Senator Dianne Feinstein Explains Her Vote Against Nomination of Rex Tillerson as Secretary of State

Dear Mr. Patterson: Thank you for contacting me to express your concerns about Rex Tillerson’s nomination to be Secretary of State.  I appreciate the time you took to write, and I welcome the opportunity to respond. After studying his record at ExxonMobil, and the testimony he provided during his confirmation hearing, I opposed Mr. Tillerson’s nomination to be our next Secretary of State when it came to the Senate floor on February 1, 2017.  During his time at ExxonMobil, the company purposefully circumvented U.S. sanctions against Iran, Syria, and Sudan.  Specifically, Exxon established a joint venture with Shell—called Infineum—that sold petroleum products to Iran, Sudan, and Syria while those nations were under sanctions by the United States.   Mr. Tillerson refused to discuss Exxon-Mobil’s denial of the effects of human activity on the climate even though the energy company had conclusive scientific evidence linking the two. He also said that he does not see an “imminent national security threat” from climate change.  Mr. Tillerson testified that he considers the two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict a “dream,” even though many, including myself, believe that it is the only way to reach an enduring peace. Indeed, during his confirmation hearing he appeared almost disinterested in the peace process.  Finally, I am concerned with Mr. Tillerson’s close personal and financial ties to Russia.  He refused to describe Russia’s actions in Syria—including the bombings of schools, hospitals, and of a UN aid convoy—as possible war crimes.  He also claimed to be unaware of Exxon’s lobbying efforts against Iran- and Russia-related sanctions, even though it is public record that ExxonMobil lobbied against a variety of sanctions since 2010.  Additionally, Mr. Tillerson refused to support existing sanctions imposed against Russia for its invasion of Ukraine and interference in our most recent elections. For these reasons, I voted against Rex Tillerson’s nomination to be Secretary of State.  Please know that I read your letter with great interest, and will keep your views in mind as the Senate considers any future nominations.  Once again, thank you for writing, and I hope that you will continue to keep me informed about issues of importance to you.  Should you have any further comments or questions, please feel free to contact my Washington, D.C., office at (202) 224-3841, or visit my website at Feinstein.senate.gov.  Best regards. Sincerely yours,   Dianne Feinstein          United States Senator Further information about my position on issues of concern to California and the nation are available at my website,feinstein.senate.gov. And please visit my YouTube, Facebook and Twitter for more ways to communicate with me.

Jim Patterson Note:

I do not believe Mr. Tillerson was disinterested in the peace process between Israel and the Palestinian Authority. I believe he does not support a Palestinian Authority dictated peace process or a peace process that jeopardizes Israel. Additionally, the "peace process" cannot strengthen  the Palestinians in their efforts to destabilize Israel. 

Senator Feinstein writes Russia interfered in "our most recent elections." Isn't this supposed to alleged interference in US elections. If it has already been proven to Senator Feinstein's satisfaction what would be the purpose of a Congressional investigation? 

I sent Secretary Tillerson a copy of the letter for his response to me and Senator Feinstein.

Jim Patterson

Friend of Israel Defense Forces

Life Member American Foreign Service Association 

Member Society of Historians of American Foreign Relations

Associate Member (Family) Korean War Veterans Association

Life Member (Family) Associates of Vietnam Veterans of America

Member US Philippine Society

Diplomatic and Consular Officers R 

Member DACOR Bacon House Foundation Washington DC

Member California State Society

Life Member Republican National Committee

 

Diplomat Jim Patterson and Termination of Executive Order 9066

                                                    Diplomat and 1976 President Ford Convention Staffer Jim Patterson                                                     at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum,                                                                                             Grand Rapids, Michigan.

On Feb. 19, 1942, during World War II, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed Executive Order (E.O.) 9066, which authorized the creation of U.S. military areas "from which any or all persons may be excluded"; the order was used mostly to relocate and intern people of Japanese ancestry, including American-born citizens, although fewer numbers of people of German and Italian backgrounds were also singled out.

