American diplomats are condemning what they view as President Barack Obama’s selling ambassadorships to high donors. This has long been a problem, which I criticized in earlier administrations, and Obama supporters are likely to return to the refrain that he is just doing what his predecessors did. That is never a very satisfying answer. This is a form of corruption as presidents give high diplomatic posts to people who give them loads of money. Obama has apparently expanded on this sordid practice to a level that is alarming diplomats. The fact is that all ambassadorships should be confined to people selected for their diplomatic skills, preferably from the ranks of our career diplomats or academia.
For years, I have been in conversations with people close to the White House and President Obama who openly discuss the amount of money required to secure an ambassadorship. Just last week a ranking Democratic operative told me that a friend had put together around $2 million in donations because he was told that “the price had gone up.”
That is the very point of the article below where it is being reported that the price is up to $1.8 million. It is not clear why the White House does not simply post the price list on the website to facilitate these purchases. I recently gave a speech and had dinner with a major donor who said that he gave “his” ambassadorship to his wife. She loved being called an ambassador.
Some donors raise so much that they are allowed to travel around the world playing ambassador. Obama’s campaign finance chairman, Matthew Barzun, was given the choice diplomatic post at the Court of St James’s, which comes with a residence with a garden that is second only in size to that of Buckingham Palace. He just finished a stint as ambassador to Sweden.
Thomas Pickering has denounced the practice as “simony” or the selling of public office. He is obviously right that “it has the effect of diminishing perhaps the sense that the US is treating these countries with the respect they deserve.”
Susan Johnson, president of the American Foreign Service Association (AFSA), has also denounced the record of Obama in these dubious transactions.
I remain astonished that we have allowed this practice to continue. Obama apologists have to do more than simply say that he is simply following the same corrupt practices of his predecessors. It appears that he is a standout in the selling of public offices.
Source: Guardian
Nick,
How about this question…. when you raised the alarm that we would be shocked by what the government wasn’t keeping confidential, to what records were you referring? I’m pretty damn sure none of us were worried about government contracts. No, it was our personal information.
And I’m wondering if Chicago comes off better than Wisconsin since you have found that they “try harder” to keep my personal information confidential and WI gladly hands it over to any old snoop.
Gene, Thanks.
Okay, Nick. Tell me about those records that Chicago kept confidential that you felt should be available to a private businessman (that’s key – you weren’t LE). Did they include any of the following?
Birth records, death records, social security, IRS, criminal records, employment records, marriage records, driver’s license info, address records, school records, medical records (I bet this is a winner), credit records, bank records.
I don’t know that I’m asking the right questions, so I’ll ask this one….
what was the record that required you to go to confession?
Or what if I put it this way…what info did you get that I couldn’t follow you up to the counter and get the same info?
And don’t be silly about FOI. You know how I vote, why ask about FOI?
There you go, nick. The spam filter has been naughty today.
Mr. Spinelli,
“It was bribery. I never lost any sleep over it, that’s just the biz.”
Much like unsavory practices with sheep, that is really something to be proud of.
Help, please. I just had worpress eat my comment for dinner.
justateacher, Don’t you believe in open government and records? That’s all I’m saying. The less open the government is[Chicago, Feds], the more corruption. We’re damn proud of our open record laws here in Wi. However, politicians, in both parties, are always trying to change it and make it less transparent. It’s a constant battle. I donate money to a progressive organization here that constantly fights to keep government transparent. Remember, we were promised “The most transparent administration” during the 2008 election. I was duped when I voted for Obama in 2008. I bet you were duped twice.
Jill, are you under the impression that individual ambassadors make their own policies.
Thugs! Lackeys! Minions! Were your rhetorical skills honed under Lenin?
It’s not just about money. Obama needs trained lackeys. Sweden, for example, has been instrumental in NSA’s illegal spy operation. We need gutless wonders who will push other nations to close their air space to other nations’ presidents on USGinc.’s command. We need thugs who can threaten and cajole cooperation.
For these types of operations; people who are trained, knowledgeable and not subservient simply will not do! Nope he needs loyal minions, thugs and lackeys! Well, he’s got em! USA!!!
Since Bush has said he started PRISM then you need to excoriate Bush as well.
Nick, Sorry – “perfect world” doesn’t wash. And it’s the government’s fault? Where’s the stand-up ball busting guy we all love?
You started this several threads ago in regard to the unreliability of the government to keep records private. I’m surprised that you aren’t delighted that in this case your experience has proved you correct.
Now you are free to go into the back room at Nick’s and gamble to your heart’s content.
justateacher, I have agreed in a perfect world paying someone for info would not be needed. And, as I said, in Wi which has the most progressive open records laws, it was virtually never needed. It’s govt. that keep records private that should be public, Chicago being the most egregious of any place I worked, that money had to be exchanged. I had phone company sources for non published phone numbers. Remember the days when people had land lines? It cost money. It was bribery. I never lost any sleep over it, that’s just the biz. I do admit there were some records I got that made me some agita. But, I would say a perfect Act of Contrition afterward. It’s a rough world out there, adapt or perish.
justateacher,
I’ve had a very similar discussion with Bron many times before. Bribery/graft/corruption is a truly multi-party crime that by definition requires a minimum of two bad actors. Bron’s rationale is that businessmen wouldn’t offer bribes (usually discussed in the terms of “campaign contributions”) if pols didn’t have favors to sell so of course it’s all the pols fault for tempting those otherwise righteous businessmen into participating in corruption.
It’s kind of a variation on the same kind of bad logic behind the “she was dressed like a slut and asking for it” rape defense.
Nick, I don’t question your testimony and/reports. But your idea that only the guy who gives you the info is corrupt is (I’ll try to be nice) “concerning”.
From Wiki but I welcome input from the lawyers and ethicists…
Bribery is an act of giving money or gift giving that alters the behavior of the recipient. Bribery constitutes a crime and is defined by Black’s Law Dictionary as the offering, giving, receiving, or soliciting of any item of value to influence the actions of an official or other person in charge of a public or legal duty.
The bribe is the gift bestowed to influence the recipient’s conduct. It may be any money, good, right in action, property, preferment, privilege, emolument, object of value, advantage, or merely a promise or undertaking to induce or influence the action, vote, or influence of a person in an official or public capacity.[1]
.
Dredd, Thanks for the clip. I’m now a bit more informed.
justateacher, On a lighter note. When we were discussing John Cazale I found there is a 2009 documentary, available on YouTube, about his life. Meryl Streep is interviewed among many other fellow actors. It’s 44 minutes and will bring a tear to your eye. It’s titled, “I Knew It Was You.” I know this is one of the topics I have cred w/ you.
HumpinDog 1, July 11, 2013 at 5:29 pm
I wonder what WordPress is doing. One can print penis but not itchinBay without the Pig Latin.
=================
Big Sister, the new censor, is sexist?
NS,
(a.k.a. nick spinelli) … that is what some call you upthread …
Here is the interpretation of “Second Breakfy” …
justateacher, If I were “corrupt” there is no way I would have lasted in my business for over 30 years. When I testified under oath, I ALWAYS told the truth. I never had my bills questioned by attorneys, corporations, or individuals, the first two being quite demanding clients. If I said something to a client they KNEW it was true. Even opposing counsel knew I was straight and honest. I’ve had a few grudgingly say so. As we discussed previously, you simply don’t understand what PI’s do. Again if I get info from someone that shouldn’t give to me, THEY are corrupt. If I give info to someone other than my client, then I am corrupt. I NEVER did that. This is pretty basic stuff.
I wonder what WordPress is doing. One can print penis but not itchinBay without the Pig Latin.