Nobel Winner: Hillary's Northern Ireland Peace Claims A "Wee Bit Silly"

London Telegraph:

Hillary Clinton had no direct role in bringing peace to Northern Ireland and is a "wee bit silly" for exaggerating the part she played, according to Lord Trimble of Lisnagarvey, the Nobel Peace Prize winner and former First Minister of the province.

"I don't know there was much she did apart from accompanying Bill [Clinton] going around," he said. Her recent statements about being deeply involved were merely "the sort of thing people put in their canvassing leaflets" during elections. "She visited when things were happening, saw what was going on, she can certainly say it was part of her experience. I don't want to rain on the thing for her but being a cheerleader for something is slightly different from being a principal player."

Read the whole story: London Telegraph

Comments

[AnninCA]

The headline changed, but I can't find the new story.

Huff......this is the one thing I don't like about the site. It's sometimes hard to navigate in this regard.

[PragmaticProgressive]

Nice to see that the other Nobel prize winner story takes you right to the campaign website. Very impartial source.

[mkjohn1]

Uhhh, HuffPo should mention that their link takes you directly to Clinton's "Fact" page, and not a nonpartisan organization.

[Rhouse]

I notice the comment article bears no resemblence to the actuall article cited by the headline. I wonder why it hasn't been updated to at least mention the words of thanks from both the Prot. and Cath. leaders, or the words of the women that participated in her efforts.

[Rhouse]

I'm talking about the Headline UNDER the photo.

[Tankan]

Her efforts, drinking tea and munching sandwiches with hand picked ladies, and telling them how terrible it all was?
Don't try and tell me what Bill and Hillary Clinton did for Northern Ireland, I lived through it all, and let me tell you what the Clintons did for Ireland you can't hold in your hand!
If you knew the Irish, you would know, that nobody, but nobody tells the Irish what to do, that's true for Republican and Loyalist, Nationalist and Unionist!
The only people who can make peace, anywhere in the world, are those who are at war!
All credit for the peace process belongs to the groups named above, not any johnny come lately!

[AnninCA]

Obviously, you didn't find the article. Click on the headline itself.

[BonoX]

Spoken like a true obamaloon!

[ladygreenslippers]

I've visited multiple countries and admired many, many exquisite teapots - and i was worried i would need more to run for president of America.

Wait! i have more: i know how to fight, for example i can kneecap my Democratic opponents, i can fight little girls like Monica Lewinsky when they try to molest my husband and i can lie like no one else.

All i need now is a nice pant suit.

[Svenson]

I spend the first 5 years of my boyhood in indonesia in a madrasas make me the president since I understand t he world.

[gojackets]

The world, yes; punctuation, not so much.

[LadyCheops]

Interesting how Huffingtonpost does not offer a comments forum for the story under this one titled: "Nobel Prize Winner: Clinton was played vital role in Northern Ireland Peace Process". Not only is that article underneath the more negative one (editors obviously placed the more negative one more prominently) for that, but they don't even bother providing a quick summary or comments forum.

Huffingtonpost has lost all credibility with me.

[shotgunjohnny]

you were expecting credibility from a partisan blog? my what were you thinking?

[moda31]

oh oh he called her a cheerleader, this guy is clearly a sexist bastard. everything he has to say is automatically invalidated.

[gojackets]

There are MEN cheerleaders, you sexist bastard.

[moda31]

are you calling hillary a man? how many times does she have to tell you people that wearing a pantsuit doesn't make you a man? gosh... (again, not serious.)

[gappedtoothgodwarrior]

You do realize that Cheerleaders the bouncy girls with pompoms are a purely American thing right?

Any non American calling somebody a cheerleader would merely be referring to somebody who was supportive without being a major player.

[moda31]

hint: i wasn't being serious.

[globality]

so sorry that was supposed to read

www.clintonscandals2008.com

[globality]

So she was a cheerleader WHAT A JOKE

She has no national defense credibility. She can not argue against Mc Cain about the Iraq war because they are on the same side. If anything Mc Cain can claim the surge is working (even though it isn't) She will be ripped appart for her attck on General Petraus "You have to suspend your belief in reality to think the surge is working".

