This week will see another media fest when John Bolton appears before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee to testify relative to his nomination as Ambassador to the UN. There has been a raft of activity pro and con his appointment, with detractors positioning him as a devil and supporters promoting him for sainthood. Frankly, all this extreme posturing – even by those who were formerly relatively rational people - really ticks me off. Bolton is just a human being like the rest of us. He’s smart and experienced.
Whether he’s the right person for the job at this moment in time is a question. But the world has a way of surprising us every so often. Who would have thought the Red-baiter Nixon would have made the opening overture to China? Or, that mild-mannered Earl Warren would have led the Supreme Court into the 20th century? It seems to me that far fewer people demonized Nixon or Warren although they abhorred their policies and actions.
Most of the talk about Bolton has assumed that the UN is in very good shape and does not need a flame thrower, as Bolton has been said to be. But that is a false assumption. While the UN has done much good, it has had its screw-ups and scandals. As with any sixty-year-old organization, it could stand a rejuvenation, particularly as we are living in such a different world than that of post World War II.
Don’t get me wrong. I’m not saying that Bolton should be nominated. I find it unlikely that someone who has professed hatred for the UN, disparages the value of treaties, and seems to be convinced of our perpetual righteousness would make a good UN Ambassador. But let’s go through the nomination process as rational human beings, not demonizing or sanctifying anybody.
PBU15
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