In 1998 Bill Clinton made an appointment to the United Nations. He appointed Richard Holbrooke to be the diplomatic voice of the United States. For 14 months the Republicans in Senate continued to block Holbrooke’s appointment in what became “partisan bickeringâ€ÂÂ
Holbrooke was offered the recess appointment during this time, however he declined it. Holbrooke felt that going to the UN without the backing of our Senate would jeopardize his credibility and authority. He also did not like the message it would send to the other 160 nations represented by the UN.
Here we are a few short years later, and President Bush jumps on the chance to give John Bolton the recess appointment to the same seat. Even though plenty of testimony has been given to prove John Bolton is not a man to be our diplomatic voice, President Bush continued to blame it on partisan bickering. Sadly enough, Democrats aren’t the only ones who question Bolton’s qualifications for this job. Republicans like George Voinovich also have voiced concern.
We are at a time when we need to improve our standing in the world and the President of this country feels that will be best done with a bully sitting at the UN. He is sure to alienate us from the world even more with his yelling and lying, which is a proven tactic employed by Mr. Bolton. This does not bother the President. He continues to not only ignore members of Senate, but also the people of this country and force his appointees.
We must hope that the United Nations does not base their overall view of the United States on a rogue leader that we have sitting in the White House. This leader has done nothing for the people, but only focused his attention on business and war. I truly feel sorry for our next President as he/she will have one hell of a mess to clean up!