[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

I like this one:

When Bush came to the U.N. for the global summit three months ago, TV boom mikes eavesdropped on him joking with Annan: "How's my boy John doing? Has he blown up the building yet?"

[Publius6961]

There is along and distinguished tradition there: Stevenson... Moynahan... Kirkpatrick

[coconutt2000]

I have a suspicion that there is a lot more support out there for the United States than we hear about on the news. These last few years of Bush's second term may see a groundswell of changes and shifts in the international arena among the poorer, capitalistic countries of the world.

[manwiththehands]

He has floated the idea of a sort of a la carte diplomacy, in which the United States would fund only the U.N. agencies it thought were effective.

I really like Bolton. That was one of Bush's greater moments putting him in while congress was in recess. Bolton sounds like a guy who refuses to suck up and kiss up.

It's my own greatest weakness ... and greatest strength.

[Non-Sequitur]

But opinion is divided about whether he is effective — if he is cleaning up the mess, or adding to it.

All he is is noisy. Nobody in the UN will agree that they need reforming, so nobody will listen to his plans. Nobody in the UN believes that Bolton is actually interested in helping the organization so they're not going to work with him. Congress controls the budget and they'll never cut off UN funding. So in the end what will he accomplish? He makes good headlines but a year from now when his term is up, unless he's recess appointed again, the UN will be no different than when he first walked in the door.

[RobRoy]

But Bolton's methods have often put him at odds with the United States' traditional allies here, particularly Britain, which has worked to broker face-saving compromises.

I thought Neville Chamberlain died during WWII? Apparently his ghost lives on...

[rrrod]

Note to John Bolton.....Should you need assitance in dismantling the UN please post on Free Republic a request for vols.