On The Keystone: We Have Determined That No Determination Is Required

I don't know if readers are following the O'Bama dilemma about sending US financial aid to Egypt in light of the recent military coup. If the administration determines that it was a military coup, then by law, US financial aid cannot be sent to Egypt. On the other hand, if it was not a military coup, then the US can send financial aid to Egypt.

It was obviously a military coup, and for the past two weeks the administration has refused to make a determination.

But yesterday, the O'Bama administration announced that it has determined that a determination was not necessary.

State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki told Matt Lee of the Associated Press Tuesday that the U.S. had “determined that we do not need to make a determination” over whether or not the ousting of Mohamed Morsi in Egypt was a coup.

Sen. John McCain (R., Ariz.) called it a coup Tuesday, but the Obama administration has deliberately avoided using the word:

LEE: In response to the first question about Senator McCain’s comments, you gave — you said, our position has not changed, as you just did with Morsi. On McCain’s comments, though, our position has not changed — then you said the U.S. government has stated what our position is. Could you remind us all of what your position actually is? Because as I recall, your position was that you don’t have a position, and that’s not quite — is that correct?

PSAKI: Matt, I think you know our position, which is that –

LEE: I — tell me.

PSAKI: There was a determination made that we need to — not need to make a designation.

LEE: So then — so your position is that you do not have a position, correct? 

PSAKI: Our position is that we do not need to make a designation. Mmm hmm — oh, go ahead, Nicolas (sp).

And that makes perfect sense. It was so obvious that there was a coup, that no determination is needed. And as long as no determination is needed, and as long as we don't use the phrase "military coup," then the US can continue sending financial aid.

This has to be a first in diplomatic double-speak.

By the way, my hunch is we will see the same thing with regard to the Keystone XL. The president will simply say that the US State Department (i.e., John Kerry) has simply decided that no determination is necessary, and with that the issue will die. No permit will be granted because the US State Department will simply determine there is no need to determine whether the Keystone XL is good or bad for the United States. The answer is obvious.

Simple.

Next issue.