As others have noted, all she did was redo the Clinton deal they nixed when bush was installed. Ms. Duckman noticed that right off, and she doesn’t do blogs, figured it out just from watching teevee news.

And I agree whole heartedly with euzious’ comment no. 12,

For the benefit of future historians, the pushback against Bolton’s UN nomination [the first time] brought a lot of new people into the political process. Certain insiders started becoming truly alarmed at the way things were going, including the threat of war against Iran, and started getting the word out.

For those who think the Democrats aren’t doing anything if they’re not impeaching bush, this is an example of how it has to work. And this marginilizaytion of Bolton took how long, 3 years? But it worked, didn’t it!

I know. He’s coming to Australia this week. If you like we can attack him with cane toads.

I agree with you about Cheney being more interested in the ME and perhaps he is willing to give her a pass. NOt saying he won’t assign some underling to muck up the works or follow up on this little “junket” agreement of hers. I agree he won’t forget this little usurpation attempt of hers.

Plus if I am not mistaken didn’t someone recently admit or maybe Condi herself said that NK and Iran were only added as afterthoughts into the axis of evil speeches because they couldn’t just have Iraq as it would be too obvious (as opposed to partly obvious)that 2003 was The Year of Iraq. Plus we all know that from another neocon Cheney prototype in the likes of Mr. Hannah that 2007 is The Year Of Iran…so Cheney definitely has other priorities right now. But after witnessing just how obsessed Cheney is in following the media stories about this administration from Wilson-Plame Libby trial, I say this story most likely is a clip and safe keeper for him and I’m sure some tasks have been assigned to Addington to investigate and get back to him on this.

When Condi Rice is cast in the role of Responsible Grownup, you *know* you’re looking at the most dysfunctional and insane administration of all time.

Condi must swallow

Hmmm, I recall another one somewhere, too. Will drop it by if I can find it.

Agreed, especially wrt Cheney and N Korea. From a geopolitical power point of view, I don’t think Cheney’s guys are nearly as invested in N. Korea as they are in the middle east; what upsets them more is not the actual agreement but the end-run around them and the holes it exposed in their vetting process for policy.

As for the larger point about the U.S.’s double-standards (exactly right), well, that’s sort of a big part of the whole problem right there.

john in sac above:

Of course. If I ever allude to Cheney’s control or puppeteering, it is never to absolve Bush of anything, in any way, ever. That’s a given. Bush, Condi, Hadley, Rummy, Powell, Gonzales (and on and on)… all of them have enough blood on their hands that they should all be on trial in the Hague for countless crimes against humanity. But I do think there are varying degrees of control, complicity, and especially intent. With Iran, for instance, it might be Bush’s intent to drum up an invasion based on some messianic, self-delusional outlook that it really is his job to “transform” or “bring democracy” to the middle east (Sy Hersch has reported on this fervor of his more than once); but with Cheney and the neo-cons it seems always about utter imperial hegemonic power and control. Both are catastrophic and criminal, but they are different and reflect different pathologies.

Yea, I vacillate on W’s reasons for his foreign policy between being just plain avarice or messianic.

“President Bush said to all of us: ‘I’m driven with a mission from God. God would tell me, “George, go and fight those terrorists in Afghanistan.” And I did, and then God would tell me, “George, go and end the tyranny in Iraq …” And I did. And now, again, I feel God’s words coming to me, “Go get the Palestinians their state and get the Israelis their security, and get peace in the Middle East.” And by God I’m gonna do it.’”

Either way it’s frightening

Hidden government is a term used by Sufis to describe how the world works when most people do the right thing.

I predict Cheney will resign very soon for health reasons…..it is coming