John Bolton Out - Sad

[billythrilly7th]

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,234145,00.html

WASHINGTON*—* U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. John Bolton has abandoned his quest to remain at the world body next year, sending formal notice to the White House that he will leave when his temporary appointment expires in the coming weeks.

It is with deep regret that I accept John Bolton's decision to end his service in the administration as Permanent Representative of the United States to the United Nations when his commission expires," Bush said in a statement. White House spokeswoman Dana Perino said Bush reluctantly accepted Bolton's decision to leave.

"I am deeply disappointed that a handful of United States senators prevented Ambassador Bolton from receiving the up or down vote he deserved in the Senate. They chose to obstruct his confirmation, even though he enjoys majority support in the Senate, and even though their tactics will disrupt our diplomatic work at a sensitive and important time. This stubborn obstructionism ill serves our country, and discourages men and women of talent from serving their nation," the president said.


I don't know why the guy can't get a normal confirmation hearing. Yes, W, it is obstructionism.

Just a shame.

When he was first nominated, I didn't like him, but he's done a great job IMO. I always suspected and now confirmation that I'm much like George Voinovich.

Bolton supporters, even some late to the game, also expressed disappointment. Sen. George Voinovich, R-Ohio, a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, had objected to Bolton when he was up for consideration in the Senate panel. But after Bolton served for a year in the recess appointment, Voinovich said he was impressed by how effective Bolton had been.

"I am very disappointed that John Bolton will not continue in his role as ambassador to the United Nations," Voinovich said Monday. "Given the fragile nature of the world situation, and the critical task of reforming the U.N., he should have been given an up-or-down vote on the Senate floor. "I'm extremely concerned with him leaving since he's been so deeply involved with the situations in Iran, Syria, Lebanon and North Korea and has been working in concert with fellow ambassadors toward true U.N. reform."

The guy did a great job on many fronts.

He was tough.

And he was effective.

Oh well.

:Shrug:

[SC Harrison]

I don't know why the guy can't get a normal confirmation hearing. Yes, W, it is obstructionism.

Just a shame.


The guy did a great job on many fronts.



He shouldn't have been picked in the first place, Billy. On more than one occasion he made his rabid (that's right, I used it) anti-UN opinion known to any and all that would listen to him. Does he have the right to that opinion? Of course. Is that the kind of opinion you want in an ambassador? Oh, hell no.

As far as him doing a great job? Show me. And not just some flowerdy quote from a Republican.

[William Haskins]

rumor is george mitchell may be the new ambassador. wouldn't be a bad move, in my opinion.

[billythrilly7th]

As far as him doing a great job? Show me.

Effective? How?

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/12/04/AR2006120400438.html

6 Powers Near Iran Resolution Agreement

The Associated Press
Monday, December 4, 2006; 11:26 AM

PARIS -- The six powers seeking a U.N. resolution on Iran's nuclear program are nearing agreement on a text, French Foreign Minister Philippe Douste-Blazy said Monday.

High-ranking diplomats from the U.N. Security Council's five permanent members plus Germany will meet Tuesday in Paris to discuss measures to punish Iran for failing to halt the enrichment of uranium.

Douste-Blazy said he discussed the Iranian situation with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.

"We are in agreement with Russia to adopt sanctions against Iran's proliferation program," Douste-Blazy said.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/15246082/

Updated: 5:43 p.m. MT Oct 14, 2006

UNITED NATIONS - The U.N. Security Council voted unanimously on Saturday to impose punishing sanctions on North Korea including ship searches for banned weapons, calling Pyongyang's claimed nuclear test "a clear threat to international peace and security."

North Korea immediately rejected the resolution, and its U.N. ambassador walked out of the council chamber after accusing its members of a "gangster-like" action which neglects the nuclear threat posed by the United States.

The U.S.-sponsored resolution demands that the reclusive communist nation abandon its nuclear weapons program, and orders all countries to prevent North Korea from importing or exporting any material for weapons of mass destruction or ballistic missiles. It orders nations to freeze assets of people or businesses connected to these programs, and ban the individuals from traveling.

The resolution also calls on all countries to inspect cargo leaving and arriving in North Korea to prevent any illegal trafficking in unconventional weapons or ballistic missiles. The final draft was softened from language saying the council "decides" — which is a stronger authorization.

‘One of the gravest threats’
U.S. Ambassador John Bolton said North Korea's proclaimed test "poses one of the gravest threats to international peace and security that this council has ever had to confront."

