Condemned to Repeat It? Posted by Heather Hurlburt

I started writing this blog post and then found something I had either forgotten myself or never knew:  Bud McFarlane attempted suicide in 1987 and subsequently attempted to come to terms with what he had done and be rehabilitated, not very successfully, in 1989.  The point made in this rather sad Times profile, that he acknowledged what he had done and sank into depression and obscurity, while Oliver North built a career on his lack of repentance, is a deep and sobering one.  I'd love to see it discussed in the GOP debate. And goodness knows I'd love to see a Republican envoy sent to Teheran.  Not holding my breath on either count.

Newt Gingrich, history professor, would surely understand my barely-contained rage at an unfortunate colleague who is too young to remember National Security Advisor Robert "Bud" McFarlane, newly-announced as a key adviser to Gingrich.  Not sure, though, that he would sympathize with my list of Things to Remember:

1.  Iran-Contra Convict: pled guilty to four misdemeanor counts of withholding information from Congress about the Reagan Administration's efforts to assist the Nicaraguan contras.  Thumbnail history of Iran-Contra:  McFarlane and others violated US law to make clandestine arms sales to Iran during the Iran-Iraq war; NSC staffer Oliver North then violated other laws to divert some of the profits to support the Nicaraguan contras.  For those unclear on Iran-contra -- basically everyone -- longer thumbnail here.  I'm still waiting for Kirsten Dunst to do a movie that does for Iran-Contra what she did for Watergate in Dick.

2.  Cake and Bible.  Yes, McFarlane is the man who went to Teheran carrying a key-shaped cake and a Bible with a handwritten verse as a message from President Reagan to Iranian leaders, spawning a classic State Department no-denial denial:

  Today, a senior State Department official independently confirmed that Mr. McFarlane, a former national security adviser, did carry the Reagan Bible as authentication for the group. But he said he was not sure about the cake and declined to discuss the [fake Irish] passports.

3.  Star Wars.  McFarlane is known for having been an early and ardent champion of the Strategic Defense Initiative.  However, he asserted repeatedly that he saw it as a useful bargaining chip to limit Soviet offensive weapons -- a kind of Kissengerian realism that it is hard to imagine today's GOP, even Newt, endorsing.

4.  From Beirut to 9/11. In an op-ed just weeks before the 2008 election, and on the 25th anniversary of the bombing in Lebanon which killed 241 US Marines and 58 French paratroopers, McFarlane wrote that US failure to respond "effectively" showed weakness and set the stage for 9/11 -- and that victories in Iraq and Afghanistan were necessary to avoid re-making that mistake.  Wonder if Newt agrees?

Comments

[monster energy hats]

great information you write it very clean. I am very lucky to get this tips from you.

[replica handbags]

Thank you so much!

[アグ]

【my-lady.jp】のアグ ブーツはキッズも、レディースも、メンズもよくぴったり新作はいよい よ入荷中...UGG ムートンブーツ,UGG ブーツは通販激安ing…phoenixzon.com

[モンクレール]

rakanet.comモンクレール 新作 2011 登場，当サイトMonclers.jpが激安な価格で男女共に人気のジャケットなどを販売しておりますジャケット通販激安，それに品質もよい、ご来店をお待ちしております

[moncler]

モンクレール通販の専門店モンクレール販売店です。品質が完璧、値段が激安、いろんなサイズが揃って、最も多様な選択空間を提供いたしており、お客様に気楽なショッピングを享受させるだけでなく、より美しく暖かい冬を過ごせます。Monclermaya.jp

[モンクレール ダウン]

楽しめる！Monclerxx.comは最新UGG、クリスチャンルブタン、モンクレール等を通販専門サイトです．豊富な品揃え格安価格で販売しています．

[アグブーツ]

ugg Australia2011最新作、最高品質、激安のUGGブーツ販売店舗です。50％ 割り引きしました。主なレディースuggクラシックアグブーツを販売しています。UGGブーツは冬の必要荷物、私たちはUGG激安、人気なUGGアグブーツを提供するugg正規品店舗。Jpgoodsugg.com

[モンクレール ダウン]

Moncler/モンクレールダウン新作を激安通販中です。モンクレール ダウン等今年秋冬日本未発売の商品が多数販売中.全国送料無料！Monclercit.com

[モンクレール]

モンクレール 新作 2011 登場，当サイトMonclerss.netが激安な価格で男女共に人気のジャケットなどを販売しておりますジャケット通販激安，それに品質もよい、ご来店をお待ちしております

[モンクレール]

モンクレール ダウン 新作 2012 登場,当サイトFashionsmonclers.comが激安な価格で男女共に 人気の ジャケットなどを販売しておりますジャケット通販激安，それに品質もよい、ご 来店を お待ちしております.モンクレール人気激安通販専門サイト!

