TPM: Jill Kelley, An Embarrassment to Honorary Consuls Everywhere [View all]

[Poll_Blind]

Jill Kelley, An Embarrassment to Honorary Consuls Everywhere

Earlier today we learned that Jill Kelley, ridiculous person at the center of the Petraeus scandal, had called police over the weekend to shoo people off her lawn and in the process invoked her “diplomatic inviolability” to bewildered police officers. At first I assumed that this was some nonsensical to her honorary role as “social liaison” at Centcom in Tampa.

But this was premature.

It turns out that Kelley is actually an “Honorary Consul” of the Republic of Korea (South Korea). At first, I thought this was just another one of Kelley’s ridiculous faux titles, something you get for throwing a party or perhaps for anything as long as the ambassador drunk.

But I was too quick to dismiss this. ‘Honorary consuls” are a real thing. Or at least they can be, whatever Kelley was doing with the title. I talked this evening to a diplomatic from an Asia nation (not Korea) who explained that they’re often used when a country doesn’t have consular representation in a particular city or region. So for instance if you’re from Country X and you’re visiting Florida and you get into a jam or lose your passport you can contact the ‘Honorary Consul” to help you get a new passport or help you out in much the same way your embassy or an official consul might.

Oh you know much more at the link!

Here's a sample of what an honorary consular ID looks like:


They get the red-bordered cards. Those are the good ones! You can see the whole range here. Collect 'em all!

Oh, and the license plates like you see HERE? Apparently legit, issued from the state. I need to get a fucking bus pass holder with that shit emblazoned on it.

PB