"Today, we are sending a strong and clear message to North Korea and other would be proliferators that there will be serious repercussions in continuing to pursue weapons of mass destruction," he said, in what appeared to be a clear warning to Iran whose nuclear ambitions come before the Security Council again next week.

http://washingtontimes.com/commentary/20061202-102113-9254r.htm

Mr. Bolton and France's ambassador led the Security Council to approve a unanimous resolution to end last summer's Hezbollah war on Israel. While America should have encouraged Israel to eradicate Hezbollah once and for all, Mr. Bolton successfully executed his orders to stop the combat and authorize U.N. peacekeepers.
He assembled an international coalition that blocked the bid of Hugo Chavez, Venezuela's Marxist strongman, to join the Security Council. This anti-authoritarian alliance survived 47 ballots. An eventual compromise helped moderate, pro-American Panama fill that spot.
Mr. Bolton arranged the Security Council's first deliberations on Burma's human-rights abuses. "The time has come for the suffering of the Burmese people to end and for democratic change to begin," Mr. Bolton said Sept. 29.
Mr. Bolton properly belittled the new Human Rights Council, a forum where Cuba and Zimbabwe lecture civilized nations on how to treat their citizens. He compared this unit's creation to "putting lipstick on a caterpillar and calling it a butterfly."
Mr. Bolton invited actor George Clooney and Nobel laureate Elie Wiesel to brief the Security Council last September on Arab mass-murder of non-Arabs in Darfur, Sudan. "Every day we delay only adds to the suffering of the Sudanese people and extends the genocide," Mr. Bolton said. He engineered the Security Council's approval of 22,500 U.N. peacekeepers in Darfur. Mr. Bolton continues to pressure Sudan's government to accept these personnel atop the 7,000 African Union soldiers already on site.
Mr. Bolton persuaded the Security Council to pass a resolution denouncing Iran's uranium enrichment program and demanding that Tehran halt its atomic hanky-panky.
Mr. Bolton, with the help of China's and Japan's ambassadors, negotiated unanimously adopted Security Council resolutions condemning North Korea's July 4 missile test and penalizing its Columbus Day A-bomb blast.

Mr. Bolton has won plaudits from his peers.
"I enjoy working with him," Chinese Ambassador Wang Guangya told reporters Nov. 14. "Professionally, he's capable. He's effective," Mr. Wang added.
"He is having a definite impact," Romanian Ambassador Mihnea Motoc told the Los Angeles Times' Maggie Farley. "Others wish they could do things the same way."
"He has an agenda, and he's pursuing it with a conviction that is uncommon here," said Algerian Ambassador Abdallah Baali.

Thank you.

[badducky]

I think we should nominate Alec Baldwin. Someday, the world will listen to actors. We need to get ourselves some damn good actors...

[billythrilly7th]

I think we should nominate Alec Baldwin. Someday, the world will listen to actors. We need to get ourselves some damn good actors...

No no. I need Alec on 30 Rock, my new favorite show, on which he is brilliant.

[dclary]

Perhaps Michael Bolton?

[robeiae]

Perhaps Michael Bolton?He can't even work a copy/fax machine.

[billythrilly7th]

Perhaps Michael Bolton?

He would be perfect.

http://www.progressiveboink.com/jon/images/moviescenes/office2.JPG

[billythrilly7th]

He can't even work a copy/fax machine.

damn it, rob

[James D. Macdonald]

Yes, it's sad that Bolton is out. It's a pity that he's resigning rather than being put on trial for treason.

[billythrilly7th]

Hey! Look who's back!

[robeiae]

damn it, rob
Damn it feels good to be a gangsta...

[billythrilly7th]

Well, Billy, you have a few points, not real strong ones but I'll give em to you.

"Not real strong ones."

:rolleyes:

One of the most amazing things about messageboarding is that even when you rebuttal strongly, clearly and comprehensively, that many people just can't say "Alright...maybe I'm wrong."

It's an amazing phenomenon.

With that said, you, BoP, at least have the ability to say "i'll give them to you" no matter how reluctant you may be.

Kudos.
:)

[badducky]

Three words: Ambassador Angelina Jolie...

[SC Harrison]

Thank you.

Thank you for the "commentary". I'll be back. ;)

[robeiae]

"The Ambassador makes two excellent points."

[billythrilly7th]

Thank you for the "commentary".

:rolleyes:

[dclary]

He's a Mainiac. Great choice. He's had plenty of exposure to Canadians.

In all seriousness, I'd rather see Powell there. I think the world realizes he played a reluctant role in Iraq.

"He's a maniac, MANIAC on the floor...
and he's diplomatting like he's never done before!"

