BULLETIN - AT 5:33 P.M. ET:   From The Washington Times:

Director of National Intelligence Dennis C. Blair announced Tuesday that his choice to head a key intelligence body, Charles "Chas" W. Freeman Jr., has withdrawn from the post.

The terse two-sentence announcement that Mr. Freeman would not chair the National Intelligence Council (NIC) followed mounting questions from members of Congress and others about the former ambassador's financial ties to Saudi Arabia and China and views about the Middle East and human rights.

COMMENT:  As readers know, we've been following this story.  Freeman's appointment was a disgrace.  The man holds views that would be repugnant to the overwhelming majority of Americans.  He never met a dictatorship he didn't like.  The usual suspects will attribute Freeman's withdrawal to the "Israel lobby."  If they do, so be it.  People have a right to petition their government.  But fair-minded people will realize that a man who praised the Tiananmen Square massacre and who has no problem with the worst of the Arab tyrannies, should not be in a position of influence.

We hope this episode sends a message to the "realists" in the Obama administration that their views are being scrutinized. 

Freeman's withdrawal comes on top of increasing criticism of the Obama administration for its seeming coldness toward democracy and human rights.  The good guys are getting active, and angry.

March 10, 2009