On February 19, 1976, President Gerald R. Ford, calling issuance of Executive Order (E.O.) 9066 in 1942 "a sad day in American history," signed a proclamation formally confirming its termination.

February 19, 2017

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Jim Patterson worked for the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Campaign in Alabama, Mississippi, Georgia, Washington DC and Kansas City, MO. Speaking availability JEPDiplomat@gmail.com

Jim Patterson is a life member of the American Foreign Service Association, contributor to Foreign Service Journal, TheHill.com, and member of the Indiana and California State Societies. His work has appeared in Christian Science Monitor, Washington Post, Washington Times, Wall Street Journal, San Francisco Examiner, Montgomery (Alabama) Advertiser, and Agricultural History among others. 

Mr. James Patterson’s professional activities:

Life Member American Foreign Service Association

Society for Historians of American Foreign Relations

Member Friend Israeli Defense Forces

Member America Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC)

Associate Member Korean War Veterans Association

Life Member Associates of Vietnam Veterans of America

Member, US Philippines Society

Member Indiana State Society

National Book Critics Circle, Voting Member

Life Member Republican National Committee

Member California Republican Party

Donor Helen Keller International

Contributor TheHill.com

Contributor Foreign Service Journal

Contributor Montgomery (Alabama) Advertiser

Member, Computer History Museum

National Active and Retired Federal Employees

Alumni Fraternity of Alpha Zeta

Life Member Auburn University Alumni Association

Donor International Student House (Washington DC)

Donor Fredonia (AL) Rosenwald School Historic Preservation

Member, Aldo Leopold Foundation

Friend President Gerald R. Ford Presidential Foundation

Life Member Niles Essanay Silent Film Museum (Fremont, California) Soft Diplomacy of Film 

Board Member Dorothy and Lillian Gish Theater Bowling Green State University Soft Diplomacy Project 

Member and Contributor Agricultural History Society
Friend of New York Public Library 

Jim Patterson at Embassy of the People's Republic of China Washington DC

Taking a brief rest.

Topic: US-China Relations in the Trump era

Enjoying Lunar New Year Exhibits

                                                         Art at the Embassy of PRC is not Minimalism by Western                                                                      standards.

The event at the Embassy of PRC was postponed in December after President-elect Trump took a congratulatory phone call from the Taiwanese president. It was re-scheduled after President Trump affirmed the One-China policy in a "cordial" 90-minute telephone conversation with President Xi Jinping..

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Mr. James Patterson’s professional activities:

Life Member American Foreign Service Association

Society for Historians of American Foreign Relations

Member Friend Israeli Defense Forces

Member America Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC)

Associate Member Korean War Veterans Association

Life Member Associates of Vietnam Veterans of America

Member, US Philippines Society

Member Indiana State Society

National Book Critics Circle, Voting Member

Life Member Republican National Committee

Member California Republican Party

Donor Helen Keller International

Contributor TheHill.com

Contributor Foreign Service Journal

Contributor Montgomery (Alabama) Advertiser

Member, Computer History Museum

National Active and Retired Federal Employees

Alumni Fraternity of Alpha Zeta

Life Member Auburn University Alumni Association

Donor International Student House (Washington DC)

Donor Fredonia (AL) Rosenwald School Historic Preservation

Member, Aldo Leopold Foundation

Friend President Gerald R. Ford Presidential Foundation

Life Member Niles Essanay Silent Film Museum (Fremont, California) Soft Diplomacy of Film 

Board Member Dorothy and Lillian Gish Theater Bowling Green State University Soft Diplomacy Project 

Member and Contributor Agricultural History Society

Friend of New York Public Library 

Diplomat Jim Patterson Looks at the World Situation

Diplomat Jim Patterson Looks at World Situations 

Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad “succeeded in bringing Rep. Tulsi Gabbard (D-Hawaii) to Damascus and having her parrot [his] propaganda on her return,” writes the Washington Post. WaPo questioned funding for the trip and suggested Syrian sources facilitated it.

