[Genoa]

Joel wanted us to go into Syria with guns blazing, but then backed off. I'll admit he is able to change his mind in public, more than I can say for a lot of other political/spiritual leaders/experts.

[Colonel Kangaroo]

Being able to adjust course certainly puts him ahead of the usual member of the talking class who typically has no consideration for the wishes of the hoi polloi.

[Genoa]

go into Syria with guns blazing

To clarify: Joel's position was not to send in ground troops, but to bomb Syria. Then he withdrew support for that.