[モンクレール]

Moncler専門店モンクレール販売店です。moncler(モンクレール)品質が 完璧、値段が激安で提供いたします、より美しく暖かい冬を過ごせます。Moncler-s.com

[アグ]

ugg(アグ)ブーツ専門店UGGブーツ販売店です。ugg、UGGブーツ、アグブーツ品質が 完璧、値段が激安で提供いたします、より美しく暖かい冬を過ごせます。Shineugg.com

[cheap new era snapback hats]

Thanks for making my morning a little bit better with this great article!!

[cheap hyperdunk 2011]

my morning a little bit better with this great article!!

[snapback hats wholesale]

Thank you very much for the information great post, found it on Yahoo.

[cheap snapback hats]

I just like the approach you took with this subject. It isn’t every day that you discover something so concise and enlightening.

[Paul Smith]

Merci beaucoup pour votre article.

[monsterbeatsheadphonesuk]

I will stop loving you, when an apple fruit grows on a mango tree, on the 30th day of February. dr dre earphones uk

[tiffany jewelry outlet]

tiffany jewelry, whatever kind, will always be a sure winner when you need to give a gift. The delicate jewelry outlet is a unique jewelry gift for someone you love.With the stylish ring on, you can easily being the shining focus whenever you are attended parties or get-together with your friends.
discount tiffany jewelry symbolize unity, love, faithfulness, devotion, and much more. Behind every couple's
cheap tiffany jewelry are stories of how they got engaged, wedding memories and unique ideas. tiffany jewelry outlet are made in high quality and magnificent design. With superlative craftsmanship, these Tiffany Rings are created timeless beauty.Welcome to our Tiffany Jewelry Outlet. There are many Cheap
tiffany jewelry on sale here.

[Hermes handbags]

Thanks a lot for enjoying this beauty article with me. I am apreciating it very much! Looking forward to another great article. Good luck to the author! all the best!

[beats by dre uk]

Thanks a lot for enjoying this beauty article with me. I am apreciating it very much! Looking forward to another great article. Good luck to the author! all the best!

[flexible circuits]

Great news for this article. thanks.

[casque dr dre]

Thanks a lot for enjoying this beauty article with me. I am apreciating it very much! Looking forward to another great article. Good luck to the author! all the best!

[interior design]

good job

[nike heels dunk]

For every beginning hunter, there jordan heels are probably a hundred things that are needed when it comes to hunting for the women jordan heels first time. Though it may also include a cell phone or other non-essentials like a mp3 player, it would be good to have a few things needed before going with the hunting group.

[nike heels dunk]

If you are lucky then maybe there is an ex-ballerina in your neighborhood who gives lessons simply for the jordan heels for women love of the dance or you can ask around for referrals.

The moral support is just as or even more important than the financial support. If you can drop off and pick up the child from his or her ballet lessons then that would be great. If you don't have the time to do so then just make sure that you ask for updates from your children. The mere act of asking nike sneaker a question is a sure fire way for your child to keep up doing a good job because the prospect of having new adventures will assure the child of talk time with mommy or daddy. Being present in recitals and other important milestones is also a must.

[tommy bahama]

thanks for sharing!

[nike heels dunk]

One of the most famous and widely-practiced dance women jordan heels form is ballet. Almost everyone around the globe knows what ballet is, regardless of whether you are into the art, know someone practicing ballet, have seen it on television or movies, in musical plays or stage Nike heels for women presentations. Ballet is the predominant dance art that has enjoyed global appeal.Of all the dance arts or forms that are being practiced, aside from the territorial or regional Women Dunk SB Heels ethnic dance forms- ballet enjoys a reputation a notch above the rest since it is associated with prestige and sophistication.

[Microsoft Office 2007]

Have you ever felt that Microsoft Office a game needed or lacked a certain element to it?

[metal halide lamp]

Thanks for the great article here at your blog. I know it will help me and many others.