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Bolton Criticizes Spiderman -- Accuses Superhero of "Web of Lies"
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Okay not quite. But I did find it interesting that the former US Ambassador to the UN has taken the time, between lambasting his former boss's policies towards North Korea and Iran, to attack the recent partnership between the United Nations and Marvel comics to create an issue of Spiderman that follows him crusading alongside UN peacekeepers, aid workers and envoys.
Interestingly enough, I actually first found this on BBC Arabic, but the story can be read here:
John Bolton, the outspoken former US envoy to the UN, called it an "act of desperation".He said the world body should concentrate on improving its overall performance.
"You can have Spiderman in a comic book all you want, but it's not going to change public perception," he told the BBC.
I doubt anyone has any pretenses that this comic is going to address the reforms much needed at the UN. But the comic, intended to be distributed to US students, has a constructive purpose. It seeks to illuminate the myriad of UN functions and responsibilities to be better understood by America's next generation whose task it will be to repair the damage done to our international standing -- a task, it should not be forgotten, left to them by folks like John Bolton.
Bolton's challenge of the effort seems capricious and unwarranted. The UN is trying to adapt to modern communications styles with new marketing tools that dispel perceptions of a calcified bureaucracy, much like the Presidential candidates resorting to Facebook and Twitter. Perhaps Bolton is green with envy (like a certain arch nemesis of Spidey's).
What does strike me as a bit desperate is the White House's Barneycam, but that's a tale for another post.
As for Bolton, after making enemies at the UN, the State Department, and the White House let it be known that he's now on record -- against Spiderman.
--Sameer Lalwani
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Reader Comments (15) - post a comment
Bolton reminds me more of Peter Parker's editor - always with the screaming, irrational hatred, counterproductive behavior, and total cluelessness.
Too bad Bolton hasn't seen the recent Superhero Civil War plotline in which the US gov't imprisons superheroes and they are rescued by EU peacekeepers on american soil!
Bolton reminds me more of Peter Parker's editor - always with the screaming, irrational hatred, counterproductive behavior, and total cluelessness.
That is the single most apt charicature of a public figure I've read in some time!
"Recess Bp;ton" was jealous because Spiderman was a reggular nomination :-)
I never realized this but Bolton is actually Oscar the Grouch (Sesame Street) in human form.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Oscar_the_grouch_at_smithsonian.jpg
Steve,
I suppose you....like the others....will be talking about stuff like this guy...and Spiderman, etc......rather than about the fact that The Times of London Sunday FINALLY let Sibel Edmonds speak. And, that Sibel has now named names. Along with Larisa A.
Of course, the story is HUGE....and no one....no one....will touch it with a ten-foot pole.
Too bad. It is what is REALLY important about what is going on in Washington.
Ah, I looked back. And saw that POA posted it. As a comment.
How about you? What do you have to say about the whole thing?
Or is that asking too much.
Sandy,
The story link is here:
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/middle_east/article3137695.ece
I didn't get the feels that Edmunds was being muzzled by the Times, more that she was biding her own time and got tired of waiting for congress to make any progress.
You're right thought, it's a huge story and the article really fleshes out a lot her prior, more generalized claims. Makes the Larry Franklin/AIPAC case look like small potatoes.
Thanks Dave! Your check's in the mail!
Spiderman is a worthy enemy for Bolton. Sameer and Steve should be encouraging Bolton to bring him on. Nuke Spiderman!
And when Bolton loses, sic the neocons on him! Go Bolton, go!
I was picturing Catwoman mauling Bolton...but it started looking too much like he was enjoying it so I had to stop that daydream.
Gads, this just gets weirder and weirder.
Personally, I think Bolton is just jealous of Spiderman's stretchy tight leotards.
I'd claim that the attack was not at all capricious, but completely in keeping with Bolton's purpose in the situation. As you said, "the comic, intended to be distributed to US students, has a constructive purpose. It seeks to illuminate the myriad of UN functions and responsibilities to be better understood by America's next generation", which is not something Bolton would like to see happen. His goal is to destroy any possibility of international co-operation; so why wouldn't he attack anything that might tend to increase popular understanding of the UN?
I meant SOMEONE (in the public media) finally let her speak. Still not in this country. For obvious reasons.
Ah, that Nietzschean John Bolton, the BETE NOIR of that spineless coterie of intellectual usurpers, once again with his "seismic" prudent critique of the UN makes this coterie feel its reverbarations under their rickety feet.
"Bolton is green with envy", is a projection of Sameer Lalwani. It's the envy that the WEAK have of the STRONG.
I challenge everyone of the posters to count the pluses and minuses of the UN since its establishment and come out with a positive score. It's a monumental failure. And this is exactly what Bolton underscores.
Well said, Kotz - it amazes me that folks here would rather spend their time fighting those who challenge the UN to live up to its potential than recognizing the damage that the corrupt institution has done to freedom and equality around the world. If you won't fight those who are a threat to freedom, the least you can do is get out of the way. Unfortunately it seems that the commenters here suffer from the same BDS that afflicts many on the left, who see terrorists as freedom fighters and the United States as the terrorists. Of course, when all else fails - you can always blame the Jews!
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