After a brutal week for Bush UN nominee John Bolton, yet more allegations of mistreatment and rude, crude behavior emerged over the weekend. The latest complaints were made by Todd Fox, the editor of the Swift Report, a popular conservative weblog. Fox alleges that he and Bolton had an altercation in the steam room of a popular Washington, DC, gym in 2000, and that a 'misunderstanding over who was sitting where' led the nominee to shout and snap a towel at him.
Washington insiders wonder if Bolton will be hung out to dry
By Howard Ogilvie, Swift Report ombudsman
WASHINGTON, DC—A hard week for White House nominee John Bolton promises to get harder still after yet more allegations of mistreatment and rude, crude behavior emerged over the weekend.
The latest complaints were made by Todd Fox, the founding editor of the Swift Report, a popular conservative weblog whose contributors have praised Mr. Bolton for his 'people skills' and 'fresh approach to international diplomacy.' Mr. Fox alleges that he and Mr. Bolton had an altercation in the steam room of a popular Washington, DC, gym in 2000, and that a 'misunderstanding over who was sitting where' led the nominee to shout and snap a towel at him.
A recovered memory—and a request for privacy
According to Mr. Fox, the memory of his unsettling encounter with Mr. Bolton had lain dormant for several years, but resurfaced last week after he observed a towel-snapping incident at his present gym in Los Angeles, CA. "This is obviously a painful period for me. I hope that you will all respect my need for privacy and dignity during this difficult time."
Mr. Fox released a statement to the press this weekend while en route to a high-profile event against filibuster abuse scheduled for Sunday night at the Highview Baptist Church in Louisville, KY. A former lead choreographer with the Billy Graham "Crusader" Tour, Mr. Fox was chaperoning a troupe of inner city dancers, "The Harlem Globe Fox Trotters," to the Justice Sunday gathering.
A high stepper—turned high-profile presence
This is not the first time that Mr. Fox has found himself personally involved in the cut-throat Washington world that his weblog covers each week day. Earlier this year, Mr. Fox ended up in the headlines after disgraced former White House reporter Jeff Gannon included him on a list of enemies that he was considering suing.
According to Mr. Fox's account, he and Mr. Gannon met up in 2000, the same year when the incident with Mr. Bolton allegedly occurred, for drinks and "professional chit chat." What was supposed to be a journalistic meeting of the minds, however, soon turned romantic, and two weeks after they parted, Mr. Fox received an invoice for $200 from Mr. Gannon.
Moving on down the road
Washington insiders say it's too early to tell whether the allegations against Mr. Bolton have reached a "tipping point," otherwise known as a moment of critical mass, or a threshold. In addition to the towel-snapping complaint, a former employee of Mr. Bolton's came forward over the weekend and said that he had tried to fire her after they butted heads over US policy on infant formula in developing nations.
But regardless of whether Mr. Bolton goes on to become President Bush's "man at the UN," Todd Fox says that he's prepared to put the unhappy incident behind him and move on. "It's been a rough couple of days, but I'm drawing on my inner strengths and looking forward to the future."
Early next year, Mr. Fox will celebrate the publication of his first book: "Stumbling Down the Yellow Brick Road: An Ecumenical Ex-Gay Travel Journal" (Regnery).
You're all so damn stupid, stupid, ugly little people who will never amount to anything. You'll never understand, never do you hear me never, never, NEVER!!!
Bob Rosenberg
Anger Foundation of America
Posted by: Bob R | May 04, 2005 at 10:49 AM
I have a similar story. My college roomate was in a DC restaurant (I don't remember the name but it was an Italian place and it ended with an "I") when Mr. Bolton arrived with with his cat. He apparently rarely goes anywhere without his cat. It was a tabby and my friend says he (or she) was very well mannered. But when the owner said he couldn't bring his cat in, Mr. Bolton got very upset and was yelling things like "I always bring (cat's name) in here! Do you have any idea who I am?" Things like that.
When the manager/owner wouldn't budge, Mr. Bolton attempted to get his cat to urinate on the floor and on the tables. "My cat pisses on this place!" He supposedly yelled. He was holding the cat out in front of him ordering it to "do it's business." I didn't sound like he was joking. But the cat wouldn't go and Mr. Bolton was eventually escorted out.
Weird story but I still think he is the best choice for the UN job.
Posted by: Gary M. | April 26, 2005 at 01:53 AM