U.S. Diplomat's Letter of Resignation 
 February 27, 2003

The following is the text of John Brady Kiesling's letter of resignation to Secretary of State Colin L. Powell. Mr. Kiesling is a career diplomat who has served in United States embassies from Tel Aviv to Casablanca to Yerevan. 
 

 
Dear Mr. Secretary: 
 
I am writing you to submit my resignation from the Foreign Service of the United States and from my position as Political Counselor in U.S. Embassy Athens, effective March 7. I do so with a heavy heart. The baggage of my upbringing included a felt obligation to give something back to my country. Service as a U.S. diplomat was a dream job. I was paid to understand foreign languages and cultures, to seek out diplomats, politicians, scholars and journalists, and to persuade them that U.S. interests and theirs fundamentally coincided. My faith in my country and its values was the most powerful weapon in my diplomatic arsenal. 
 
It is inevitable that during twenty years with the State Department I would become more sophisticated and cynical about the narrow and selfish bureaucratic motives that sometimes shaped our policies. 
 
Human nature is what it is, and I was rewarded and promoted for understanding human nature. But until this Administration it had been possible to believe that by upholding the policies of my president I was also upholding the interests of the American people and the world. I believe it no longer. 
 
The policies we are now asked to advance are incompatible not only with American values but also with American interests. Our fervent pursuit of war with Iraq is driving us to squander the international legitimacy that has been America's most potent weapon of both offense and defense since the days of Woodrow Wilson. We have begun to dismantle the largest and most effective web of international relationships the world has ever known. Our current course will bring instability and danger, not security. 
 
The sacrifice of global interests to domestic politics and to bureaucratic self-interest is nothing new, and it is certainly not a uniquely American problem. Still, we have not seen such systematic distortion of intelligence, such systematic manipulation of American opinion, since the war in Vietnam. The September 11 tragedy left us stronger than before, rallying around us a vast international coalition to cooperate for the first time in a systematic way against the threat of terrorism. But rather than take credit for those successes and build on them, this Administration has chosen to make terrorism a domestic political tool, enlisting a scattered and largely defeated Al Qaeda as its bureaucratic ally. We spread disproportionate terror and confusion in the public mind, arbitrarily linking the unrelated problems of terrorism and Iraq. The result, and perhaps the motive, is to justify a vast misallocation of shrinking public wealth to the military and to weaken the safeguards that protect American citizens from the heavy hand of government. September 11 did not do as much damage to the fabric of American society as we seem determined to so to ourselves. Is the Russia of the late Romanovs really our model, a selfish, superstitious empire thrashing toward self-destruction in the name of a doomed status quo? 
 
We should ask ourselves why we have failed to persuade more of the world that a war with Iraq is necessary. We have over the past two years done too much to assert to our world partners that narrow and mercenary U.S. interests override the cherished values of our partners. Even where our aims were not in question, our consistency is at issue. The model of Afghanistan is little comfort to allies wondering on what basis we plan to rebuild the Middle East, and in whose image and interests. 
 
Have we indeed become blind, as Russia is blind in Chechnya, as Israel is blind in the Occupied Territories, to our own advice, that overwhelming military power is not the answer to terrorism? After the shambles of post-war Iraq joins the shambles in Grozny and Ramallah, it will be a brave foreigner who forms ranks with Micronesia to follow where we lead. 
 
We have a coalition still, a good one. The loyalty of many of our friends is impressive, a tribute to American moral capital built up over a century. But our closest allies are persuaded less that war is justified than that it would be perilous to allow the U.S. to drift into complete solipsism. Loyalty should be reciprocal. Why does our President condone the swaggering and contemptuous approach to our friends and allies this Administration is fostering, including among its most senior officials. Has "oderint dum metuant" really become our motto? 
 
I urge you to listen to America's friends around the world. Even here in Greece, purported hotbed of European anti-Americanism, we have more and closer friends than the American newspaper reader can possibly imagine. Even when they complain about American arrogance, Greeks know that the world is a difficult and dangerous place, and they want a strong international system, with the U.S. and EU in close partnership. When our friends are afraid of us rather than for us, it is time to worry. 
 
And now they are afraid. Who will tell them convincingly that the United States is as it was, a beacon of liberty, security, and justice for the planet? 
 
Mr. Secretary, I have enormous respect for your character and ability. You have preserved more international credibility for us than our policy deserves, and salvaged something positive from the excesses of an ideological and self-serving Administration. But your loyalty to the President goes too far. We are straining beyond its limits an international system we built with such toil and treasure, a web of laws, treaties, organizations, and shared values that sets limits on our foes far more effectively than it ever constrained America's ability to defend its interests. 
 
I am resigning because I have tried and failed to reconcile my conscience with my ability to represent the current U.S. Administration. I have confidence that our democratic process is ultimately self-correcting, and hope that in a small way I can contribute from outside to shaping policies that better serve the security and prosperity of the American people and the world we share. 
 

