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In reply to the discussion: The War Machine [View all]

H2O Man

(73,308 posts)
35. Thanks.
Thu Sep 25, 2014, 02:06 PM
Sep 2014

I like to use the model of a mobile, hanging over a baby's crib, to illustrate systems. In order for one piece to move, all of the others must shift their positions. And in any system as large as the federal government, people become deeply entrenched. Non-elected officials, for example, hold significant power. The example that comes to mind is J. Edgar Hoover: he knew that presidents came and went, while he was firmly entrenched in his position. So when RFK became Attorney General, and attempted to get Hoover to change, he met with great resistance.

Carter believed he could effect change by bringing in his own people. But almost all of his plans were stunted, by the other, entrenched sources of power in the system. I believe that this is why Obama made so many ex-Clinton folks into his administration. He thought that they had the know-how and experience to get things accomplished. However, most of them were systems people, and not inclined to making significant changes.

The result of all of this, in my opinion, is that President Obama has changed. He has become another part of the very system that needs to change, if we are to avoid the never-ending violence in the Middle East and Africa.

The War Machine [View all] H2O Man Sep 2014 OP
Very thoughtful post n2doc Sep 2014 #1
Thanks! H2O Man Sep 2014 #7
Insanity: Doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. ~Albert Einstein Scuba Sep 2014 #2
It surprises me that H2O Man Sep 2014 #8
You said this: it seems fair to ask if, rather than him changing the system, has the system changed sabrina 1 Sep 2014 #21
Like I say below: Obama gave up RobertEarl Sep 2014 #22
Cheney has been very vocal about ISIS. Same way he was vocal about Al Queda. sabrina 1 Sep 2014 #23
Good point. H2O Man Sep 2014 #26
Don't know if you've seen this part of his Address to the UN.... KoKo Sep 2014 #3
Very important. H2O Man Sep 2014 #9
That's what disturbs me most malaise Sep 2014 #14
Same questions many of us have... KoKo Sep 2014 #16
That's the really sad part of all of this malaise Sep 2014 #18
Well done! Zorra Sep 2014 #4
Thanks! H2O Man Sep 2014 #10
The corporate media are enemies of both democracy and malaise Sep 2014 #15
It's a transition action - and it is disheartening that so few are comprehending the enormity blm Sep 2014 #5
Interesting. H2O Man Sep 2014 #11
Kerry helped orchestrate Maliki's exit. No progress COULD be made with Maliki there blm Sep 2014 #24
This thread needs some music. Initech Sep 2014 #6
Thanks. H2O Man Sep 2014 #12
Obama begged RobertEarl Sep 2014 #13
Which People are Bloodthirsty... Americans (?) from some Poll that we don't KoKo Sep 2014 #17
Eh? RobertEarl Sep 2014 #20
I love the quote. panader0 Sep 2014 #19
Thanks. H2O Man Sep 2014 #30
Vietnam, G_j Sep 2014 #25
The quagmire aspect H2O Man Sep 2014 #31
and whenever I hear about "advisors" on the ground... G_j Sep 2014 #32
Exactly right. H2O Man Sep 2014 #34
One person cannot change this system. kentuck Sep 2014 #27
Right. H2O Man Sep 2014 #33
excellent post cali Sep 2014 #28
I think that is exactly what has happened. kentuck Sep 2014 #29
Thanks. H2O Man Sep 2014 #35
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