[no_go_lie]

He was a typical pompous know-it-all who made sure to perpetuate the image of the Ugly American in every country he was sent to.

[cherry]

from what I read, he went straight from college into the govt and never looked back...never faced a layoff or a company bankruptcy, or no medical or vacation, or worried about being phased out, etc....

he was a political hack first and foremost...

God bless him and his family, but seriously, Oprah Winfrey is a better American diplomat than these hired guns and she's an entertainer!