2016 Postmortem
Related: About this forumConservative Media Run wth Faulty ABC Report Alleging HRC “Sold A Seat” On Intelligence Advisory Brd
Last edited Mon Jun 13, 2016, 06:49 PM - Edit history (1)
Conservative Media Run With Faulty ABC Report To Allege Hillary Clinton Sold A Seat On An Intelligence Advisory BoardConservative media figures are running with an ABC News report to claim that then-Secretary of State Hillary Clinton sold a seat on the International Security Advisory Board (ISAB) to Rajiv K. Fernando, a donor to the Clinton Foundation who was allegedly unqualified for the position. But the appointee in question is an expert in financial systems and serves on other national security boards. Contrary to ABC News implications, ISABs work includes financial security, and a general who works works with Fernando -- and who also currently sits on the ISAB -- says Fernandos expertise in cyber-security is a great asset to our national security.
ISAB Charter States The Board Shall Reflect A Balance Of Backgrounds. The boards charter, posted on the State Departments website, states of its membership: The ISAB shall reflect a balance of backgrounds, points of view, and demographic diversity and shall include a wide variety of scientific, military, diplomatic, and political backgrounds. All members shall hold a Top Secret security clearance. (State.gov, accessed 6/11/16)
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Contrary To ABC's Suggestion, ISAB's Work Covers Financial Security Issues, Not Just Arms Control
ABC: Fernando Was Placed On A Sensitive Government Intelligence Advisory Board Even Though He Had No Obvious Experience In The Field. [ABC News, 6/10/16]
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But Recent ISAB Report Covered Cybersecurity In Financial Industry. A 2014 ISAB report covered cybersecurity in the financial industry. From the reports conclusion:[/font]
[blockquote style="border:1px solid #000000;padding:10px;"]The open nature of cyberspace, the access to information it enables, and the creativity that results, encourages a growing potential for a unique and accelerating process of innovation. This process also threatens individual privacy and the function of national infrastructure and financial systems in an historically unprecedented way. As the National Academy of Sciences points out, cybersecurity is important to the United States, but the nation has other interests as well, some of which conflict with the imperatives of cybersecurity. It is important to recognize that tradeoffs are inevitable, and the nations political and policymaking bodies will have to decide on a case-by-case basis which national interests supersede increased cyber security. By encouraging best practice, supporting and promulgating a modified theory of deterrence, and fostering international consensus on conduct in cyberspace among allies and friends, the Department can help in the national effort to allow the greatest utility from cyberspace in ways that do no harm. (State.gov, 7/2/14)
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Fernando Serves On Multiple National Security And Foreign Policy Boards
ABC Acknowledged That Fernando Is Now A Board Member Of The American Security Project. ABC wrote:
[blockquote style="border:1px solid #000000;padding:10px;"]Fernando is now a board member of a private group called the American Security Project, which describes itself as a nonpartisan organization created to educate the American public and the world about the changing nature of national security in the 21st Century. He also identifies himself online as a member of the Chicago Council on Global Affairs and says he's involved with a Washington think tank. (ABC News, 6/10/16)
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[font size="+1"]Brigadier General Stephen A. Cheney And Current ISAB Member: Fernandos Expertise In Cyber-Security Is A Great Asset To Our National Security. [/font] Retired Brigadier General Stephen A. Cheney is the CEO of the American Security Project, where Fernando is a board member. He tweeted of Fernando: I serve on the ISAB. #RajFernando expertise in cyber-security is a great asset to our national security. (Twitter.com, 6/11/16)
Fernando Also Serves On The Foreign Policy Program Leadership Committee At The Brookings Institution And Is A Member Of The Chicago Council On Global Affairs. (American Security Project, accessed 6/11/16)
Brookings VP: "Ive Always Valued His Foreign Policy Insights." Brookings executive vice president and former U.S. ambassador to Israel Martin Indyk promoted Stephen Cheney's praise of Fernando, adding, "Cant speak to #RajFernando role on ISAB but Ive always valued his foreign policy insights." (Twitter.com, 6/11/16)
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International Security Advisory Board (ISAB) Charter
3. Objectives and Scope of Activities
The ISAB will provide the Department of State with a continuing source of independent insight, advice, and innovation on all aspects of arms control, disarmament, nonproliferation, and international security and related aspects of public diplomacy. It will avail itself of the resources of all the Departments bureaus and offices as directed by the Department. At the same time, the Board will seek to make its own resources available to the Departments bureaus and offices on a cooperative basis on projects of mutual interest.
4. Description of Duties
The Department of State has concluded that a single advisory board, dealing with the scientific, military, diplomatic, political, and public diplomacy aspects of arms control, disarmament, international security, and nonproliferation, would provide valuable independent insight and advice and thereby meet an important requirement of the Department. The duties of the ISAB are advisory only.
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99Forever
(14,524 posts)Ad nausium.
It's what the establishment Democrats demanded. So be it. 24/7 Scandals and investigations while not a damn thing gets done about real issues affecting real people.
Yippee!
Bill USA
(6,436 posts)Last edited Mon Jun 13, 2016, 08:20 PM - Edit history (1)
the anti-Clinton McCarthyist propaganda comes from Rightwing Idiots and has been parrotted endlessly by 'certain' other people, who I won't name in the interest of party unity.
99Forever
(14,524 posts)You think the coronation thing was gonna work on Repubs too?
Senator Sanders was singing Clinton songs of praise compared to the shitstorm she is headed into now. And playing the poor defenceless victim card ain't gonna cut it.
Shit's getting real now.
Live and Learn
(12,769 posts)Bill USA
(6,436 posts)99Forever
(14,524 posts)Pretend the rest of us are so stupid that we didn't see what happened with our own eyes.
Karma was watching too.
Lil Missy
(17,865 posts)riversedge
(70,186 posts)Bill USA
(6,436 posts)politicaljunkie41910
(3,335 posts)riversedge
(70,186 posts)mcar
(42,301 posts)riversedge
(70,186 posts)Wilms
(26,795 posts)And this Brock's Media Matters piece is stretching to say his background in electronic finance was the reason.
Anybody explain that to the other board members? And why did he skidattle if his presence was legit?
She's an operator. Some are OK with that. Some aren't.