# Magellan01 is a fascist. **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [February 1, 2011, 8:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/magellan01-is-a-fascist/569765 "2011-02-01T08:12:53Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Enginerd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/bcef8e/32.png) [@Enginerd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enginerd)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2011, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/magellan01-is-a-fascist/569765/41 "2011-02-01T18:45:23Z")
Because it’s more interesting than **Magellan01**. ---
**Author:** ![Drunky\_Smurf](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/drunky_smurf/32/449_2.png) [@Drunky\_Smurf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drunky_Smurf)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2011, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/magellan01-is-a-fascist/569765/42 "2011-02-01T18:50:27Z")
> [@Larry\_Borgia](#): > > Wait, is **Magellan01** an ambassador now? Yes. Apparantly to Fascistlandia which is one o fthose island states over in one of those other oceans. ---
**Author:** ![Damuri\_Ajashi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/898d66/32.png) [@Damuri\_Ajashi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Damuri_Ajashi)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2011, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/magellan01-is-a-fascist/569765/43 "2011-02-01T18:54:38Z")
> [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > That’s exactly what happens. It’s not as gross as slipping the Prez a million bucks and getting a consulate in Tahiti. No of course not but its effectively purchased. For example, judicial positions in some jurisdictions pretty much go to whoever is on the Republican or Democratic ticket. The endorsement may be given to a qualified candidate but there is a cost of admission because there are more qualified candidates than there are judicial positions. With Ambassadorships, qualification the qualification bar isn’t quite as high. ---
**Author:** ![Ravenman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ravenman/32/2929_2.png) [@Ravenman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ravenman)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2011, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/magellan01-is-a-fascist/569765/44 "2011-02-01T19:03:28Z")
If it is “effectively purchased,” then surely there have been investigations into violations of the law I cited earlier. Why don’t you cough up with the cites for illegal behavior rather than reciting your questionable understanding of the appointment process? ---
**Author:** ![Damuri\_Ajashi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/898d66/32.png) [@Damuri\_Ajashi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Damuri_Ajashi)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2011, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/magellan01-is-a-fascist/569765/45 "2011-02-01T19:09:16Z")
> [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > Cite that they have been purchased? Are you asking for proof that ambassador positions are given out as political awards for lots and lots of political donations? [http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=washingtonstory&sid=adfv4RHV3Kmk](http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=washingtonstory&sid=adfv4RHV3Kmk) There’s plenty of examples from every adminsitration. Of course noone is going to come out and say that its quid pro quo but the evidence is tehre and career diplomats seem to think its a real phenomenon. They’re not ALL sold for cash on the barrel and not all of them are unqualified but some seem to be. ---
**Author:** ![Damuri\_Ajashi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/898d66/32.png) [@Damuri\_Ajashi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Damuri_Ajashi)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2011, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/magellan01-is-a-fascist/569765/46 "2011-02-01T19:11:54Z")
> [@Ravenman](#): > > If it is “effectively purchased,” then surely there have been investigations into violations of the law I cited earlier. Why don’t you cough up with the cites for illegal behavior rather than reciting your questionable understanding of the appointment process? Is the bloomberg article enough or should I google it again? ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2011, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/magellan01-is-a-fascist/569765/47 "2011-02-01T19:19:15Z")
> [@gonzomax](#): > > In the future i will check to see if you are in the thread and then dummy it down to your level. **gonzo** , I don’t think it is possible to make your posts any dumber than they already are. Regards, Shodan ---
**Author:** ![VinylTurnip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b2d939/32.png) [@VinylTurnip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VinylTurnip)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2011, 7:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/magellan01-is-a-fascist/569765/48 "2011-02-01T19:29:49Z")
Some sort of silly complimentary close couldn’t hurt… ---
**Author:** ![Rhythmdvl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/85f322/32.png) [@Rhythmdvl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhythmdvl)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2011, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/magellan01-is-a-fascist/569765/49 "2011-02-01T19:30:38Z")
> [@Bryan\_Ekers](#): > > Really? Then who’s the U.S. Ambassador to Klendathu? I think it’s Mr. Barada Nikto. (Or is that the wrong movie?) ---
**Author:** ![VinylTurnip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b2d939/32.png) [@VinylTurnip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VinylTurnip)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2011, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/magellan01-is-a-fascist/569765/50 "2011-02-01T19:34:02Z")
If this is all consular shit, where _is_ the ambassador? ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2011, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/magellan01-is-a-fascist/569765/51 "2011-02-01T19:48:46Z")
> [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > Cite that they have been purchased? > [@Damuri\_Ajashi](#): > > Are you asking for proof that ambassador positions are given out as political awards for lots and lots of political donations? > > [http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=washingtonstory&sid=adfv4RHV3Kmk](http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=washingtonstory&sid=adfv4RHV3Kmk) I think he’s asking for a cite to support that it is legitimate to characterize those as “purchases.” ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2011, 7:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/magellan01-is-a-fascist/569765/52 "2011-02-01T19:58:31Z")
> [@VinylTurnip](#): > > If this is all consular shit, where _is_ the ambassador? If you mean Gordon Gray, U.S. Ambassador to Tunisia, news about him is relatively scant. [It looks like the outgoing Tunisian government](http://www.presstv.ir/detail/159589.html) tried to blame the U.S. for the unrest (it’s an Iranian news source, though, who I assume would cheerfully report on anyone willing to blame the U.S. for something), but Gray’s otherwise lying low - which strikes as a good idea - waiting and seeing how this shakes out. ---