     After 96 people were killed by a fire in a night club that was started by a band with sparklers, George W. Bush declared "This kind of music has got to stop."
    The FBI revealed that before their terrorist act, the band had been given shelter in a Ramada Inn run by a ruthless "musician" hiding out in room 111. The invasion of the Ramada Inn is expected to level the building. "We consider it a worthy sacrifice," said Colin Powell. "What's one Ramada Inn if we can prevent another fire brought about by bad music."
    Rumors that the invasion is actually just a ploy to get free hotel rooms continue to sweep the Internet, but Bush insists it's not "blood for two doubles and unlimited cable."
    "We've seen the face of evil," said Powell. "It's hiding out in a Ramada Inn, so the only American thing to do is raze the place."

 "We're going to give them all transplants of organs from donors that aren't their blood type," said U.S. Surgeon General, Vice Admiral Richard H. Carmona. "Jesica Santillan was just the beginning."

 I understand you've ordered Iraq to destroy its Al Samoud missiles within a week. Seems like a waste of perfectly good missiles. Why can't they just sell them back to us?

 If you want to keep your pederasty a secret, perhaps the best way to pick up boys is NOT to post your naked picture at AOL.

"Three thousand miles just to get laid. I really respect that."
- Larry Hankin in The Sure Thing (1985) -

"To justify the indefensible, [Bush] talks about "appeasement" and compares Saddam with Hitler. But one of the reasons Hitler was appeased was that he commanded a frightening, nearly invincible war machine. It took almost the entire world to defeat him, and it was a close thing at that. The Second World War lasted from 1939 to 1945. Will it take six years to defeat Saddam, or six days, or six hours? Whatever his intentions, he has no tanks, no airplanes, no submarines, no nothing. Anyone comparing this guy with Hitler has no understanding of how terrible Hitler was." 
- Nicholas von Hoffman, An Imperial Adventure For Anglo-Saxon Powers, observer.com

"How do you lose a P.R. war with Saddam Hussein? I mean, how could you be so inept that this lying thug dope addict serial killer is beating us in the court of world opinion. How could you be that inept?...Why is this administration so inept that it is letting this clown beat the living tar out of them in the court of world opinion?...The problem is that this administration is so inept it can't even beat a thug at a P.R. war."
- James Carville, Crossfire, 02/19/03 -

"You'd be surprised how many kings are only a queen with a mustache."- Hans Christian Anderson (the movie) -

"On the streets of New York I saw the kind of freedom George Bush has vowed to give to Iraq  - menacing squads of riot police. In an attempt to sabotage this deafening chorus of disapproval, blue helmeted officers backed by horses confined pockets of protesters to Manhattan side streets. At the corner of 24th and Sixth, 30 blocks from the rallying point, I watched incredulous as around 200 baton wielding police set about a group of 100, feverishly tearing down their banners. The provocation? Not staying on the pavement. Saddam's goons would have been proud."
- Richard Wallace, New York Says No, mirror.co.uk -

"Man was created last for the following reason: If he is deserving, he shall find all of nature at his service; if he is undeserving, he shall find all of nature arrayed against him."
- Pinhas Shapiro, the Zaddik of Koretz -

"The eradication of the craving for personal separateness is Liberation."
- Sankara -

"A person should be more concerned with spiritual than with material matters, but another person's material welfare is his own spiritual concern."
- Rabbi Israel Salanter -

"I think the responsibility of an artist is to just get to know themselves really well. To put yourself in your work and not pretend to be somebody else. Don't try to be somebody you admire."
- Steven Spielberg -

      "As we head for war with Iraq, Americans should reflect and be grateful for combat sacrifices made by our veterans, such as Sen. Inouye (lost an arm), Sen. John McCain (six years as a POW), Bob Kerrey (lost a leg) and Max Cleland (lost both legs and an arm).
    "However, we veterans are most impressed by the sacrifices of Vietnam-era veteran George W. Bush, who lost his memory for nearly a whole year concerning where he was and what he was doing from mid-1972 to mid-1973 when he was supposed to be serving in the Texas Air National Guard.     "Loss of limbs pale in comparison with our president's unique personal sacrifice. We are fortunate to have such a selfless and patriotic man leading us to war."
- Chris Riser, a veteran of Desert Storm -

"I will never apologize for the United States. I don't care what the facts are."
- George Bush -

"I will make a bargain with the Republicans. If they stop telling lies about Democrats, we will stop telling the truth about them."
- Adlai Stevenson, 1952 -

The scheduled policy discussion between all governors in the U.S. and the president is going to be exactly like all past discussions except for the fact that Bush isn't going to let them talk to him.

U.N. Weapons inspectors were arrested when they tried to inspect Raytheon Missile Systems in Phoenix.

Reporters will have minimally restricted access to the war in Iraq.

After we've bombed Iraq to smithereens, the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia thinks Saudi Arabia should lead a coalition of Islamic nations to occupy Iraq while a transitional Iraqi government is established, with Turkey playing the leading role in the Islamic force.

The U.S. Department of Homeland security wants you to know what to do if an atom bomb goes off nearby.

