State Department staffers compare Rice to Wicked Witch of the West.
State Department staffers compare Rice to Wicked Witch of the West.
Reporting on Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s introductory speech at the State Department this morning, Harper’s Scott Horton notes that last week several career State Department staffers compared former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice to the Wicked Witch of the West from the Wizard of Oz:
I met last week with a number of career State Department employees and was surprised when one said she was looking forward to the “Glinda Party” next week. I asked her: if Hillary was Glinda, the Good Witch of the South from the Wizard of Oz, did that make Condoleezza Rice the Wicked Witch of the West?
“You’re on to it,” she said. Another person pointed out to me that after Rice’s arrival in 2005 the tone of official State Department publications changed; they began to praise and glorify Rice. “No prior secretary,” said the twenty-year veteran, “did anything like this.”
Clinton was given what the LA Times dubbed a “celebrity welcome” this morning at the State Department.
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Hi ho, Hi ho, Hi ho…
January 22nd, 2009 at 8:51 pmAfter Rice, the State Department can only go upwards—Hillary will do an excellent job and she will work very hard. All Rice did was fly around the world on a taxpayer funded field trip with Karen Hughes that yielded NOTHING but trouble.
Hillary is a breath of fresh air.
January 22nd, 2009 at 9:00 pmNot a surprise, just look at the photo, she looks like a jack booted dragon lady. For some reason she has always reminded me of a zombie from one of those low budget zombie horror movies from the 50’s.
January 22nd, 2009 at 9:00 pmDear Condi:
If you skate
January 22nd, 2009 at 9:01 pmIt would be great
Now that you’re Ex-
Secretary of State
Hi Ho The Derrio,
Sing it High Sing it Low
Ding Dong,
January 22nd, 2009 at 9:04 pmThe Wicked WITCH is dead!
Oooh – she’s going to hiss at you through the gap in her teeth!
Then you’ll be sorry – as sorry as a jewelery clerk.
January 22nd, 2009 at 9:04 pmChildish
January 22nd, 2009 at 9:06 pmSo this is what reichwingers think the government is for: Not for working towards the common good or improve their country, but for self-aggrandizement.
They were too busy stroking their own oversized egos to do anything about New Orleans, the economy, two botched occupations, etc…
January 22nd, 2009 at 9:08 pmConnie got the job the old fashion way and her only qualifications was that she could speak Russia and play the piano. Now we have a real qualified Secretary of State. Powell was good but caved in and lied for the White House. Hillary has earned the position and is respected all over the World. She is a woman that all Americans can be proud of. Many Foreign Leaders are waiting to work with her.
January 22nd, 2009 at 9:08 pmWHEN SHE’S IN HANDCUFFS, TRIED, CONVICTED AND EXECUTED….. THEN I WILL BE HAPPY
January 22nd, 2009 at 9:10 pm“What did you say? Budget to help the economy and create jobs? What nonsense! If we do that, there will be no money left to buy me shoes or for glossy brochures with my picture on them, let alone a 600-slide presentation featuring me in a swimsuit”
January 22nd, 2009 at 9:14 pm~Condi Rice
Rastaman, you’d support the execution of political figures…regardless of the decisions made and policies enacted? You’re no better than the neo-cons that cheered the execution of Saddam.
She’s not the worst Sec of State we’ve had (good ‘ol Alexander Haig) or the most bellicose (thank you, Mr. Kissinger). That ain’t saying a whole lot.
January 22nd, 2009 at 9:17 pmEnnuiDivine: Rice was the worst National Security Director, don’t you think? 9/11!
January 22nd, 2009 at 9:25 pmRice – HORRIBLE as NSA, 9/11, heard of it? HORRIBLE as SoS, Iraq, heard of it?
Osama bin Laden was able to kill Americans and is still alive because of Rice’s INCOMPETENCE.
She needs to stick to ice skating, piano playing and lectures.
January 22nd, 2009 at 9:34 pmYou hang with thugs you act like a thug.
