I just got off the phone with John Bolton's press office, which called to point out an inaccuracy in my last post. Bolton apparently does speak with NY Times U.N. Bureau Chief Warren Hoge. That is good to hear. I'm not sure if this is a new development or if previous reports had it wrong, but I'm certainly happy that Bolton's office took the time to call and set the record straight.

My conversation led to a few other insights into the Bolton interview with Pamela Oshry at Atlas Shrugs. Most importantly: he's interviewed with her before.

Obviously, the content of Bolton's March 6 interview with Atlas Shrugs is no longer relevant. What is relevant, however, is that Bolton interviewed with an anti-Muslim hatemonger twice and, according to Pamela, reads her blog.

I asked Bolton's press office if he does in fact read Atlas Shrugs, as Pamela claims. Their response: "Ambassador Bolton reads a lot of different news publications" and that a "key priority is updating journalists" on his work. Frankly, I'm appalled that anyone would even attempt to call this bigot a journalist or her blog a news publication.

Further, when asked whether he's granted interviews to other bloggers, Bolton's press office confirmed that he had, but could not specify any blog in particular. If he has granted interviews with other blogs, I can't find them.

In either case, it's clear that Bolton understood Pamela's tone and views before granting the interview. He knew what he was getting into. He must have known that Pamela "is for disproportionate response," which, in lay terms, means "I'm all for killing Arab civilians." He must have known that she mocks the proposition that Islam is a religion of peace. And he must have known that she believes Kofi Annan is a "jihadi tool."

Like Mark, I'm extremely distressed that a high-level U.S. official would legitimize this repulsive drivel and try to elevate it from the depths of obscurity to mainstream political discourse.