"The time has come for us to end the sanctions against Iraq, because those sanctions punish the people of Iraq for having Saddam Hussein as their leader. These sanctions have been instrumental in causing the deaths of hundreds of thousands of children."- Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D., Ohio), The Progressive, November 2002 -

"Saddam Hussein should be removed from power. . . . I think the way that you do it is continue to use sanctions which thwart his efforts to grow."- Presidential candidate Dennis Kucinich, "Meet the Press," Feb. 23, 2003 -

They're those things you can read in the bathroom without bringing your computer with you. The thing about books is there's no Google to cache them when they go out-of-print, so let's give a hearty cheer to Eclectic Books, where out-of-print doesn't mean not available.

Calling all Filmmakers

The Third Guerrilla Film & Video Festival takes place June 25-29 in NYC. Seeking (all genres): features, docs, shorts, experimental/animation, and works-in-progress/trailers. Awards/prizes include special deals and/or production packages worth well over $30,000. FEES: $30 under 45 min.; $40 over 45 min. Preview formats: VHS and/or DVD (NTSC only). DEADLINE: 05-15-03. VISIONFEST 03 - PO Box 280223, Brooklyn, NY 11228. Call 718-837-5736.

3rd Annual Screamfest Horror Film Festival & Screenplay Competition is now seeking new independent horror films (features & shorts) and screenplays. Winning screenplay receives a $1000. More prizes to be announced. Submission fees- features $40, shorts $30 and screenplays $30 or $60 with return coverage. 

2nd Annual Festival of Film in Frederick, Maryland is now accepting shorts and features for the 2003 Festival, June 7th and 8th. Festival is non-competitive with multiple showings. Filmmakers are invited to introduce their films and participate in a panel discussion with other filmmakers. DEADLINE: 03/15/2003. Call 301-694-9632. E-mail: info@frederickfilm.org

The Dahlonega International Film Festival (The DIFF) announces its call for entries for its 3rd festival. Festival dates are June 26 - June 29 and deadline is April 15 for shorts, features, docs, animation, experimental-all formats. Log on at WWW.DIFF.TV and if you come, hope you like Krispy Kreme donuts.  E-mail: Program@diff.tv

IFP/Los Angeles is now accepting applications for the 2003 IFP Los Angeles Film Festival, which will take place from June 11 - 21, 2003. The director of the Best Dramatic Feature competition at the festival wins a $50,000 cash prize; the director of the Best Documentary Feature wins a $25,000 cash prize, both prizes funded by Target Stores. Deadline: 02-21-03 for short films and music videos; and 02-28-03 for full-length narrative and documentary features. Send entries to: IFP Los Angeles Film Festival, 8750 Wilshire Blvd, 2nd Floor, Beverly Hills, CA 90211. Call 323-951-7090 for details or get an entry form on the site.

Send your questions to "Ask Dr. Hollywood" at disinfotainment@earthlink.net
 
 

Dr. Hollywood archives are here.

 

WHO’S GOING TO HELL THIS WEEK?

by Helen A. Handbasket

You never know who’s going to trade their soul away or what they’re going to get for it unless you’re Helen A. Handbasket, ex-executive chief in charge of operations for the burning flames of hellfire. Who are her sources? Wouldn’t you like to know? Sorry, all communications are confidential and the property of Helen A. Handbasket, whose opinions do not necessarily reflect those of this or any other publication. 

February 24, 2003

UNDO THE COUP
Satan for President in 2004

FASHION STATEMENT FROM HELL
(actually Japan)

This is NOT a see-through skirt.
This is an opaque skirt with a tush painted on it.

LEGISLATION FROM HELL

In reaction to France's refusal to back the U.S. in Gulf War II, the City of Pasadena has banned French kissing. "We always thought it was sort of disgusting anyway," said Pasadena Mayor Bill Bogaard, whose tongue hasn't left his mouth in forty years. "I don't think anyone will miss it."

SATAN DOESN'T WANT YOU TO KNOW

If you save webpages using Windows, go to SAVE AS and select MHT in the SAVE AS TYPE dialog option. An MHT file is a "web archive" that automatically puts everything--- text, graphics, etc.--- into a compact, single file. ("MHT" stands for Multipurpose Internet Mail Extension HTML.) When you click on an MHT file, it loads normally into your browser, with all the graphics, etc., in place. With no need for storage in separate folders, the pieces of a web page can't get lost or separated!

SITES FROM HELL

Mandatory reading: How and why "decent men" became Nazis. For a fascinating window into the lives, thoughts and emotions of a people caught up in the rush of the Nazi movement, and some horrifying parallels to America today, check out They Thought They Were Free by Milton Mayer.

It's possible to be online but off grid. Just pedal a bike and generate your own electricity while surfing the net.

Want solid numbers to corroborate your wacko opinions? Check out Worldometers.

Got a sock without a partner? Post its picture to Lonely Socks and try to find it a mate.

Can you tell the difference between a despot and a sexpot just by looking at their mustaches? 

Take this quiz. Gullible? Why not buy land on the moon? (Land on Mars available soon)

Wanna see something REALLY scary? Celebrities without make-up.

All of Helen's old columns are here.