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On President Bush’s Recess Appointment of John Bolton as Ambassador to the United Nations

The job's too vital to be left unfilled. So Bush will stiff the Senate now--and name Bolton anyhow.

Calvin Trillin

August 11, 2005

The job’s too vital, Bush has said, To leave unfilled, and so instead He’ll simply stiff the Senate now, And name John Bolton anyhow. The problems of the world have grown, And so we need some tantrums thrown. Some analysts who haven’t skewed Intelligence remain unscrewed. But that will change with Bolton there: The man knows how to overbear. We need someone to show contempt For resolutions we’d pre-empt And show contempt as well for those Who might oppose what we propose– Reflecting through contemptuous power The last remaining superpower. Those tiny nations need a pasting. So let’s get started. Time’s a-wasting.

Calvin TrillinCalvin Trillin is The Nation’s “deadline poet.”


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