January 22nd, 2009 at 9:34 pmAgain, I go with Kissinger. Rice may have brought us 9/11 and Iraq as NSD, but Kissinger brought the world Cambodia (and the eventual rise of the Khmer Rouge), Pinochet, invasion of East Timor, Turkish invasion of Cyprus, Operation Condor, Angola…
At least Kissinger had no pretension of being anything other than power hungry and evil.
January 22nd, 2009 at 9:34 pmUncle Fester Lurks Says:
Not a surprise, just look at the photo, she looks like a jack booted dragon lady. For some reason she has always reminded me of a zombie from one of those low budget zombie horror movies from the 50’s.
January 22nd, 2009 at 9:00 pm
You mean like THIS?
Just saying . . .
January 22nd, 2009 at 9:40 pmFollow the yellow brick road, Condi — you’re outta here!
Actually, Condi went to the William Morris Talent Agency who will book her future gigs.
January 22nd, 2009 at 9:49 pmShe was a failure at NSA, and, following the Peter Principle which was applied to many Bushies, she was moved up from the NSA to an abysmal failure in the Sec’y of State position where she was able to stay until the end of her term.
January 22nd, 2009 at 9:53 pmNo occupier has ever conquered Afghanistan. Withdraw ALL foreign troops immediately and end the charade.
January 22nd, 2009 at 9:56 pmCondi used the state dept. post to get a discount on shoes. Hillary Rodham Clinton appreciates the Secy of State job description and will do a fine job fulfilling her duties as much of everything else she’s taken on in life.
January 22nd, 2009 at 10:03 pmToo bad it didn’t end with a pair of Ferrigamos sticking out from under a house. Someone should throw a bucket of water on her to see if she melts.
PEACE
January 22nd, 2009 at 10:09 pmHolbrooke allegedly gave the ok for the slaughter of 8000 people
http://www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=83367§ionid=3510203
January 22nd, 2009 at 10:12 pmHAGUE NOW!!!!!
January 22nd, 2009 at 10:17 pmRice…this is the same lady who was National Security Advisor to bush jr. When Richard Clarke told her about the threat of Al Qaeda, Rice had the look of confusion on her face. Is it any wonder why Bin laden hit us on bush’s watch.
The right-wing just doesn’t accept the fact that 9-11 happened on their watch. I’m absolutely convinced that those 3,000 Americans would be alive today, had Al Gore been President. Hey Scalia, you keep telling people to “get over it” regarding the fact that you and your cronies on the Supreme Court appointed a moron for president in 2000. Why don’t you write a letter to all those families of loved ones killed on 9-11 to “get over it.”
I think Mickey Mouse had more creditials for National Security Advisor than Rice. Mickey doesn’t give bad advice and doesn’t need to buy an expensive pair of shoes, while 1800 people drown to death in New Orleans. Finally, Mickey wouldn’t lie to the American people about how Saddam was such a threat with mushroom cloud bull$hit.
January 22nd, 2009 at 10:22 pmCondi Rice was in way over her head. First at NSA and then at State. She was ineffective, inexperienced, and many times ignorant of the facts. Rice was not effective in advancing American objectives in the Middle East, North Korea, Russia or anywhere that there was a conflict. In reality the Bush foreign policy was run by Cheney, the Pentagon, and the Israeli government (which blew her UN Gaza motion out of the water). In Georgia she was clueless even though her supposed area of expertise was the old USSR. Her management skills were nonexistent. Her sense of timing didn’t exist. Remember that she went shoe shopping while New Orleans drowned. In most crisis, Rice was M.I.A. As head of NSA she blew off warnings about Ben Laden. She was typical of most Bush choices. A syncophant who was incompetent.
January 22nd, 2009 at 10:43 pmHillary also said in the same speech that everyone at State was now on the American team and there would be no more internal diviseness.
POOF!
And anyone who disagrees with Glinda?
“I’ll fix you, my pretty.”
January 22nd, 2009 at 10:48 pmMcWars Says:
Hillary Rodham Clinton appreciates the Secy of State job description and will do a fine job fulfilling her duties as much of everything else she’s taken on in life.
