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Periscope by Niall O'Dowd

John Brennan, son of Irish immigrants, now Obama's top gun

Posted on Sunday, June 06, 2010 at 08:32 PM

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John Brennan, son of Irish parents, has become the most valued foreign policy aide to President Barack Obama says the Washington Post.

The Post reports that Brennan shares a small west wing office with Denis McDonough, another key Irish aide to Obama and that both men have major access to the president.

Brennan was the man the president turned to after the near explosion on board a flight on Christmas day.

"Within two weeks, Brennan had produced a sharply written report that caught other intelligence heads by surprise -- and caused an uproar in some quarters for its harsh assessment of intelligence agencies' performance." the paper reports.

"Brennan has grown only more powerful within the White House, according to numerous officials. His allies -- and there are many -- say he is abundantly competent with a reassuring style." the Post reports.

The paper says that Brennan has built a "high-voltage security hub in the White House, one that far outmuscles that of his predecessors. From a windowless, lower-level West Wing suite that he shares with Denis R. McDonough, the chief of staff to the National Security Council, Brennan has frequent access to the president."

He is Obama's 'Invaluable go-to person'

Brennan, 55, was in the CIA most of his working life.

He speaks fluent Arabic and was once CIA station chief in Saudi Arabia.

He was born in Northern New Jersey to Irish parents from Roscommon.

Now he is at the right hand of Obama for every major foreign policy crisis.It is a major achievement for the son of immigrants from the old sod.

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33 comments

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Maoleitigh | Jun 11, 2010, 03:57 PM EDT

irishwxman - says it all!

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manofaran | Jun 10, 2010, 04:37 PM EDT

Correction. Some things.

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manofaran | Jun 10, 2010, 04:36 PM EDT

We can agree on some thing I see. Well thats a start.

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irishwxman | Jun 09, 2010, 05:47 PM EDT

Hey I never gave Bush a break on his spending, nor the republicans when they were in the majority. They spent like Democrats and that is why they were shown the door in 06. But now we have the radical socialist president running the show and a house speaker and senate majority leader who love to are right beside him with their government take overs and entitlement programs, and look where that has gotten us. Darn near bankrupt. Obama has spent more in his year and a half than all of Bush'2 8. This is the stuff that needs to end. Stop growing government, and stop taking money from the wealthy people (who actually create the work) and giving it to the looters and moochers. Social justice is a cancer that must be removed.

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manofaran | Jun 09, 2010, 05:28 PM EDT

Wow, So we had a Corporate and Big Business friendly, tax breaks and deregulation run goverment here under the last administration. Oil companies doing whatever the like, minning companies disregarding safety, companies getting tax breaks to move over seas. Wars without paying for them. Tax breaks without paying for them. Spend spend and spend.They tsaid Deficits didnt matter. Bar Ron Paul and a couple more they spent like drunken sailors. Do you really want more of that. Maybe the otherside is not much better, time will tell.

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irishwxman | Jun 09, 2010, 02:20 PM EDT

And how do you know where I have lived and have not lived? You presumptuous ass.

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irishwxman | Jun 09, 2010, 02:18 PM EDT

OK, so we both have family over there. And your point is what exactly? Giving me your family tee doesn't change the fact that Ireland is number two in the world in entitlement programs and welfare. It has sank the country, and now people are not working and companies are taking their businesses elsewhere. It is the same as Greece. It is European style socialism and it has practically destroyed Europe. Why else do you think the British elected a conservative?? The Labour party was killing the UK! France and Germany have followed suit. The people are sick of the far left policies of the government spending and spending and spending giving their hard earned money to the looters and moochers. Its happening in the US and come November I can guarantee you there will be a house cleaning.

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manofaran | Jun 09, 2010, 12:52 PM EDT

Really after one change of Taoiseach and the country tanked. I'm from there and go home on a regular basis. Most of my brothers and sisters still live there, So I dont need a rag like the Irish Times to tell me whats going on. As for the Polish, there hard working people and most of the have gone back to Poland because there's work there. And Cowen continued the same bad policyies as Bertie. And it is the party in charge that makes policy. Who's a nitwitt. Never lived there but you know best?

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irishwxman | Jun 09, 2010, 12:23 AM EDT

I meant resigned not reigned.

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irishwxman | Jun 09, 2010, 12:05 AM EDT

Make up facts? I think you are the one making up the facts. That is a FACT I read right out of the Irish times. And yes, it is the immigrants...and some lazy Irishmen. My grand mother saw with her own eyes a Polish immigrant driving around in a brand new minivan with her kids living in government housing....paid for off of the taxpayers dime...LIVING ON THE DOLE. You are just pro socialism and cannot accept the fact that it bankrupts countries and lowers incentives for people to get off their bums and actually do some work. It isn't the political party in charge you nitwit, its the Taoiseach. Bertie Ahern was a more conservative Taoiseach who had lower taxes for bigger businesses and people invested and hired workers! Then he reigned, and in came Cowen and the country's economy tanked. Why? BECAUSE OF INCREASED ENTITLEMENT PROGRAMS! Do some research before you shoot off your liberal garbage.

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manofaran | Jun 08, 2010, 11:47 PM EDT

it seems you just make up stats and facts as you go along. So lets blame the immigrants etc. While the so called celtic tiger was in full swing Fianna Fail ran the country so badly taking care of there croonies and big business and builders and banks. From a huge surplus in the budget to just last year bailing out the banks and builders. Just some hard facts.

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irishwxman | Jun 08, 2010, 10:27 PM EDT

Don't listen to Manofaran. Socialism IS what killed the economy. Ireland is second in the WORLD in entitlements and welfare. That is not a title I think I want. People on the dole actually make more money than those who work. Where is the incentive? There is none. Immigrants come over and get new homes and new cars and the Irish foot the bill. it is completely and utterly socialism that bankrupted Ireland. it bankrupted Greece and is about to bankrupt the United States.

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manofaran | Jun 08, 2010, 10:26 PM EDT

Wxman. So now I'm a goon and a moonbat. Your debating skills are endless.

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manofaran | Jun 08, 2010, 10:17 PM EDT

Willieboy. So by your statement you dont think much of Irishmen. Mabye you should be reading English Central.

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manofaran | Jun 08, 2010, 10:14 PM EDT

Wxman, what has Brennan done that is incompetent. So you dont like Obama, big deal, whats your beef with Brennan.

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