Saturday, May 19, 2007

Big Mouth Strikes Again...

Not sure how much play this piece got in the US press recently, but BBC's John Humphrys and former UN Ambassador John Bolton tussled over Iraq and Iran policies, as well as their personal feelings for each other, this past Thursday, May 17.

Bolton claimed UK/US foreign policy would've been more successful if not for those "meddling kids" at the Foreign Office and State Department, saying:

"...there have been a number of occasions where the Foreign Office was not carrying through on [Blair's] policies, just as often happens in the United States; the State Department is not loyal to the President's policies." Humphrys countered that perhaps both had a responsibility to advise "their political masters" by dissenting. Bolton replied, “(their) responsibility is to follow orders when they're given clear orders, which they often do not do."

* Trivia Time -- Please answer the following correctly:
Bolton's statement reminds you of ______ a) Stalin; b) Hitler; c) Ceauşescu; d) Pol Pot; e) Idi Amin; f) Mobutu Sese Seko; g) all of the above.

Regarding Iran, Bolton went on to say that the U.S. should consider the "use of force" if all diplomatic options fail. (Sound oddly familiar?). The discussion got personal when Humphrys reminded Bolton of the overwhelming success of the Iraq policy (note sarcasm here). In typical bully fashion, Bolton accused Humphrys of being a “superior Brit,” of aiding and abetting the “extreme Left,” and for having an “empty brain.”

Given Bolton’s track record, I can see why he was chosen to serve as one of this administration’s most senior diplomats. His numerous successes at the UN are a testament to his skill and deftness in the diplomatic arena (note sarcasm again). Perhaps, Bolton should consider a new career as a WWE announcer....?

* Answer to trivia question: "g"

11 Comments:

At 2:29 PM, Blogger Paddy said...

Dammit Jay!! I knew the answer to the quiz!

 
At 2:35 PM, Blogger Mary Ellen said...

Trivia Quiz answer:

g) all of the above

and...

e) George W. Bush

 
At 5:30 PM, Blogger Jay Finestein said...

Good one, Mary Ellen. I knew I left someone out....damn!

 
At 12:47 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Yeah, well, Mr. Bolton (I refuse to call you "Ambassador"), the problem wasn't that those pesky career diplomats disobeyed you. It's that they DID. And, oh, by the way, as one who took the oath as a federal employee, may I remind you that it was to "uphold and defend the Constitution." It says nothing about only "following orders." That went out with Nuremburg, you son of a bitch.

 
At 1:11 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

That is Nobel Prize Nominee and Recess Appointed UN Embassador John Bolton to you, sir. He and Ken Timmerman were nominated for the 2006 Nobel Peace Prize for wanting to bomb Iran. No kidding, the world is more screwed up than you can possibly imagine.

Anyway, The Walruss is not to be trifled with. He has destroyed peoples lives and careers so the US can be safe to develop chemical and biological weapons. Finding scape goats for failed Bush policies (realy his idea from the PNAC days) is only a part time hobby of his. Right now is very instrumental in getting paid lots of money from the American Enterprise Institue for spouting idiocy and wanking off at his desk.

 
At 3:31 AM, Blogger Batocchio said...

A lovely reminder of why Bolton and all the Bushies are so godawful at running things.

 
At 5:07 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

So, where are my Scooby Doo choices? Because that is about all the respect Bolton deserves. He is truly a cartoon character, complete with mustache.

Will this guy NEVER bless us with his absence? The guy has no job, no elected nor appointed position, who pays his bills to haunt the UK and run his mouth?

 
At 5:12 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Excuse me, you don't get "nominated" for the Nobel prizes. You are selected by the Nobel panel, no questions asked. That was a BS setup so he could claim he was "nominated" I think Rush Limbaugh did the same thing. Effn' BS is all it is.

 
At 5:27 AM, Blogger Unknown said...

Exactly! Any fool can "nominate" any other fool for a Nobel prize, on the basis of any foolish act. It means absolutely nothing.

 
At 8:48 AM, Blogger Elderta said...

I heard this interview on the "BBC Radio Newspod," which highlights the best of BBC radio five days a week. (Highly recommend subscribing to it... I do it through iTunes.) Bolton was very funny when he insisted that Humphreys was a leftwinger, and therefore automatically his opinions were invalid. Bolton used the same talking methods as he did with Jon Stewart... just keep talking and keep saying how wrong the person he's talking to is... and that tone in his voice... ugh... the only thing you want to do is slap him upside his head.

 
At 8:59 AM, Blogger Dirk Gently said...

was it humphry's who said "yes, well there is a reason that john bolton is a former ambassador..?"

(overheard on cable news, not sure who was speaking)

 

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