Multilateral drinking game

In the coming days, every time a White House staffer uses the word multilateralism, in stark contrast to 4 years of actual administration policy, take a drink.

``The president and I have asked John to do this work because he knows how to get things done,'' Rice said at a State Department news conference. ``He is a tough-minded diplomat, he has a strong record of success, and he has a proven track record of effective multilateralism.''

Bolton promised to work closely with members of Congress to advance Bush's policies and said his record demonstrates ``clear support for effective multilateral diplomacy.''

``The United Nations affords us the opportunity to move our policies forward,'' said Bolton, who acknowledged that in the past he has written critically about the world body.

Presidential spokesman Scott McClellan, while not mentioning Bolton by name, told reporters: ``The person he (Bush) has selected to nominate to the position of ambassador to the United Nations is someone who shares the president's strong commitment to making sure multilateral organizations are effective.''

Then, if what you're reading/hearing doesn't sound quite sound like actual multilateralism, take two more.

Also: Mr. McClelland, UN ambassador, will not be permitted to mention his hardline stance on arms control within the contiguous United States or her principalities. Certainly nowhere near Waples Mill Road, Fairfax Virginia.