There's no substitute for experience

As one of Alterman's readers points out in a note about the certain to be confirmed (really, he is) ambassador...

"...isn't it convenient for all concerned that his appointment coincides with the decision to give some old Baathist buzzards a role in forming The New Iraq? I mean, if we're going to be hiring guys with some death-squad experience, it's good that we have an ambassador in place who's equally familiar with the job."

See, there's always a silver lining - even in a career dark cloud like Negreponte.