It is no surprise that the conservatives are finally badgering toward a change with the Secretary of State's position. Rice has been an embarrassment since the ill-fated Rome talks. It is about time that her inappropriate proprieties are now appearing to aggitate the conservatives to the point that even these are concerned with her inabilities. Surely, a body in itself is inappropriate when that body does not have the worldly respect needed to even be considered a player, and Rice's position is dropping to such levels. Simply by naming a person doesn't derive respect, respect comes from the person who has earned such a position. People like Vance and Kissinger were respected as devoted repositories of diplomatic rigor before these took on vested roles of envoy and Secretary of State. Rice has not and as a result is paying for not being able to carry the water. This is the prime reason why she failed in Rome, the points of negotiating notwithstanding!

What if Rice offered that Dubai Ports World would secure the ports in Israel, how would that go over? The idiocy of this Rome meeting demonstrates the hubris of the Bush administration and how isolating one becomes if the negotiation points are totally inadequate for consideration(as it appeared here in Rome)! Bush is no longer in Texas and can't have his stadium by extracting an opponent's property by either eminent domain or by condemnation. But it appears that he uses similar tactics by gaining the upper hand(here in Rome). And he claims that this round of negotiation is not a failure? The only way out of this debacle, fiasco, or embroglio is by offering up legitimate points toward negotiation or by offering up better negotiators other than Rice et al! Otherwise, W. just better fold'em!

Connie has just shown that see isn't qualified for the job of Secretary of State. World comments about her are all correct and the North Koreans said it best. She is no Powell. She got the job because she is a friend of Bush yet knows nothing about how to do the job. Most of the Bush appointees are qualified as we see. I guess that's why we're in such a mess by having friends get jobs that need qualified people. One blogger said Connie might be shopping for shoes in Rome, could be as that's what she does best during an emergency.

Dewey-

She can shop for shoes in Rome. At least I'm not the only one who is completely unimpressed with Rice.

That double-talk Urgent but Enduring peace amounted to: we will call for a cease-fire once one side has been completely destroyed and no longer has the ability to fight back. Just another hack in a whole star-studded galaxy of extraction industry toadies.

Now, to get that piazza cleared out so she can shop.

I am thinking that with the no-agreement coming from the Rome talks on the Israeli-Lebanon fiasco, the Bush administration is beginning to understand what the term, "You break it, you buy it" actually means. When the EU considers what to do and also avoid the same fate that the US faces with respect to Iraq, it is understandable that the EU is taking a very slow accommodation toward assessingt eh outcome of this conflict. Afterall, "You break it, you buy it" also applies to them and I am sure that that the EU will walk very cautiously through this little shop of horrors unlike the US did with its parley through the same shop. This is the difference in acting like a bull in the china shop for I am sure that the EU will take an approach that is more befitting a negotiating stance.

I wonder if Rice's diplomatic talents are up to her shopping talents. I am sure that the men in her meeting rooms are wondering the same thing. She dresses so elegantly, but are her abilities to engage in the rigors of diplomatic negotiations up to her Prada-wearing standards.

Just what has Condi done so far that she couldn't have done from her office? It is good that relief supplies are going to the needy.

What about the rest of her trip? She goes to Lebanon and tells them the U.S. supports Lebanon and also tells them Bush will not ask for a cease-fire until more of Lebanon is destroyed? She goes it Israel and tells them the U.S. supports Israel and leaves? She goes to Rome and says she is planning a meeting on how to stop the conflict?

Where are the words the world is waiting to hear: "STOP THE FIGHTING!" When in Lebanon she should have asked Hezballah for the kidnapped soldiers be handed over to the U.S. embassy. When in Israel she should have asked that civilians and UN observers not be targeted or not to shoot if they are in the line of fire.

Afghanistan and Iraq - shooting war. North Korea - stare down contest. And now Iran a shooting war by proxy. Terrorists spreading around the world. How many irons can the Bush administration have in the fire before it gets too hot?

yeah you are crazy - riding into the middle east - stay safe. or maybe crazier, talking to imus. that is the best. always appreciate your comments there.

are you wearing a helmet?

take care

The thing that needs to happen first, is that the hostage Israeli troops need to BE UNCONDITOMALLY released. Until the no quid-pro-qou rlease of the Israeli troops, Ms. Rice's efforts will be in vain. In fact, Israel should continue with its capmaign to root out the terror of Hezbola so they can leave in peace.

Lets be clear the terrorist groups of Hezbola and Hamas are responsible for causing the current confilct in the Middle East and are to blame for the pain and suffering (and deaths) that have resulted!

I'll say it for you: This is a silly charade for Miss Rice! Of course, Israel is going to do such-and-such so as to parade a good public relations image in this ongoing conflict! Rice simply is useless and over her head in this matter! The sophomoric Bush administration goes on and on but it remains sophomoric in its actions! May as well just get some used car salespeople in this matter because the current slate of "diplomats" are wanting!