Dark Bilious Vapors

Thanks to fellow Subic Bay Legal Office veteran Al Hedstrom, who didn't point me exactly to this item, but who did point me to Steve Clemons's blog. In this installment, Steve prints an email he received which most excellently makes the case as to why Bolton's nomination as UN ambassador should be shot down in flames:

Dear Steve:

You have opened many important doors on this blog on the reasons "why we fight" John Bolton's nomination. This isn't just about Bolton's politics or bad behavior -- and its not because of some leftist plot to give Dick Cheney a bad day.

Some of these thoughts have emerged in your posts and in the commentary on The Washington Note, but I wanted to order a few thoughts here:

1) Many thoughtful Americans, both Democrats and Republicans, and even those who are not involved in politics at all, are deeply troubled by the unprecedented decline in America's standing during the past few years.

2) Poll after poll has shown a precipitous drop in favorable attitudes toward the U.S., not only in the Arab and Muslim world, but in Europe, South America, and Asia, and even in our own continent of North America. (i.e. Canada and Mexico ) Anti-U.S. sentiment in the Arab world might be explained away as an unfortunate side effect of the current conflict, but when the entire world simultaneously and suddenly shows a dramatic rise in these sentiments, then any reasonable person should be deeply concerned.

3) John Bolton's views, demeanor, and capacity for engendering animosity are well known. Foreign diplomats have made no secret of their dislike for him.

4) Bolton's opponents believe that America's standing in the world and its ability to inspire are important both to America's and the world's well being. They see Bolton as likely to exacerbate the recent decline in America's standing rather than improve it.

Here is an intro from a Pew Survey on rising anti-Americanism, as well as the report itself, which contains dramatic tables documenting the decline.

Best regards,

XXXX XXXXXXXXXX

Len on 05.02.05 @ 01:23 PM CST