Check out my we site www.clinton scandals2008.com I am not an 527 and only spent 250$ on creating site. It is a work in progress. Lots more to come

[4TJefferson]

So. "Globality." You say the surge is working? Now that we have had the "surge" is the Governement of Iraq an better then it was a year ago? Please, a simple yes or no on this will do. Pop Quiz: Were you better of in 1998 or in 2008?

[gojackets]

Globality didn't at all say that the surge is working. Which post are you replying to?

I can't speak for Globality, but I do know that in 2008, I'm not afraid to turn the tv on in the morning for fear of another erupting Clinton scandal.

[Svenson]

So which plan is Obama going to use agaisnt Cain .. the Iraq withdrawal plan he told the voters or the one he told the BBC?

[gojackets]

Please don't be so disingenuous. Everyone knows and expects the newly elected President will have to assess the Iraq situation and possibly redesign any plans due to information they don't have access to now because they are not the CIC.

[shotgunjohnny]

I have been having this dream about a Clinton-McCain match-up for months now. I don't take a lot of credence from the Clinton 'scandals' but it is an easy target for McCain and I hope Dems realize that.

I think each week up through the general all that McCain has to do is 'sponsor a Clinton scandal of the week.'

All his ads, all his media buys will all converge on the Clinton scandal of the week, just to remind people of the Clinton psycho-drama, how completely overwhelming it was, and just how much they would rather prefer to do without it. Clinton's numbers will tank, and that will be the end.

If you've been vetted and people are disgusted by the things they have found about you in the past (maybe not new yorkers but southern and mid America, sure) alls you need to do is repeat it over and over again to remind voters, which is why I must say the HRC argument as to why she is more electable has always seemed a little odd to me.

That's like saying, sure the people already know I that am corrupt, petty, and vindicative and thus it won't matter to them?! So yeah, I am more electable?! WTF?!

[gojackets]

Couldn't agree with you more. The thought of re-playing all the Clinton drama just gives me a headache.

[shotgunjohnny]

""I don't know there was much she did apart from accompanying Bill [Clinton] going around," "

I think that about sums up the 'experience' argument.

35 years of experience. just words.

In fact that might make a good campaign ad:

Voiceover: "HRC has criticized Obama's inspirational call for a new page in America as 'just words'.

"Yet HRC claims that she has 35 years of experience. Is THAT just words?

"Part of her argument is a speech she gave in Beijing on human rights. Yet one of the biggest buyers of Chinese goods is Walmart, on whose board Clinton sat for years and didn't utter a single word about human rights.

"Recently she has taken tens of thousands of dollars from a company that has engaged in systemic sexual harassment against women. Yet again HRC's voice is being used to provide cover for their sexist behavior."

"When you answer the phone at 3 AM all you have is just words and no conviction or judgment behind those words, then American interests are held hostage by special and foreign interests.

"Barack Obama. More than just words. Judgment on Day One, not 35 years of experience as a say-anything, do-anything, accomplish nothing politician"

[4TJefferson]

So. Has Barack ever been to Norther Ireland? You guys can't butter your bread on both sides. When she was First Lady, everybody said she was to "involved" with the Presidency. Now, when she is running for President you say she wasn't involved. Can't anybody and I mean anybody that supports Barack keep their freaking stories straight? By the way. Where was Barack in 1995 when she was giving her speech on "Human/Womens Rights" in China? Have you ever read her speech? Please litte Obama whinner just go back to calling her "the monster", please. It suits you much better then this dribble.

[gojackets]

Fair enough. If she wants to take credit for being "involved" in Bill's presidency then let her prove it: let her release all of her records from her time in the White House so that we can take a look and judge for ourselves. After 8 years of Bush and Cheney, I'm quite tired of politicians just telling us "trust me".

What difference does it make if we've read "the speech" or not? Hillary's already told us time and time again that speeches don't matter and now she wants that to count? Remember "I've got a lifetime of experience; McCain's got a lifetime of experienc. Obama has a speech"...something like that.

[PhyloSeFiser]

Obama supporters didn't say she was too involved. That was the Republicans and Limbaugh.

And in 1995 I believe Obama was doing community organizing in Chicago for a salary of about $10,000 a year.

And I seriously doubt she even wrote the speech. She didn't write her book. Though she claims she did.

From what I can tell, her only experience was her massive failure in trying to improve healthcare.

