Wednesday January 30, 2013, 2:22 pm

A good man with HUGE shoes to fill. I wish Kerry and the US all the best. Where are the women, and minorities for these positions?

Wednesday January 30, 2013, 3:37 pm
The first candidate I heard speculation about was both a woman and a minority, but there were concerns related to investment portfolio in the press and she withdrew her name or whatever a refusal at that point in the process would be called.

Wednesday January 30, 2013, 4:25 pm
Thanks.

Wednesday January 30, 2013, 4:53 pm
Carrie--I actually agree with your Rice vs. Kerry assessment.
However, having more diversity rather than less in high level appointments still seems desirable and more attainable than we've seen so far.

Wednesday January 30, 2013, 5:06 pm
noted, thanks Carrie

Wednesday January 30, 2013, 6:09 pm
I am going to choose to be optimistic about Kerry's appointment. The die has been cast, so we shall see.
Thanks Carrie.

Thursday January 31, 2013, 12:09 am
thanks

Thursday January 31, 2013, 12:48 am
Let's hope that the Middle East will calm down, although things have been escalating day by day and it's frightening!

Thursday January 31, 2013, 1:07 am
I found out a lot of things about Kerry when he ran for President - a lot of things I liked & admired, that is. I couldn't believe that someone with such a record ( for anti-Vietnam war activism) had become what appeared to be so self-effacing once in the Senate.

Any theories about that?

Didn't like Hillary at all - too much balls! And too pro-Monsanto.

Thursday January 31, 2013, 2:49 am
Noted

Thursday January 31, 2013, 4:50 am
ty

Thursday January 31, 2013, 5:14 am
I am not optimistic at all about Kerry, Rice or any person in the state department. I am sorry to say that any Mideast engagement ( as read in the title of this story)will definitely be killed or crashed (call it as you want)by the Zionist entity and its supporters starting by AIPAC and ending with congress. Needless to say the state department. You may not believe me but this is the truth. The solution is in the middle east and Only Palestinians will end this for good but the price will be expensive. I am afraid violence will widely erupt again to be the only way to convince the Israelis to vote for peace maker leaders not for the Zionist extremists. I pray to GOD that this won't happen but I am not optimistic after about 65 years of misery and humiliation Palestinians are facing from Zionism and its supporters. I am afraid that Palestinians will not wait for ever. Patience has limits specially with all economic difficulties they face. In this regard I remember Yuri Avnery who wrote on 15 September 2012 saying: "
Sooner or later, and probably sooner rather than later, the wrath of the Palestinian poor will change direction. Instead of blaming the Palestinian Authority, they will turn against their real oppressor: the occupation."

Thursday January 31, 2013, 5:27 am
I agree with you on Kerry vs Rice but don't agree that our focus should be on the middle East. Rather I think we need to disengage from our all to cozy relationship there and concentrate on getting out of the hell holes that are still consuming our young. Just as I wish Obama would stay in DC and do his job, I hope that Kerry will engage across the board and mellow what had become contentitious relations with so many countries. (they smile on the surface but the background fighting never stops).

Abdessalam, I have to comment on your correct assesment. I do not believe the area would be in that position if the Palestinians would simply recognize Israel's right to exist. Start there and then go for negotiations on the rest.

Thursday January 31, 2013, 5:43 am
PLO recognized Israel in Oslo agreements. Further more when I Israel insisted to confirm this by the Palestinian Authority (PA), former President Clinton attended a meeting of the Palestinian National Council in Gaza where former Palestinian leader Arafat suggested deleting any phrases in the PLO chart that might contradict with this acknowledgement and the National Palestinian Council approve it with 100% votes approval.

Thursday January 31, 2013, 11:09 am
May he stay safe and make the best decisions! He is a good man and will step up and continue the fantastic job Hillary has started!

Thursday January 31, 2013, 6:20 pm
good posting, thanks

Friday February 1, 2013, 4:57 pm
Considering what Obama did to Clinton physically, and emotionally, I hope he is prepared for the job as Obama has promised to unleash troops into Africa, an unsettled Syria, revolt in Egypt, a disaster in Afghanistan, and of course the Palestinian issue. Is Kerry up for this?