Bush shifts ex-ballclub partner to Japan

[FG Lurker]

Bush shifts ex-ballclub partner to Japan
The Associated Press, January 21, 2005

President Bush is naming a former fellow investor in the Texas Rangers, J. Thomas Schieffer, to be the U.S. ambassador to Japan, the White House announced Friday.

Schieffer, the U.S. ambassador to Australia and brother of Bob Schieffer of CBS News, was a member of the investment group that bought the Rangers in 1989 and was president of the baseball team while Bush was a part owner. He also was a Dallas attorney with a portfolio centering on oil and gas companies and, a Democrat, served three terms in the Texas House.

(Full Story)

US Diplomats throughout Japan must be rolling their eyes.

[This is a pen]

US Diplomats throughout Japan must be rolling their eyes.

Probably no worse than Tom Foley.

[FG Lurker]

US Diplomats throughout Japan must be rolling their eyes.

Probably no worse than Tom Foley.

It'd be nice to get *better* with these things, not stay the same or get worse...

[This is a pen]

US Diplomats throughout Japan must be rolling their eyes.

Probably no worse than Tom Foley.

It'd be nice to get *better* with these things, not stay the same or get worse...

Perhaps it will be.

Maybe you should give the guy a chance before passing judgment on him before he has even taken the office.

Or does your ideology make you blind?

[haig]

it means very little who the diplomat is.

What the state department has to work on is the u.s consolate and embassy. when my friend was in jail in japan they came to see him in osaka police jail/ osaka kochisho. they didn't help him at all. they actually made it worse for him. the guy from the kobe/osaka counsalate told my friend he would be in jail for at least 5 years and he knew other american that only had a roach get 5 years. (my friend was arrested for under a gram of pot) scared the shit out of him. his mom got a lawyer foir him and the lawyer said they were full of shit and he would getr a suspended sentence.
they should be there to help their country men, not make it worse.

[FG Lurker]

US Diplomats throughout Japan must be rolling their eyes.

Probably no worse than Tom Foley.

It'd be nice to get *better* with these things, not stay the same or get worse...

Perhaps it will be.

Maybe you should give the guy a chance before passing judgment on him before he has even taken the office.

Or does your ideology make you blind?

It'd just be nice to have someone here who actually knows Japan for a change. Japan is supposed to be the US' partner in Asia. Japan is one of the US' largest trading partners and has (for now) the 2nd largest economy in the world.

So they pick someone with a good Japanese background and real diplomatic experience, right?

[This is a pen]

US Diplomats throughout Japan must be rolling their eyes.

Probably no worse than Tom Foley.

It'd be nice to get *better* with these things, not stay the same or get worse...

Perhaps it will be.

Maybe you should give the guy a chance before passing judgment on him before he has even taken the office.

Or does your ideology make you blind?

It'd just be nice to have someone here who actually knows Japan for a change. Japan is supposed to be the US' partner in Asia. Japan is one of the US' largest trading partners and has (for now) the 2nd largest economy in the world.

So they pick someone with a good Japanese background and real diplomatic experience, right?

I agree, Its not the best choice for Bush, But did you criticize Clinton for picking Tom Foley??

[haig]

what japan experience did baker have when he was in japan? and they loved him over there

[Recycled Cat Litter]

[haig]

[Recycled Cat Litter]

--haig--


O.K. Peace.

[GuyJean]

what japan experience did baker have when he was in japan? and they loved him over there

Who's 'they'? No, seriously. I've heard he was popular, but why?

GJ

[haig]

what japan experience did baker have when he was in japan? and they loved him over there

Who's 'they'? No, seriously. I've heard he was popular, but why?

GJ

I'm sorry..I'm not a teacher. I am a body builder/ restaurant owner. I'm sure you can find your answer to as why he was popular..the fact was he was popular.

Good luck with yourself

[cstaylor]

what japan experience did baker have when he was in japan? and they loved him over there

Who's 'they'? No, seriously. I've heard he was popular, but why?

GJ

Because that man is connected to centers of power in Washington. Like Cheney, Baker has lived most of his life in and around the Beltway.

That kind of access is key to the Jimento, which is why Baker was so popular with Japan's government. They ask him a question, and Washington jumps in response.

[haig]

what japan experience did baker have when he was in japan? and they loved him over there

Who's 'they'? No, seriously. I've heard he was popular, but why?

GJ

Because that man is connected to centers of power in Washington. Like Cheney, Baker has lived most of his life in and around the Beltway.

That kind of access is key to the Jimento, which is why Baker was so popular with Japan's government. They ask him a question, and Washington jumps in response.

good post. and this could be why J. Thomas Schieffer could be a good choice because he has bush's ear.

[Skankster]

-
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BUSH UNDERSTANDS WELL THE APPEAL OF ANOTHER HEE-HAW HICK TO THE JAPANESE

-- Just let'em ride in your pick up and theyll roll over for sure!!

[GuyJean]

Because that man is connected to centers of power in Washington. Like Cheney, Baker has lived most of his life in and around the Beltway.

That kind of access is key to the Jimento, which is why Baker was so popular with Japan's government. They ask him a question, and Washington jumps in response.

I see. 'They' being the LDP.. Thanks.

I'm sorry..I'm not a teacher.

I'm becoming more aware of that.

I'm sure you can find your answer to as why he was popular..the fact was he was popular.

True. And I did. I just assumed since you made the statement, you would know the answer. He was popular with the LDP, not the Japanese people, per se.. I never personally heard a Japanese person raving about Baker. That's why I asked..

Good luck with yourself.

You too.

GJ

[Samurai_Jerk]

Here's the thing guys. In the US professional diplomats seldom get to be ambassadors. Especially not in popular destination like Japan or France. Those jobs always go the current president's buddies. So I don't think you can be too critical of Bush in this situation. You might not like the system but that's a different issue.

BTW, the State Department doesn't like Foreign Service Officers to stay in any one country more than 5 years. It lessens the chance of them going native or being recruited to spy.

Haig, US drug laws are often more strict than Japan. It just depends on whether you're talking state or federal law and what state you're in. When I was in college in Georgia they passed around a don't-smoke-weed warning at all the dorms that said you can get up to one year in jail for one "marijuana cigarette" even if it's your first offence.

[FG Lurker]

Perhaps it will be.

Maybe you should give the guy a chance before passing judgment on him before he has even taken the office.

Or does your ideology make you blind?

What do you think my "ideology" is? You might be very surprised. As I have said in reply to you before though, I find the differences between the various factions of US politics to be petty and unimportant.

Schieffer, by the way, served three terms in the Texas House...as a Democrat. You might want to do a bit of research in the future.

I agree, Its not the best choice for Bush, But did you criticize Clinton for picking Tom Foley??

The world was a very different place then. A lot has changed in the past decade or so, and generally speaking not for the better.