In article , -=jd=-
wrote:

On Sun 01 May 2005 11:09:40a, raoul wrote in message
:



Heck -- Shirley Temple served the United States as its representative to
the United Nations, ambassador to both Ghana and Czechoslovakia, and as
it's Chief of Protocol.

Shirley Temple Black stopped beign that cute little movie star almost
70 years ago. She paid attention as she grew up, took the goodwill
garnered as a child and put it together into an impressive diplomatic
career. To imply that she did not know her job is laughable.


She held only superficial info about Ghana and Czechoslovakia - no more
than the average politico would - prior to her posting to either country.
She learned (as the vast majority of ambassadors do) through immersion in
the host country. She knew as much about her host countries going in as
Wilkins will about his. The only thing she had going for her was a
demonstrated ability to be charming and tactful in promoting American
interests. *That* was the sum total of her relevant skills, and she was
darn good at it. For you to imply that she was some kind of world scholar
and not just another political appointee is *entirely* pathetic and
laughable.


You know this, do you?

Do you really think she would have continuted to be appointed if she
didn't know what she was doing? I did not imply that she was some sort
of world scholar. I said she developed an impressive diplomatic career
by studying and paying attention as she went along.