DiscussWorldIssues - Socio-Economic Religion and Political Uncensored Debate - View Single Post - Good idea

**NudiJuicervich** · 05-19-2011, 08:24 PM

Oh I know I was just playing Devils advocate here, I actually think it is a smart idea as he might have a better understanding of Chinese culture and probably speaks the language. But in this ultra PC world I guess some would say it is unfair to others of different ethnicity’s who did not get the position.

Yeah, some might say so and I can see their point, but overall, having the best qualified person for a position makes the most sense.

A person who can speak the language of the host country, knows its culture best, can best connect with them on behalf of the US best considering they share the heritage and put a good face on the US, etc, makes great sense. After all, it's hard to say the US hates China if Americans also have Chinese descent members who know and respect them, can communicate with them, show a bond between the US and them, etc.

For example, the current US Ambassador to Ireland appointed by Obama is Dan Rooney of the NFL's Pittsburgh Steelers. He is the grandson of Irish immigrants and has long developed positive connections between the US and Ireland:

Daniel M. Rooney was sworn in as U.S. Ambassador to Ireland on July 1, 2009 and presented his credentials to President Mary McAleese on July 3, 2009.

Ambassador Rooney is well-known in Ireland as one of the founders of the American Ireland Funds which are dedicated to building bridges of peace, culture, and charity in Ireland and Northern Ireland. Ambassador Rooney has also funded the annual Rooney Prize for Irish Literature to highlight the work of Irish writers under the age of 40. He has also been actively involved in charities in the U.S. Among his community activities, Ambassador Rooney was a board member for The United Way of America, The American Diabetes Association, The Pittsburgh History and Landmarks Foundation, and the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. In February 2000, Ambassador Rooney was recognized by the prestigious Maxwell Football Club in Philadelphia by presenting with the Francis "Reds" Bagnell Award for "contributions to the game of football."

Ambassador Rooney’s family is originally from Newry in County Down and he has been a regular visitor to the island for most of his life. Ambassador Rooney is joined in Ireland by his wife Patricia. They have nine children: Art, Patricia, Kathleen (deceased), Rita, Dan, Mary Duffy, John, Jim and Joan and 18 grandchildren.

. . . Embassy of the United States - Ambassador

Under Bush, it was Tom Foley, another American of Irish roots and interests:

Thomas C. Foley - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Under Clinton, even one of the Boston Kennedy political family was sent--Jean Kennedy Smith--whose ethnicity and positive connections to Ireland on behalf of Americans are well known. Here's the list of them over the years and you'll see that selecting Americans of the Irish diaspora is very common:

United States Ambassador to Ireland - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

05-19-2011, 08:24 PM	#8
NudiJuicervich Join Date Nov 2005 Posts 570 Senior Member	Oh I know I was just playing Devils advocate here, I actually think it is a smart idea as he might have a better understanding of Chinese culture and probably speaks the language. But in this ultra PC world I guess some would say it is unfair to others of different ethnicity’s who did not get the position. Yeah, some might say so and I can see their point, but overall, having the best qualified person for a position makes the most sense. A person who can speak the language of the host country, knows its culture best, can best connect with them on behalf of the US best considering they share the heritage and put a good face on the US, etc, makes great sense. After all, it's hard to say the US hates China if Americans also have Chinese descent members who know and respect them, can communicate with them, show a bond between the US and them, etc. For example, the current US Ambassador to Ireland appointed by Obama is Dan Rooney of the NFL's Pittsburgh Steelers. He is the grandson of Irish immigrants and has long developed positive connections between the US and Ireland: Daniel M. Rooney was sworn in as U.S. Ambassador to Ireland on July 1, 2009 and presented his credentials to President Mary McAleese on July 3, 2009. Ambassador Rooney is well-known in Ireland as one of the founders of the American Ireland Funds which are dedicated to building bridges of peace, culture, and charity in Ireland and Northern Ireland. Ambassador Rooney has also funded the annual Rooney Prize for Irish Literature to highlight the work of Irish writers under the age of 40. He has also been actively involved in charities in the U.S. Among his community activities, Ambassador Rooney was a board member for The United Way of America, The American Diabetes Association, The Pittsburgh History and Landmarks Foundation, and the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. In February 2000, Ambassador Rooney was recognized by the prestigious Maxwell Football Club in Philadelphia by presenting with the Francis "Reds" Bagnell Award for "contributions to the game of football." Ambassador Rooney’s family is originally from Newry in County Down and he has been a regular visitor to the island for most of his life. Ambassador Rooney is joined in Ireland by his wife Patricia. They have nine children: Art, Patricia, Kathleen (deceased), Rita, Dan, Mary Duffy, John, Jim and Joan and 18 grandchildren. . . . Embassy of the United States - Ambassador Under Bush, it was Tom Foley, another American of Irish roots and interests: Thomas C. Foley - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Under Clinton, even one of the Boston Kennedy political family was sent--Jean Kennedy Smith--whose ethnicity and positive connections to Ireland on behalf of Americans are well known. Here's the list of them over the years and you'll see that selecting Americans of the Irish diaspora is very common: United States Ambassador to Ireland - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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