Bush's 'dream team' plagued by infighting, backstabbing

this is interesting. a few notable snips:

One U.S. diplomat, who asked not to be named, recalled what he said was Chinese exasperation over what they perceived as conflicting messages from the administration on North Korea. "We actually don't care what your point of view is. Just have one," he quoted his Chinese counterparts as saying.

This reminds me of some people i knew about 6 or 7 years ago. they hated clinton. they'd ask in mock-shock 'WHAT is his foreign policy? does it exist?'

One U.S. diplomat, who asked not to be named, recalled what he said was Chinese exasperation over what they perceived as conflicting messages from the administration on North Korea. "We actually don't care what your point of view is. Just have one," he quoted his Chinese counterparts as saying.

This reminds me of some people I knew about 6 or 7 years ago. They hated Clinton. They'd ask in mock-shock 'WHAT is his foreign policy? does it exist?' These were Int’l Relations wonks. I don’t see them much anymore, but I have to wonder how well they’d fare with the same questions today.

While many say we are directionless, I have to say that is not true. It seems that there is a policy of “Anything but what was done before.” Especially if “before” has anything to do with Clinton. Unfortunately, this isn’t a true policy, it’s a way running from ideas that aren’t your own and its irresponsible. While there are changes, the past 50 years of International Relations has been tossed. Even early on in this administration, Powell was admonished for saying that some points of policy were being carried over from the Clinton years. Karl Rove won’t have that.

this makes me uncomfortable. It’s not that I mind a differing view, it’s the fact that there seems to be no value produced by the administration’s semi-coherent theories.