Deeply Dishonest

[A]nyone who has read the text of the [TPP] agreement could be jailed for disclosing its contents. I’ve actually read the TPP text provided to the government’s own advisors, and I’ve given the president an earful about how this trade deal will damage this nation. But I can’t share my criticisms with you....

The government has created a perfect Catch 22: The law prohibits us from talking about the specifics of what we’ve seen, allowing the president to criticize us for not being specific. Instead of simply admitting that he disagrees with me—and with many other cleared advisors—about the merits of the TPP, the president instead pretends that our specific, pointed criticisms don’t exist.
Emphasis added.

No lying salesmen.

No secret treaties.

8 comments:

E Hines said...

I'm not sure why I should take this Kerry-Edwards man's characterization of the TPP at all seriously.

His objection to the secrecy of it is valid, though.

Eric Hines

Grim said...

I'm of the opinion that he's probably right about the merits as well. But I could be wrong about that. If they want my support, all they have to do is show me what we're being asked to agree to do and I'll consider it fairly.

Assistant Village Idiot said...

@Grim. Nevah gonna happen. The question in my mind: Is the poison pill that is certainly there worse than the clear overall trade benefit that Obama recognises but doesn't dare reveal to the Democrats?

That's a very tough choice.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nS71O0sYTfk

raven said...

The sole reason to keep anything secret from allies/countrymen, is because it is thought they will have serious objections if they know the content.
Therefore, Obama already knows a large set of the population will be upset by knowing the content.

Grim said...

I wonder about the existence of this "trade benefit." Benefit for whom, I wonder?

raven said...

Exactly. And how much lube will be required for this "benefit"?

Dad29 said...

Well, Bill Clinton gifted us with NAFTA and MFN for the ChiComs, following which nearly 40% of US manufacturing jobs departed.

It's all very nice to talk about the "educated" workforce, so long as one can ignore Nature in the person of the Bell Curve.

(The Progressives really, really, really, don't like to admit to Nature's laws, do they?)

What "gift" did the slightly-educated get from that exchange?

Grim said...

Welfare reform, I think it was. Nicely timed, now that I think about it, since it came right before the departure of all those jobs.