[dclary]

He can't even work a copy/fax machine.

AMBASSADOR TO INDIA
Why does it say QUAGMIRE when there IS NO QUAGMIRE!? I swear to God, one of these days... I just kick this piece of shit out the window.

AMBASSADOR TO US
You and me both, man. This thing's lucky I don't have an unallocated Army Group.

[badducky]

Also, and seriously, when someone gains plaudits from China, Algeria, and Romania, I don't want them anywhere near power.

You remember China:
http://www.hrw.org/doc?t=asia&c=china

Algeria:
http://hrw.org/doc/?t=mideast&c=algeri

And, Romania's no idyllic polis, either:
http://hrw.org/reports/2006/romania0806/
Also, the white slave trade survives and thrives in Romania...

If these are his supporters, I don't want him.

[billythrilly7th]

Also, and seriously, when someone gains plaudits from China, Algeria, and Romania, I don't want them anywhere near power.

If these are his supporters, I don't want him.

Why do you hate diplomacy, ducky?

[William Haskins]

Yes, it's sad that Bolton is out. It's a pity that he's resigning rather than being put on trial for treason.


few things please me more than drive-by hyperbole.

[ColoradoGuy]

few things please me more than drive-by hyperbole.
Drive-by is fun, but I prefer my hyperbole to be of the stay and play kind. Builds dramatic tension.

[Celia Cyanide]

I don't know what Uncle Jim is talking about either, but I thought that post was really funny.

[William Haskins]

james typically believes that anyone associated with the bush administration should be brought up on treason charges.

it's sort of a political tourettes syndrome.

[dclary]

Treason against whom, is the question. Is presenting American supremacy to the UN treason against the US, or against UN?

[William Haskins]

i would say his decade as disney chairman, and his work as a peace negotiator both in northern ireland and in middle east affairs (in addition to experience as senate majority leader) would all serve him well.

[billythrilly7th]

http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1565738,00.html

Bolton was known as a vitriolic critic of the UN, who once famously announced that no one would notice if the world body lost the top 10 floors of its Secretariat building in New York. After he became ambassador, however, colleagues accorded him grudging respect for his professionalism in helping to win unanimous Security Council resolutions on North Korea, and in fostering consensus on tough issues like Iran's nuclear program and the conflict in Sudan.

Another Senator offering support was John McCain, a frontrunner for the Republican presidential nomination in 2008. "His resignation today is less a commentary on Mr. Bolton than on the state of affairs in the U.S. Senate," said McCain. "For over a year, Democrats blocked his nomination in the Foreign Relations Committee, preventing an up or down vote on the Senate floor. In so doing, they have deprived America of the right man at the right time at the U.N.

I hear ya, Johnny Mac.

Sad state of affairs is right.
:(

"It is to me really disappointing to see Ambassador Bolton go," said Japan's U.N. Ambassador Kenzo Oshima. "He has been an exceptionally skillful diplomat at the United Nations at a time when it faced very challenging issues like reform."

"In the Security Council John Bolton was spearheading a number of important issues," Oshima said, singling out a resolution to rein in North Korea's nuclear program, where "he really spearheaded this effort to get a Security Council resolution adopted in a very speedy manner."

I hear ya, KenZo.
:(

[blacbird]

I hear Donald Rumsfeld is looking for a job.

caw

[dclary]

Dc, I consider an "ambassadorship" pretty much a glamour job, which is why it should be filled by someone like Powell. . .charming fellow that everybody trusts and likes and wants to invite to Manhattan parties. That's the whole job. Anything critical gets addressed by the President or the Secretary of State anyway. And Bolton did his best to fit in. Seriously, treason? Do ambassadors do anything or just get credit for alot of bs?

I don't know. Haskins, you like Mitchell? Yea, maybe. Innocuous, anyway. Kinda like Negroponte without the chic or the wardrobe.

I'm on your side, I think, BoP. I think considering him for treason is downright treasonous.

[Bravo]

james typically believes that anyone associated with the bush administration should be brought up on treason charges.

treason prob isnt the right word, but he can be tried for war crimes.

we conveniently forget that he violated arms sanctions against somalia (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/05/16/AR2006051601625_pf.html) and haiti (http://www.haitiaction.net/News/MW/4_27_5.html), by equipping rebel groups and militias.

and then there are his numerous vetoes protecting our darling israel from getting in trouble for any of their atrocities ranging from bombing civilians to murdering UN observers (he vetoed any investigation of that matter).

yes, he will be missed.