Has there ever been a candidate for president that has been as shameless about padding their resume as Hillary Clinton?

[Svenson]

He has been to indonesia to study islam and been to kenya too ..

He understands the Mulim radical more than anyone else

beat that!

[shotgunjohnny]

the whole point jefferson is that speeches don't matter, as your candidate remarks just about everyday on the trail. talking out against human rights, after having sat on the board of a corporation that effectively supports the denial of the rights of tens of thousands of Chinese workers is a little absurd.

Just as absurd was her little speech before voting for the "Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq" resolution that she was not voting to give Bush authority to invade Iraq.

so yeah the point is just words is all we have from the HRC folks. words which she uses to convey a thought that completely contradicts her RECORD, which she uses to con simple minded people into voting for her (not saying all HRC supporters are simple minded, but lying is generally a tactic used to garner votes from ignorant people).

I can understand your not liking reasoned arguments for why someone wouldn't support Clinton, since it seems that may be well be the basis for your support. but golly, geez, don't be so angry that the rest of do have reasoned arguments.

[Lisette]

Hillary lies about everything!

When is the DNC going to get her out?

Especially for her endorsement of McCain.

[4TJefferson]

Oh, and you think his endorsement of Reagan's "Trajectory" and the Gingrich "Contract on America" was what? Cool? Give me a break.

[gojackets]

Ummm....the dem's won'te be running against Reagan or Gingrich in November.

[shotgunjohnny]

endorsement? or stating the well-documented fact that Reagan had a large impact on American polittics. hmmmm.... sounds like someone needs to be DEBUNKED, since they evidently haven't read what Obama actually said on those matters.

Here's a link for yeah jefferson from HRC friend Ben Smith:

http://www.politico.com/blogs/bensmith/0108/Transformation_like_Reagan.html

[Svenson]

Obama doesnt lie .. he just has two versions of nafta and iraq withdrawal and ?

[snowcat]

re 3am ad. One of the girls is an Obama supporter!

in King 5 article she said:
“It’s really sort of ironic that my image would be used to advocate for Hillary when I myself do not,” said Casey.

She may only be 17, but Casey has some very strong political opinions. She turns 18 - legal voting age - in April, in plenty of time before the general election.

“It’s perfect timing because I have a candidate that I really identify with,” she said.

“I’ve been campaigning for Barack Obama for a few months now,” she said. “I was actually a precinct captain at the caucuses a few months ago. I attended his rally a few months ago and I’m a very, very avid supporter.”

http://www.king5.com/topstories/stories/NW_030708WAB_hillary_ad_KC.328ab14f.html

[LAJonathan]

I was thinking last night who created the term "vast right wing conspiracy" - we used to parrot it like it was some unknown scary thing we democrats should all discredit. Hmmmmm, when I looked it up on wiki none other than Hillary Clinton was there front and center. She first said it during the Lewinsky scandal. I began to think that she created this broad easy to say phrase to respond to pretty much anything she does that's crooked. Hey its the right wing conspiracy! Easy breezy. So, what we are all finding out now, and should remember, is there a vast right wing consiracy at all? It appears now, this so called conspiracy, isn't a conspiracy at all, but the absolute truth. Frightening her level of narcissism.

[treadway123]

I look at things this Way. The name hussein in Obama's name is a plus for the United States if he become President. It will resinate all around the world that WE are not hater's that the middle east thought we were. How can muslems who gone extreme and killers say we hate the Middle East and it's people after that. Obama becomeing president can heal the hate for America. It will show that America doesn't care who you are, that if your a peaceful people who want prosperity,lasting peace and live in a world that is fighting to stop wars------------than your welcome to be our friend! I see Osbama middle name as a Blessing ! One that can help heal, and give pause to what can be in this world. Just think about it! It doesn't give the haters more reason to claim victory as I have heard------------BUT SENDS A POSITIVE MESSAGE ALL AROUND THE WORLD THAT AMERICA DOESN'T DESCRIMINATE IN ANY WAY--------------RATHER IT'S GENDER,COLOR,RELIGEON OR SIMPLY A NAME OUR PARENTS GAVE US!

[shotgunjohnny]

keep on dreaming. amerikkka is alive and well.

