Considering U.N. Ambassador Bolton's disrespect of an international civil servant's opinion concerning treatment of terror suspects, it isn't too hard to imagine his feelings about the opinions of average Americans. U.S. citizens must rely on independent media (to paraphrase our leading un-diplomat, "...what we read in the newspapers") if we're to have an unbiased and more complete understanding of events beyond what the government wants us to believe. No doubt any disagreement based on such extra information is by definition illegitimate to Mr. Bolton. It's sad to have leaders and representatives with so little regard for opposing opinions.

Given John Bolton's nasty demeanor and his contempt for anyone who disagrees with his position, why didn't George go all the way and appoint Bill O'Reilly as U.N. ambassador? Rush Limbaugh for drug czar? Rupert Murdoch for FCC commissioner? Jerry Falwell for attorney general? The mind boggles and the stomach sickens.

Oops, Bolton forgot to say it's "irresponsible."

Oh please, you prisses. Does the US representative at that house of horrors have to explain, defend, justify things to every janitor wandering through the building? Give me a break. Had he answered in substance you'd say he was lying. Had he answered with a dodge you'd say he was....dodging. He job is to represent US interests, not be a kick dummy for the international hypocritical community. I say good for Bolton -- do you think he can make the UN worse than it is?

Bolton was merely upbraiding a lowly "civil servant" for not having the intelligence capabilities he enjoys...or more likely bluffing he knows something she doesn't.

We should fully expect a "recess" appointment to act like he's still in the schoolyard.

Torture is not a US interest.

It is, however, a Cheney interest, which is always the exact opposite of a US interest.

There's a reason why Cheney has an approval rating in what is nearly the single digits. He and his irrational and/or incompetent minions don't stand for the US. Which is why they had to commit massive election fraud twice in order to steal the White House. Not that anybody of any political stripe stopped them either time.

I miss democracy. More sanity would be nice, too, but mostly I miss democracy. Evil and stupidity, those I would like a chance to miss, but at least we used to keep them largely in check through democracy.

is what you get with Bolton. Aren't you glad that someone is out there who really represents what Americans are like? Not some smooth hypocrite who leads the rest of the world to think that we have manners and morals, but a true blue American jerk! I think he's a blessing in disguise, and the worse he gets, the more he will represent this administration.

Roger Lodger seems to take pride in his willful ignorance. Does Bolton have to defend himself to a "janitor"? Bolton made an asnine comment to the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights (a diplomatic post equivalent to an ambassadorship).

More to the point, torture is counterproductive to solid intelligence and is perilous to US citizens, officials and soldiers abroad. Bravely typing away from home isn't an equivalent risk compared to what a twenty-year-old US infantryman in Iraq faces, and your snide comment dishonors our military serving abroad.

Back to the point. Yes, Bolton does have to engage the commissioner in dialog. That's what diplomats DO.

As an aside: The U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights probably speaks (I'd guess) two or more languages than Roger does, probably has two or more degrees than Roger's earned and probably reads and writes more in a couple months than Roger does in a year. Through his office's influence, the commissioner's impacted dozens (hundreds? thousands?) of lives.

Roger, you, on the other hand, have done exactly... What?

From NYT, 12/9:

"The Bush administration based a crucial prewar assertion about ties between Iraq and Al Qaeda on detailed statements made by a prisoner while in Egyptian custody who later said he had fabricated them to escape harsh treatment, according to current and former government officials."

Whoops.

That's assuming the Bush Administration was well-meaning in fabrica... I mean, justifying launching a pre-emptive, optional war with Iraq.

In my mind's eye, I'm imagining the faces of all those dead soldiers (plus the Iraqi civilians, the wounded, the mentally shattered).

A horrible, horrible policy

Bolton's Law--No one can criticize anything we do unless he or she knows all the details of all of our actions.

Corollary to Bolton's Law--No one can know the details of our actions since we will lie, spin, deceive, intimidate, and do anything else we damn well please to keep anyone from knowing anything that we do.

The same Rumbsfeld who was special

ambassador for Ronald Reagan to reestablish

diplomatic relations with Hussein.

Hypocricy in politics is no vice