I'm having a hard time thinking about much beyond what all those desperate people in the Southeast are going through, and I've been trying to stay on a diet of non-Bush, non-Iraq, but I'm getting tired of news stories that ignore reality.
Bolton Voices Opposition to U.N. Proposals
Bolton wants '11th hour' changes to UN reform plan
Bolton outlined his positions in a series of letters to U.N. delegates participating in negotiations to draft a 39-page statement to be read by world leaders at a summit on development and U.N. reform that begins Sept. 14.
Among the changes that Mr. Bolton is demanding is the deletion of a clause that would urge the five permanent members of the Security Council not to veto action aimed at halting genocide or ethnic cleansing.
Wait a minute, wait a minute!
Does anyone recall this?
THE PRESIDENT: Nearly five months ago, I nominated John Bolton to be America's Ambassador to the United Nations. I chose John because of his vast experience in foreign policy, his integrity and his willingness to confront difficult problems head-on. I told the nation that John Bolton would provide clear American leadership for reform at the United Nations. I told them that he would insist upon results.
It's not John Bolton expressing his personal preferences in these letters and demands for changes in UN policies. It's the United States Ambassador to the United Nations. Presumably an ambassador is appointed to uphold the policies and interests of the United States. Presumably such a person is acting with the support of the President and the State Department.
I've played good cop - bad cop with people I was negotiating with. The essential thing in such games is that the actors appear spontaneous and genuine. When John Bolton is presented as an independent actor and his name and desires appear in newspaper headlines, we are being done a disservice. The man is not an independent actor. These are the President's polices. They are the policies of the United States of America, being presented at the UN.
Perhaps the media are falling for this trick because of their overwhelming inclination to personalize issues. But they are seriously misleading the public.
John Bolton is the United States Ambassador to the United Nations. He represents United States policy and all of us.