Five examples of HRC campaign using RACE to spread FEAR and gain VOTES:

1. HRC states on 20/20 that Obama muslim rumor not true "As Far As I Know".
From (HRC friend, Jake Tapper):
http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalpunch/2008/03/clinton-says-ob.html

2. HRC releases photo of Obama in turban.
From:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/02/25/obama-photo-in-turban-ro_n_88272.html

3. HRC visits SNL set with Obama portrayed in black face.
From:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/02/28/AR2008022803988.html

4. HRC doctors debate footage to make Obama blacker in attack ad.
“Hillary Clinton [is] …now running an ad blatantly lying about Obama's subcommittee. Her ad includes debate footage heavily doctored to make Obama blacker.”
From:
http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2008/3/4/21311/85811/447/468408

5. HRC plays the ‘Hussein’ Card.
“The Obama campaign has released a recording (mp3) it says came from a Nevadan's answering machine of an anonymous robocall that criticizes Obama for taking money from special interests while repeating, four times, his rarely used middle name: "Hussein."”
From (HRC friend, Ben Smith):
http://www.politico.com/blogs/bensmith/0108/Robocall_trashes_Barack_Hussein_Obama.html

[4TJefferson]

Yeah sure. We see all the "so called" possitive messages right here on the "Obama Post" with "the monster", "the catwoman", "the Hildabeast", and then there is just "the bi?ch." Yeah, what a class act you guys and girls have going. He who is without sin cast the first stone and all that crap. Right?

[cybersense]

Let me help conservitive Lord Trimble of Lisnagarvey remember a little.

Taken from a quote on the Irish Echo:

"I am quite surprised that anyone would suggest that Hillary Clinton did not perform important foreign policy work as first lady. I can state from firsthand experience that she played a positive role for over a decade in helping to bring peace to Northern Ireland," said former SDLP leader and Nobel laureate John Hume is a statement responding to critical press reports.

"She visited Northern Ireland, met with very many people and gave very decisive support to the peace process. In private she made countless calls and contacts, speaking to leaders and opinion makers on all sides, urging them to keep moving forward," said Hume.

and....

"Anyone criticizing her foreign policy involvement should look at her very active and positive approach to Northern Ireland and speak with the people of Northern Ireland who have the highest regard for her and are very grateful for her very active support for our peace process," Hume concluded in his defense of Hillary's Irish legacy.

Take some time to read what the people really involved in this whole process really think, and how really NOT silly it was for them:
http://www.irishecho.com/newspaper/story.cfm?id=18626

[olderdem]

Sounds like routine First Lady duties. Happy talk. I'm sure Laura Bush could do as much, or Michelle Obama. How did she actually contribute to negotiations -- the hard stuff? Of course, she didn't.

We all need to read more, but reading comprehension is even more important.

[4TJefferson]

Hey olderdem. A "routine First Lady?" A "routine First Lady?" Please don't try to that on people over 25. Pop Quiz. Were you better off in 1998 or 2008?

[DRHoen]

"She ... met with very many people and gave very decisive support to the peace process... She made countless calls and contacts, speaking to leaders and opinion makers on all sides, urging them to keep moving forward."

I think it's great that Mrs. Clinton tried to help in Northern Ireland. It is not her fault if as First Lady, which is not an elected or even appointed position, but rather a ceremonial one, she would not have been allowable to do any heavy lifting.

However, one of her key campaign arguments is that she has superior foreign policy experience, and one of the few examples she can give to support this claim is her role in Northern Ireland. That being the case, one would expect that her contribution to that process was relevant to what she would be expected to do as president, such as negotiating hard deals between enemies or dealing with crises, rather than peripheral, like urging people to move forward.

If her foreign policy experience amounts to networking and encouragement, as it seems to, is Mrs. Clinton justified in her claims, or is she exaggerating? Is her experience sufficient to justify her 3 a.m. phone ad? How does her work in Northern Ireland help her when she answers that phone?

[PhyloSeFiser]

Well said again Doc.

[4TJefferson]

Again. Has Obama ever been to Northern Ireland? A simple Yes or No will do.

