Back Inside, Oh! Amazing Diplomacy Changes!
Terry and Art, who bring us all of our artisanal cheeses and organic vegetables, told us they had had a good time thinking about the height of buffoonery this administration practices. Terry, giggling, reminded us that when this White House says "White" you know the truth is "Black." She said their mastery of the untrue would be truly something to laugh about if it didn't have such dire consequences for us all. Art thought designating ex-TV person Karen Hughes Under Secretary of State took buffoonery to new, unchartered heights. So many months ago, Terry said, that most have forgotten when, she was appointed to this exalted position. Her mission: to change the way other countries perceive us, and to make friends all over the world. Art reminded us that for the longest time she kept postponing assuming her "duties" because she was otherwise occupied in Austin.

Well, they told us, Karen finally found the time to stock up on those rather masculine, polyester double-knit outfits she likes, packed her bags, and went off to start offending the world again. Remember, she's been Bush's mouth for many a year. Soon after arriving in the Middle East to "win the hearts of the people and make friends for the United States" she started out by repeating Bush's same old tired lines. On arrival, instead of making any serious attempt to win over the people, she immediately began haranguing them about that odious Islamic militancy (as if at home there wasn't a growing so-called Christian militancy), defended her boss's policies and even went to say the response to Katrina had not been fueled by racist attitudes. Questioned about the possibility that Iraq was sinking into civil war, she refused to answer the question and instead harassed her audience with platitudes for those Iraqis who had voted.

Well, we thought, boy, aren't we a lot better represented around the world now? Wasn't that a sterling first showing by this "ambassador-at-large?" Man, I bet we're much more loved now. One thing we did know, we were ready for dinner.

Bob and Judy's Dinner
On the grill, Bob had smoked shrimp over mesquite chips, and served them with a parsley and garlic mojo, a classic Cuban sauce. Just as we sat down, he and Judy served them to us, offering those who wanted them, small shots of good Tequila. For hors d'oeuvres, these were prize-winners.
For the next course, Bob and Judy had already made Chilled Salmon with Southeast Asian Vinegar Sauce, a dish that can be prepared ahead of time. They paired this with a Girard Sauvignon Blanc Napa Valley, a very enjoyable California Sauvignon Blanc.

The next course was a surprise, a nice, warm Zucchini, Tomato and Basil salad, also paired with a California Sauvignon Blanc, this time a Beringer Sauvignon Blanc Napa Valley. Cantaloupe sorbet gave us a chance to change courses smoothly, and found Judy's Pepper Beef Casserole very satisfying, especially with a wine new to most of us, a Sangiovese from Atlas Peak, in the California Napa valley that they served with this hearty dish.

Dessert was a not-so-simple Grand Marnier Custard, but Judy prepared the individual custards to perfection, and as you can imagine, she served us small glasses of Grand Marnier.

End of an Evening
The White House buffoonery hasn't rubbed off on us. We actually take our discussions seriously, though we laugh when we can. Also, dinner, a time to rejoice with friends, is a time for serious good dining; a different enjoyable experience every night. As everybody else headed home, we thought we had had a good evening.

Summary:
Often, the safety and well-being of a nation depend greatly on the goodwill it enjoys globally. Greatly-hated countries are made unsafe for their citizens when their governments refuse to be good players on the world stage.