All the news that fits, we print... Like only 1/2 of a profile

in Never Shy, Bolton Brings a Zeal to the Table, scott shane pulls a typical "nyt" - he wusses out...

if anybody ever presented the perfect opportunity to write an in-depth, objective profile, it's john bolton... bolton has more twists and turns, nooks and crannies and bottomless black holes than carlsbad caverns... but, n-o-o-o-o-0... what does scotty do instead...? he trots out this litany...

"[I]t makes sense to put somebody who's skilled and who's not afraid to speak his mind at the United Nations." [George Bush]

"When you go in to brief John Bolton, as I found out early, you better be prepared," said Thomas M. Boyd.

He has also impressed superiors with his dogged pursuit of goals he believes in. [...] He took on the task of repealing a United Nations General Assembly resolution equating Zionism with racism, long resented by Israel and its American supporters.

Mr. Bolton, 56, has won loyalty from other bosses, too. They include former Secretary of State James A. Baker III, whom he served at the White House and the State Department and who summoned him to Florida for the recount, and Vice President Dick Cheney.

"He's tough and he's relentless and he's very logical," said Frank J. Donatelli. [...] "But I've never observed any kind of abusive behavior." What really puts off Mr. Bolton's critics, Mr. Donatelli said, are his firm views.

In handling disagreements, too, Ms. Bohlen said, Mr. Bolton sometimes went over the line. [italics mine]

"He's got a great sense of humor, a great cackle of a laugh - but he has to trust you."

"He's a straightforward, traditional, national security conservative."

"But basically, American diplomats should be advocates of the United States. That's the style I pursue." [John Bolton]

if i hadn't been mucking around in all of the details of mr. bolton's career that have emerged from the foreign relations committee hearings and was relying on this profile to form my opinion, i would probably walk away thinking, "ok, he's tough and traditionally conservative and, even though i don't agree with his views, i can understand why bush would think he's a good nominee..." i simply cannot believe all the stuff that was just plain omitted...

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