[billythrilly7th]

treason prob isnt the right word, but he can be tried for war crimes.

Did James give you permission to steal his other favorite hyperbole?

[billythrilly7th]

our darling israel

I love how much it burns you up that you live in a country that refuses to bow to your whims.

It must drive you INSANE.

It would make me go bonkers.

But I guess you're used to it. Or you generally have to repress the entire issue.

http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/photos/uncategorized/flag_america_israel.jpg

Forever.
:)

[Bravo]

I love how much it burns you up that you live in a country that refuses to bow to your whims.



interesting choice of words.

i have no clue what that even means though or how it applies to me.

youve been watching too much james bond.

[billythrilly7th]

yes, he will be missed.

Yes, he will.

I figured you'd miss the guy who helped bring an end to the fighting in your darling Lebanon.

Mr. Bolton and France's ambassador led the Security Council to approve a unanimous resolution to end last summer's Hezbollah war on Israel. While America should have encouraged Israel to eradicate Hezbollah once and for all, Mr. Bolton successfully executed his orders to stop the combat and authorize U.N. peacekeepers.

I guess not.

:Shrug:

[Bravo]

you couldve put that all in one post.

[billythrilly7th]

interesting choice of words.

i have no clue what that even means though or how it applies to me.

youve been watching too much james bond.

I haven't watched a James Bond film since Octopussy.

'Nuff said.

[billythrilly7th]

you couldve put that all in one post.

My bosses tally my post count regardless of the fact that AW TIO/OP doesn't.

And I have a quota to reach every month or my bonus' don't kick in.

[English Dave]

Who in the US actually cares who the next ambassador to the UN is? The UN is a poodle of terrorists. All you need there is a token mouthpiece like Colin Powell.

Deliver the speech with gravitas, let them vote and if it goes against you then screw 'em. Do it anyway.

There must be thousands of good candidates.

[billythrilly7th]

Who in the US actually cares who the next ambassador to the UN is?

Normally, I could care less.

But Bolton was doing such a great job at such an important time in our country's and world history.

Thanks, obstructionists.

Well done.

I hope the next guy can put fannies in the seats.

[English Dave]

Normally, I could care less.

But Bolton was doing such a great job at such an important time in our country's and world history.

Thanks, obstructionists.

Well done.

I hope the next guy can put fannies in the seats.


World history? Dammit. I should have heard of him. Is that why Colin Powell delivered that speech to the UN rather than.....what was his name?

Good casting.

[billythrilly7th]

World history?

Maybe you haven't noticed...

But the final battle between good and evil is on the horizon.

And good will win.

The oracle says so, so it shall be.

[Cav Guy]

Powell...now there's a Teflon Man if I've ever seen one.

[English Dave]

Powell...now there's a Teflon Man if I've ever seen one.

Teflon as in ' That day was the worst day in my life and I'm now retiring from public life'

To paraphrase his memoirs.

[billythrilly7th]

Teflon as in ' That day was the worst day in my life and I'm now retiring from public life'

To paraphrase his memoirs.

Look at you bathing in the glory of Gywenth Paltrow's statement.

Enjoy.

[English Dave]

Look at you bathing in the glory of Gywenth Paltrow's statement.

Enjoy.

The actress, right? What did she say?

[billythrilly7th]

The actress, right? What did she say?

http://breakingnews.iol.ie/entertainment/story.asp?j=203212922&p=zx3zy36z8

She says: "I don't fit into the bad side of American psychology.

"The British are much more intelligent and civilised than the Americans. I love the English lifestyle. I'm not as capitalistic as America."

Hmmmpf.

[dclary]

She's clearly never actually eaten in a real american home. They don't talk capitalism and finance. They talk sports and movies.

Duh.

Go back to your erudite hightower, princess paltrow.

And do us a favor, leave your US passport here when you go. You're too good for it.

[billythrilly7th]

I re-re-pledge to never see another Gwyneth Paltrow movie.

The first time I made that pledge was after Shakespeare in Love, that glorified SNL skit, beat Saving Private Ryan for best picture.

The second time was after I accidentally saw Duets.

That's a 112 minutes of my life I can't get back.

Thank you.

[SC Harrison]

Thanks, obstructionists.

Well done.



Don't forget to thank Voinovich, Chafee and Hagel, three Republicans on the Foreign Relations Committee who also had serious reservations about sending Bolton to the U.N.

As far as the filibuster is concerned, I only count the six months it went on before Bush made his recess appointment of Bolton. That got him in there, but it also sent a message to both parties that the debate in Congress was unnecessary.

