CNN - "The Silence is Deafening" re Tillerson

[NRaleighLiberal]

http://www.cnn.com/2017/02/21/politics/state-department-tillerson-press-silence/index.html

State Department silent while other countries shape the message

By Nicole Gaouette, CNN

Washington (CNN)In a town full of talkers, the silence is deafening.

For more than a month, as the US has tangled with China, floated new terms for Middle East peace, watched North Korea test a ballistic missile and proposed an overhaul of ties with Russia, the State Department has been quiet.

Secretary of State Rex Tillerson made his debut on the international stage over two days in Europe last week -- and said less than 50 words in response to press questions, according to pool accounts. On Wednesday, he departs for Mexico -- a trip Americans first learned of from the Mexican press.

The State Department is responsible for explaining US foreign policy to the country and the world, and is the only agency outside of the White House that traditionally speaks publicly every day through a televised news conference. But since January 19, there has been no State Department briefing and, after Tillerson recently took the helm, there has been little in the way of communication about Foggy Bottom's priorities, schedules or policies.

snip

If only trump would follow suit and shut up!

[BainsBane]

1. It's a big job for someone with no foreign policy experience

He probably feels overwhelmed, and it doesn't help that Trump vetoed his pick for Asst Secretary for writing a piece critical of Twitler during the primaries. Elliott Abrams is a shit stain, but he does have experience in foreign relations.

[gratuitous]

2. Terrific. Someone else who doesn't know what his job entails

Another member of Team Bumble. Great job, President Trump. Have you picked anyone who knows how to run the ship of state, or is everyone too busy plundering the cargo?

[SunSeeker]

3. The only thing Tillerson cares about is lifting Russia sanctions and consummating that Exxon deal.

Once he gets that Exxon deal with Putin going, I assume he will cash in his chips...er, stock options...and go back to private, very private, life.

[triron]

5. you got that exactly right

scumbag as Maxine Waters hinted.

[uponit7771]

8. +1

[Botany]

9. +1

n/t

[Cosmocat]

14. Right?

His job offer was a two sentence conversation.

"Hey, Rex, I will make you SOS so that you can get the deal with Russia over the finish line."
"Sounds good."

[Doreen]

4. This reminds me of little children playing house.

[dchill]

6. Tillerson's #1 job: Oil extraction for Putin's oilbux.

This is diametrically opposed to US interests.

IOKIYAR. Only it's not.

[BadgerMom]

7. K & R

Tillerson's incompetence needs to be heralded much more widely.

[zentrum]

10. They are all completely indifferent

....to their government jobs and to our welfare.

They are all solely focused on their real agenda---which is to make deals, gain more power for chosen industries, increase by billions the fortunes of certain global oligarchs, and destroy institutions and systems that stand in the way of their power.

The government job title is a trifling nuisance that provides nice cover while making mega arms/oil/real estate deals.

We have no State Department any more. They did it in one month.

[DFW]

11. As long as the State Department is used as a business consultancy

It will not get any diplomacy done.

Since we have a president who does not know what diplomacy is, and a Secretary of State who does not care, our diplomacy has been in suspended animation, and will remain that way until it is once again conducted by diplomats, and not by businessmen using the State Department as their own private board room.

[oasis]

12. WTF?

[democratisphere]

13. Kushner is running the State Department like the Wizard of Oz behind the curtain.

Tillerson is just another munchkin.