There is a long and rich tradition of U.S. presidents awarding cozy and glamorous diplomatic posts to their friends, allies, and donors

Reminds me more of the kiss of death. Ambassadors should get hazard pay under this President…

One can’t observe or influence the local culture without being fluent in the local tongue.

Schadenfreude on February 1, 2013 at 5:17 PM

Arab countries really hate it when we appoint ambassadors that speak Arabic.

Containing Hagel

M2RB: Guns ‘N Roses

I forgot to credit Obama with speaking Austrian, if nothing else – mea culpa.

Schadenfreude on February 1, 2013 at 5:19 PM

I understand he’s also fluent in Swiss.

But those whose political connections to Mr. Obama were measured in dollars, rather than administration service, had an increased chance of representing the United States in Western Europe, and a markedly smaller chance of serving in, say, Central Asia or sub-Saharan Africa.

Seems kind of… RACIST!!!!

*ducks* lol

…but as with many other dubious and/or nefarious political “business as usual” practices that go on within the historic halls of the White House, the Obama administration only ever seems to have only taken things up a notch.

Well put, Erika, well put.

Schadenfreude on February 1, 2013 at 5:16 PM

So whats wrong with repeating yourself louder and slower in English?

Rat bastards, the lot of them.

In this regard the US is very rubeish.

There is a long and rich tradition of U.S. presidents awarding cozy and glamorous diplomatic posts to their friends, allies, and donors

It is really a stupid tradition.

Diplomats s/b educated in diplomacy, the world, and speak at least 3 foreign languages, alas.

There s/b NO ambassador anywhere, without speaking the local language.