Love him all you want to, Billy. His behavior in diplomatic circles, in dealing with his superiors and his treatment of subordinates proves one thing (to me): he's a scheming a$$hole who has no business representing the U.S., except maybe as the manager of a pro wrestler.

[English Dave]

Well....Ms Paltrow is a child of LA. She's probably never lived any where else where the dinner party conversation didn't revolve around movies. If she moved to Boston she'd probably be saying the same kind of thing.

Stupidity and dogamatisicm are universal.

[billythrilly7th]

Don't forget to thank Voinovich, Chafee and Hagel, three Republicans on the Foreign Relations Committee who also had serious reservations about sending Bolton to the U.N.

Hey..if you read my first post, I wasn't sold on this guy either. Who could support a guy with a moustache like that.

But I believe in a world where people can prove everyone else wrong.

And this guy did it. Issue after issue. And when you read the comments from diplomats from Japan to China to Romania to Mccain, it would take a real petty stubborn person to disagree with the job that Bolton did.

Love him all you want to, Billy. His behavior in diplomatic circles, in dealing with his superiors and his treatment of subordinates proves one thing (to me): he's a scheming a$$hole who has no business representing the U.S., except maybe as the manager of a pro wrestler.

Luckily, we don't choose our people based on what they've proven to YOU. Sadly, I was unable to find a google link to a story showing that Bolton ushered in the Age of Aquarius and World peace. The facts will have to do.

http://letters.salon.com/news/feature/2006/07/28/bolton/view/?show=all

John Bolton's Accomplishments at the UN
Just for the record, here are some of John Bolton's accomplishments at the UN:
Sanctions

Ambassador Bolton worked closely with Security Council colleagues to create a new partnership with Interpol to strengthen sanctions against al-Qaida.

Ambassador Bolton led the adoption of sanctions by the Security Council against individuals contributing to the genocide in Darfur.

Ambassador Bolton has helped President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf promote democracy in Liberia by revising and lifting sanctions imposed during the brutal reign of Charles Taylor.

Security Council Action

Burma

Ambassador Bolton raised the issue of Burma in the UN Security Council and negotiated for the Council to receive briefings by UN Under Secretary General Gambari on the deteriorating political and social situation in the region.

Burundi

Ambassador Bolton led Security Council efforts to draw down the peacekeeping operation in Burundi after a successful transition (ONUB is scheduled to close at the end of 2006).

Congo

Ambassador Bolton and the Security Council provided the peacekeeping mission in the Congo, MONUC, with resources and temporary police and troop increases to support Congo's first democratic elections in 40 years.

Ethiopia/Eritrea

Ambassador Bolton and the Security Council condemned restrictions placed on the UN Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea (UNMEE) by the Government of Eritrea as well as the Ethiopian refusal to demarcate the border.

Ambassador Bolton led the Security Council in an authorization to downsize the UNMEE peacekeeping force from approximately 3,300 troops to 2,300 troops in response to the situation on the ground in Ethiopia and Eritrea.

Iran

Ambassador Bolton worked with colleagues to negotiate a formal Security Council statement calling on Iran to suspend all uranium enrichment activities and to request follow up reports from the IAEA on Iranian compliance.

Liberia

Ambassador Bolton led the Security Council in the adoption of resolutions to establish a mandate to arrest Charles Taylor should he return to Liberia, to facilitate his transfer to the Special Court for Sierra Leone for prosecution, and to ensure peaceful presidential elections in Liberia.

North Korea

Ambassador Bolton, in partnership with the Japanese, led Security Council efforts to take a firm and clear stand against North Korean missile launches with the adoption of resolution 1695. This resolution is the strongest statement of condemnation the Security Council has made against North Korea in over 10 years and received unanimous support, even from China and Russia.

Sudan

Ambassador Bolton led the Security Council in authorizing the Secretary General to begin contingency planning for the transition of the African Union Mission in Sudan (AMIS) to a UN operation.


Ambassador Bolton negotiated with Security Council members to permit the entry of a joint African Union-UN assessment team to Darfur through a Chapter VII Security Council resolution.

Syria and Lebanon
Ambassador Bolton worked to adopt Chapter VII measures such as travel restrictions and the freezing of assets that would sanction individuals designated by the UN International Independent Commission (UNIIIC) as suspected of involvement in the killing of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafiq Hariri. Subsequently, the Security Council established a tribunal of an international character to try those involved in the terrorist bombing.

