Paying attention

The president has nominated as ambassador to Sweden a Texas state senator and "longtime Bush friend" named Teel Bivins. Bivins, described as a fourth generation "cattleman and rancher," is a champion Bush fundraiser and friend of the hog farm industry. Quote: "I see no reason why this area should not produce 75 percent of the world’s pork."

No surprise, any of that. Just the sort of person you'd expect Bush to reward with an ambassador's post. But Sweden?