We will live to regret the Bush administration's inability to think rationally about Latin America.
As I have said before to rounds of criticism, the Bush administration is utterly incompetent.
I would like to think this is a ruse to trick the thug ahead of an invasion but something tells me this is the real thing, honest to gawd appeasement. Neville Chamberlain would be so proud.
He's a career member of the Foreign Service (never a good sign) who served on Clinton's National Security Council with Sandy Burgler under Clinton as well as on Bush's NSC. None of these clowns are serving us very well.
Thomas A. Shannon, Jr. Thomas A. Shannon was confirmed as Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs on October 7, 2005.
A career member of the Senior Foreign Service, Mr. Shannon served as Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for Western Hemisphere Affairs at the National Security Council from 2003 to 2005. From 2002 to 2003, he was Deputy Assistant Secretary of Western Hemisphere Affairs at the Department of State, where he was Director of Andean Affairs from 2001 to 2002. He was U.S. Deputy Permanent Representative to the Organization of American States (OAS) from 2000 to 2001.
He served as Director for Inter-American Affairs at the National Security Council from 1999 to 2000; as Political Counselor at the U.S. Embassy in Caracas, Venezuela from 1996 to 1999; and as Regional Labor Attaché at the U.S. Consulate General in Johannesburg, South Africa from 1992 to 1996.
During his career as a Foreign Service Officer, Mr. Shannon also served as Special Assistant to the Ambassador at the U.S. Embassy in Brasilia, Brazil from 1989 to 1992; as Country Officer for Cameroon, Gabon, and Sao Tome and Principe from 1987 to 1989; and as the Consular/Political Rotational Officer at the U.S. Embassy in Guatemala City, Guatemala from 1984 to 1986.
Mr. Shannon holds a Doctorate and a Master's degree in politics from Oxford University, and a B.A. in Government and Philosophy from the College of William and Mary. He and his wife Guisela have two sons.
The bombing begins in five minutes.
Unless we're willing to go in and take him out (we're not) then we have to find a way to live with him. Talk nice and undermine him behind the scenes.
I want to see what Condi has to say about this...
Does anyone know what Chavez' record is on human rights?
Bump.
Foggy Bottom perpetually polishing a reputation for Complete, gibbering insanity.
Remind me why I voted for Bush.