[Tankan]

Hillary Clinton was in Northern Ireland by default, drinking tea and munching sanwiches with hand picked ladies who had no input to the peace negotiations!
As for John Hume, he specialises in heaping praise on the high and mighty, commonly known in certain circles in Ireland as a kiss ass! The people who negotiated peace were the Nationalists, Republicans, Unionists and Loyalists, Bill and Hillary had nothing to do with it. Contrary to popular opinion, the whole thing was stage managed, just like the Middle East peace talks, to make it appear that America was the great peacemaker!
Since when do warmongers make peace? Wolves in sheeps clothing!
Get the name of an early riser, you can lay in your bed all day long!

[Mikeblackbear]

Dear Friends,

I have just read and signed the online petition:

"Obama Supporters Who Will Not Vote For Clinton in November"

hosted on the web by PetitionOnline.com, the free online petition
service, at:

http://www.PetitionOnline.com/obama725/

I personally agree with what this petition says, and I think you might
agree, too. If you can spare a moment, please take a look, and consider
signing yourself.

Best wishes,

Mike Willette

[DRHoen]

done.

[cybersense]

Well, that will teach who, exactly? Are you so off your rocker that you would have more of the same problems in the White house for another four years by voting against Hillary? I wonder where your
sense of loyalty is really?

If, Obama gets the nomination, he better get a very good running candidate that has the experience he lacks to win against the Republicans. In that case, sir "if I don't get my way", then why even bother voting in the first place?

[DRHoen]

What is it with you people and "sense of loyalty"? Don't you understand that it is precisely this sentiment that has lead to much of Bush's incompetence, and which leads to corruption? You are not dogs, so use your minds rather than your loyalties.

By the way, I strongly support Obama but would not vote for even for a Clinton/Obama ticket, not anymore. And Clinton's claims that she will put Obama on her ticket are arrogant and infuriating. She is losing!

[Mikeblackbear]

Please enlighten me on Hillary's experience. Don't you get it. Experience doesn't amount to squat if you don't know how to use it. Hillary is so self serving and polarizing that she by those characteristics wont be able to get anything done. And why would you want to re live all of those nasty episodes that are linked to the Clintons. And the argument of her bringing back the prosperity of the 90's is so bunk. This isn't the 90's anymore, we are working out of a totally different tool box now and she is to old school to adapt. I could go on and on.

[gojackets]

For years now, I've sat and watched Bush and Cheney spit on the constitution and just couldn't understand how their fellow Republicans could sit back and do nothing. Don't they love their country more than their party? How could power and winning be more important than basic American principles?

I'm a lifelong, very loyal Democrat, - I've never voted other than Dem in a presidential, congressional, or senate race - but no party OWNS my vote. They have to earn it. Blind party loyalty can be a very dangerous thing and I think that goes for both parties.

[Fletcher360]

Sorry, HIllary Clinton is a monster but she is still better than McCain. I hope Obama wins and I hope Hillary is not on the ticket. But if by some miracle Hillary gets the nomination, you have to vote for her. We can't let McCain get control of appointing judges to the Supreme Court. For that reason alone people need to vote Democrat in November. Grow up and stop threatening to take your ball and go home if your candidate loses. People on both sides of this thing need to suck it up and get ready to do the right thing in case their candidate loses.

[esgabel]

So that means you are willing to put John McCain in office so that he can carry on the policies of George W. Bush--war, torture(now that he has seen the light) John Bolton in the UN again, no healthcare proposals, lack of campaign reform(again now that he has seen the light)--maybe he'll make Jed Bush his VP....and the continuation of the imperial presidency that undermines the Constitution's checks and balances...good trade off--now that we are hitting 4000 dead Americans and countless Iraqis...we might as well add more to the list

[4TJefferson]

Great. And at this time no Hillary Supporters are going to vote for Obama. So, two can play your game. What a lot of sniveling little kindergarden whinners. "If little Obama does not win, I am going home and I am not going to play with you." Please get of the computer now, your mommy is calling you.

[shotgunjohnny]

sounds like you're the one whining.

[DRHoen]

Caught in her lies. Thanks to the UK press. Why is the US media so bloody ineffectual (oh ya - corporate domination, I forgot)? No wonder this country is falling apart. Please US media, please put Mrs. Clinton's feet to the fire for the blatant deceit upon which she founds her campaign of ridiculous attacks.

[gojackets]

They can't....if they do, Clinton will bat her eyelashes and complain how they're picking on her.