Gabbard visited President-elect Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence at Trump Tower before Trump’s Inauguration. Washington tongues are wagging Gabbard was on a Trump-supported mission to gather intelligence. The congresswoman received criticism from Democratic leaders for her outreach to Trump.

When Gabbard’s group returned, she claimed the United States is arming al Qaeda and ISIS which the Post said was Assad’s “talking points.” The Post: “Principled opposition to US intervention in Syria is one thing. Becoming a tool of a mass murderer’s propaganda and influence campaign is another.”  

…

At the United Nations, Ambassador Nikki Haley, in her first address to the Security Council, admonished Russia for recent shelling in Ukraine. Harsh winter, with temps -20 Celsius and disruptions of water and electricity, make the situation dire.

Email on Ukraine to Senator Dianne Feinstein:

My friends in the Bay Area’s Ukrainian community are concerned about recent Russian shelling in Ukraine which has killed 20 people and left thousands without food, water and electricity in -20 Celsius weather.

In remarks to the UN Security Council, Ambassador Nikki Haley said the situation is worsening. The only option for the security of Ukrainians is full implementation of the Minsk Protocol negotiated two years ago between the warring parties with the European Union assisting in negotiations. EU leaders have not stepped forward to respond to the renewed crisis.

Please inform me what the current US policy is on Russian aggression in Ukraine. I was disappointed former President Obama ignored Russia’s violation of international law when it invaded Ukraine. Please ask Secretary of State Rex Tillerson to commence serious action to seek a diplomatic solution to this serious problem before it destabilizes a broader region. 

Thank you for the courtesy of an email reply to JEPDiplomat@gmail.com Thank you for all you are doing to help prevent further Russian aggression in Ukraine

Sincerely,

James E. Patterson

Member California State Society

Life Member American Foreign Service Association

--- 

February 2 Highlights of American Foreign Relations History

On February 2, 1848, the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo was signed, ending the war between the United States and Mexico.

  

On Feb. 2, 1942, a Los Angeles Times column by W.H. Anderson urged security measures against Japanese-Americans, arguing that a Japanese-American "almost inevitably ... grows up to be a Japanese, not an American."

On Feb 2, 1990, in a dramatic concession to South Africa's black majority, President F.W. de Klerk lifted a ban on the African National Congress and promised to free Nelson Mandela.

Birthdays of Note:

Former French President Valery Giscard d'Estaing is 91.

Ponderable:

"Absence is to love what wind is to fire; it extinguishes the small, it inflames the great." - Bussy-Rabutin, French author.


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James E. Patterson is a Life Member of the American Foreign Service Association, Alumni Fraternity of Alpha Zeta, Life Member Auburn University Alumni Association, Member Indiana State Society, Former elected Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner 2A04 Washington DC (during 9/11 attacks) and my district included the State Department, The Embassy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and the George Washington University. 

Senator Dianne Feinstein on UN-Israel Developments

Received by Email on February 1 2017 Readers: Additional Developments Follow

Dear Mr. Patterson:

Thank you for contacting me to express your thoughts on U.S. policy toward the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).  I appreciate the time you took to write, and I welcome the opportunity to respond.

As you may know, the Foreign Relations Authorization Act (P.L. 101-246) prohibits funding for any United Nations agency that accords the Palestinians the same standing as UN member states. In October 2011, UNESCO admitted Palestine as a member state, resulting in the withholding of U.S. contributions to that agency. 

After failing to pay dues, the United States was stripped of its voting rights within UNESCO on November 8, 2013.  However, on November 11, 2015, the United States was elected to UNESCO’s Executive Board for a term ending on November 11, 2019. 

I understand that you oppose U.S. contributions to UNESCO because of a draft resolution criticizing Israel’s actions around the Temple Mount complex in Jerusalem.  You may be interested to know that the Obama Administration criticized UNESCO’s draft resolution.  A State Department spokesperson stated: "We are deeply concerned about these kinds of recurring, politicized resolutions that do nothing to advance constructive results on the ground. And we don't believe they should be adopted.”