Hey, how could we doubt that? She’s been SoS for at least 12 hours now. Hopefully she finds the Travel pool at State to her liking. Or else…
January 22nd, 2009 at 10:51 pmOh sure, Condi looked good. Flying around the world in her designer suits, doing absolutely nothing. No wonder she has signed on to a agent. Now she can peddle her wares to the dumb-ass Americans who are addicted to reality TV. SIGH!
January 22nd, 2009 at 10:58 pmYeah, and I bet the cover of her resume comes in the form of a mushroom cloud, too. Don’t touch that.
January 22nd, 2009 at 11:05 pmInsincere venting online about murderers is incomparable to the acts that directly bring about murder.
January 22nd, 2009 at 11:06 pm8 Gregor Samsa says “So this is what reichwingers think the government is for: Not for working towards the common good or improve their country, but for self-aggrandizement. ”
Dare I compare this to the earlier TP story today that the Bush sec of Interior (Kempthorne) brought all the Interior folks together on the taxpayer dime to show them a slideshow of his wonrous visage ?
Or dare I compare it to Bush’s final interviews last week where he told about all his successes ?
January 22nd, 2009 at 11:10 pmKeltoi at Night Says:
Hopefully she finds the Travel pool at State to her liking. Or else…
January 22nd, 2009 at 10:51 pm
That’s a lame-assed rightwing talking point.
January 22nd, 2009 at 11:29 pmI really hope no witches were offended by this comparison…
January 22nd, 2009 at 11:36 pmActually, Rice was a great member of the Bush Cabinet: since their job was to not do their job, she was really great at refusing to conduct diplomatic negotiations. I recall that she did fly around a lot, though.
You know, there seems to be a recurring pattern of Bush appointees thinking it’s their job to make sure their agency constantly tells them how awesome they are.
And what’s with them all wanting to run sports associations now? I fear for the world of sports.
.
WillowOrchid Says:
EnnuiDivine: Rice was the worst National Security Director, don’t you think? 9/11!
In Bush world, “National Security” means starting wars, not defending ourselves.
January 23rd, 2009 at 12:04 amIf the shoe fits.. (And she does like her shoes)
January 23rd, 2009 at 12:18 amUh, what part of conservative = evil do people not understand?
January 23rd, 2009 at 12:41 amDid you see how the staff cheered for Hill, it seems that there is a bit of relief showing there that the Bush Crime Family is out and a new sheriff is in town.
January 23rd, 2009 at 12:48 ambush needed a brain, cheney needed a heart and way too many people in that administration needed courage.
January 23rd, 2009 at 1:28 amCondi won’t be able to use her position to intimidate people into liking her anymore. She is in for a rude surprise on the outside, just like the rest of Bush’s discredited inner circle.
January 23rd, 2009 at 1:43 amThere was no trying to stop Israel during their destruction of Gaza now, nor Lebanon two years ago. Condi said it was “the birth pangs of a new Middle East”. This new Middle East they have created is a lot more anti-American than the one before!
January 23rd, 2009 at 2:16 amAnd she did have that house fall on her!
I’ll add that when Rice took over, she removed the dozens of photographs that decorate the walls of the State Department, showcasing decades of important Diplomatic events in the history of the Department, and replaced them with only photos of herself and/or George Bush. I hope (and fully expect) the original photos to go back up.
January 23rd, 2009 at 2:25 amAfter Rice, the State Department can only go upwards—Hillary will do an excellent job and she will work very hard. All Rice did was fly around the world on a taxpayer funded field trip with Karen Hughes that yielded NOTHING but trouble.
Hillary is a breath of fresh air.
January 23rd, 2009 at 4:13 amMarie Says:
She was a failure at NSA, and, following the Peter Principle which was applied to many Bushies, she was moved up from the NSA to an abysmal failure in the Sec’y of State position where she was able to stay until the end of her term.
The Peter Principle states that once one reaches their point of incompetence upward momentum stops.
In the world of Bushco we’re talking about the W Principle where people keep failing upwards.
