We are a little turned around this morning, and our apologies go out to you. There was news last week about America’s Climate Emissary traveling to the People’s Republic of China. We wondered why he was an Emissary, since he had previously been dubbed the “Climate Czar.” That conjured up images of the old story about King Canute waving at the sea from the throne he had his zealous followers drag down to the Beach.

It was an interesting procession of American dignitaries. Secretary of State Blinken was the lead off in appearance based on previously arranged conference. He was seated in a place of some prominence in the photos we saw, but it was clear that the Chinese were alone at the head table, and our Secretary was only afforded the seat closest to that position. Secretary of the Treasury Janet Yellen- the 78th person to hold that offie- was noted with that unseemly series of bows to Vice Premier He Lifeng. In the Mandarin tongue they have a name for it. They call it “Kowtow-ing.”

Then our Emissary appeared in Beijing this week for discussions regarding changing the weather. There apparently was no agreement between the world’s two largest global producers of the trace gas Carbon Dioxide, and no meeting with President Xi. We all have come to know the emissary, who had a nearly successful campaign for President of the United States a while back. Here was the curious part about travel and China. There was another visit to Beijing, this one not orchestrated in Washington.

Like other reporting this morning, it is hard to tell if it was in the New York Times or the Babylon Bee: “Hundred Year Old Henry Kissinger Makes Surprising Trip to Beijing.”

It only may be surprising for those of us Boomers still trying to finish the second pot of Chock Full O’ Nuts. We have been with Henry for all of our lives. He was the architect of the China engagement policy, and the policy of outsourcing the manufacturing once done in places like Ohio to Hubei Province. One hundred years old! That is still an obituary headline in many newspapers across America, since living that long is still considered a triumph.

Our Emissary carries a different set of baggage. It carries the weight of the campaign mounted against him in the 2004 election. It raised the issues Mr. Kerry raised himself when he entered public politics after his service in the Vietnam conflict. Medals thrown over fences, aspersions on the honor of others. That sort of thing, and still quite emotional to those who participated.

That real messaging is the bigger deal. A statesman of historic proportions who has lived a quarter century beyond the life expectancy of most Americans hopped on a jet and buzzed across the Pacific to meet the President of China. He may have brought greetings from the ghost of President Nixon. We are not sure what the Emissary brought in his luggage, but whatever it was, apparently there was little interest from those who were sitting at the head table.

In China. That message is clear enough, you know?

Copyright 2023 Vic Socotra
www.vicsocotra.com