Management Reform

Ambassador Bolton achieved consensus agreement on the World Summit Outcome Document, which was adopted by Heads of State in the General Assembly and included commitments to reform management of the UN through improving oversight, updating the United Nations program of work, and reforming human resources management.

Ambassador Bolton worked to reach consensus agreement to limit UN regular budget spending to $950 million for the biennium 2006 – 2007 (approximately six months) to provide an impetus for further discussions on UN reform.

Ambassador Bolton created a 50-member coalition of Member States in support of management reform (that in total fund 87 percent of the UN regular budget) during negotiations on a draft resolution tabled by the Group of 77 and China. The resolution was ultimately put to an unprecedented vote in the Fifth Committee and the coalition remained united in voting against the resolution.

Ambassador Bolton negotiated consensus resolutions on management reform that were adopted by the General Assembly:

- to create an Ethics Office;

- to strengthen internal oversight through the provision of additional resources;

- to adopt International Public Sector Accounting Standards;

- to decide to replace the current, outdated information technology system;

- to establish a Chief Information Technology Officer;

- to provide greater discretion for the Secretary-General in implementing the budget.

Economic and Social Issues

Ambassador Bolton supported the efforts of the Democracy Fund, launched at the UN by President Bush in September 2005. The U.S. has pledged $17.9 million to the fund, which promotes democracy via projects to strengthen institutions and facilitate democratic governance.

Ambassador Bolton led a successful negotiation to create the Peacebuilding Commission, designed to advise on next steps to assist post-conflict theatres so as to consolidate measures toward stability and development.

To enhance the UN's humanitarian coordination, Ambassador Bolton worked to increase efficiency and accountability by agreeing to a "cluster approach," designating a lead agency for each sector of humanitarian activity. The approach is currently being piloted in four crisis situations, and it has prompted significant streamlining among UN operational agencies.


Ambassador Bolton participated in a High-level Meeting on HIV/AIDS (in a delegation led by First Lady Laura Bush), which adopted a strong political declaration and suggested measures for more medical testing in heavily inflicted societies.

Hope this helps those who actually want facts.

[billythrilly7th]

http://www.voanews.com/english/2006-12-04-voa55.cfm

Bolton Praised as Hard-Working, Effective, Even by Critics at UN

News that the controversial U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations John Bolton will be leaving his job in January has drawn a mixed response from his fellow diplomats. From U.N. headquarters, VOA's Peter Heinlein reports even some of Bolton's staunchest adversaries have praised his effectiveness.

He was "abrasive."

Awww...

The guy rocked.

And now he's out.

A Russian foreign ministry statement Monday said Moscow hopes the next American ambassador at the U.N. will avoid what it called Bolton's "excessively tough approach." But the ministry described Bolton as "a strong professional."

Hey...I like the fact that MY AMBASSADOR has a tough approach and yet by Moscow can still be called "a strong professional."

That sounds to me like the freaking dream combo for an ambassador to the UN.

Heyyy....

Let's get a weak guy in there to pursue American and world interests.

And everyone will go..."Awww, he's so nice."

:Shrug:

[dclary]

I re-re-pledge to never see another Gwyneth Paltrow movie.

The first time I made that pledge was after Shakespeare in Love, that glorified SNL skit, beat Saving Private Ryan for best picture.

The second time was after I accidentally saw Duets.

That's a 112 minutes of my life I can't get back.

Thank you.

If I know you, and I do, you only saw that movie for the brief fleeting hope that Huey would break out with a live version of "Power of Love."

[dclary]

Sadly, I was unable to find a google link to a story showing that Bolton ushered in the Age of Aquarius and World peace. The facts will have to do.


BRILLIANT!

[dclary]

http://www.voanews.com/english/2006-12-04-voa55.cfm



He was "abrasive."

Awww...

The guy rocked.

And now he's out.






Hey...I like the fact that MY AMBASSADOR has a tough approach and yet by Moscow can still be called "a strong professional."

That sounds to me like the freaking dream combo for an ambassador to the UN.

Heyyy....

Let's get a weak guy in there to pursue American and world interests.

And everyone will go..."Awww, he's so nice."

:Shrug:


Let's face it. He was no Shirley Temple.

[billythrilly7th]

If I know you, and I do, you only saw that movie for the brief fleeting hope that Huey would break out with a live version of "Power of Love."

You'd think that they would have had the sense of humor to throw that in.

I didn't think that the filmmakers of DUETS would have taken themselves so seriously that they wouldn't have had Huey break into a few bars of Power of Love.

Boy was I wrong.

[billythrilly7th]

Let's face it. He was no Shirley Temple.