January 23rd, 2009 at 4:20 ammakes sense they would compare kindasleezy to the wicked witch of the west since they have a lot in common. the wicked witch of the west coveted dorothy’s ruby slippers while the wicked beyotch from d.c. went shoe shopping in the wake of the largest terrorist attack on this nation.
the wicked witch of the west sat on a broom to travel, the wicked beyotch from d.c. always looks like she has a broom stuck up her arse.
January 23rd, 2009 at 5:58 amImagine working for a goddam neocon. Do even neocons like neocons?
January 23rd, 2009 at 6:52 amHilary will represent us well. She is tough, but fair.
January 23rd, 2009 at 6:54 amSecretary Rice was so enamored of GWB, that she had no ability to call him on anything. I hope Hilary will challenge Obama when necessary.
Professor Witch, to her poor students.
January 23rd, 2009 at 7:32 amOr is it Doctor Witch?
That’s ironic.
January 23rd, 2009 at 7:33 amPerry logan Says:
Do even neocons like neocons?
Not as their bosses. Even the Repugs prefer non-repug bosses, who tend to be fairer and more generous.
January 23rd, 2009 at 7:37 amThe one song that keeps running through my brain since Tuesday is from the Wizard of Oz, Optimistic Voices, slightly changed:
We’re out of the woods
We’re out of the dark
We’re out of the night
Step into the sun
Step into the light
Keep straight ahead for the most glorious place
On the face of the earth or the sky
Hold onto your breath
Hold onto your hope
March up to the gate and bid it open
We’re out of the woods
January 23rd, 2009 at 9:12 amWe’re out of the dark
We’re out of the night
Step into the sun
Step into the light
March up to the gate and bid it open, open
Hmmm, someone should have throw a bucket of water on the old bat a long time ago, in a galaxy, far, far, away.
January 23rd, 2009 at 9:13 amI imagine Hippy_crusher as an evil Rick Moranis, when I read it’s posts.
January 23rd, 2009 at 9:19 amWowzers, talk about sore LOSERS, it seems that “Hippie_crusher” STILL has his/her/its shorts in a twist over the butt-whipping his Republican’ts received.
It’s laughable how right-wing-nuts can’t decipher “strategies” that are not spelled-out for them by Bill O’Lie-Lee, or Lush Bimbaugh, or Man Coulter, and how they stereotype everyone who opposes them as supposing to be granola-grazing, tree-hugging, Birkenstock wearing pacifists. Such blind ignorance and narrow-minded perspectives makes handing them their political-asses mere childs’ play.
Keep-up the good work so-called, “Hippie_crusher”, we can use the chuckles. Sheez.
January 23rd, 2009 at 9:20 amBloggerRadio.com Says:
Wowzers, talk about sore LOSERS, it seems that “Hippie_crusher” STILL has his/her/its shorts in a twist over the butt-whipping his Republican’ts received.
It’s laughable how right-wing-nuts can’t decipher “strategies” that are not spelled-out for them by Bill O’Lie-Lee, or Lush Bimbaugh, or Man Coulter, and how they stereotype everyone who opposes them as supposing to be granola-grazing, tree-hugging, Birkenstock wearing pacifists. Such blind ignorance and narrow-minded perspectives makes handing them their political-asses mere childs’ play.
Keep-up the good work so-called, “Hippie_crusher”, we can use the chuckles. Sheez.
No they’re just lost without their Talking Points Memo…
January 23rd, 2009 at 9:36 amHippie_crusher Says:
You forgot one idiot……you are a big fat loser…..sucks to be you.
January 23rd, 2009 at 9:39 amWhy would anyone want to crush a hippie?
January 23rd, 2009 at 9:51 amI think it was referring to crushing heads with it’s fingers.
like this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kbETsbv1NZ4&feature=related
January 23rd, 2009 at 9:58 amCheck out the photo.
January 23rd, 2009 at 10:00 amAll she’s doing there is pimping her sponsors, the boot manufacturer.
Just like the golfers who make sure they’re wearing their cap at interview time.
wow, great comeback yourself. By the way, we’re not the ones who just saw everything we believe in go up in smoke and be proven to be lies, deception and failure.
