Mr. Hitchens correctly points out the amazingly lackluster accomplishments of the current Secretary of State and how we should wish for the return of Mr. Powell. Ms Rice seems to be trying to fill out her resume for the university presidency she likely wishes after her White House career has finished; she is not a risk taker and creative policy has paid the price. This second term of President Bush has been an unmitigated disaster, punctuated by the brightest accomplishment to which Mr. Bush can point, the discovery of General Petraeus. On almost every issue of significance, trade, foreign policy, science, the economy, energy, Mr. Bush has been almost as dismal as Presient Carter. North Korean policy has been about as spineless and narrow thinking as any blunder in American foreign policy--well next to the invasion of Iraq, perhaps--and both these non-accomplishments are products of Mr/ Bush's administration. Ms Rice must bear the blame for this policy as well.