Congressional Republicans to the Rescue

Congressional Republicans have averted what might have been a disaster in the Executive branch. There was apparently serious consideration of elevating Susan Rice to the office of Secretary of State. Ms Rice was not acceptable as someone with that much authority and cache. Here's what Ms Rice did to earn the resistance she incurred.

The United States was indirectly attacked in Benghazi, Libya. Ms Rice mischaracterized the attackers, suggesting they were someone other than who they were. Her excuse was that she relied on "intelligence" from somewhere or other.  Had Ms Rice been allowed to continue this mischaracterization, there is no telling what foreign policy mess this could have created for the United States. She and her office could have identified "assailants" who were not assailants, and there could have been completely inappropriate and spurious repercussions. Fortunately, however, Congressional Republicans intervened.

It is unclear for the moment why Republicans were as astute and assertive as they were. It's hard to tell if they were perspicacious, tenacious, or both. But fortunately for our country, and for all of us, they were. They made clear that they do not stand for such carelessness in the Executive branch, and they have little use for thin excuses such as a reliance on "intelligence" when it comes to important, and maybe momentous, interpretations of international events.

The position Congressional Republicans took could not have been easy, since it involved impeachment of a high government official. We should be grateful to Congressional Republicans for protecting this country from recklessness, carelessness, or even dishonesty when it comes to the Executive branch's almost glibly implicating some inadequately identified faction "over there.”

And the capacity for perspicacity and assertiveness shown by Congressional Republicans is all the more noteworthy, and impressive, because they did not always possess it. There was a time not long ago that they were unable to discern when the Executive branch was maneuvering, or manipulating, or dissembling. They blindly accepted tales of conspiracy and aggression, with no proof at all, and they were not only permissive, but fully enthusiastic about confronting alleged, and imagined, enemies. No failure to uncover any substance to the original claims ever led them to the kind of realization they now have about Rice. But now all of them, old guard and young turks alike, have developed crystal clear vision, and the (self)righteous indignation to rebuke anyone who would try to fool them.

Thank you, Congressional Republicans, for saving us all from Susan Rice.