another Friday for the man about town

[MBS]

Here's some random press coverage from the Friday Feb 22 WaPo and NYT.
Nothing big here - just little snippets -- but implying respect near and far, for culinary tastes as well as diplomatic chops. And miracle of miracles: completely snark free!

1. WaPo (sorry: couldn't find links. Seriously, the online paper is not as complete as hard copy, especially for stuff like this)
a. "Happening today" pg. A2

3 pm Secretary of State John F. Kerry meets with Japanese Minister of Foreign Affairs Fumio Kishida at the State Department. Check postpolitics.com for coverage.

(No, I couldn't find coverage at postpolitics.com. But it's a day later, and I didn't spend much time searching)

b. "weekend" insert, pg. 16. "AskTom" (Tom Sietsema, restaurant critic). originally on his online blog:http://live.washingtonpost.com/ask-tom-2-20-13.html

DINNER WITH LAW FIRM PARTNER AND HER HUSBAND
Q. Hi Tom, I'm a new associate who just was just invited to go out to dinner with a powerful partner at my law firm, her husband and my husband. To make a high pressure dinner more nerve wracking, I was told to pick the restaurant (anything in the DC area). All cuisines are on the table and the budget is essentially limitless, but I want somewhere that has great ambiance - sophisticated but not stuffy. Any suggestions?
– February 14, 2013 9:49 AM Permalink
A.
TOM SIETSEMA :
You're sure to make a good impression with PP by suggesting Blue Duck Tavern in the West End, where the best tables are in view of the open kitchen; Bourbon Steak in Georgetown, a favorite of John Kerry's and about so much more than grilled meat; or the buzzy and beautiful Fiola near Pennsylvania Ave. NW. Good luck!

– February 20, 2013 11:05 AM

2. NYT, hard copy, pg A8, Feb 22. posted online Feb 21
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/22/world/europe/russia-backs-off-claim-of-murder-in-death-of-adopted-boy-in-texas.html?_r=0
about the adopted Russian child who died mysteriously and suddenly in Texas, and current diplomatic difficulties ensuing from such incidents:

The adoption issue has moved to the center of an increasingly divisive diplomatic feud. Officials announced on Thursday that Secretary of State John Kerry and the Russian foreign minister, Sergey V. Lavrov, would meet next week in Berlin to discuss several issues, including adoptions.

[Mass]

1. This from Gloucester mayor in the Gloucester paper

http://www.gloucestertimes.com/opinion/x1503757181/A-note-of-gratitude-to-Sen-Kerry-The-Mayors-Desk-A-note-of-gratitude-to-Sen-Kerry

A note of gratitude to Sen. Kerry|The Mayor's Desk: A note of gratitude to Sen. Kerry
The Mayor's Desk
Carolyn Kirk

I want to thank Sen. John Kerry for his service particularly to Gloucester and to congratulate him on his appointment as Secretary of State.

In doing so, I want to share some personal experiences that I have had the great fortune to have had with the senator.

I first met Sen. Kerry upon taking office as mayor in 2008. He came to officially welcome me into office, and offer his assistance in any way possible. During that meeting in City Hall, one month into my first term, I naively asked Sen. Kerry how I might go about testifying on the federal budget in Washington, D.C.

I thought for sure there was a way for members of the public to comment on the annual federal budget. After all, when we have a budget hearing in Gloucester, sometimes hundreds of people show up and tell you exactly what they think. As a newly elected mayor, I was eager to carry a message to Washington, D.C. about their spending priorities.

Turns out, there is no method for the public to testify about the federal budget as its winds its way through Congress. Sensing my disappointment, Senator Kerry explained that testimony can be solicited upon invitation, and that he would find a way to allow me to testify in Washington, D.C.

Sure enough, on April 16, 2008, on behalf of the city of Gloucester I testified in front of a Senate committee and that testimony is forever captured in the Congressional Record for the 110th Congress (2007-2008) in the Library of Congress.

In 2009, I headed back to Washington, D.C., to participate in the “United We Fish” rally, and had a private meeting with Sen. Kerry in his office. My impression was that he was not fully engaged in the current fishing issues, and I could see that his understanding needed to be contemporized, and had all of five minutes to explain the complex challenges facing the industry.

...

From where I sit, this is how Sen. Kerry was – diplomatic, open to new information, and compassionate. We thank him for serving the Commonwealth and our city well.

On behalf of the citizens of Gloucester, we wish him our very best as he serves our country and indeed the world.

Carolyn A. Kirk is mayor of the city of Gloucester.

[MBS]

2. thanks

I liked this last part of the article too (showing that he really did learn from and listen to his constituents on the fishing issues:

Between myself, and many fishing industry advocates who pressed Sen. Kerry, we soon found a champion of the industry in him which was more important than ever due to the loss of Sen. Kennedy in 2009.

and I loved this sentence that you excerpted:

From where I sit, this is how Sen. Kerry was – diplomatic, open to new information, and compassionate. We thank him for serving the Commonwealth and our city well.