John Bolton Tells on Trump -- and on Himself

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

I didn’t enjoy my weekend with John Bolton. His new book, The Room Where It Happened, is blunt, partisan, thorough, and unpleasant — much like the man. Bolton’s righteous arrogance oozes in nearly ever sentence. His contempt for anyone who doesn’t share his reactionary world view is profound and on full display.

Though the average reader’s eyes will glaze over at his exact and, at times, excruciatingly detailed recounting of this or that summit, historians and foreign policy wonks will certainly welcome the pulling back of the White House drapes. Bolton memorably reveals not so much a team of rivals, but a nest of snakes, with, news flash, a completely unfit president who is bumbling, dangerously erratic and willfully ignorant.

Bolton’s scorn for Trump is so intense and visceral, that it’s hard to understand how he lasted even 17 months in the administration. The former National Security Advisor writes that Trump’s mind followed “no constant trajectory” and was like “an archipelago of dots.” This epiphany came to Bolton in 2018, but you didn’t have to work in the White House to have such a blazing insight. When Bolton joined the team, Trump’s lack of focus and erratic behavior were no mystery, anyone on the outside had ample opportunity to see all his flaws. So why did Bolton sign up?

The short answer is power. For Bolton, the position of National Security Advisor was a means to his end and he says as much. “America faced a very dangerous international environment and I thought I knew what needed to be done.” Bolton always knows what needs to be done. He’s such a monstrous stuffed shirt with a love of making life-and-death decisions. At no point in the course of 494 pages does he pause to express a moment of self-doubt or reflection. He’s always right and the smartest guy in the room — according to him, anyway.

https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/political-commentary/bolton-book-war-iraq-afghanistan-1018815/

[MLAA]

1. And after all he said about impotus' incompetence and self dealing he refuses to vote for Biden.

[Marie Marie]

5. Doesn't that speak volumes about who he is and what his priorities are?

[MLAA]

6. Yes! What a self important asshole

[Bev54]

2. I am so glad I am not the only one

I thought what a bloody cocky know-it all narcissist who thinks he alone knows how every agency of government should be run and nobody is as smart as him. He sounds to me like a wimpy little tattle tale who spoke behind everyone's back rather than have an adult conversation with them. I don't agree with any of his policies for sure, but did not realize how much of a poor excuse for a man he is.

[underpants]

3. Good read

Bolton’s book has all the juicy stories that have been broadcast to the world already but to spend time with the man’s thoughts is a truly miserable experience, even when you try to give him the benefit of the doubt. He spends a lot of time settling scores and recounting failures of others. Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin and Kushner are both dismissed as “Democrats;” General Mattis has a “high opinion of his own opinion.” (Bolton should really look in the mirror.) His ideological ally and frequent rival Pompeo, “didn’t care anymore, or never had;” and Nikki Haley is memorably as ambitious as “a free electron.” Bolton’s confidence in his infallibility is one of the things that led this reader to hurl the book across the floor, shout an expletive, and look for matches. Bolton would almost certainly be pleased by the result.

[stillcool]

4. Cookie-Cutter Republican..

an ego that has no bounds, arrogance off the charts, and the need to see and be seen. They've read the lines off the Republican script so many times, they can't let a few sentences go by without paying homage.