Bush-league antics

The British government gave a fantastic dinner at Guildhall in London yesterday in honor of both the close relationship our two countries share as well as the dedication of a statue of President Ronald Reagan in honor of the 100th anniversary of his birth.  The event was well-attended by important luminaries of all political ideologies from both nations.

One person, however, was notably absent - U.S. Ambassador to London Louis B. Susman.  He was a complete no-show at the party in what many people are considering to be a deliberate snub of the festivities.  Why would people think this?

"Ambassador Susman is, of course, a long-standing Democrat fundraiser, nicknamed the vacuum cleaner for his skill at sucking donations out of the wealthy. And his efforts to fill Obama's campaign pockets was said by many to be his main qualification to come to London."

Nice to know we have such professional, competent people representing America's interests abroad.

Apparently honoring a former Republican president's birthday is beyond Mr. Susman's capabilities, to the harsh chagrin of even some Democrats who were present at the soiree: 

"'Our ambassador should be here,' said Lynn de Rothschild, the American entrepreneur who is married to Sir Evelyn de Rothschild and was one of Hillary Clinton's key fundraisers in 2008 as well as a supporter of several Republican presidential candidates. 'This was an historic dinner to mark Reagan's centenary and to celebrate him as the man who ended the Cold War. What could not be more important?'

'Why is our ambassador not here on Independence Day? No excuse. How is it that America is not represented in this room by our ambassador? It is appalling that no representative of our government is in this room. This has the feel of petty partisanship.'"

We agree with Mr Rothschild.  This was a true embarrassment and an outrageous slap in the face to a well-meaning gesture by the British government.  After all, July 4 is the day we declared independence from them in the first place.  They didn't have to celebrate any of this with us, yet they freely chose to host the festivities.  For our ambassador to blow it off with no explanation is the height of arrogance and rudeness.

Do your job, Mr. Susman.  You are supposed to represent the entire United States of America, not just the nakedly partisan politician who named you to your current position.  A personal apology from you would be very appropriate right about now.