Despite all the media acclaim, Clinton's latest security team reflects business as usual in foreign policy. While I am not that familiar with Albright and Cohen, I am familiar enough with media coverage to know that they are not big advocates in any appreciable degree of the advancement of basic human rights. If they were the commercial media would be very critical of their appointments as they have of EVERY advocate of human rights in any administration. Albright is noted for her advocacy of military solutions in a world where the military is the PROBLEM. While it would be unreasonable to appoint a department head who advocated cuts in his department, it could be hoped that the pentagon guru would come out against arms sales to autocratic regimes. Of course it would make a larger military spending budget a tougher sale if one weren't constantly arming potential adversaries.

The appointment of a woman for Secretary of State is a landmark. While anybody short of brain dead would be an improvement over Jean Kirkpatrick, there must have been better women available. Like say, Pat Schroeder. Oops, I forgot that the main criteria for foreign policy expertise is the willingness to spend great gobs of taxpayer cash on military spending. If he wanted a Republican, why not Mark Hatfield who has distinguished himself in his proposals to curb sales of weaponry to potential enemies; it would enhance the power of our present arsenal. While he has opposed more spending he hasn't really advanced any spending CUTS.

I could be pleasantly surprised by the new appointments. After all Jimmy Carter campaigned as a "new" Democrat and actually made token efforts to stand up for basic human rights. Of course he was under constant media attack for his small efforts. If you like continued autocracy abroad with lower prices for goods and just as low wages to pay for them along with continued pressure for "common sense" regulations in face of taxpayer subsidized overseas investment, you'll love the new security team.

12/7/96

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