A Note on Diplomacy

Tale of two silly little mayors

Donald Trump is appointing the ridiculous little mayors of Hamtramck and Dearborn Heights to be ambassadors to Kuwait and Tunisia, respectively.

While this is obviously a blatant payoff for their endorsement of him in the election, it also illustrates Trump’s contempt for those countries, for the region, and for diplomacy in general. Normally, presidents only do political appointments in countries that are secure allies (or were till Trump) like Canada and Great Britain, or nations where Washington and the president are involved almost daily, like Russia.

Smaller nations get ambassadors who are skilled professional diplomats and area experts. By appointing two local clowns, Trump both signals that he doesn’t give a damn about the region, and that diplomatic posts are for sale, cheap.

The biggest story today is, of course, the ongoing destruction of the United States’ economy by our birdbrain failed casino operator, and the contemptible failure of the Republican Party, aka his cult, to restrain him. But you can read all about that in the statements you’ll get from your 401Ks.