Shaggy DA to pack his bags and leave the UN

CNN is reporting some of the first truly good news to come along since the last elections. It seems that John "the Shaggy DA" Bolton has worn out his welcome and will be leaving his temporary post as UN Ambassador.

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Unable to win Senate confirmation, U.N. Ambassador John Bolton will step down when his recess appointment expires soon, the White House said Monday.

Bolton's nomination has languished in the Senate Foreign Relations Committee for more than a year, blocked by Democrats and several Republicans.

President Bush gave Bolton the job temporarily in August 2005, while Congress was in recess. But the appointment expires when Congress formally adjourns, no later than early January.

Earlier reports indicated that Harry Reid was setting up a very aggressive Senate schedule as soon as he takes his place in the majority in January which would not allow for the Senate to be out of session for more than one week at a time. The purpose of this is supposedly to stop Bush from abusing his constitutional priveledges and continuing to make recess appointments of officials unacceptable to the Senate. (You'll recall that's how Bolton got in there in the first place.) The strategy seems to be paying early dividends, as one of the most odious officials of this administration, placed in a position where he could do the maximum damage to our international credibility, will be packing up his troubles in his old kit bag and heading out of town.

Who knows who Bush might pick as his successor? Nobody at this point, I imagine. But it's hard to picture the next one being worse, and the Dem controlled Senate just might make him nominate somebody who's at least in the realm of reality. Bolton has been a national disaster for the country, but I still wish him good luck in his future endeavors and .... John? Umm... don't let the door hit you in the ass on the way out.