Susan Rice: A Reminder of Who She Is (And Isn’t).
When you hear the name Susan Rice do you think of an accomplished woman that was rightfully appointed U.S. National Security Advisor? Do you overhear others conversing about her achievements earned at the reputable National Cathedral School here in Washington, DC? To be a three-sport athlete, student council president, and valedictorian has to be rare. From Stanford University to New College, Oxford, this woman could be quite the role model…. for a Canadian.
That’s right, Susan Rice loves Canada so much that, according to 2012 financial disclosure reports, she invested between $300,000 and $600,000 into a Canadian oil pipeline that reaches Texas. Rice and her Canadian born husband own at least 1.25 million worth of stock in four of Canada’s eight leading oil producers. From Canadian transportation companies to Canadian energy firms, Susan Rice has invested in all things Canada. Heck, I wouldn’t be surprised if she purchases all of those colorful eyeliners across the border.
Maybe we were too hard on Ms. Rice when she ever so confidently informed the nation that the attack in Benghazi was a direct result of a “heinous and offensive video”. At that point she was probably doing cartwheels in her mind and couldn’t function properly. Rice knew, if she were to be appointed Secretary of State she would have the authority to approve the large section of the pipeline project still needed to increase her investments. A woman with up to 11.25 million in a few Canadian banks could probably imagine that number rising swiftly. I guess Rice opted not to take a course in environmental science, if so, she would have known transporting crude oil over long distances is totally hazardous. Spillage from this project could create major issues for 30% of America’s cropland. Never thought I’d say this, but thank goodness John Kerry is in office.
Remember when the late State Department veteran, Richard Holbrooke, outright called Susan Rice incompetent? Well that wasn’t as nearly as embarrassing as when Rice was in a interagency teleconference with some pretty official people regarding Rwandan Genocide and said, “If we use the word genocide, and are seen as doing nothing, what will be the effect on the November election?”. I am sure President Clinton’s administration thought the same, but who in their right mind actually says it aloud?
Tragically, Benghazi was not Ms. Rice’s first African blunder. In 1998, Susan Rice was supposed to mediate a peace plan for a war between Ethiopia and Eritrea. But before Eritrea approved the plan, Ms. Rice decided it was such a good plan Eritrea will have to love it, and announced the terms of the peace plan were agreed upon. The announcement was so upsetting to Eritrea the plan was rejected, causing both countries to raise a popular question, turn down for what? Ethiopia bombed the capital of Eritrea, and Eritrea fired back with numerous bombs dropping on Ethiopia. Over 100,000 people were killed in the war Ms. Rice not only failed to end, but inflamed.
Then Secretary of State Madeleine Albright was so furious with Rice, she told her she was grounded and must stay in her room (I mean DC office).
Over time Susan Rice has burned bridges liberally, alienating and often antagonizing many potential allies. I am shocked that Rice is allowed to converse with any foreign countries on the behalf of the US. At first, when Rice recently ran from a podium unable to answer questions from the press in regards to Syrian airstrikes, I felt embarrassed for her, but after researching Rice for this blog, I believe that may have been one of her best decisions to date. I also believe we should give Turkey a call and see if Susan Rice has anything to do with their decision not to join the U.S. against ISIS?
