48 Comments

1. Terrye:

Roger:

I don’t think I have heard Netanyahu sound this optimistic.

Maybe the people of the ME do not want to live in poverty and oppression just so the folks at CBS, CNN and the NYT can give Bush a hard time.

I know the prevailing sentiment is that while you can not force democracy you can most certainly allow others to force fascism on innocent people. I heard some media type the other day saying all would be well is we left Iraq. That is what they said about Viet Nam….but look at Algeria or Kashmir or Maylaysia or even places like East Timor or the Phillipines. It is not as if the existence of American troops is a prerequisite for terrorism, these guys do a great job of killing Christians, election workers, human right activists, teachers, nurses, and Hindu without the US Marines around to blame it on.

I just hope that if the US pulls out and thousands of people die the media is proud of itself. But what am I saying? These arrogant dicks have no sense of responsibility, their attitude will be the more dead the better because it hurts Bush and that is all that really matters.

I am ashamed of these people. There are 25 million Iraqis and from all reports most of them want an election and a decent government, it is too bad those millions of people can not get as much attention as a psycho like Zarqawi.

Jan 22, 2005 - 10:13 am 2. David Thomson:

ìMaybe the Palestinian people are looking over at Iraq..î

Yup, thatís almost certainly what they are doing. This is why Iíve always supported the invasion of Iraq. The weapons of mass destruction were of secondary importance. We can no longer look the other way while the Muslim world wallows in self pity and scapegoating. The adherents of Islam must be encouraged to embrace modernity. Are we altruistic? Perhaps, but more importantly we are motivated by self preservation.

Iraq will be the first domino to fall. Why not expect the Palestinians to be the second? I remain very optimistic.

Jan 22, 2005 - 10:15 am 3. Old Dad:

Keep your fingers crossed. Not only are the Palestinians watching Iraq with great interest, they’ve been looking across the security perimeters into Israel for years, and what do they see?

Who are these people who fight so determinedly, who are allied with the world’s only superpower, and who have such nice stuff?

Maybe, just maybe, the Palestinian people will finally admit that they’ve been bamboozled by greedy thugs. Maybe just maybe they will turn their wrath on Hamas.

While they make up their minds, though, Israel must complete their security perimeter and keep a watchful eye across the Jordan and north to the Golan, into Syria and ultimately to Tehran.

Jan 22, 2005 - 10:49 am 4. Lola:

Yeah, maybe they’re looking at how this Iraqi policman got his head cut off in broad daylight and thinking, gee, we don’t want to get to that point, so perhaps it’s time to rein in all those loose cannons. Sometimes the blowbacks can make people have second thoughts.

Jan 22, 2005 - 10:56 am 5. Lola:

And Iran . . . I hope Bush has a plan to deal with them. And I hope it’s an unorthodox plan, designed to throw the mullahs for a loop.

Jan 22, 2005 - 10:57 am 6. mudmarine:

As well as “looking over at Iraq,” I think they are looking at four more years of someone with a spine sitting in the White House. By all appearances GW is not going to deal with anyone who continues with the ideas/strategies of the ‘Caudillo’. It may get bloody before it gets over, but I am cautiously optimistic.

Jan 22, 2005 - 11:19 am 7. Gerard Van der Leun:

To quote myself just a moment ago elsewhere, “Alas,it is in the nature of those of us who yearn for an end to terrorism in Israel to constantly find hope even in the smallest moves, words and gestures.

We have been here so often it seems prudent to buy a condo in the soon to be overrun settlement of HopeforPeace.

But in the end, we will be disappointed yet again. It would be nice if this were something that can be solved by jawjaw. It can’t. In the end, the sword will decide.”

Jan 22, 2005 - 11:52 am 8. Charlie (Colorado):

Maybe the Palestinian people are looking over at Iraq…

Yup, that’s almost certainly what they are doing. This is why I’ve always supported the invasion of Iraq. The weapons of mass destruction were of secondary importance. We can no longer look the other way while the Muslim world wallows in self pity and scapegoating. The adherents of Islam must be encouraged to embrace modernity. Are we altruistic? Perhaps, but more importantly we are motivated by self preservation.

Iraq will be the first domino to fall. Why not expect the Palestinians to be the second? I remain very optimistic.

Yes, to all of that. What’s more, with the end of Saddam and the death of Oil-for-”Food”, and the unseemly (and visible) struggle over Arafat’s cash, all of a sudden a lot of the financial support for the PA is gone; as a government, they suddenly faced with the need to get honest work.

Not, of course, that Saddam had anything to do with terrorism.

I just hope that if the US pulls out and thousands of people die the media is proud of itself. But what am I saying? These arrogant dicks have no sense of responsibility, their attitude will be the more dead the better because it hurts Bush and that is all that really matters.

Terrye, you’re being too optimistic: they won’t just be glad because how ever many lives are lost, at least it hurts Bush: they’ll run hours of feature stories about how it’s the US’s fault, and Bush’s fault, and specials on Iraqi refugees and their dead relatives, and lengthy interviews with crippled Iraq War veterans (and their survivors) about how they threw their lives away for Bush’s irrational adventurism.

But that has a good side: don’t think GWB doesn’t know it. He knows that he can’t let go of the tiger’s tail, no matter what.

Jan 22, 2005 - 12:00 pm 9. dougf:

I have to admit that virtually anyone would be preferable to Arafat,but I have serious reservations about how much Abu-Mazen either can or wants to do.I also don’t believe that there is a real ‘civil society’in the territories that can actually function as a moderating influence.

Structurally,I don’t see how he can share power with Hamas,and they I believe,virtually run large areas of the territories as the de-facto regime.They WILL NOT compromise.They might agree to a hudna,but only if Israel allows then complete freedom to rebuild their leadership ranks,and rearm.This is un-workable.

Peace depends on Palestinians placing certain actions and actors’beyond the pale’,and I just don’t see it happening.

But that said,Abu-mazen is the only decent game in town so until he demonstrates that he is all hat and no cattle,he should receive whatever support we can offer in order to overcome the more fanatic factions.

Jan 22, 2005 - 12:03 pm 10. Gerard Van der Leun:

There is one cure for terrorism and one cure only and Abu-mazan isn’t it.

Jan 22, 2005 - 12:06 pm 11. Charlie (Colorado):

And Iran . . . I hope Bush has a plan to deal with them. And I hope it’s an unorthodox plan, designed to throw the mullahs for a loop.

I suspect that plan started like this:

“[I]t is the policy of the United States to seek and support the growth of democratic movements and institutions in every nation and culture with the ultimate goal of ending tyranny in our world.”

….

We will persistently clarify the choice before every ruler and every nation: the moral choice between oppression, which is always wrong, and freedom, which is eternally right.

….Today, America speaks anew to the peoples of the world: All who live in tyranny and hopelessness can know the United States will not ignore your oppression, or excuse your oppressors. When you stand for your liberty, we will stand with you.

When Bush said this, we may not have noticed — but the world changed. We may not have seen it — but the mullahs trembled.

Jan 22, 2005 - 12:09 pm 12. Old Dad:

Charlie (Colorado):

…and the mullahs trembled.

Exactly so. There’s been much hand wringing about the apparent idealism of the President’s speech and about imposing, God forbid, our values on whomever.

But there is a very hard headed calculation behind all the high falutin rhetoric. The President understands that regime change, militarily if necessary, is the only realistic strategy for securing us from rogue and fascist states. The implementation of some sort of representative government follows from the resulting vacuum. In other words, the President has made clear that we intend to excise the cancer and allow healthy tissue to grow in its place. The mullahs fear both, but they fear the first more.

Jan 22, 2005 - 12:22 pm 13. Terrye:

Charlie:

No doubt the press would milk it, and that might be way they are so universally disliked.

After awhile the press is like the backseat driver, they will not learn to drive but they won’t shut up and let you drive either.

Jan 22, 2005 - 12:35 pm 14. Rick Ballard:

I believe I’ll stand over by Gerard concerning this. Which Abu Splodeydope is running the criminal enterprise known as the PA is of very little moment. Get the wall finished and close the gates.

I found King Fahd and Prince Abdullah’s remarks to be interesting. One might wonder if they had read W’s speech before making them.

Jan 22, 2005 - 12:38 pm 15. Morgan:

Charlie (Colorado):

I’m not sure the mullahs literally trembled – it is the nature of the arrogant not to see their own peril. But metaphorically, yes, the world tilted sharply under their feet – whether they know it or not.

Gerard (and others): Don’t discount the possibility that Hamas and friends are losing influence within the Palestinian territories. No one there can fail to see that their tack has left the sails luffing.

Of course, it is not enough simply to not support them, the Palestinians need to actively seek to destroy the terrorists in their midst. A bloody way to go, but it may be easy to fall into – if Abbas sincerely tries to crack down on them, even to reign them in, he will spark a war between the Authority and the terrorists. Without public support, that will end in the destruction of Hamas in the territories.

Jan 22, 2005 - 12:45 pm 16. Syl:

Get thee to Meryl’s site for some amazement:

http://www.yourish.com/archives/2005/jan16-22_2005.html#2005012201a

Terrye

“After awhile the press is like the backseat driver, they will not learn to drive but they won’t shut up and let you drive either.”

Love it!

Jan 22, 2005 - 12:53 pm 17. Terrye:

Syl:

Whatever is the world coming to?

Kofi is criticizing Hezbellah and Buckley thought Bush was not moderate enough. Whatever is the world coming to?

Hey, Bush could really have gone out there on a limb and said something radical like We hold these truths to be self evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.

I bet the left will think twice before they bitch about Bush not pandering to dictators. Ahh for the good old days of realpolitick. The Republicans were after the USSR and the Democrats were obsessing about Pinochet and running interference for the Sandanistas. Life was so simple then.

Now the paleos and the lefties just don’t know what to do.

Jan 22, 2005 - 1:07 pm 18. richard mcenroe:

Terrye ó Paleos always know what to do: pull in, pull back, fence off, lock out…. what confuses them now is all these damn Democrats trying to help them paint the fenceposts…

Jan 22, 2005 - 1:24 pm 19. David Thomson:

ìGet the wall finished and close the gates.î

I may be optimistic—but Iím not crazy. Pangloss is not my middle name. Israel must still continue building the wall. This is probably upsetting the more moderate Palestinians who place a lot of importance on earning a living. They are very well aware that the Palestinians need Israel far more than the latter needs them. And the Israelis must not stop pursuing the terrorists. These thugs cannot be allowed to feel safe. A so-called ìpeace truceî only emboldens the uncompromising haters of Israel.

Jan 22, 2005 - 1:26 pm 20. Terrye:

richard:

That is the price of realignment.

I think that the Republicans thought for years that freedom pretty much meant freedom from communism and lefties just thought the Republicans were making a big deal out of communism for partisan purposes.

Well now all of a sudden people like Noonan and Buckley are being upstaged by people like Wolfowitz and Kristol.

I think the paleos wanted Bush to reach out to the Dems across the aisle rather than listen to the ones that have crossed the aisle.

That means no talk about faith. No talk about freedom. Just a nice lets all be friends now speech.

I am glad he is remaining true to himself. If people like Noonan and Buckley were still the big voices in the party, it might not have won as big as it did.

Jan 22, 2005 - 2:03 pm 21. richard mcenroe:

Terrye ó I’m not moved by Noonan either way, a flack is a flack, but Buckley is not a man I would call a paleoconservative. In fact, he was instrumental in moving the conservative movement away from the likes of the Birchers and Buchanan.

Jan 22, 2005 - 2:13 pm 22. richard mcenroe:

And just as a clarification. the Democrats are actually just trying to tell them what color to paint the fence posts. Not like they’ll do any painting themselves…

Jan 22, 2005 - 2:15 pm 23. Terrye:

richard:

I guess in a way Buckley defies description. Even when I don’t agree with him I am impressed with his use of language. He is a very smart man. But I don’t really think the president’s speech was confusing or immoderate. I understood what Bush said and I don’t think it is shocking or immoderate for an American president to talk about liberty. It was no more immoderate than promising to pay and price or whatever Kennedy said.

But I do think that times are changing and both parties are kind of at a loss as to how to accomodate those changes. As annoying as the neo cons may be to some Republicans I am sure that Lieberman finds Moore and his Hollywood amigos just as frustrating.

Jan 22, 2005 - 2:52 pm 24. Abe of Lincoln:

Roger,

I wish I could share your optimism about Abbas as an agent of real change. His campaign message seemed to be that he wants to negotiate with all his demands as non-negotiable. Attacks against the “Zionist enemy” are opposed only because they are inopportune at the moment, not that there’s anything wrong with the tactics per se. Throw in the ongoing, public murders of “collaborators” and it seems to be deja vu all over again.

Sharon was right to call him on this right away. We’ll see what he is really willing and able to deliver. Perhaps I’m wrong about this. I hope so.

Jan 22, 2005 - 3:32 pm 25. Kyda Sylvester:

From your keyboard to God’s ears, Roger.

I long have believed that the road to peace and prosperity in the Middle East goes through Baghdad. The first domino is Iraq and the toppling has begun (I suppose strictly speaking Afghanistan was the first domino, but it lacks the required heft). And if Netanyahu is optimistic, perhaps it’s time for me to upgrade from “cautiously optimistic” to “optimistic” as well.

Gotta love Dubya. 5 minutes into a new term and he gets right back in everyone’s face. And to an even greater extent than before which is saying something. I know I cheered. (You know, I voted for Bush the first time around for a variety of sound reasons, but I had no idea….)

These are very exciting times indeed.

Jan 22, 2005 - 3:54 pm 26. dougf:

As annoying as the neo cons may be to some Republicans I am sure that Lieberman finds Moore and his Hollywood amigos just as frustrating.–Terrye

That may be true but I fear that poor Mr.Lieberman really has no Party to feel frustrated about.In fact,I am seriously surprised that he is still a dutiful member of the current incarnation of his once great coalition.

He seems to know that the Democrats are NOT bed-rock support of Israel,and certainly not of the war on Islamofascism which he firmly believes in.

At this point I would have more respect for him were he to decide to sit as an Independent to protest his Party’s drift to the loonscape.I guess,he is waiting for his political Godot,in the fond hope that the Democrats will suddenly return to their old haunts.

Not going to happen,I fear.The last train out left with Zell Miller on board.

Jan 22, 2005 - 3:56 pm 27. Kyda Sylvester:

I meant to add that David Brooks (one of the few reasons to go to the NY Times op ed pages anymore) analyzes the sweep and significance of the inaugural address and talks about how it will reverberate through the years. Link

Jan 22, 2005 - 4:12 pm 28. David Thomson:

ì(I suppose strictly speaking Afghanistan was the first domino, but it lacks the required heft).î

Oh wow, I deserve to be beaten with an ugly stick. Afghanistan is indeed the first domino! Iraq is merely the second. This may be an example on how the MSM regretfully influences our thinking. Out of sight—and out of mind. The Palestinians can only be the third domino.

Jan 22, 2005 - 4:40 pm 29. Terrye:

doug:

I think you just might be right.

Jan 22, 2005 - 4:55 pm 30. dougf:

doug:

I think you just might be right.—Terrye

Yahoooo.First time today.Time to quit while I am on a roll.

Jan 22, 2005 - 5:08 pm 31. TmjUtah:

“There is one cure for terrorism and one cure only and Abu-mazan isn’t it.”

… said Mr. Van der Leun.

I’m afraid he’s right. With the promising stories cascading out of MSM you would think that momentous forces are at work in the fabric of Palestinian existence.

Existence – they’ve got a ways to go to make it up to society yet.

Where are the stories about the uptick in the apprehension and execution of “collaborators”? Be honest here; that word in context in Gaza or the West Bank covers everyone between those actively in the employ of the Mossad, those merely accused of cooperating with any Israeli, all the way down to a Palestinian who raises objections to his house being commandeered for a weapons’ storage site.

This is real deck chair stuff. Yes, we have been here before. Camp David, Oslo… the associated hossannas from the smartest pundits. It’s bullshit.

What is happening in the Pal areas is a retrenchment and consolidation of power bases by the various factions. Abu Mazen is being treated by the world intelligentsia as a person holding the authority, or at least the leverage, of Arafat. Nothing could be further from the truth. First and foremost, there’s no way in hell he’s got the checkbook that Arafat died with. Arafat’s passing had the same physical effect on the Pals that Scrooge McDuck’s mansion burning down would have on comic book land; nobody knows, and very powerful interests in the U.N. and EU want to make sure that no one ever knows how much money went a-yondering or where it went. Mazen was a minion. A major minion, but in the end just one more human commodity representing certain factions that Arafat bought and managed. The PR happening now is aimed soley at goading foreign powers to treat Mazen exactly as Arafat was: write big checks, write them often, and make sure to say “President” or “Prime Minister” when the cameras are rolling.

I’m a little depressed that the Bush administration has extended what feelers it alread y has. This is just a reprise of our going to the U.N. before going to Iraq. It would have been better to laid down a zero tolerance ultimatum regarding terror and left it at that but I guess that some hoops must be jumped through…

Finish the fence. Lock the gates. Let Iraq’s evolution progress for a year or two, remove the mullahs and/or Assad (no particular order) and see what effect that has on the Arab world.

The elements driving the Palestinian terror industry will not be swayed by politics or diplomacy. Van der Leun is right.

Jan 22, 2005 - 5:22 pm 32. AlanC:

Mr. Van der Leun and Mr. Utah,

I’m too old and cynical to think that you are wrong. But, that said, things always remain the same….until they change. Maybe this is that time, Abooboo might be the lepord that changes his spots now that he’s the top dog. (How’s that for a mixed zoological metaphor?)

Though I’m old and cynical about this, I’ve enought optimist left to hope that because of Afghanistan, Iraq and Libya and GW’s re-election that just might be enough dynamite to break the log jam. I think that it’s worth a few feelers to find out. BUT, Finish the fence and lock the gates. That doesn’t keep you from talking…..or shootng back if necessary.

Jan 22, 2005 - 5:32 pm 33. Terrye:

doug:

You know waht they say aobut a stopped clock, it might just apply to you too.

Jan 22, 2005 - 6:01 pm 34. ambisinistral:

Perhaps the tipping point has finally been reached. The Al Reuters report that Germany is preparing to deport hundreds of Islamists is another piece of very encouraging news.

I would expect that if this report is true, other countries would soon follow Germany’s example.

It would also be a pretty hefty blow to multiculuralism. Rationalizations would continue, but the mere act of judging immigrants by their actions rather than their skin color would shake the notion of fuzzy-wuzzies as nothing but noble savages exploited by the West.

Finally the debate over Islamo-fascism is showing signs of being framed by the proponents of the War on Terror. Who knows, maybe someday that war can be pubically renamed to what it should be called — the War on Wahabism.

Jan 22, 2005 - 6:10 pm 35. PJ:

Yeah, Kyda, I did get a kick out of Bush taking his oath of office: “…to protect and DEFEND! the Constitution…” As if he was sort of enjoying scaring the heck out of everybody who hoped he’d be more touchy-feely.

I don’t think the Abu Mazen has the ability to manipulate the Palestinians as well as the EU and the US the way Arafat did (hope, hope). The mullahs are wrecking Iran’s economy Soviet style, Saddams’ millions have dried up, Hamas is feeling the crunch. Maybe the Pals, if not their leaders, are ready to join the human race.

Jan 22, 2005 - 6:17 pm 36. Charlie (Colorado):

It’s not link-whoring if it’s somebody else’s blog. Check out what Daffyd ab Hugh has to say on Powerline.

Jan 22, 2005 - 6:24 pm 37. Charlie (Colorado):

David Brooks gets it too.

Jan 22, 2005 - 6:27 pm 38. Dave:

You all recall President Bush is a no kidding, raw knuckles poker player, and he wins. Nothing like laying on the table and saing to the losers, with that slow smile of course, “Read ‘em and weep.”

The address was just that. Cannot wait for the State of the Union address, nor can I wait to see which weasal they trot out to rebut the President. It’ll be popcorn time.

Jan 22, 2005 - 6:43 pm 39. Rick Ballard:

Charlie (CO),

Perhaps it’s just because the days are short but I see the speech as a blank check. Actually, an unsigned blank check. Bush spoke of a generational committment on a proactive basis. I am rather uneasy with the concept of the US acting as guarantor of freedom for the world. I hope that the State of the Union clarifies the existence of some sort of plan to back the rhetoric of the Inaugural Address.

What do we do if (admittedly a big if) the students in Iran start dying for freedom in the belief that the US will be there to back them up? Or if Chinese dissidents believe that the Marines are just over the horizon, ready to help? If my memory hasn’t failed me, another Bush promised Kurds and Marsh Arabs help in defiance of a tyrant. That bit of unbacked rhetoric had a price that is still being paid in Iraq today (not to mention the horrifying price paid by the Kurds and Marsh Arabs initially).

I did not find this speech exceptional in any way. Kennedy addressed the same themes 44 years ago and the results, while generally satisfactory, cannot be regarded as unmixed.

Jan 22, 2005 - 7:25 pm 40. Charlie (Colorado):

What do we do if (admittedly a big if) the students in Iran start dying for freedom in the belief that the US will be there to back them up?

Then we shall find out if we can live up to our words.

Jan 22, 2005 - 7:29 pm 41. TmjUtah:

AlanC -

I’m serious about what has to happen at the top of the problem. But that doesn’t mean I know what tomorrow will bring, either.

I’d be happy to be wrong. Very happy indeed.

I think that all of us are operating in an information vacuum so profound that we don’t even recognise it.

A) We have been trained to think that we get important updates to our worldview on a daily basis. That’s a life habit – not a marketing ploy.

B) The People In Charge very rarely leave this misconception totally behind, even after years of experience at the pointy end learning how little charge they have over events.

C) The way this administration executes policy is machinelike. By that I mean that they have identified objectives, formulated plans, and gone about the business of getting things done.

Media opinion has been ignored. Frankly, the tactic of just going out and kicking the crap out of issues and allowing the accomplishments to speak for themselves worked well enough to establish “accountability” where it counts, in the election. Meanwhile, the Democrats whine and seethe and Howard Dean draws closer to the DNC chair.

D)Back up at B I mentioned The People In Charge; that label covers the top tier of our republic and beyond, from entertainment to media to politics to government. These are the people that can effect everyone else. Some of the PIC are incapable of anything beyond influence but blithely assume authority without blush.

Government almost always acts just the opposite; shy away, shy away from action but be ready with a sound bite or platitude.

This administration is so far from any semblance of that template I don’t think I can describe what I think is happening now- and has been happening for about three years.

Elected, resolved to be a uniter. Stabbed in the back by Kennedy.

We are attacked by al Qaeda, forced to acknowledge the existence of a lethal, global threat. Attempt to rally the nation. Election 2002, and that dream is f*cking DOA. No politics too base for Democrats to indulge in; no Democrats interested in associating themselves in ANY success that can remotely be attributed to the hated BUSH… even to the extent that they consciously prioritize defeating Bush over anything else.

I’m glad that the lines were drawn in 2002. Plenty of time for Bush to finally disabuse himself of any lingering doubts about the tools at hand to do the job…

All our discussions here are still influenced by what we think we know; what we have picked up over the last news cycle, tempered by our own filters and diligence in fact checking. We can only do what we can do.

Media has freedom to report. Government is constrained from interfering, but there’s nothing written about how comprehensive the government has to be in keeping media up to speed as long as there is no criminal intent. And I would propose that Media’s foot troops are secretly happy that their bosses are committed to taking down this administration and willing to spill oceans of ink and fill days of videotape toward that end. Why?

Because this administration has been in action in so many places and getting so much done for so long, the moment when the media could publicize the effort in harmful ways has passed. There’s no damage to be done to Bush by reporting that most of the goobers responsible for Blackhawk Down are all dead. Or by reminding anyone that most of the al Q varsity is behind wire or fertilizer. Nor by putting a figure on the obscene amount of cash taken out of the terror pipeline so far. We haven’t been attacked at home for many reasons…but Ridge’s Retards and our INS Joke Factory deserve a lot less credit than the Notes delivered to select countries late in September 2001.

I kid myself that I understand G.W. Bush, I know. I’m willing to bet that Assad, Rafsenjani, and Kim all wish they had never heard of him. Even more than our own domestic minority does. Lots more.

Apologies for length, of course, but the message to the world in the inaugural is just sinking in here.

We have a president. Now if we could just find a minority party….

Jan 22, 2005 - 7:47 pm 42. Charlie (Colorado):

Speaking of trouble making: the The Prospect magazine is having a contest to come up with a 30-word “elevator pitch” for liberalism. Here’s what I just sent them:

“To seek and support the growth of democratic movements and institutions in every nation and culture, with the ultimate goal of ending tyranny in our world.”

Mail your entry to ‘contest@prospect.org’ with subject ‘30-word’.

If Roger’s posting software will allow, this link should do it.

I’m kind of enjoying being able to say it’s me who is the liberal.

Jan 22, 2005 - 7:48 pm 43. thedragonflies:

Despite being cynical, I have a few reasons to be hopeful: Abbas is not Arafat (and thus may actually be a human being rather than a stone cold killer), Arafatís intifada failed (causing more harm to the Palestinians than to the Israelis), The U.S. overthrew the leaderships of Afghanistan and Iraq (and Palestine too by ignoring and thus disempowering the deceitful terrorist Arafat), and Bush was re-elected (so U.S. support of strong Israeli defense will stay in place).

We will see if Abbas is just another Arafat or can actually become the father of a democratic Palestinian state that can take its role in the world as something other than the crazy adolescent criminal attacking little old women in the street.

Keep on killing the killers until the realize they arenít going to win. Then comes surrender and peace. Peace comes as a result of victory, not negotiation.

Is Abbas the one who sees this? Is Abbas the one who can act on this truth? I choose to hope.

Jan 22, 2005 - 7:56 pm 44. Charlie (Colorado):

Media opinion has been ignored. Frankly, the tactic of just going out and kicking the crap out of issues and allowing the accomplishments to speak for themselves worked well enough to establish “accountability” where it counts, in the election.

I have begun to suspect that I understand GWB rather better than most, certainly most in the MSM, not because of any special insight — not, of course, that I’ll object if someone else wants to say I’ve got some special insight — but because we’re near the same age, and grew up in the same cultural context. We grew up with Gene Autry, and Roy and Dale, and John Wayne, and The Virginian … and — well, I’ll tell you a story.

I went to grad school at Duke when Stanley Fish and his wife Jane Tompkins were running the English department, and because of various things, I got to have lots of friends in the English Department, and got to know Fish and Tompkins (and others in the department.)

While I was there, Jane Tompkins published a book on the Western novel, and wrote a lengthy introduction to Owen Wister’s The Virginian. She had a ton of good things to say, and I’d actually commend her book on Westerns, but she missed out on one thing: she really felt that the characters and the actions of the characters in novels like The Virginian were idealizations, imaginary. But I grew up in the West, on a cattle ranch, and as I’ve commented before, I’m descended from Indians and from a gradfather who changed residence precipitously, getting out of the Choctaw Nation just ahead of a posse. And I can tell you: Wister was writing a realistic novel.

Bush grew up internalizing something I didn’t have words for as a child. But there’s a fine saying about it: “Never complain, never explain.”

Jan 22, 2005 - 8:09 pm 45. TmjUtah:

Charlie (C) -

Oh yeah. I see a wildcatter every time I watch Bush unscripted. Talk never brought in a well.

Jan 22, 2005 - 8:19 pm 46. Charlie (Colorado):

Oh yeah. I see a wildcatter every time I watch Bush unscripted. Talk never brought in a well.

See? Another Westerner.

Jan 22, 2005 - 8:57 pm 47. jill bryant:

You must be kidding. You are going to give the “immoral” war in Iraq some sort of credit for helping out the Palestinian/Israeli conflict? (What MSM do you listen to that calls it immoral?) The war that the PENTAGON report said is losing us the hearts and minds of the Arabs and achieving the exact opposite reaction of what they were hoping for? That one?

I can see Fox news, Rove and Luntz gearing up — “yes — that’s why we went to war with Iraq (it has been difficult to decide on a reason that we can stick to, luckily no one seems to notice when we shift goals). We caused the climate change — oh, yes, and maybe a little bit of Arafat who held up the peace process to the point of turning down the extraordinarily fair offer from Israel in 2000 having finally decided to die — that might have contributed.”

Jan 23, 2005 - 11:14 pm 48. Charlie (Colorado):

(it has been difficult to decide on a reason that we can stick to, luckily no one seems to notice when we shift goals).

The only people who think GWB et al have been shifting goals are the morons who can’t grasp more than one goal in a list to start with.

Jan 24, 2005 - 12:51 am

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