Basboy’s Weblog

I have been quiet on this blog for a little while on account that I really had nothing interesting to add to the blogosphere. Sure, I had many a thought that conceivably been interesting, yet most, I fear, were naked and singular musings that could not serve as sparks to the fire of discussion. So high on my own profundity am I!

That being said, I had been awaiting the official announcement of acceptance by Hilary Clinton of the post of Secretary of State. I realized that the vetting process was a lengthy one, and that Bill Clinton’s business and philanthropic dealings were problematic to those considering his wife for this international relations post. On the one hand, one sees her appointment as one that raises the Obama administration by adding the obvious foreign relations know-how of the Clintons, but on the other hand you have a potentially prohibitively biased confidante in Bill, whose scandal-rocked days could soon come back- albeit not for the same reasons as those of his presidency. An anouncement was to be made this past Friday, the day after American Thanksgiving. I was mildly excited.

Of course, the announcement was not to be. One can speculate that the vetting process was not complete, and the final decision about whether Hilary’s strengths outweigh the risks her husband presents was tougher to make than previously thought. I have another opinion. I beleive that the Mumbai attacks, senseless and globally reported as they were, presented a bigger news draw. I will not dwell on my thoughts on the actual killings and hostage taking that took place, but suffice it to say that it is a travesty of humanity and Islam, and will lead to nothing short of a backlash against Pakistan the likes of which we haven’t seen since that against Syria after the Al-Hariri assassination.

I will say that, other than the obvious human interest angle, this event was a delicate one for the Obama cabinet-to-be. They did not want to appear self-righteous by the announcement of a future Secretary of State, who would be forced then to denounce the current international situation and suggest her approach to punishing those responsible. Sure, handled correctly, the democrats would seem quite comforting to those of Hindi descent living in America, but words only go so far, and they would come across as lame tough-talkers. No, they realized that they cannot compete with this event, and now have to deal with speculation that the male Clinton’s dealings have proven a deal-breaker.

Now, the latest rumor is that her appointment announcement will be made public tomorrow following some concessions by Bill, according to Bloomberg.com. No doubt, this will be followed by a word on the India terrorist situation, but it will be brief and sober. After all, it needs to be about the hope that this administration will change America, with international relations taking a second place unless they directly aid the welfare of the mainland.

This is my view, anyway.