http://slog.thestranger.com/slog/archives/2012/11/29/obama-should-pick-huntsman-to-replace-hillary Comments On: Obama Should Pick Huntsman to Replace Hillary by Charles Mudede en-us Copyright 2013 The Stranger. All rights reserved. This RSS file is offered to individuals, The Stranger readers, and non-commercial organizations only. Any commercial websites wishing to use this RSS file, please contact The Stranger. webmaster@thestranger.com (The Stranger Webmaster) Mon, 20 May 2013 00:00:01 -0700 Mon, 20 May 2013 10:00:00 -0700 Foundation http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss
I suspect that he has a high level of proficiency ("fluency") for everyday interactions: speaking generally about himself and others, conducting transactions, etc. But without a university education in Chinese, he likely doesn't have the technical vocabulary or stylistic nuance he would need to deal with the arcane topics of international diplomacy or international relations--so, as a diplomat, he wisely resorts to English when it's important that he expresses himself accurately and clearly. The importance of avoiding cultural gaffes that could harm Sino-American relations cannot be understated.

His ability to connect with everyday Chinese people on everyday topics in Chinese is unassailable based on all video evidence; in private, he likely can also deal with more technical topics readily if awkwardly but is unwilling to perform circus tricks in front of cameras or on stage.

The very fact that he can express himself at all in Chinese is huge; George Bush's ability to express himself (awkwardly) in Spanish went a long way for him, as well, but no one was really concerned that it came out as, generously, third-year high-school Spanish.
Posted by Simac]]> Thu, 29 Nov 2012 13:59:02 -0800 The Stranger
No way for Sec. of State.
Posted by Karlheinz Arschbomber]]> Thu, 29 Nov 2012 11:48:39 -0800 The Stranger
He can kinda-sorta get around enough to get on a bus or order in a restaurant, maybe, but his Chinese-talking performances on TV are bullshit. He is not fluent. When he speaks to Chinese, he speaks in English, because he knows he cannot express himself in Chinese.

http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_p…
Posted by Fnarf]]> Thu, 29 Nov 2012 10:48:45 -0800 The Stranger
The only reason he sounds sane is he doesn't think climate change is a myth, he doesn't want to deport all immigrants, and he was OK with ending the Iraq war. That qualifies him to fail the sociopath test, but not to actually have any influence.
Posted by raku]]> Thu, 29 Nov 2012 10:44:07 -0800 The Stranger Posted by GermanSausage]]> Thu, 29 Nov 2012 10:42:05 -0800 The Stranger Posted by Knat]]> Thu, 29 Nov 2012 10:39:38 -0800 The Stranger
P.S. Huntman's dad put his ski lodge on the market earlier this year. For $50 million.
http://www.zillow.com/blog/2012-02-10/ho…
Posted by gloomy gus]]> Thu, 29 Nov 2012 10:35:13 -0800 The Stranger Posted by Looking For a Better Read]]> Thu, 29 Nov 2012 10:33:32 -0800 The Stranger
Put Rice in. If they try to put a hold on her nomination, defer it until after the new Senate gets rid of the whole ability to put a hold on someone when it revises its rules about the filibuster in general. And then nominate her. Backing down gives credibility to a Republican conspiracy theory that has no credibility otherwise.
Posted by Cascadian]]> Thu, 29 Nov 2012 10:32:53 -0800 The Stranger Posted by David Tatelman]]> Thu, 29 Nov 2012 10:31:26 -0800 The Stranger
Republicans play their games, acting as the polar opposite to everything the democrats do or say. EVEN if it was originally a republican idea. EVEN if it goes against their own interests. They are being immature sore losers and have been for the last 4 years.

The democrats should absolutely and completely shun all republicans, moderate or extreme, until they grow up (if they ever do).

No quarter. The republicans started this fight, they need to end it. Until they do, the democrats should ignore them 100%.
Posted by Urgutha Forka]]> Thu, 29 Nov 2012 10:29:28 -0800 The Stranger
For the most part I like Huntsman and think he would do a great job, but he's got one great, big problem that totally disqualifies him...

The Republican Party is far too deeply under the influence of non-governing, crazy-ass goons and as long as Huntsman wears the scarlet letter associating himself with them, he can not be supported, endorsed or advanced by the reality-based, America-loving community.

It is not tarring with too wide a brush.

Either the sane, responsible Republicans need to split or rescue their party, because we can not go on pretending that even their best members are not carrying big, sloshing buckets of that cesspool with them every where they go at this point.
Posted by It's Gangrenous: Amputation Or Death]]> Thu, 29 Nov 2012 10:19:17 -0800 The Stranger Posted by Cato the Younger Younger]]> Thu, 29 Nov 2012 10:08:59 -0800 The Stranger Posted by MacCrocodile]]> Thu, 29 Nov 2012 10:05:41 -0800 The Stranger Posted by Pope Peabrain]]> Thu, 29 Nov 2012 10:03:10 -0800 The Stranger Posted by Canadian Nurse]]> Thu, 29 Nov 2012 10:01:53 -0800 The Stranger http://www.nytimes.com/2012/11/27/opinio…

Posted by theophrastus]]> Thu, 29 Nov 2012 09:58:06 -0800 The Stranger