John Bolton - The Tough Guy

As the evidence continues to mount that John Bolton possesses neither the skill set nor the temperament to serve as America's ambassador to the United Nations, the right's defense of him has retreated to the realm of intangibles. The most frequently-cited quality is his "toughness." Bolton's a "tough guy," conservatives say, just the kind of guy we need to go the U.N. and kick some butts and take some names and whip all those multi-lateral beeyotches into shape:

The Associated Press (04/25/05): "Defenders said Bolton, now the undersecretary of state for arms control and international security, has a tough-talking style that will help achieve needed reforms at the United Nations."

The Conservative Voice (04/25/05): "John Bolton’s nomination is in jeopardy, due largely to the RINO faction (illustrative are statements made by Senators John McCain and Arlen Specter) again wimping out and 'expressing concern' at his nomination to the UN Ambassadorship; because Bolton might be 'too tough' on the increasing criminal activity of members within the United Nations. 'Too tough' on unlawful behaviors? That’s nuts!"

The New York Times (04/24/04): "As new complaints emerged from several quarters about Mr. Bolton and his harsh treatment of subordinates and colleagues, Senator John Kyl, Republican of Arizona, issued a strong defense of Mr. Bolton, saying on the ABC News program 'This Week' that the nominee had attracted Democratic criticism 'because he's a tough guy who supports the president's policy.'"

National Federation of Republican Women (04/18/05): "John Bolton is a great choice and should be confirmed. He has had a strong record of success as a leader. He will be a tough-minded diplomat and will get the job done!"

But, just how tough is John Bolton, anyway? Could he eat lightining and crap thunder? Could he knock this off my shoulder? Could he leap a tall building in a single bound?

This story from CNN gives us a clue as to just how tough Mr. Bolton is.

In a letter dated Friday to Sen. Barbara Boxer, a California Democrat, Lynne Finney, the former U.N. policy adviser for the U.S. Agency for International Development, recalled working with Bolton at the State Department in late 1982 or early 1983.

Finney wrote that he had asked her to persuade U.N. representatives from other countries to weaken restrictions on the marketing of infant formula in developing countries (emphasis added).

When she refused, citing serious health reasons, Bolton "said he was ordering me" and then "screamed that I was fired," Finney recounted.

When fellow attorneys said the firing was illegal, she stayed and Bolton "retaliated" by moving her to "a shabby windowless office in the basement in order to force me to leave," Finney wrote.

Now, that's tough! I mean, any Marine or Army Ranger can go to Iraq and get shot at looking for non-existent WMDs. It takes a real man to terrorize women and babies. Just the kind of guy we need.