Ambassador Kirkpatrick, RIP

Jeane Kirkpatrick, Former UN Ambassador, Is Dead

By Bill Varner

Dec. 8 (Bloomberg) -- Jeane J. Kirkpatrick, an assertive voice for American power during the Cold War as U.S. ambassador to the United Nations for President Ronald Reagan, died at age 80.

Kirkpatrick, a Democrat turned Republican, was the first woman to serve as U.S. ambassador to the UN, from 1981 to 1985. She died in her sleep yesterday at her home in Bethesda, Maryland, said her assistant, Andria Harrington. The cause of death was congestive heart failure, according to James Denton, director of Heldref Publications in Washington, where Kirkpatrick had an office.

``She was one of the most outstanding advocates of American foreign policy in our history,'' said current Ambassador John Bolton, a close friend who had to stop to regain his composure while talking with reporters at the UN. ``She spoke clearly for liberty in the world, made it clear during tensions in the Cold War that America's interests here at the UN were advanced when the cause of liberty was advanced.''

Friends and colleagues recalled Kirkpatrick's toughness at the UN during the Cold War struggle with the Soviet Union. She also defended Israel's invasion of Lebanon in 1982 and argued against Nicaragua's left-wing Sandinista government. In 1984, she attended a National Security Planning Group meeting and spoke in favor of U.S. efforts to aid the Contras, the rebel group that tried to overthrow the Sandinistas, the New York Times

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One of Madam Kirkpatrick's best

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They said that saving Grenada from terror and totalitarianism was the wrong thing to do - they didn't blame Cuba or the communists for threatening American students and murdering Grenadians - they blamed the United States instead.

But then, somehow, they always blame America first.

When our Marines, sent to Lebanon on a multinational peacekeeping mission with the consent of the United States Congress, were murdered in their sleep, the "blame America first crowd" didn't blame the terrorists who murdered the Marines, they blamed the United States.

But then, they always blame America first.

When the Soviet Union walked out of arms control negotiations, and refused even to discuss the issues, the San Francisco Democrats didn't blame Soviet intransigence. They blamed the United States.

But then, they always blame America first.

When Marxist dictators shoot their way to power in Central America, the San Francisco Democrats don't blame the guerrillas and their Soviet allies, they blame United States policies of 100 years ago.

But then, they always blame America first.

The American people know better.

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Just a couple weeks ago we lost Milton Friedman.

Last night, we lost another great one.

Kirkpatrick was our Iron Lady. A staunch opponent of the CCCP and champion of liberal democracy everywhere.

She was a wonderful example of a woman "having it all", and she did it in the right order.

The U.S. could use a woman like Mrs. Kirkpatrick at the U.N.

Actually, we currently HAVE a MAN like Mrs. Kirkpatrick at the U.N. but he apparently cannot be confirmed by the Senate.

Thankfully, at the time of Mrs. Kirkpatrick's confirmation process, the loyal opposition truly was loyal.

As a staunch advocate for America and Her principles she never would have made it past this current bunch who make her "San Francisco Democrats" look like a passle of Scoop Jacksons.

Americans are often asked the fatuous poll question "Is the U.S. ready for a woman president?"

Our answer was always: "If the woman is Jeane Kirkpatrick, a fulminating YES."

Godspeed, Madam, and thank you.