The Sound Of Music Effect?

It is still news of the weird time here at First Draft. This odd info was cribbed from a column by one of my favorite writers at the Guardian, Simon Hoggart:

We have friends from our days in Washington who have always been involved in foreign affairs and diplomacy. They have long experience, and would like some more – perhaps by his becoming an ambassador. The most desired posts – London, Paris, Beijing, Tokyo, etc – are out of reach because they always go to the big fundraisers, usually with a career diplomat at their elbow telling them what to do. Our friends would be happy with something quite modest. But they are in competition with hundreds, perhaps thousands of others. And the process is incredibly lengthy and complicated. A single ill-wisher in the state department or the White House can ruin your chances. Even having a close chum in a position of power does not necessarily help. Some time ago, the wife reported: "We were on track for a multilateral position in Vienna, till we received a call from our best friend in White House personnel. Things could go sideways for us. Why? Because The Sound Of Music had just been shown on network TV, leading to 'a new surge of interest in Austria'."

I am legendary for my loathing of this film even though I like the composers, director and stars. There's just something about it that inspires OTT hatred on my part.

Back to the Ambassadorial angle. Simon's piece has implanted images in my head of wealthy Dems strolling about Foggy Bottom whilst wearing lederhosen and imitating Wolfgang Puck. Perhaps the best Puck impersonator should get the job or they should have a Sound Of Music sing-off or some such shit.

Ah, the things I think about first thing in the morning, which evokes a Rogers and Hammerstein song from a better musical:

 

Comments

[Snarki, child of Loki]

I heard years ago (FOAF), that the way to do this is to "bundle" about $100K in campaign donations. It wouldn't get you a top-tier post, but a decent one.

[adrastos]

Sounds right to me. But the posts in Beijing and Tokyo have often gone to distinguished former pols such as Fritz Mondale, Jim Sasser, Tom Foley and Mike Mansfield.

[MichaelF]

Your loathing of TSOM is shared by Christopher Plummer if I remember right...