Andrew Sullivan: BUSH 1, KRISTOL/KRUGMAN 0

andrewsullivan.com ^ | 12/12/03 | Andrew Sullivan

[Pokey78]

What a relief to hear the president forthrightly defend his decision to bar Germany, France and Russia from competing on Iraq reconstruction contracts. There is a difference between being magnanimous and being a patsy.

Germany, France and Russia are completely free to donate money and troops to help Iraq's transition away from a dictatorship they defended and bankrolled. (They have, of course, delivered nothing.)

But, after doing everything they could to undermine the U.S. at the U.N. and elsewhere in order to protect their own favored dictator, they have absolutely no claim on the tax-payers of the United States.

The idea that we should reward them for their obstructionism out of our own coffers on the same terms that we are rewarding countries that gave money and lives to help the liberation is a preposterous one. It's tantamount to inviting exactly the same kind of intransigence and betrayal in the future.

France in particular went much further earlier this year and last than simply opposing the U.S. on Iraq. The French government did all it could to rally world opinion, lobby foreign governments, and delay the war to Saddam's benefit in order to isolate and humiliate the U.S. They didn't just object; they opposed, plotted and lied to our faces.

Forgetting this is absurd. Rewarding it is obscene.

The president is right. Let the real allies of the U.S. benefit from the alliance. Let France, Germany and Russia live with the consequences of their own moral bankruptcy and strategic error.

The alliance is indeed not what it was. Nor can it be. And the responsibility lies squarely in Paris, Berlin and Moscow.

[Pokey78]

Sullivan ping.

[Steel Wolf]

No arguements here. I'd say he nailed this on right on the head.

[Southack]

Bingo!

[kitkat]

Thanks for the ping, Pokey.

Sullivan was short and sweet and RIGHT.

[over3Owithabrain]

Kristol is a pompous smirking ass. He gave fawning praise to Bush when the wind seemed to blow that way. Now he's preparing to stump for McCain again or even a Democrat once the 2004 elections heat up.

[MJY1288]

At todays cabinet meeting every hand wringing leftist reporter in the room came close to losing consciensness when President Bush said "International law? I better call my lawyer," ROFLMAO

[Lancey Howard]

Andrew is exactly right with regard to the bottom line of this whole debate, but I maintain that the template is backwards. The contract-awarding decision should be framed NOT as PUNISHING those countries who stabbed us in the back, but framed rather as REWARDING those countries who stood by our side and risked the lives of their soldiers.

OF COURSE we want to punish the Euro-scum, but why give them ammo for deriding Bush again? Framing the decision in a positive light, ie., as rewarding our war allies for their efforts (while basically omitting any mention of the outsiders), would leave the Euro-scum press stammering instead of indignant.

[vp_cal]

krugman: smarmy, condescending, filled with enormous ivy-league hubris

[GOPJ]

Great stuff:

France in particular went much further earlier this year and last than simply opposing the U.S. on Iraq. The French government did all it could to rally world opinion, lobby foreign governments, and delay the war to Saddam's benefit in order to isolate and humiliate the U.S. They didn't just object; they opposed, plotted and lied to our faces.

Forgetting this is absurd. Rewarding it is obscene.

The president is right. Let the real allies of the U.S. benefit from the alliance.

[HassanBenSobar]

I think it was framed as 'rewarding' and as an incentive for the weasels to join the coalition, but of course, the spin is that it's punishment. Just as well. After this move, I don't care what the Bush admin could possibly screw up in the next 11 months--they have my vote LOCKED! Payback is a B**ch!! ROFLMAO!

[witnesstothefall]

It must not be forgotten. France went to great expense and trouble to prop up Sadaam Hussein and prevent his dictatorship from being defeated, even in the face of direct and overwhelming US diplomatic pressure as an ally.

Even worse, France has done absolutely nothing to help the Iraqi people rebuild after the dictator was deposed.

It can safely be said that France has no love for the Iraqi people, only for Iraqi dictators who make money for the French.

France may go to hell.

[MEG33]

My favorite comment.I am sick of people invoking "International Law"

[ladyinred]

I was just trying to watch ER and had to turn it off. Dr Carter in Africa sitting around a table with volunteer medical personnel from around the world discussing America's arrogant war with Iraq, and bashing Bush. "Didn't you learn from Viet Nam?" and garbage like that. GRRR! How dare we look out for our national interest!

[Ingtar]

One day as the Red, White, and Blue Eagle was going to work, she was attacked by terrorists.

"These terrorist should be stopped," she said. "Who will help stop the terrorists?"
"Not I," said the Quacks (Belgium).

"Not I," said the Worm(France).

"Not I," said the Dog(Germany).

"Then I will," said the Red, White, and Blue Eagle. And she did.

Soon the Taliban and Al Qaeda were blown to bits.

"Iraq is the next offender," said the Red, White, and Blue Eagle. "Who will help defend the world?"
"Not I," said the Quacks (Belgium).

"Not I," said the Cat.

"Not I," said the Dog(Germany).

"Then I will," said the Red, White, and Blue Eagle. And she did.

when Iraq was defeated, the Red, White, and Blue Eagle said, "Who will help pacify the remnants?"

"Not I," said the Quacks (Belgium).
"Not I," said the Cat.

"Not I," said the Dog(Germany).

"Then I will," said the Red, White, and Blue Eagle. And she did.

When the people of Iraq wanted to be free, the Red, White, and Blue Eagle said, "Who will forgive their debt to help them rebuild?"

"Not I," said the Quacks (Belgium).
"Not I," said the Cat.

"Not I," said the Dog(Germany).

"But I cannot," said the Red, White, and Blue Eagle.

She poured money in to rebuild the country. Then she said, "Who will help pay to rebuild?"

"Not I," said the Quacks (Belgium).
"Not I," said the Cat.

"Not I," said the Dog(Germany).

"Then I will," said the Red, White, and Blue Eagle. And she did.

She paid and got some oil flowing. Then she said, "Who shall I pay to finish the job?"

"Oh! I will," said the Quacks (Belgium).
"And I will," said the Cat.

"And I will," said the Dog(Germany).

"No, No!" said the Red, White, and Blue Eagle. "I will do that." And she did.

[Fledermaus]

What does Sullivan's sexual orientation have to do with it?

If he's right, he's right. Come on, I understand what you meant, but it's easily taken the wrong way.

[Fledermaus]

The contract-awarding decision should be framed NOT as PUNISHING those countries who stabbed us in the back, but framed rather as REWARDING those countries who stood by our side and risked the lives of their soldiers.

That's my vote for Quote Of The Day!

[Fledermaus]

Heck, French weapons are still being used to attack our military personnel. And many of those munitions aren't that old...2000-2002!