  

Please be assured that I have carefully noted your thoughts on this matter, and as a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, I will keep your views in mind as the Senate considers providing funding for UNESCO in FY17.

Once again, thank you for writing.  I hope that you will continue to keep me informed about issues of importance to you.  Should you have any further comments or questions, please feel free to contact my Washington, D.C., office at (202) 224-3841 or visit my website at www.feinstein.senate.gov.  Best regards.

Sincerely yours,


  Dianne Feinstein
         United States Senator -xxx- Additional developments: In January 2017 US Congressman Mike Rogers 3rd District Alabama introduced legislation to cut US funding from the United Nations. The US provides one-fifth of the UN's operating budget. President Donald Trump's new UN Ambassador, former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley, is on the Security Council with plans to restore the US-Israel relationship damaged and betrayed by Obama, Secretary John Kerry and Samantha Power.  One final point, former UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon will not run for political office in South Korea.    New York Post Editorial February 1, 2017 UN-usual Sweet-Talk Well.  here's something fresh out of the United Nations: On Friday, the new secretary general, Antonio Guterres, had some nice words to say about Israel. Speaking to Israel Radio, the new UN chief said there's "no doubt" that Jerusalem is holy to all three of the major monotheistic religions, adding that it's also "completely clear that the Temple the Romans destroyed in Jerusalem was a Jewish temple."  Welcome words, after one UN agency recently insisted the Temple Mount isn't Jewish--but what really matters are the votes. Like the ones that passed last month's Israel-bashing Security Council resolution.  Yes, the Obama administration bears the chief blame--it refused to veto the measure, and indeed worked behind the scenes to see that it even came up for a vote. But the whole United Nations has long been rife with Israel-bashing--endless efforts by rank human-rights abusers to condemn the Jewish state for imaginary "crimes."   Now that Security Council slap may prove a tipping point. There's serious talk in Congress about slashing the United Nations budget. You have to wonder if that's why Guterres is suddenly talking so nicely about Israel.  (c) New York Post  -xxx-

Significant Dates in American Foreign Relations History

“History is a vast early warning system.” Norman Cousins

February 1 2017

Notable Birthdays:

Boris Yeltsin (1931-2007), Russian president

Princess Stephanie of Monaco (1965- )

1942, during World War II, the Voice of America broadcast its first program to Europe, relaying it through the facilities of the British Broadcasting Corp. in London.

1943, one of America's most highly decorated military units, the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, made up almost exclusively of Japanese-Americans, was authorized.

1946, Norwegian statesman Trygve Lie (TRIHG'-vuh lee) was chosen to be the first secretary-general of the United Nations.

1968, during the Vietnam War, South Vietnam's police chief Nguyen Ngoc Loan executed a Viet Cong officer with a pistol shot to the head in a scene captured by news photographers.

1979, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini (hoh-MAY'-nee) received a tumultuous welcome in Tehran as he ended nearly 15 years of exile.

1992, Federal judge Irving R. Kaufman, who sentenced Julius and Ethel Rosenberg to death, died in New York at age 81.

2007 President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad launched anniversary celebrations for Iran's Islamic Revolution with a defiant promise to push ahead with the country's controversial nuclear program.

2012 Mark Zuckerberg creator of Facebook announced plans to go public with a stock offering. Facebook Inc. (NASDAQ: FB) stock price on February 1 at 1:44 p.m. Eastern:  $132.25 per share, a record high.
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Economist/diplomat Jim Patterson is a Life Member of the American Foreign Service Association, Life Member Republican National Committee, Member Society of Historians of American Foreign Relations, Member California State Society, Member Agricultural History Society, Donor Helen Keller International. 