Keep pushing for failed policies…we love to hear you cry.
January 23rd, 2009 at 10:01 am“…staffers compared former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice to the Wicked Witch of the West”
January 23rd, 2009 at 10:03 amThis explains the shoe thing. She has certainly left enough sticky ruby red footprints in her wake.
Check the Caps Lock there, KeyMaster.
January 23rd, 2009 at 10:27 amwindsor Says:
Give a female a little power…
OK, we will.
.
VerbalKint Says:
She is in for a rude surprise on the outside, just like the rest of Bush’s discredited inner circle.
I’m curious to see whether she’ll be hailed as a conqueror back home like Cheney or whether she’ll become a pariah like Gonzales. The only difference between them seems to be “race” … and how easily they were able to secure a country-club landing after it was over. Coinkydink?
.
Perry logan Says:
Do even neocons like neocons?
Oh yeah. They have makeout sessions on helicopters and everything.
.
larkohio Says:
I hope Hilary will challenge Obama when necessary.
This actually did make me LMAO. Derr, ya think? Can you imagine Hillary not challenging Obama? Or anyone else she thinks is wrong?
.
Hippie_crusher Says:
Where the f@ck is the story…
Once again, HC wanders drunkenly in a thread to complain that it’s not reporting the news he wants to see. OK it’s clue time, Hip. This is the internetz; if you want to see news on a given subject you can do a search for it and the linkz will take you right there. Coming here to complain about what’s not being reported here is like taking a whizz in your kitchen while b!tching loudly about how it’s not your bathroom and it should be.
January 23rd, 2009 at 10:28 amIt is my understanding Rice became bitter and sour after Chevron removed her name from that oil tanker in 2001.
She’s been overcompensating ever since.
January 23rd, 2009 at 10:29 amHippie_crusher Says:
HOW DOES IT FEEL TO ACTUALLY ROOT FOR YOUR COUNTRY TO LOSE A WAR?
Congratulations on locating your CAPS LOCK key. I’m sure now that you know there is such a thing, you’ll never turn it back off. It totally makes you sound all authoritative-like.
I really don’t know how that would feel, or what you’re talking about.
.
Hippie_crusher Says:
FYI: WE WON, WELL, BUSH WON.
Yay for you! Four more years! Four more years!
Dammit, us libs will just have to try harder next time. Meanwhile, congratulations and enjoy your sweeping electoral victory.
January 23rd, 2009 at 10:31 amAn easy recipe for Glorified Rice:
January 23rd, 2009 at 10:49 am
Uh, oh….that little dog (Barney??) better watch out!!!
*snicker*
January 23rd, 2009 at 11:04 amI always wondered if the State Department was Munchkin Land. Now we know.
January 23rd, 2009 at 11:09 amHippie_crusher Says:
HOW DOES IT FEEL TO ACTUALLY ROOT FOR YOUR COUNTRY TO LOSE A WAR?
Not as bad as getting into a war without knowing how to get the F%CK out of it. Or giving umpteen hundred motives for that war, and then failing on each and every one of them.
January 23rd, 2009 at 11:21 amHOW DOES IT FEEL TO ACTUALLY ROOT FOR YOUR COUNTRY TO LOSE A WAR?
—-
January 23rd, 2009 at 11:22 amWhich one? The one on drugs?
HOW DOES IT FEEL TO ACTUALLY ROOT FOR YOUR COUNTRY TO LOSE A WAR?
About the same as it did back in ‘68
January 23rd, 2009 at 11:24 amHow does it feel to root for your country to lose a war ?
I don’t know. Ask all the Rush Limbaugh fans how it feels to root for your country to fail.
January 23rd, 2009 at 11:36 amPoor HippyLicker such a sad ignorant punk. Time to face up to the fact you are just stupid and worthless hippyLicker and that you will NEVER be as smart or attractive of those hippies that made you feel so inferior. It isnt their fault. You ARE inferior.
January 23rd, 2009 at 1:34 pmCondalizzard Rice was the designated liar for the Bush administration. When it was time for a lie that even Bush or Cheney couldnt manage with a straight face they trotted out the lizzard lady.
