Tuesday, October 21, 2014

Hillary Clinton's 'Hard Choices' Retrospective: Epilogue

Introducing the concept for this retrospective,  I said that as I began reading Hard Choices I had the impression of watching a movie of a series of events I had witnessed while blogging about them.  That remained the case throughout as I have shared here, but there were many instances of revelation and surprises as well.  Behind-the-scenes glimpses of statecraft, her personal feelings about people and events, the rationale (it is singular, cohesive, and very well integrated) behind decisions, and much more come to light in a way a mere archive cannot accommodate.

Depending on your agenda, you may like or dislike certain positions she maintains, but you cannot deny that she has taken those positions.  She has set them down in black and white very honestly, deliberately, and with her own purposes.

Samuel Johnson said, "Literature is kind a intellectual light which like the light of the sun may sometimes enable us to see what we do not like."    Not everyone will like everything she has written here as her words may not exactly coincide with their perceptions or preferences, but they are her words, and this is her story.

Thank you, Madame Secretary for your dedicated service and for this valuable account of your years as our top diplomat.  We have been here to follow, and here we remain, at your side, as you continue. brilliantly,  to lead.

Secretary Clinton and President Obama in Myanmar

Hillary Clinton With Timor Leste Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao

... let me say that for decades, secretaries of State have not attended political conventions because of the nonpartisan nature of our foreign policy. I think it’s a good rule. It’s one that I certainly accepted. This is the first convention I have missed in many, many years. But on a personal level, let me also say that my husband read parts of his speech to me over the last few days. I received the as-prepared version, which I’m anxious, when I can, to compare with the as-delivered version. (Laughter.)
So it’s a great honor for him to be nominating the President....
09-06-12-03
11-19-12-Y-02
resignation_letter02-01-13-S-0102-01-13-Z-0302-01-13-Z-04
09-27-14-TW-03
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Hillary Clinton’s ‘Hard Choices’ Retrospective: Introduction

Access chapters of this retrospective here >>>>

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