**Author:** ![Ravenman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ravenman/32/2929_2.png) [@Ravenman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ravenman)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2011, 8:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/magellan01-is-a-fascist/569765/53 "2011-02-01T20:24:08Z")
> [@Damuri\_Ajashi](#): > > Is the bloomberg article enough or should I google it again? What you are lacking is any evidence that campaign contributions has anything to do with actually getting an appointment. For example, Michele Flournoy is an Under Secretary of Defense. She contributed $1,000 to Obama’s campaign. Did she buy the number 3 post in the Pentagon for a measly grand? On the other hand, Jon Huntsman donated the maximum to McCain’s campaign. He was tapped to be US Ambassador to China for Obama. What you are saying is that if someone contributes to a political candidate, they are “buying” an office. Are you suggesting that a President should not be allowed to appoint influential and important allies to important posts? That he should only be allowed to appoint people who are not his supporters, such as Huntsman? I have a list (temporary website) of 600 people who raised more than $50,000 for Obama. How many of those people do you think got government jobs? The mere contribution of funds, by and of itself, to a candidate isn’t sufficient grounds to accuse them of bribery. You have, at best, a half-baked case that would mainly appeal to conspiracy theorists and Tea Party members. ---
**Author:** ![gonzomax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e8c25b/32.png) [@gonzomax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzomax)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2011, 8:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/magellan01-is-a-fascist/569765/54 "2011-02-01T20:38:31Z")
> [@Shodan](#): > > **gonzo** , I don’t think it is possible to make your posts any dumber than they already are. > > Regards, > Shodan Obviously I have to drop a few more levels to reach you. Regardless, Gonzomax ---
**Author:** ![VinylTurnip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b2d939/32.png) [@VinylTurnip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VinylTurnip)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2011, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/magellan01-is-a-fascist/569765/55 "2011-02-01T21:21:09Z")
> [@Bryan\_Ekers](#): > > If you mean Gordon Gray, U.S. Ambassador to Tunisia, news about him is relatively scant. [It looks like the outgoing Tunisian government](http://www.presstv.ir/detail/159589.html) tried to blame the U.S. for the unrest (it’s an Iranian news source, though, who I assume would cheerfully report on anyone willing to blame the U.S. for something), but Gray’s otherwise lying low - which strikes as a good idea - waiting and seeing how this shakes out. I was actually referring to the eponymous subject of this thread, but that’s interesting. ---
**Author:** ![An\_Arky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/87869e/32.png) [@An\_Arky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/An_Arky)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2011, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/magellan01-is-a-fascist/569765/56 "2011-02-01T21:55:50Z")
> [@Chefguy](#): > > Careerists work their way up to those “high-falutin’” positions over many years. Most start in the visa mill, which means they are talking to and working with locals every single day. When they finally move on to a specialty such as economics or political postitions, they are still working with local officials every single day and become very knowledgeable about regional issues. With any luck, these folks end up as an ambassador or DCM to a country in their area of expertise. Doesn’t always happen, but even so, they have the background and ability to quickly come up to speed on a country’s politics, etc. Granted, some career ambassadors would better serve their country by working in a post office in Indiana, but most are competent professionals. I dunno, sounds to me like a lot of them might acquire a somewhat jaded attitude going through all that instead of being inspired to find creative solutions to little problems like practically the whole world hating us. ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2011, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/magellan01-is-a-fascist/569765/57 "2011-02-01T21:58:52Z")
> [@VinylTurnip](#): > > I was actually referring to the eponymous subject of this thread, but that’s interesting. Well, I figure the OP of this thread has an obligation to post a link in the source thread (i.e. “hey, magellan, you’re wanted in the Pit”), otherwise the subject of the pitting might not learn about it in a timely fashion. Of course, this thread’s only 14 hours old, so let’s not jump the gun. Heck, I was pitted once and didn’t even know about it until the thread was closed and the OP banned, which was a fairly rapid process because he was an obvious loon. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2011, 9:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/magellan01-is-a-fascist/569765/58 "2011-02-01T21:59:52Z")
> [@An\_Arky](#): > > I dunno, sounds to me like a lot of them might acquire a somewhat jaded attitude going through all that instead of being inspired to find creative solutions to little problems like practically the whole world hating us. Their job is not really to find solutions, but to carry out policy as defined by SecState and POTUS. Where some of them fall down is to fail to recognize the fact that everything is turning to shit around them, despite all evidence to the contrary, e.g., Rwanda. ---
**Author:** ![An\_Arky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/87869e/32.png) [@An\_Arky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/An_Arky)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2011, 10:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/magellan01-is-a-fascist/569765/59 "2011-02-01T22:13:35Z")
Yeah; it’s really tough to tell your boss to pull his head out of his ass; I know it’s more about the bosses than the workers…I would imagine that idealism gets crushed fairly early in the career there… ---
**Author:** ![Damuri\_Ajashi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/898d66/32.png) [@Damuri\_Ajashi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Damuri_Ajashi)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2011, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/magellan01-is-a-fascist/569765/60 "2011-02-01T22:27:01Z")
> [@kaylasdad99](#): > > I think he’s asking for a cite to support that it is legitimate to characterize those as “purchases.” Well, what would you call it? An organization that represents the diplomatic corps calls it “the spoils system and the de facto ‘three-year-rental’ of ambassadorships” [http://www.usnews.com/news/blogs/washington-whispers/2010/06/30/obama-rewards-campaign-donors-with-ambassador-jobs](http://www.usnews.com/news/blogs/washington-whispers/2010/06/30/obama-rewards-campaign-donors-with-ambassador-jobs) I’m not singling out Obama, everyone does it. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/magellan01-is-a-fascist/569765.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/magellan01-is-a-fascist/569765.md?page=4)