Times Columnist's Suggestions to W: Strength Through Weakness

NewsBusters ^ | Mark Finkelstein

[governsleastgovernsbest]

The passing of President Ford has New York Times columnist Nicholas Kristof fantasizing about the ignominy that President Bush's obituary will heap on him for his handling of Iraq. In what Kristof claims to be "the holiday spirit," he offers W ten suggestions to rescue his legacy. After all, what says "holiday spirit" more than dreaming about someone's death?

You can read all ten suggestions here if you've anted up to the Times, but for those loath to lard the Times' coffers, let me single out two of Kristof's recommendations:

"Seriously engage Iraq’s nastier neighbors, including Iran and Syria, and renounce permanent military bases in Iraq. None of that will solve the mess in Iraq. But these steps will suggest that you are belatedly trying to listen and are willing to give diplomacy a chance."

We haven't listened to Mahmoud Ahmadinejad? Sure we have: he wants to develop nuclear weapons and erase Israel from the map. For starters. And just why should we renounce the prospect of bases giving us the ability to defend American interests in the most volatile region of the world?

"Put aside those thoughts of a military strike on Iranian nuclear sites, and make it clear to Israel that we oppose it conducting such an attack."

More from the Neville Chamberlain Guide to Diplomacy: begin negotiations with a hostile state by pre-emptively renouncing your strongest card. No thanks.

Finkelstein was in Iraq last month. Contact him at mark@gunhill.net

[governsleastgovernsbest]

Times-Neville-Chamberlain ping to Today show list.

[D.P.Roberts]

This will work better: tell Mahmoud Ahmadinejad he'll listen to reason or we'll put him on the end of a rope, too.

[traderrob6]

"More from the Neville Chamberlain Guide to Diplomacy: begin negotiations with a hostile state by pre-emptively renouncing your strongest card. No thanks."

Precisely!

[Doogle]

In what Kristof claims to be "the holiday spirit," he offers W ten suggestions to rescue his legacy.

...funny how he can offer ten to W, and can't come up with one for clinton

Doogle

[dennisw]

Nicholas Kristof is way too pleased with himself. His suggestions are idiocy. I hope he never escapes his NY Times sandbox and gets into government where he can do REAL DAMAGE

[Gritty]

[maryz]

I'd say something . . . but I'm speechless! (Lucky you didn't reproduce all his suggestions -- I'd be speechless for a month!)

[popdonnelly]

"Strength thru Weakness" would make a good campaign slogan for the Dems.

[kjo]

The Democrats are the Party of defeat. They are actually becoming anti-American. They already hate Christians and Jews, now they are embracing the worst the third world has to offer.

Harry Truman must be turning over in his grave.

[A_perfect_lady]

Hey, Kristoff: I know how to win the Arab world over, and it doesn't take 10 steps to do it, just two:

1) Let them wipe out Israel

2) We convert to Islam...

And there you have it! Peace in our time!

Now if you'll excuse me, I have to go to the battered women's shelter and tell them the magical secret on how to get their husbands to stop beating them: Just do exactly as you're told.

[Earthdweller]

Brilliant.