January 23rd, 2009 at 1:36 pmTo the so called hippie_crusher:
If I were you I wouldn’t go through all the trouble of defending the bush jr. administration and all their cronies. You basically got suckered into voting for one of the worst, if not the worst president in U.S. history. That is not something one should brag about or be proud of. Cheney and that group of neo-cons just laugh at people like yourself, that are stupid enough to believe in the crap they sold to the American people these last 8 years. 9-11 didn’t occur on President Clinton’s watch because he was “lucky.” It didn’t happen because Clinton and his administration took Al Qaeda very seriously.
Your president bush jr. dropped the ball, he had a National Security Advisor named Rice that didn’t even know what Al Qaeda was. Bush jr. slashed counter-terrorism efforts by 75 million dollars prior to 9-11. Bush ordered the end of surveillance drones which President Clinton employed in his attempt to kill Bin Laden. bush jr. the big man who is going to get Bin Laden “dead or alive.” Laden’s laughing his ass off at bush and voters like yourself…when your opponent is dumb enough to invade Iraq after 9-11, he would be dumb enough to invade Mexico after the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor.
Next time hippie_crusher, maybe you should keep your stupid comments to yourself, you just may be able to fool a few people to think that your smarter than you actually are. This site is for people who think and read.
January 23rd, 2009 at 9:34 pmFirst order of biz for Hillary: cut Blackwater off at the knees. They got away with all the crap they have pulled partly due to being a contractor to State rather than Defense. If she doesn’t get rid of them they will taint ANYTHING she tries to accomplish at the Department. Just sayin’…
January 23rd, 2009 at 11:39 pmBill and Hillary’s killing machine is just about to be set in motion again in Central Africa.
Me as an African I am scared.
Why are so-called progressives part of the silence on the slaughter in Congo.
One million Rwandese. Five million Congolese.
Are these not fellow human beings?
And you guys are excited about Hillary?
Who poisoned President-elect Moshod Abiola if not Susan Rice.
The times require us to organise, and push Obama to our agenda. Sitting back and waiting for him to serve us is infantile.
January 24th, 2009 at 1:26 pmCondi Rice is an international war criminal; one should not compare her to a witch and sully their name.
January 24th, 2009 at 4:58 pmI think Obama and Hillary are great! I can’t wait for this new age of positivism to take hold.
Not to burst anyone’s bubbles, but Glinda was the Good Witch of the North, not the south. Also, “Hi-ho, Hi-ho,” was the song of the seven dwarfs in “Snow White,” not the song the Winkies sang at the Castle of Condy… er, I mean, of the Wicked Witch of the West.
What are they teaching in schools these days???
January 24th, 2009 at 11:59 pmI think I shall post a comment that will invite (more) criticism of me on this website.
I was in Iraq, during he period 2004-2006; I worked with the Joint Coalition of Forces, in a civilian capacity, to help establish international partnerships of Iraqi universities for joint research in technical areas.
I worked in Iraq during the very worst days of the insurgency, and during that period, Secretary of State Rice visited many times – to thank the Joint Coalition for their efforts, and to help with the transition of the new democratically elected government in Iraq. Few people in the West were aware of many of her visits to Iraq.
I must say – Secretary Rice faced a great deal of personal danger doing this, and I appreciate her support and admire her bravery.
I will also say, she did a lot more for Iraq, and risked a lot more in Iraq, than did the Foreign Secretary of the country of my birth, Great Britain.
I admire Secretary Rice, and I think the world, and the Middle East in particular, owes her a lot of gratitude.
January 25th, 2009 at 1:10 amWow, for someone who was supposedly in Iraq their ignorance is astounding.
January 26th, 2009 at 5:52 pmI can’t believe your ignorance Cheryl Crowe! the world owes that ugly face nothing in fact she should be locked up as i write and tried for war crimes, and crimes against humanity without any doubt. Billions of people around the globe share my opinion, guarantee. Never, ever glorify a war criminal because he or she will remain always a war criminal no matter what they will do.
February 20th, 2009 at 6:28 pm