Notes from the Left Coast

Drummond Pike’s Blog

Sy Hersh’s recent piece (New Yorker Magazine, July 7 & 14 , 2008 Issue) is one of the most frightening pieces I have read in years. In it, with his deft storytelling, he paints a picture of a struggle between the military command structure and the White House (primarily Dick Cheney) that has been pursuing an independent strategy to destabilize Iran.

Two things astonish: first, what was long thought a settled matter about the ability of the military command structure to oversee all field activities involving the use of lethal force, particularly important in a theater of operations such as the Middle East where what happens in a neighboring country can have very direct impact on our troops on the ground, turns out not to be the case. After all the scandals involving White House sanctioned “special operations,” Congress finally locked down the ability for independent action outside the military lines of command via the 1986 Defense Reorganization Actl…or did it? Remember the Iran Contra debacle? (more…)

One of the perennial debates in the funding community revolves around the question of boundaries and role with regard to the groups we fund. Are we venture capitalists where, by virtue of the grants we have made, we have a seat at the table? Should we insist on an E.D. stepping down if we observe poor performance? Should we withhold further funding until changes we believe warranted become reality? Let’s call this the “venture” model, as many have done.

Or, should we see ourselves in a more passive role, financing the work of organizations, holding them accountable to stated goals and objectives, and observing weaknesses with constructive suggestions on what they might do? Let’s call this the “supportive” model.
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