Bolton resigns

I was watching a news program (it may have been the Daily Show but it could have been something else), and they were interviewing a former US ambassador to the UN (I don't remember which one). It's only really important that he was a former ambassador to the UN.

According to him, pretty much all of the policy, statements, resolutions, votes, etc. were scripted pretty thouroughly by the State department. I got the impression from him that mostly what a diplomat brings to the table is their personality, and even then, interactions in the UN aren't exactly make or break moments for diplomacy, usually. Although there have been some notable exceptions.

So, with that in mind, let's look at Bolton's personality: Brutish, arrogant, and flippant. He failed to achieve goals he set out for himself, he didn't seem like he was doing anything to actually help along the diplomatic process, and he certainly wasn't making any friends. All he seemed to have to offer were flippant remarks and a walrus-sized (and style) moustache.

Night Phoenix claimed Bolton to be "the best" ambassador. If by "best" he means "most representative of the attitudes of the administration he serves," then sure, I agree. If, on the other hand, he meant something more along the lines of a conventional defenition of best -- i.e. improving relations with other countries, strengthening America's diplomatic position worldwide -- then he is a complete and utter failure.

NP and others can continue to live in their fantasy land, but in the real world, it's pretty clear that Bolton, even doing a job you're not really supposed to be able to screw up, has managed to do pretty much exactly what everyone expected him to do: fail at accomplishing, and spend the rest of his time being a sourpuss.

Although, to be fair, this is the first time in a while that an ambassador to the UN has provided such a goldmine of comedy material. Negroponte only could really give you Greek and Iran Contra jokes, but that moustache, sour demeanor, and those horrible analogies made Bolton a dream come true for comedy writers everywhere.

I'm sure they're all sad to see him go.

Jam it back in, in the dark.