It's Good News Week
I was in Asia, in early 2005, when John Bolton was nominated to be America's ambassador to the United Nations. In Asia, unlike here in the United States, stories about the United Nations frequently pepper the front pages of the newspapers. So, I quickly learned that John Bolton was a protege of the xenophobic Senator Jesse Helms. This story details what most of the world knew at the time of the nomination, and what few in the United States ever see in print.
The resignation of John Bolton as ambassador to the United Nations is truly great news for the United States and the world. Wonkette: "Bolton’s UN colleagues feel like it’s their birthday."
Sadly, there is yet another new Jesse Helms. I received this note, dated November 29, 2006, from a certain Senator from Minnesota.
Dear Mr. Rasmussen :
Thank you for taking the time to contact me concerning the nomination of John Bolton to be U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations (UN). I strongly support Ambassador Bolton's nomination.
John Bolton was first nominated for the position of U.S. Ambassador to the UN on March 7 , 2005. Last year, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, of which I am a member, took the unusual step of holding multiple hearings and conducting several interviews on this nomination. After a filibuster by Senate Democrats prevented an up or down vote on Ambassador Bolton's nominati on last year, in August of 2005 President Bush gave John Bolton a r ecess appo intment to be U.S. Ambassador to the UN.
Recess appointments expire at the end of the 2-year Congressional term unless the Senate votes to confirm the individual permanently. The Foreign Relations Committee is currently reviewing Mr. Bolton's performance from the past year, and will vote once again in September whether to send Ambassador Bolton's nomination to the Senate floor for consideration by the full Senate. I am hopeful that this time Ambassador Bolton will be permitted an up or down vote.
I firmly support the nomination of John Bolton and hope to see him confirmed by the Senate as soon as possible. Our national security demands it. In these precarious times, the U.S. cannot afford to go without representation at the UN, where we are simultaneously dealing with a crisis in the Middle East, provocative missile launches from North Korea , the continued defiance of Iran regarding its nuclear program, and urgent humanitarian crises such as Darfur .
In addition, Ambassador Bolton has achieved significant successes during his tenure. He led the Security Council to pass a resolution opposing North Korea 's missile attacks, the first action taken by the Security Council against North Korea in ten years. He has also played a major role in pushing the Security Council to focus on Sudan , including passing a resolution that authorizes the use of a UN peacekeeping force. Furthermore, Ambassador Bolton has been a strong advocate for UN reform, working to make the organization more effective and transparent.
John Bolton's credentials are impressive and his history as an effective diplomat has helped him be a strong voice for American interests and a credible UN. John Bolton previously has been confirmed by the Senate several times and served in a number of important positions, including as Undersecretary of State for Arms Control and International Security, Assistant Secretary of State for International Organization Affairs at the Department of State, Assistant Attorney General at the Department of Justice, Assistant Administrator for Program and Policy Coordination and General Counsel at the U.S. Agency for International Development. Ambassador Bolton also served as the Senior Vice President of the American Enterprise Institute.
Thank you once again for taking the time to share your thoughts with me regarding this important nomination. Although you and I may agree and disagree at times, please know I always appreciate hearing from you and that I value your advice. Please do not hesitate to contact me in the future if I may be of further assistance to you.
Sincerely,
Norm Coleman
United States Senate
The resignation of John Bolton as ambassador to the United Nations is truly great news for the United States and the world. Wonkette: "Bolton’s UN colleagues feel like it’s their birthday."
Sadly, there is yet another new Jesse Helms. I received this note, dated November 29, 2006, from a certain Senator from Minnesota.
Dear Mr. Rasmussen :
Thank you for taking the time to contact me concerning the nomination of John Bolton to be U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations (UN). I strongly support Ambassador Bolton's nomination.
John Bolton was first nominated for the position of U.S. Ambassador to the UN on March 7 , 2005. Last year, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, of which I am a member, took the unusual step of holding multiple hearings and conducting several interviews on this nomination. After a filibuster by Senate Democrats prevented an up or down vote on Ambassador Bolton's nominati on last year, in August of 2005 President Bush gave John Bolton a r ecess appo intment to be U.S. Ambassador to the UN.
Recess appointments expire at the end of the 2-year Congressional term unless the Senate votes to confirm the individual permanently. The Foreign Relations Committee is currently reviewing Mr. Bolton's performance from the past year, and will vote once again in September whether to send Ambassador Bolton's nomination to the Senate floor for consideration by the full Senate. I am hopeful that this time Ambassador Bolton will be permitted an up or down vote.
I firmly support the nomination of John Bolton and hope to see him confirmed by the Senate as soon as possible. Our national security demands it. In these precarious times, the U.S. cannot afford to go without representation at the UN, where we are simultaneously dealing with a crisis in the Middle East, provocative missile launches from North Korea , the continued defiance of Iran regarding its nuclear program, and urgent humanitarian crises such as Darfur .
In addition, Ambassador Bolton has achieved significant successes during his tenure. He led the Security Council to pass a resolution opposing North Korea 's missile attacks, the first action taken by the Security Council against North Korea in ten years. He has also played a major role in pushing the Security Council to focus on Sudan , including passing a resolution that authorizes the use of a UN peacekeeping force. Furthermore, Ambassador Bolton has been a strong advocate for UN reform, working to make the organization more effective and transparent.
John Bolton's credentials are impressive and his history as an effective diplomat has helped him be a strong voice for American interests and a credible UN. John Bolton previously has been confirmed by the Senate several times and served in a number of important positions, including as Undersecretary of State for Arms Control and International Security, Assistant Secretary of State for International Organization Affairs at the Department of State, Assistant Attorney General at the Department of Justice, Assistant Administrator for Program and Policy Coordination and General Counsel at the U.S. Agency for International Development. Ambassador Bolton also served as the Senior Vice President of the American Enterprise Institute.
Thank you once again for taking the time to share your thoughts with me regarding this important nomination. Although you and I may agree and disagree at times, please know I always appreciate hearing from you and that I value your advice. Please do not hesitate to contact me in the future if I may be of further assistance to you.
Sincerely,
Norm Coleman
United States Senate
John Bolton, 1994: If the UN building in New York lost ten stories “it wouldn’t make a bit of difference”.
The world values the United Nations and diplomacy, even if John Bolton, George Bush and Norm Coleman do not.
Labels: Don't Vote 2008, GWB
posted by David Rasmussen at 10:38 AM
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