 Commentary
~ December 4, 2006: Giving up hope on the newly rediscovered
democratic process of the United States Senate, embattled U.N. Ambassador
John Bolton said Monday he would resign, a defeat for a chagrined
President Bush who had clung to unrealistic hopes of confirmation.
Bush had tried again to subjugate democracy but found that he had
run out of alternatives.
Bolton squirmed his way into the UN in August 2005 through a recess
appointment when Congress was on vacation. With that temporary assignment
about to expire, and his long fight for confirmation going nowhere,
Bolton gave up.
Bush considered Bolton a strong voice as the U.N. dealt with crises
in Iraq, Lebanon, North Korea and other complex matters around the
world. Most of Bolton’s colleagues at the UN considered him
a ignorant and bull-headed imbecile who had no respect at all for
anyone who was different. The UN was founded on the premise of respect
for those who are different.
Both Democrats and educated Republicans opposed Bolton. Those Republicans
who helped reject his nomination included Senator Lincoln Chafee
of Rhode Island.
Speaking through his characteristic myopia, president Bush attacked
those who would dare to stand up to his dictatorial ambitions. "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," Bush
said in a statement.
Incoming Senate majority leader, Democrat Harry Reid of Nevada,
however, countered by saying "Hopefully this change marks a
shift from the failed go-it-alone strategies that have left America
less safe.”
Senator John Kerry echoed this sentiment. "With the Middle
East on the verge of chaos and the nuclear threats from Iran and
North Korea increasing, we need a United Nations ambassador who
has the full support of Congress and can help rally the international
community to tackle the serious threats we face," he said.
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