OPINION:
After all the negatives about Donald Trump’s secretary of state nominee Rex Tillerson, the Senate Foreign Senate Committee hearing was refreshing (“Rex Tillerson takes tough line on Russian hacking in tense hearing,” Web, Jan. 11). Mr. Tillerson effectively responded to questions using his common sense, knowledge, diplomacy and world business experience. His grasp of the issues was clearly better than that of either former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton or outgoing Secretary of State John Kerry.
Mr. Tillerson also fielded the senators’ questions well by demonstrating knowledge and stressing the need to know and consider all factors before making decisions. He emphasized American values and the need for decisions to be made in the best interest of the United States.
Sen. Marco Rubio, Florida Republican, raised the issue of human rights violations in China and Russia, and was angry when Mr. Tillerson refrained from saying that China and Russia were guilty. Mr. Rubio’s response showed a lack of understanding of the art of diplomacy. Mr. Tillerson was being diplomatic so as not to begin his new position by being an antagonist to countries we have to deal with on many important issues.
Mr. Tillerson is a good choice and merits confirmation.
MARVIN L. HOOVIS
Centerville, Mass.
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