That's a fair criticism.

[SC Harrison]

Luckily, we don't choose our people based on what they've proven to YOU. Sadly, I was unable to find a google link to a story showing that Bolton ushered in the Age of Aquarius and World peace. The facts will have to do.

http://letters.salon.com/news/feature/2006/07/28/bolton/view/?show=all

Okay, I guess you didn't get my hint earlier about "commentary". At least the first link you posted earlier was an op-ed piece. The one above is an anonymous digital "letter" someone posted on a forum. Now it's my turn, and this one ain't anonymous:

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2005/4/15/101542/050

Dear Sir:

I'm writing to urge you to consider blocking in committee the nomination of John Bolton as ambassador to the UN.

In the late summer of 1994, I worked as the subcontracted leader of a US AID project in Kyrgyzstan officially awarded to a HUB primary contractor. My own employer was Black, Manafort, Stone & Kelly, and I reported directly to Republican leader Charlie Black.

After months of incompetence, poor contract performance, inadequate in-country funding, and a general lack of interest or support in our work from the prime contractor, I was forced to make US AID officials aware of the prime contractor's poor performance.

I flew from Kyrgyzstan to Moscow to meet with other Black Manafort employees who were leading or subcontracted to other US AID projects. While there, I met with US AID officials and expressed my concerns about the project -- chief among them, the prime contractor's inability to keep enough cash in country to allow us to pay bills, which directly resulted in armed threats by Kyrgyz contractors to me and my staff.

Within hours of sending a letter to US AID officials outlining my concerns, I met John Bolton, whom the prime contractor hired as legal counsel to represent them to US AID. And, so, within hours of dispatching that letter, my hell began.

Mr. Bolton proceeded to chase me through the halls of a Russian hotel -- throwing things at me, shoving threatening letters under my door and, generally, behaving like a madman. For nearly two weeks, while I awaited fresh direction from my company and from US AID, John Bolton hounded me in such an appalling way that I eventually retreated to my hotel room and stayed there. Mr. Bolton, of course, then routinely visited me there to pound on the door and shout threats.

When US AID asked me to return to Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan in advance of assuming leadership of a project in Kazakstan, I returned to my project to find that John Bolton had proceeded me by two days. Why? To meet with every other AID team leader as well as US foreign-service officials in Bishkek, claiming that I was under investigation for misuse of funds and likely was facing jail time. As US AID can confirm, nothing was further from the truth.

He indicated to key employees of or contractors to State that, based on his discussions with investigatory officials, I was headed for federal prison and, if they refused to cooperate with either him or the prime contractor's replacement team leader, they, too, would find themselves the subjects of federal investigation. As a further aside, he made unconscionable comments about my weight, my wardrobe and, with a couple of team leaders, my sexuality, hinting that I was a lesbian (for the record, I'm not).

When I resurfaced in Kyrgyzstan, I learned that he had done such a convincing job of smearing me that it took me weeks -- with the direct intervention of US AID officials -- to limit the damage. In fact, it was only US AID's appoinment of me as a project leader in Almaty, Kazakstan that largely put paid to the rumors Mr. Bolton maliciously circulated.

As a maligned whistleblower, I've learned firsthand the lengths Mr. Bolton will go to accomplish any goal he sets for himself. Truth flew out the window. Decency flew out the window. In his bid to smear me and promote the interests of his client, he went straight for the low road and stayed there.

John Bolton put me through hell -- and he did everything he could to intimidate, malign and threaten not just me, but anybody unwilling to go along with his version of events. His behavior back in 1994 wasn't just unforgivable, it was pathological.

I cannot believe that this is a man being seriously considered for any diplomatic position, let alone such a critical posting to the UN. Others you may call before your committee will be able to speak better to his stated dislike for and objection to stated UN goals. I write you to speak about the very character of the man.

It took me years to get over Mr. Bolton's actions in that Moscow hotel in 1994, his intensely personal attacks and his shocking attempts to malign my character.

I urge you from the bottom of my heart to use your ability to block Mr. Bolton's nomination in committee.

Respectfully yours,

Melody Townsel
Dallas, TX 75208


*disclaimer* She's an anti-Bush activist who backed off on some of her allegations when questioned by Senators, but she was there and he was there, so...I don't know.

[billythrilly7th]

Okay, I guess you didn't get my hint earlier about "commentary". At least the first link you posted earlier was an op-ed piece.

Huh?

I did get the hint. Or maybe I didn't.

I gave you an eye roll because the "commentary" listed, which I listed, is his on the record, non-opinion based, accomplishments at the UN. So, what's the difference that it was in an op-ed?

