Condoleezza, Can You Hear me?
Two Consular Comments Worth Concern

One

A new addition to the Plane Trees outside the United States consulate in Shanghai: Grease and barbed wire.

Is that really necessary? The French across the street don't think so.


Two


This just came in the mail today:

Hello Mr. Adolph,

I am just checking to see if you are still in Bangladesh. Our system
shows you arriving on May 30, 2004 and staying for a period of months.
Please advise....Thanks and have a great day!

Bryan J. DiMare
Cons. Intern/American Citizen Services
U.S. Embassy, Dhaka, Bangladesh

Phone: 880-2-885-5500 ext. 2610
Fax: 880-2-882-4449

In accordance with E.O. 12958 this message is unclassified.

What is going on here? Who is this "Mr. Adolph"? First the guards at the Dhaka embassy confiscate my Tiger Balm. Now this. Must my government demonstrate incompetence at every step of the way?