Bolton - US Ambassador or Ass?
Again, the Republicans are crying foul (including McCain this time) over the "stalling tactics" used by Joseph Biden of Delaware and Christopher Dodd of Connecticut on John Bolton's nomination as US Ambassador to the UN. Unsurprisingly, Bill Frist even used the word "filibuster" to describe the Democratic request for documents on Syria and 10 instances of communications intercepted by the National Security Agency. This, despite the fact the Foreign Relations Committee voted to send the Bolton nomination to the full Senate without a recommendation mainly because of Republican senators' doubts about him.There is much evidence to suggest he is a hothead with a hatred for the UN. But I thought I would let him describe himself with his own quotes:
John Bolton on the United Nations and International CooperationBolton was described by a former colleague as "a quintessential kiss-up, kick-down sort of guy" whose attempt to intimidate a mid-level analyst raises "real questions about his suitability for high office". With this kind of rap sheet, it really makes me wonder how Bolton got the UN Ambassador nomination in the first place.
"[M]any Republicans in Congress--and perhaps a majority--not only do not care about losing the General Assembly vote but actually see it as a 'make my day' outcome. Indeed, once the vote is lost… this will simply provide further evidence to why nothing more should be paid to the UN system."
- The Washington Times, 1998
'If the UN secretary building in New York lost 10 stories, it wouldn't make a bit of difference.''
- 1994 Global Structures Convocation, New York, NY
“There is no such thing as the United Nations. There is an international community that occasionally can be led by the only real power left in the world and that is the United States when it suits our interest and we can get others to go along.''
- 1994 Global Structures Convocation, New York, NY
"If I were redoing the Security Council today, I'd have one permanent member because that's the real reflection of the distribution of power in the world."
- National Public Radio with Juan Williams, 2000
Bolton on International Treaties and Justice for Perpetrators of Genocide
“The Senate vote [on the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty] is also an unmistakable signal that America rejects the illusionary protections of unenforceable treaties."
- The Jerusalem Post, 1999
Renouncing the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court “was the happiest moment of my government service."
- The Wall Street Journal, 2002.
"Support for the International Criminal Court concept is based largely on emotional appeals to an abstract ideal of an international judicial system."
- Statement before the House International Relations Committee, 2000. Bolton on Human Rights and Nongovernmental Organizations
"We do not support the promotion of international advocacy activity by international or non-governmental organizations, particularly when those political or policy views advocated are not consistent with the views of all member states.”
- Statement to the UN Conference on the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All its Aspects, 9 July 2001.
Then, I realized the Senate's error. Bolton was actually nominated as an "ass", not ambassador. So, really this another one of Bush's little jokes.
Contact your senator and inform them of the mistake. And sign the Peace Action Petition so that the rest of world realizes the grievous blunder.
Update 6/20/2005:
According to the AP, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is keeping open the possibility that President Bush will bypass the Senate to get John R. Bolton installed as U.N. ambassador temporarily if Democrats persist in holding up a confirmation vote.
posted by the prisoner @ 9:56:00 AM
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