The dismissal of Van Jones

[Hannah Bell]

...What was Jones’s crime? He once, before accommodating himself to the political establishment, demonstrated a certain degree of social commitment...One of Jones’s main sins in the eyes of his critics was signing a “911 Truth Statement” in 2004...There is nothing particularly extraordinary about the statement signed by Jones, which begins by citing a Zogby International poll finding that about 1/2 of New York City residents, and 41% of residents in New York state, believe that sections of the US government had foreknowledge of the attacks and “consciously failed” to act.

Calling into question the foundation of the “war on terror,” however, is completely proscribed within the political establishment and mass media. Indeed, the broad-based skepticism over 9/11...is remarkable given the complete silence on such matters within “official” circles.

Glenn Beck, whose show was being targeted for an advertising boycott by an organization formerly run by Jones, cited the White House aide’s history as part of an increasingly hysterical campaign, insisting that Obama is secretly plotting to introduce communism in America.

To avoid any discussion on Jones, the Obama administration quickly caved in, essentially giving a veto to the extreme right-wing — which in fact has very little support within the population — over who can and cannot hold government posts...Obama came to office on a wave of anger and opposition to the policies of the Bush administration. However, this opposition has found no expression in the Obama administration, which on every issue — war, democratic rights, bank bailouts and domestic policy — has continued and expanded the policy of its predecessor....

http://www.wsws.org/articles/2009/sep2009/pers-s07.shtml

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

1. Van Jones resigned.

And the only people upset about it are the RWers who now have nothing to whine about.

Well them, and the nuts carrying the RW water for them- like WSWS

[Hannah Bell]

2. if you say so.

[Liquorice]

3. Jones said some really stupid things that make him

a lightening rod for idiots like Glenn Beck. He should have never been appointed to a position in the Obama administration.

[Hannah Bell]

4. he didn't say anything stupider than most politicians- or glenn beck.

especially glenn beck.

[Apollo11]

5. What did Jones say that was "really stupid"?

Asking questions about 9/11?

In that case - maybe Al Gore is also "really stupid"?

Vice President Cheney attempted to defend the administration's eavesdropping on American citizens by saying that, if it had conducted this program prior to 9/11, they would have found out the names of some of the hijackers. Tragically, he apparently still does not know that the administration did, in fact, have the names of at least two of the hijackers well before 9/11 and had available to them information that could have led to the identification of most of the others. One of them was in the phone book. And yet, because of incompetence, unaccountable incompetence in the handling of the information, it was never used to protect the American people.

Al Gore - January 16, 2006
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/01/16/AR2006011600779.html