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| International-UN-NGOs |
| Rudy Giuliani for UN Ambassador |
| 2004-04-23 |
| By JOHN PODHORETZ ON Wednesday, the lead editorial in this paper suggested that President Bush name Rudy Giuliani to be this nation’s ambassador to the United Nations. The idea is so exciting that it deserves to be shouted from rooftops. The mayor’s signal ability to confront dysfunction, disorder, corruption and decay and - through sheer force of will and intellect - become a force for change transformed the lives of New Yorkers for the better. The United States desperately needs those very skills at work this year at the United Nations. I don’t think Chirac will be callin’ him "Rudy the Rock" anymore. Particularly after the recent Oil-for-food scandal, and Rudy’s probable involvment in the cleanup of the sludge around folks like Anan, Jr., and maybe the esteemed French President himself There are some political dangers for the president here. Rudy is an outsized personality, to be sure. He is not controllable. He will say what he thinks needs to be said. He will come into conflict with the State Department (as forceful U.N. ambassadors always do). But he is not only eminently capable, he also shares the president’s vision of the need to democratize the Arab world, confront terror and - not insignificantly - defend Israel against the depredations to which it is constantly exposed at the U.N. And, the point is? Rudy understands that W is the boss, and W. knows he’s hiring a pit-bull. After all, five years before George W. Bush said he’d no longer deal with Yasser Arafat, Rudy kicked the Palestinian thug out of a Lincoln Center concert during the celebration of the U.N.’s 50th anniversary. We all know Rudy is a no-BS kinda guy. What’s in it for Rudy? If he wants to be president, he needs foreign-policy credentials. Here they are, on a silver platter, big guy. Plus, it would just be so damn much fun to watch. Amen to that, brother! |
| Posted by:Anonymous4052 |
| #13 As much as I hate it, we need to keep the UN close for the simple reason of "keeping your friends close, but your enemy's closer". NYNY can be very seductive. |
| Posted by: Long Hair Republican 2004-04-24 1:04:36 AM |
| #12 But, if a year in the "Cantina" will get him some foreign policy stripes, then view it as a step in a process. If it's FP exposure that he needs, why not a direct U.S. envoy to an actual foreign country? I dunno, I just have this deep-seated loathing of the UN that has been a long time in the making (since Gulf War 1) and would rather that our active participation be as limited as possible. If it could be discontinued altogether, that would be even better. |
| Posted by: Bomb-a-rama 2004-04-23 11:28:53 PM |
| #11 4052-- Fair enough! |
| Posted by: Wuzzalib 2004-04-23 7:36:58 PM |
| #10 Bomarama, and Wuzzalib - One of Podhoretz's arguements is that this would give him a level of foreign policy experience before moving into a higher position. Rumor has it that Colin Powell is leaving after the election. Wouldn't a year as UN ambassador be useful to get to know the weasel family up close and personal, before he might take the SOS position if Powell leaves? This is the best arguement in my mind and why I posted this for discussion. Your points are extremely valid. But, if a year in the "Cantina" will get him some foreign policy stripes, then view it as a step in a process. |
| Posted by: Anonymous4052 2004-04-23 6:15:22 PM |
| #9 B-A-R is right. Why waste a good man of proven executive talent playing in a Punch and Judy show? Truth-telling is utterly wasted on such cynics as the French and the Russians-- so what's the point? To amuse John Podhoretz? Not a good enough reason! |
| Posted by: Wuzzalib 2004-04-23 6:06:00 PM |
| #8 I'd rather Giuliani be put into a position that doesn't involve the UN. State, AG, whatever. Just not the UN, as that organization isn't worth wasting quality people on. |
| Posted by: Bomb-a-rama 2004-04-23 5:51:36 PM |
| #7 Tibor - W wants to have a New Yorker collect the keys to the building when the criminals and liars leave. It makes the paperwork easier. |
| Posted by: Anonymous4052 2004-04-23 5:32:53 PM |
| #6 Chris W, what makes you think the appointment of Rudy as US Ambassador to the UN and the US ultimately withdrawing from the UN are mutually exclusive? |
| Posted by: Tibor 2004-04-23 5:29:15 PM |
| #5 Oh, man, that sure would be fun to see Rudy open up on the UN! That would be far more entertaining than what's been coming out of Hollywood so far this year..... |
| Posted by: Desert Blondie 2004-04-23 3:49:39 PM |
| #4 Rudy for State. Now -that- needs cleaning up. |
| Posted by: someone 2004-04-23 3:37:15 PM |
| #3 Just do it, Rudy. Your country needs your smash-mouth diplomatic skills. C'mon, you street fighter. Your finest hour is yet to come. Rudy and Rummy in '08. |
| Posted by: Zpaz 2004-04-23 3:35:22 PM |
| #2 Good for Rudy, bad for the USA. We need to remove ourselves from the UN and kick them out of New York. |
| Posted by: Chris W. 2004-04-23 3:19:04 PM |
| #1 Go RUDY, GO!! |
| Posted by: B 2004-04-23 2:33:32 PM |