently conveyed no news of a crisis. She silenced it and slipped it back into her pocket.

After three or four minutes, he gave her a friendly pat or two on the back, a classic senatorial gesture signifying nothing of consequence. They each smiled, and rose.



The occasion of their attendance in the Senate was an annual event in which dozens of amendments relating to the budget are debated and voted on in a single day. Because the Democrats control 51 seats, to 49 for the Republicans, controversial subjects can produce close votes, and party leaders summon the presidential candidates back to Washington.

Not only Obama and Clinton, but also Sen. John McCain, the Republican nominee-in-waiting, was present during the day.

In fact, their presence resulted in a rarity at one point, a 50-50 vote on a procedural motion that obliged Vice President Dick Cheney to break the tie.

McCain left early for a fundraiser in Philadelphia, with plans to return later in the evening.

And for all the campaign talk about differences on issues like health care and trade, Clinton and Obama were in agreement on all the votes that came up during the day.

____



_____

Associated Press Writer Laurie Kellman contributed to this report.



Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y., walks from a Senate vote on the budget, Thursday, March 13, 2008, on Capitol Hill in Washington. (AP Photo/Lauren Victoria Burke)
AP Photo: Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y., walks from a Senate vote on the...

[styersc]

20. Oh no, not a credible issue that progrssives care about.

What is this horrible, racist woman up to????

[saracat]

21. Thank God someone is asking the right questions. Too bad some Dems

aren't interested.Kudos for Hillary for working in the middle of the campaign.

[shadowknows69]

29. Who the fuck you think you are?

How dare you assume that other dems than those in your little self masturbatory club don't care about the vital issues of our country. Shame on you.

[rodeodance]

36. "your little self masturbatory club"---personal attack!!

[chimpymustgo]

37. Good grief. Take a chill pill!!!

[rodeodance]

38. WE HAD A GREAT THEAD UNTIL YOU CAME with your POTTY MOUTH!

Who the fuck you think you are?
Posted by shadowknows69


How dare you assume that other dems than those in your little self masturbatory club don't care about the vital issues of our country. Shame on you.

[libbygurl]

40. Who do YOU think you are to drop your filthy poop on this thread?

Why the outrage? Does the shoe fit? Go get a drink to cool off, for heaven's sake.

[rodeodance]

42. "it" got the message. maybe it will learn?

[saracat]

43. Did I say that?

[NJSecularist]

22. Good for Hillary

It definitely needs to be looked in too.

[goletian]

23. good thing she hasnt quit her day job!

as the saying goes... dont. :P

[rodeodance]

26. she will next Jan 2009

[goletian]

44. she'll become obama's limo driver! nt

[izzybeans]

25. Good news!!!

[rodeodance]

34. lots going in the WH---georgies wants to go out glory.

[izzybeans]

35. too true.

I don't see why the democrats aren't pointing this out more loudly. Let's hope they have it stockpiled for the General. They will be able to beat the Congressional candidates to death with the Filibuster issue and McCain with the Bush=McCain issue.

So long as they take issues like this seriously and move on them I'll be happy.

[Kool Kitty]

45. That's for sure.

While everyone is paying attention to the Spitzer debacle and the candidates ripping each other apart, Cheney is on his way to the Middle East and Fallon has "resigned". Looks like the little King wants to go out with a bang.

Oh, yeah-I almost forgot. The economy is in the toilet. Fun times, huh? I'm getting fairly alarmed here.

[iris5426]

28. Good for her!

I'm glad to see her taking time to do what really matters...I hope they'll get to the bottom of this, it sure seems suspicious to me...

[rodeodance]

39. thanks for the input. good to have an issues discussion:-)

[Iceburg]

31. That's our Action Figure!

[rodeodance]

33. with pearls

[jazzjunkysue]

50. and pumps.

[redqueen]

48. Right on...

let's hope this gets a good amount of coverage.

How many military leaders can the loyalists fire for speaking the truth before even some of the most gullible start catching on?

[Marie26]

49. Good for her! nt

[Vinca]

51. That's the least she could do . . . given her previous vote re Iran. nt

[avrdream]

52. That's my gal!

She is so in-touch with these things.

Good job, Hill.

[Oilwellian]

53. Uh, reality check here...

"As you know, Admiral Fallon was a voice of reason in an administration which has used inflammatory rhetoric with respect to Iran"

On Iran, Hillary Clinton Sounds Just Like Bush & Cheney
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NFZL33nPoEU

Can we say she's lying once again? I knew you could. :eyes: