HILLARY CLINTON'S AIDES DROP A BUNDLE ON GEMS IN THAILAND

DOLLAR DIPLOMACY:

While Secretary of State Hillary Clinton was making the case for stronger democracies among Southeast Asian nations during her two-day visit to Bangkok this week, her staff found time to do some jewelry shopping.

Dropping in Tuesday afternoon to Venus Jewelers, just a five-minute walk from the American Embassy, staffers bought a treasure trove of gems.

The most expensive buy was a black star sapphire and diamond gold pendant and earrings, which was wrapped up for $650. One member of the Democratic administration’s staff bought a gold elephant pendant, which in Thailand symbolizes the strength of the monarchy. ... About 10 staffers spent a total of close to $4,000 in their one-hour shopping spree.

“We didn’t expect them to spend much money because of the state of the economy,” a spokesman at Venus Jewelers said.

IT'S REASSURING TO FIND OUT HILLARY'S STAFFERS AT THE STATE DEPARTMENT HAVE THIS KIND OF DISPOSABLE INCOME.

• THEY MUST BE VERY WELL PAID.

• ESPECIALLY CONSIDERING ALL THEY DO IS GO ON JUNKETS AND CODDLE DICTATORS WHO THREATEN US AND OUR ALLIES!

• TOO BAD THEY DIDN'T SPEND IT IN THE USA! IT WOULD BE STIMULATING.

• I GUESS IF THEY WERE REAL PATRIOTS THEY WOULD HAVE.