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Newsgroups: bit.listserv.politics
Date:         Tue, 5 Jan 1993 12:51:42 PST
From:         Jonathan Fisher <jfisher@NETXWEST.COM>
Subject:      Re: More cabinet appointments
Comments: To: POLITICS@ucf1vm.cc.ucf.edu

Sam says:

> Jonathan says:
>
> >So if Clinton felt uncomfortable around women or minorities, he
> >wouldn't have selected as many of them to serve in his cabinet.
>
> For a politician it usually doesn't matter whether he feels
> "comfortable" or "uncomfortable" around certain people, just
> like for a businessman it doesn't matter that the person he
> is dealing with is fat, ugly or smelly. On such a high political
> level as the US cabinet, people get chosen for more important
> reasons than personal likes or dislikes.
I am sure that personal dislikes wouldn't get in the way, if the
person was overwhelming qualified for the position in question.  But
Clinton has to work day in and day out for 4 YEARS with these people,
he'd better be able to get along with them.  Further, my feeling on
these cabinet positions is that there are a lot of people qualified
for each of them. One of the final criteria has to be whether this
person gets along with the president and the rest of the staff.
>
> >>I think I can guess which of the following explanations of
> >>Bush's adventure in Somalia you are likely to choose:
>
> >Based on what?
>
> Based on your understanding of politics. If you think that
> personal feelings play an important role in politics, then
> you will certainly agree with what the american media tells us
> about the operation Restore Hope. In short, you probably think
> that feeling of compassion forced Bush in intervene in Somalia.
> Am I wrong?
Wrong?  I think that you have misrepresented me and my position.
I think that you don't know jack about me.  I think that you
bring uninformed viewpoints to multiple conversations, this
one included.  Let's take your first sentence.
> Based on your understanding of politics.
I feel that I have a pretty good understanding of politics, much
better than the average person.  And certainly better than you.
Especially considering you statement regarding Clinton and Bush.
Let's look at your second sentence.
.. If you think that
> personal feelings play an important role in politics, then
> you will certainly agree with what the american media tells us
> about the operation Restore Hope.
Here you make multiple misassumptions. I think that personal
feelings play a role in picking out a cabinet.  I never said that
"personal feelings play an important role in politics".  I am very
aware that people who hate each other sometimes have to be partners.
Jessie Helms and Barbara Boxer are going to agree on something.  I
don't know what the "american media tells us about operation Restore
Hope".  I read many newspapers which represent differing views. I
read many magazines which represent differing views.  I watch many
different TV shows.  I listen to many different radio stations.  What
"american media" are you talking about?  I agree with some of the media
and disagree with other media.
> In short, you probably think
> that feeling of compassion forced Bush in intervene in Somalia.
I don't think that it's that simple.  But, yes, I do think that
Bush in thinking about his legacy, likes the idea of helping
hundreds of thousands of starving people.  Especially since he's
ignored them for months. So, yes, I think that "the feeling of
compassion" was the major reason for Bush to "intervene in Somalia".
And guess what, if he does finally put teeth into the no-fly zone
over Bosnia, I would think that "the feeling of compassion" might
also be the major reason for Bush to "intervene in Bosnia".
> Am I wrong?
Wrong?  I think that you have in 4 short sentences misrepresented me,
Clinton, Bush, the media, the operation in Somalia.  So, yes, you are Wrong.
>
> Sam.
>
Jonathan
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