And today, on a very wide number of areas, from Lebanon and Afghanistan to Syria, Iran and the Palestinian issue, the US is constructively engaged with the UN. But that is not well known or understood, in part because much of the public discourse that reaches the US heartland has been largely abandoned to its loudest detractors such as Rush Limbaugh and Fox News. That is what I mean by “stealth” diplomacy: the UN’s role is in effect a secret in Middle America even as it is highlighted in the Middle East and other parts of the world.
Who spoke those words? It could be any number of people in the Democratic Party, no doubt. A not so subtle jab at us hayseeds in the heartland, in Middle America. But the speaker wasn't one of our superior Democrats. It was UN deputy secretary general Mark Malloch Brown. A kindred spirit with our Democrats for sure. This same disdain for Americans in the heartland offers at least a partial explanation of why the Democrats are so opposed to John Bolton. The belief that the little people, the unwashed masses, need the noble elites to lord over us lest we get some crazy notion we can see after ourselves. And they must wrest us from the evil clutches of Fox and Rush.
John Bolton's response to this insult was perfect:
Bolton called Tuesday's speech by Deputy Secretary-General Mark Malloch Brown a "very, very grave mistake" that could undermine Secretary-General Kofi Annan's efforts to push through an ambitious agenda at the world body.
[ ]Bolton said Malloch Brown's "condescending, patronizing tone about the American people" was the worst part about the speech.
"Fundamentally and very sadly, this was a criticism of the American people, not the American government, by an international civil servant," Bolton said. "It's just illegitimate."
U.S. officials, including Bolton, said they were especially upset that Malloch Brown, a Briton, mentioned "Middle America."
Kofi Annan stood by Brown and refused to condemn his words:
U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan defended his top deputy Thursday from sharp U.S. criticism about a speech that faulted Washington's attitude toward the United Nations.
Annan told reporters the thrust of the speech from Deputy Secretary-General Mark Malloch Brown was that the United States and the United Nations need each other. He also warned the U.S. against abandoning efforts to reform the world body because of the remarks.
An interesting aside to this story is that Brown's speech was given at a luncheon co-sponsored by the Center for American Progress and The Century Foundation . The President of the Center for American Progress (CAP) is John Podesta, former Clinton chief of staff. According to Discover the Networks, CAP is a leftist think tank "run by Hillary Clinton and....John Podesta". Pretty friendly crowd.
John Bolton is relentless in his defense of the United States. His role is not to represent the UN, it is to represent the interests of the US, and he does that exceedingly well. The UN is without question a corrupt and self-serving organization. Claudia Rosett has done an enormous amount of research on the UN, especially the corrupt beyond words Oil for Food scandal. Considering the United States pays the majority of the bills we have a vested interest in reforming the UN and we need someone who is willing to stand up and challenge the status quo. And in fact we already have that someone. John Bolton.
Hugh Fitzgerald has a few words worth reading about the UN. And Fjordman wants to say farewell (to the United Nations).
It's not too late, but it's getting there. Bolton will be gone at the end of the year if he is not confirmed by the Senate. President Bush could reappoint him during the recess, but considering his moves so far, that doesn't seem likely. Republicans still have the majority, they need to do something right before the Democrats take over.
Losing John Bolton would be a grave mistake.
***Update***
Michelle is blogging for Bolton. She has some great links, including her videoblog at Hot Air. From Michelle's post:
The Democrats want John Bolton's scalp. This is a moment for conservatives to stand up to the Left's empty, vindictive obstructionism and support a strong voice for America's interests at the corrupted, soft-on-jihad offices of Turtle Bay.
Link to Blogging for Bolton here. Michelle and company are having an impact. Yesterday the total number of calls made was 2800, now it's at 2982.
Claudia Rosett's suggestion for a fund-raiser for Bolton should President Bush reappoint him during the recess (in which case Bolton would not get paid), is getting some blogger support from Hugh and Michelle.
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