So, we have a new Secretary-General, officially, Ban Ki-Moon, the Foreign Minister of South Korea. And, we also have some snippy remarks from Ambassador Bolton about the end of Annan's term in office:

I would also like to take this opportunity to express, on behalf of the United States, our appreciation to Secretary-General Anna (sic) for his efforts during his years of service to the United Nations. I would also like to express our appreciation for the work of his top team of advisers, who will also be moving on to new challenges.

I am told this remark provoked laughter from Secretariat staff nearby. The thing is, Mister Ambassador, almost all of the "top team of advisers" you refer to were voted into office by the United Nations General Assembly, unlike yourself, who has failed twice now to have your disservice to America approved by this country's Senate.

It's hard to know whether there will be some great massacre of high-level Secretariat staff with Mr. Annan on his way out of Turtle Bay. But, if there isn't, this seems like a tin-eared way to signal the start of your second recess appointment Mister Ambassador. These people will resign or serve at the pleasure of the Secretary-General, not one of the body's 192 Member States.