Local Republican fundraiser extraordinaire Anthony Gioia has been nominated by President Bush to represent the United States in the upcoming 63rd Session of the United Nations General Assembly. Recently, Gioia opened his house for a fundraiser for John McCain. Over 100 people paid at least $10,000 each to have their picture taken with the presidential candidate at the event. I meant to attend, but I had misplaced my checkbook for the entire three-and-a-half hours McCain was in town. I was relieved to hear he made out with $1.5 million during his visit. Still, I really should have done something. I guess I could have donated my Rolex collection to the cause.

Gioia has been an enthusiastic supporter of Bush-Cheney since the beginning, an allegiance that was rewarded with an appointment as US ambassador to the tiny Mediterranean island nation of Malta, where he served from 2001 until 2004—the same year Malta was finally admitted into the European Union.

If his UN nomination is approved by the Senate, as is expected, Gioia will be in the exciting position of mending the widespread damage our country has suffered on the world stage as a result of the belligerent policies of the Bush-Cheney era. He should be up to the task. Check out his business card.