200 psychologists tell Obama: Say No to Brennan (and it worked)

[agent007]

On November 22nd, a group of 200 psychologists united to warn Barack Obama on the perils of appointing John Brennan as head of the CIA:

(excerpt):

"In order to restore American credibility and the rule of law, our country needs a clear and decisive repudiation of the “dark side” at this crucial turning point in our history. We need officials to clearly and without ambivalence assert the rule of law. Mr. Brennan is not an appropriate choice to lead us in this direction. The country cannot afford to have him as director of our most important intelligence agencies.

As psychologists and other concerned Americans, we ask you to reject Mr. Brennan as Director of the CIA. His appointment would dishearten and alienate those who opposed torture under the Bush administration. We ask you to appoint a Director who will truly represent “the change we need.”

We eagerly await your administration and the new spirit it represents.

Best wishes for a successful administration,

link: http://psychoanalystsopposewar.org/blog/2008/11/24/open-letter-to-president-elect-obama-break-with-the-dark-side-do-not-nominate-john-brennan-as-cia-director/

that was Saturday: Today, Brennan gave in to pressure by the Obama transition team and withdrew his name from the competition. Since it is reported that Brennan decision to withdraw came "24 or 48 hours before" pressure was applied, I am left with little doubt that this group of professionals were in great part responsible for the decision. Kudos!

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB122764804462557485.html?mod=googlenews_wsj

[amitta]

1. lets get 200 soldiers

to tell Obama NO on Gates, and Jones

[iamthebandfanman]

7. yeah really!

i cant believe hes turning to two hawks for advice on ENDING a war...
oh, they know about war. but only how to start em and fight em... but end it ? doubtful.

[Cha]

2. Excellent work!

Not sure why Brennan thought he had a chance.

[bobbolink]

3. Now, will these 200 psychologists pressure Obama to create low-income housing

because bad housing and homelessness is bad for mental health???????

[snappyturtle]

4. K&R

:kick:

[agent007]

5. The day before the letter, Brennan was recruiting his own team

He seemed to be a lock. The Huffington Post reported on the 21st that Brennan "even begun recruiting his team."

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/11/21/john-brennan-torture-tain_n_145517.html

[slipslidingaway]

6. Thanks K&R n/t

[judasdisney]

8. One nomination blocked... 49 more to go.

[Wilms]

9. How about two hundred ambassadors to comment on State?

Somebody had to ask.

:shrug:

[The Doctor.]

10. Damn! They used PSYCHOLOGY on him!

And it worked!

(private laugh)

[bertman]

11. It wasn't just the psychologists. There has been a lot of blogosphere press about Brennan

that generated a wave of outrage. It's been on DU, HuffingtonPost, Salon's Glen Greenwald, Digby. I'm sure that many other netroots types got on their email jags and sent the Obama Transition team their thoughts.

Let's keep it up, folks.