So....huh? Maybe that's not what you're saying at all.

:Shrug:

Please, as an American, let me know which resolutions you had your heart set on that were not passed, and how his job performance to you was inadequate and would disqualify him from continuing his job in that position.

Which resolutions did he not get passed that you wanted?

Which resolutions passed did you disagree with?

Where did he go wrong?

[billythrilly7th]

*disclaimer* She's an anti-Bush activist who backed off on some of her allegations when questioned by Senators, but she was there and he was there, so...I don't know.

Thank you for the disclaimer.

I thought the guy was a hump too when he was first appointed. I didn't like him. I didn't like his moustache. He gave me the creeps. I wanted Bush to pull his nomination.

I was wrong. It happens. He did a great job for not only our country but other countries as well.

[billythrilly7th]

Why you'd put in a disclaimer? Billy wouldn't have.

Because SC is a fair and decent man, yet clearly misguided on this issue.

And how dare you impune my disclaimering?

Thank you.

[English Dave]

Because SC is a fair and decent man, yet clearly misguided on this issue.

And how dare you impune my disclaimering?

Thank you.

Bullying someone because they discaim is the lowest form of......disclimation. Huh!

[dclary]

Bullying someone because they discaim is the lowest form of......disclimation. Huh!

Wow. How many ways can you butcher disclaim in a single pass?

[billythrilly7th]

Cuz I'm the impunerator.

And...uh...you'll be back?

:e2faint:

[SC Harrison]

Please, as an American, let me know which resolutions you had your heart set on that were not passed, and how his job performance to you was inadequate and would disqualify him from continuing his job in that position.

Which resolutions did he not get passed that you wanted?

Which resolutions passed did you disagree with?

Where did he go wrong?

Substance? You want me to substantiate my dissatisfaction with his performance? *sigh* Let me see what I can come up with.

eta: of the 3O meetings held to formulate the Human Rights council, he missed all but one meeting, and later said, "Let's be clear: the real U.S. prority is management reform." Of course, he later whined about some of the members.

http://www.forward.com/articles/the-un-reforms-despite-bolton-s-best-efforts/

Of the 15 members of the Security council, he was the only one who did not make the trip to Darfur or send his deputy, even though his bosses have all categorized what's going on as genocide.

http://www.globalsolutions.org/programs/peace_security/news/bolton_security_council.html

[billythrilly7th]

Substance? You want me to substantiate my dissatisfaction with his performance? *sigh* Let me see what I can come up with.

LOL....If you want to.

If you don't, I understand.

This guy has compliments from Russia to Japan to China to Romania.

And as we all know, no one is perfect.

So, coming up with "Yes...I wanted a resolution condemning salt mines in Paraguay and their link to inner city flu"...ain't gonna do much.

But feel free if you want.
:)

I think you'r dissatisfaction comes from the guy looking like and possibly behaving like a hump before his nomination.

I agreed at the time.

Now...the man is effective and rocked the house during his brief time.

I was wrong.

It happens.

[William Haskins]

Nah. 'Mickied around on those jobs. . . . .

i'm irish, and i'm going to get raving drunk and beat the hell out of some stranger at the bar before reporting this stereotypical, if not outright racist, slur to the mods.

so watch your ass...

[Unique]

well, shoot. i thought he was talking about Mickey Mouse.

[dclary]

i'm irish, and i'm going to get raving drunk and beat the hell out of some stranger at the bar before reporting this stereotypical, if not outright racist, slur to the mods.

so watch your ass...

An Irishman from San Francisco, no less! :e2bouncey

[William Haskins]

Lol! Who would ever think you were Irish, Haskins? You're so easy to get along with. Must be the Protestant variety.

indeed. a potato famine will drive the pope right out of ya.

[William Haskins]

that's actually far more beautiful than the truth, so i'll go with it.

[Bravo]

There was no love lost between Bolton and the U.N. bureaucracy, especially the U.N. Deputy Secretary-General Mark Malloch Brown, a Briton who has sparred publicly with Bolton.

"No comment -- and you can say he said it with a smile," Malloch Brown told reporters seeking a reaction on Monday. Malloch Brown leaves the United Nations with Annan on December 31 when Ban Ki-moon of
South Korea becomes secretary-general.

i love that.

but, ED, you should talk to him about calling bolton a cunt for good measure.

[TheGaffer]

"Ah knew that c*nt was gonna f*ck a c*nt."

--Francis Begbie, Trainspotting

(one of the best ever uses of that word)