politics

Caroline Kennedy sworn in as ambassador to Japan

16 Comments

The requested article has expired, and is no longer available. Any related articles, and user comments are shown below.

© Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

©2024 GPlusMedia Inc.

16 Comments
Login to comment

She is definitely a good choice.

4 ( +5 / -1 )

Japan is the perfect place for Caroline. She'll be a big hit here ... Also, glad to see a female ambassador here for once ...

5 ( +6 / -1 )

They take a picture of her and she is NOT the one even focused on.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Raise money for a successful presidential campaign and be given an ambassadorship. Quite odd how US politics works.

-4 ( +2 / -6 )

What an embarrassment for the Americans. Yet another President treats Japan as a "boutique" ambassadorship, rather than a serious strategic partner. There is no evidence of any diplomatic or foreign policy skill in Kennedy whatsoever. What she IS good at is raising money for Obama and being oh so social. Her gender is irrelevant. Her qualifications are (or lack thereof). Wouldn't you rather the US appoint a professional diplomat to this post? One with experience in the world? One who perhaps even speaks the local language? Japan is a vital US ally, in a potentially dangerous position with three neighbouring countries possessing nuclear weapons. Roos was bad enough, but to replace him with this lightweight is borderline criminal.

-2 ( +4 / -6 )

Nowadays, having prior qualifications in politics doesn't mean anything, just look at the President, perfect example. The only thing Caroline has going for her is the name, that's it, nothing else. But now, NOT having ANY major qualifications can be an added as a plus on your resume.

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

She will be welcomed in Japan. Special skill does not have necessity. JFK was a hero of Freedom alliance countries. Her existence as an ambassador is "a U.S. intention." She has the qualification.

As opposed to the threat of the aggression against Asia by communist China, The alliance of Japan and the U.S. will further be strengthened.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

LOL. Listen to all the whiners complaining about her perceived lack of "political or diplomatic skill". As a major political fundraiser, do you think she raised all that money through "bull in the china shop" threats and blackmail? I think you'll find she is much more diplomatic than "Vast Right-Wing Conspirator" (boy is THAT truth in labeling!) gives her credit for.

Raise money for a successful presidential campaign and be given an ambassadorship. Quite odd how US politics works.

That's the way it's been for over a hundred years and has been perpetuated by every party that was in power at the time. Ambassadors have always been perceived as the eyes, ears, and mouthpieces of U.S. Presidency in the country they are assigned to. They never set policy themselves. It's no different for any other country that I am aware of.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

Ambassadors have always been perceived as the eyes, ears, and mouthpieces of U.S. Presidency in the country they are assigned to. They never set policy themselves

That's right. Furthermore, she will bring an easy accessibility to the White House in possible time of crisis and disaster.

Too bad some Americans here are NOT a man enough to give her a full support before a commencement of her assignment. Please be American and support her. Thank you.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

She will be welcomed in Japan. Special skill does not have necessity.

Nowadays, you can be a surgeon without qualifications, welcome to a new era.

JFK was a hero of Freedom alliance countries. Her existence as an ambassador is "a U.S. intention." She has the qualification.

JFK was also a womanizer, lied a lot about his health issues, had he been honest and straightforward doctors knowing what they know now, he probably would have never been president.

As opposed to the threat of the aggression against Asia by communist China, The alliance of Japan and the U.S. will further be strengthened.

Just because her name is Kennedy????? The Chinese will shake and quiver in their boots becuase of her family last name?

-5 ( +0 / -5 )

bass4funk Nov. 14, 2013 - 08:26AM JST lied a lot about his health issues, had he been honest and straightforward doctors knowing what they know now, he probably would have never been president.

What does health issue got to do with Kennedy? Can you say the same for Roosevelt? Franklin Roosevelt had paralytic illness at young age of 39. During his terms as President, the extent of his paralysis was kept from public view. He was unsure how the public would view his illness. He turned out to be a great President.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

What does health issue got to do with Kennedy? Can you say the same for Roosevelt? Franklin Roosevelt had paralytic illness at young age of 39. During his terms as President, the extent of his paralysis was kept from public view. He was unsure how the public would view his illness. He turned out to be a great President.

How was he a great president? I think he was decent, but great, that's stretching it a bit. Also, he was assassinated before he finished his first term, so to say that Kennedy was a great president still remains a controversial issue, because we just don't know.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

bass4funk if you read before you react, you'll see that sfjp330 was referring to Franklin Roosevelt. As for lying Presidents, does not fully disclosing health issues compare with George W. Bush's lies that lead to the invasion of Iraq, which resulted in the deaths of 4,486 US servicemen and an estimated 1,000,000 Iraqi casualties? Kennedy and Roosevelt will be remembered as great Presidents, whereas Bush will be remembered for steering America into military and financial disaster (something Obama, who you so love to hate, inherited).

2 ( +3 / -1 )

Back on topic please.

Please be American

No, thanks. Hope she is here to close military bases, but apparently she plans to spend her time "meeting as many people as we can, making new friends, visiting and studying the history and culture of this beautiful country". She should join that American sports club they have in Tokyo.

by communist China, The alliance of Japan and the U.S. will further be strengthened. Just because her name is Kennedy?

If the OP lives in a film where there is a communist China, the story is probably set in a Cold War area when her father is still president .

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

CosNov. 14, 2013 - 04:05PM JST

Please be American

No, thanks. Hope she is here to close military bases

No US military closures unless you want to see instability in Asia. Shhhh, China will drip honey from her mouth otherwise.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Login to leave a comment

Facebook users

Use your Facebook account to login or register with JapanToday. By doing so, you will also receive an email inviting you to receive our news alerts.

Facebook Connect

Login with your JapanToday account

User registration

Articles, Offers & Useful Resources

A mix of what's trending on our other sites