# Ambassador Paul Cellucci is an asshole **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [March 27, 2003, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ambassador-paul-cellucci-is-an-asshole/164566 "2003-03-27T18:18:15Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2003, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ambassador-paul-cellucci-is-an-asshole/164566/41 "2003-04-01T17:48:27Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by RickJay \* > I don’t buy it. > > In Cellucci’s defense, I will never criticize a man for being honest. _What_ honesty? As **InTheField** made clear, the _only_ thing it’s honest about is _feelings_. GWB threw a temper tantrum, and Cellucci relayed it. And Cellucci’s speech was not only dishonest, but _insultingly_ so, IMHO. At least, that’s how I’d take that “We’d fall on a live grenade for you, but the first time we really need _you_, you’re not with us” bushwa. > [@](#): > > He is the ambassador of the United States and it is his job to communicate to Canada on behalf of the government of the United States of America. The United States is officially upset that Canada is not part of the war effort, and Cellucci said so. In the world of diplomacy, conveying _what_ a nation’s feelings are, without letting the feelings themselves through, is the norm, to the best of my understanding. I’m willing to bet that this speech was unusually strong stuff. > [@](#): > > I don’t understand what he did wrong. You can certainly be angry at the United States government’s POSITION on this matter, but Cellucci’s honesty is both respectful and refreshing. Like I said, he was being honest solely about Bush’s hurt _feelings_. Miss Manners has spoken about such discourse far more effectively than I ever will. Three year olds are totally honest about their feelings, and one is relieved when they gradually learn to keep some of it inside. > [@](#): > > Would you rather he bullshit us with mealy-mouthed platitudes and not tell us the truth? I wouldn’t. I prefer a forthright and honest approach, and that’s what we got. There’s lots of ways to tell the truth. Perhaps the next time the Canadian ambassador to the U.S. is at a ceremonial occasion with GWB, he can put a duncecap on Dubya’s head for all to see. That too would be ‘refreshingly honest’. Astoundingly bad diplomacy, as was Cellucci’s speech, but refreshingly honest nonetheless. ---
**Author:** ![InTheField](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/f05b48/32.png) [@InTheField](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/InTheField)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2003, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ambassador-paul-cellucci-is-an-asshole/164566/42 "2003-04-01T17:50:29Z")
> [@](#): > > Any apology I offer would be empty, since I am but a small voice from well outside the > beltway. I’m still sorry. I disagree, **Spiritus Mundi**. Empty? No, your voice is the MOST important. It is the voice of a REAL person. Your statement means more than all of the incoherent ramblings from politicians put together. (and yes, we have our share up here too) Thank you. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2003, 7:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ambassador-paul-cellucci-is-an-asshole/164566/43 "2003-04-01T19:46:21Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by RTFirefly \* > \*\*_What_ honesty? As **InTheField** made clear, the _only_ thing it’s honest about is _feelings_. GWB threw a temper tantrum, and Cellucci relayed it. > > And Cellucci’s speech was not only dishonest, but _insultingly_ so, IMHO. At least, that’s how I’d take that “We’d fall on a live grenade for you, but the first time we really need _you_, you’re not with us” bushwa.\*\* Cite? At least, a cite not more than fifty years old? Adn you’re changing what he said; “the first time…” wasn’t part of the speech. > [@](#): > > In the world of diplomacy, conveying _what_ a nation’s feelings are, without letting the feelings themselves through, is the norm, to the best of my understanding. Sorry, but recent events would suggest otherwise; we live in a world where the President of France publicly states that lesser nations should keep their mouths shut or face retribution, and where the President of the United States suggests Mexicans in his country will be violently attacked for political reasons. Was it not our Prime Minister Pearson who, in the words of LBJ, “shit in our own backyard” by ripping the U.S. for Operation Linebacker while he was speaking at a public function in the U.S.? Maybe Cellucci was just reading his Pearson. Cellucci’s comments weren’t terribly strong unless you’re remarkably sensitive. If they represent a sea change in the honestly of diplomacy I’m all for it. I don’t notice that the old method of diplomacy prevented the world from damn near killing the whole race during teh 20th century. ---
**Author:** ![InTheField](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/f05b48/32.png) [@InTheField](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/InTheField)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2003, 8:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ambassador-paul-cellucci-is-an-asshole/164566/44 "2003-04-01T20:12:24Z")
> [@](#): > > Was it not our Prime Minister > Pearson who, in the words of LBJ, “shit in our own backyard” by ripping the U.S. for > Operation Linebacker while he was speaking at a public function in the U.S.? Maybe > Cellucci was just reading his Pearson. The correct quote is: LBJ grabbed Pearson by the shirt collar, lifted the prime minister off the floor and shouted, “You pissed on my rug!” Cite: Book by Lawrence Martin, _Washington and Ottawa Face to Face: The Myth of Bilateral Bliss 1867-1982._ [http://www.cbc.ca/news/features/pms\_presidents.html](http://www.cbc.ca/news/features/pms_presidents.html) And essentially, that is what I was saying in my OP. Cellucci pissed on our rug. At least I didn’t advocate physically assaulting him. ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2003, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ambassador-paul-cellucci-is-an-asshole/164566/45 "2003-04-01T20:17:48Z")
> [@](#): > > Cite? At least, a cite not more than fifty years old? Cite for _what??_ > [@](#): > > Adn you’re changing what he said; “the first time…” wasn’t part of the speech. Well, that invalidates _everything_, doesn’t it? :rolleyes: And as far as the rest goes, maybe your ambassador _should_a duncecap on Dubya at the next state dinner. Would make for a great photo op. ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2003, 8:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ambassador-paul-cellucci-is-an-asshole/164566/46 "2003-04-01T20:21:38Z")
That should read, “_should_ put a duncecap…” :o ---
**Author:** ![mhendo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mhendo/32/3159_2.png) [@mhendo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mhendo)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2003, 8:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ambassador-paul-cellucci-is-an-asshole/164566/47 "2003-04-01T20:45:08Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by RickJay \* > \*\*The United States didn’t nuke Saskatoon or send the Marines into Labrador. \*\* You make it sound like Canada should be grateful for such magnanimous forbearance. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ambassador-paul-cellucci-is-an-asshole/164566.md?page=2)