Senator Dianne Feinstein Reports on Israeli Dispute with UNESCO

Dear Mr. Patterson: Thank you for contacting me to express your thoughts on U.S. policy toward the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).  I appreciate the time you took to write, and I welcome the opportunity to respond. As you may know, the Foreign Relations Authorization Act (P.L. 101-246) prohibits funding for any United Nations agency that accords the Palestinians the same standing as UN member states. In October 2011, UNESCO admitted Palestine as a member state, resulting in the withholding of U.S. contributions to that agency.  After failing to pay dues, the United States was stripped of its voting rights within UNESCO on November 8, 2013.  However, on November 11, 2015, the United States was elected to UNESCO’s Executive Board for a term ending on November 11, 2019.  I understand that you oppose U.S. contributions to UNESCO because of a draft resolution criticizing Israel’s actions around the Temple Mount complex in Jerusalem.  You may be interested to know that the Obama Administration criticized UNESCO’s draft resolution.  A State Department spokesperson stated: "We are deeply concerned about these kinds of recurring, politicized resolutions that do nothing to advance constructive results on the ground. And we don't believe they should be adopted.”    Please be assured that I have carefully noted your thoughts on this matter, and as a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, I will keep your views in mind as the Senate considers providing funding for UNESCO in FY17. Once again, thank you for writing.  I hope that you will continue to keep me informed about issues of importance to you.  Should you have any further comments or questions, please feel free to contact my Washington, D.C., office at (202) 224-3841 or visit my website at www.feinstein.senate.gov.  Best regards. Sincerely yours,   Dianne Feinstein          United States Senator Further information about my position on issues of concern to California and the nation are available at my website,feinstein.senate.gov. And please visit my YouTube, Facebook and Twitter for more ways to communicate with me.

Click here to Reply or Forward

Diplomat Jim Patterson Writes House Committee on Foreign Affairs Chair Ed Royce on Misleading HCFA Letter on White House Spokesperson Sean Spicer

James E. Patterson

Life Member American Foreign Service Association

Washington DC 20037

JEPDiplomat@gmail.com

February 1, 2017

Congressman Ed Royce 

2310 Rayburn House Office Building

Washington, DC 20515

Dear Congressman Royce,

As a member of the California State Society and a foreign service professional, I want to call to your kind attention a recent email from my professional union, the American Foreign Service Association (AFSA). See transmitted Page Two of the email with the last paragraph circled.

The email to me states: “It is important to note that friends of the Foreign Service on Capitol Hill are showing their support in action (of AFSA dissent to President Trump’s immigration EO). Click here to read a letter to the President from members of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.” See transmitted Page Three of the letter.

The letter address to “The President” and not to “President Donald J. Trump,” is signed by Ranking Members of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs and Democratic Rep. Alan Lowenthal, who is not a Committee Member. As an AFSA member and a Life Member of the AFSA who voted for President Donald J. Trump and Vice President Mike Pence, the AFSA email is inaccurate and offensive to me.

The Committee letter, dated January 31, 2017, should be address to President Donald J. Trump so as not to be divisive and fuel politically partisan charges President Trump was illegitimately elected President of the United States. Secondly, the email is inaccurate because Lowenthal is not a member of the Committee on Foreign Affairs. Further, since the letterhead states “Committee on Foreign Affairs” Lowenthal is misleading readers, as is AFSA, that he is a Committee member.

It is disturbing to me AFSA has taken a partisan political position in violation of its mission. I urge you to call this matter to the attention of AFSA President Barbara J. Stephenson. Ambassador Stephenson needs to read and accurately describe these emails and stop distributing partisan political material in violation of the Hatch Act and other federal laws.

Please contact me if I can answer any questions on this very serious matter. Thank you for your service to California, the Nation and the World.

Sincerely,

James Patterson

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"History is a vast early warning system." Norman Cousins

January 31 in American Foreign Relations History 

In 1968, the North Vietnamese Tet Offensive began in South Vietnam. Jim Patterson Notes: Magazines are now on sale that document this important historical event in American Foreign Relations History. 

Birthday of Note: 

Princess Beatrix of the Netherlands, the former queen regent, is 79. 

Quote: 

"Happiness is not having what you want, but wanting what you have." - Rabbi Hyman Judah Schachtel, Jim Patterson Note: True for material things and foreign policy accomplishments.  

Announcing:

Explaining the History of American Foreign Relations, 3rd edition