Blogs + Rumors = Brumors? (Or, Blogger Thoughts on the Darfur Envoy)

by Michelle . · 2009-02-25 18:15:00 UTC
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Speculation has no better friend these days than the blog-o-sphere. In honor of our beloved virtual soap box, follow the link for a round up of discussion on the hopefully-soon-to-be-appointed US envoy for Darfur.

In a video post, Professor Anthony Clark Arend discusses the basic qualifications of an effective envoy:

Who Should be Appointed Special Envoy for Darfur? from Anthony Clark Arend on Vimeo.

At the Plum Line, Greg Sargent writes of Nick Kristof's disappointment that the envoy will apparently report to the Secretary of State, rather than the president:

"‘In formal terms, it's a downgrade,' Kristof says, noting that under the previous administration the Sudan envoy reported directly to the White House.

The good news, Kristof says, is that if Obama appoints someone ‘high-powered' enough, he or she will be able to overcome this institutional hurdle.

‘I'm a little bit suspicious,' Kristof says, ‘but at the end of the day, if it were a really serious person, I'd be happy to overcome my suspicions.'"

(Personally, I think that someone totally goofy might just do the trick.)

Nia-Malika Henderson quotes Save Darfur's Alex Meixner in a piece for Politico:

"I don't want to sit around for six months waiting for the perfect résumé - this needs to happen now," Meixner said.  "If we are still having this conversation in June, we're in trouble."

Nikki Serapio at OurPledge.org wishes Obama would get the lead out (a sentiment I certainly share):

"We just wish, however, that the administration would act more quickly in formulating a nimble and comprehensive Sudan policy. It's not like Obama's team is suffering from any kind of knowledge deficit: as indicated by her previous testimony, UN Ambassador Susan Rice, among others, fully understands the economic and military pressures that need to be implemented in order to stop the slaughter and forced starvation in Darfur."

In Session, a blog on Tennessee politics, mentions that the Volunteer State's own Senator Bill Frist is in the running for the job:

"Frist certainly knows the situation well in Sudan and the Darfur region, having visited the area several times on medical missions."

Olga at Today with President Barack Obama comments on the George Clooney, who spoke with the president on the need for an envoy earlier this week:

"I tend to dismiss most actor/activists, but Clooney is credible. He says we need someone working everyday in Darfur to bring peace."

...George Clooney for Special Envoy?

Michelle . has been involved in various activist endeavors, including the Teach Against Genocide pilot campaigns.
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