Safire: I Remember Muammar

The New York Times ^ | 12/22/03 | William Safire

[Savage Beast]

What do these people have in common:

George Washington
Abraham Lincoln
Teddy Roosevelt
Thomas Jefferson
George W. Bush

?

[68skylark]

It's hard to figure out what to make of the Lybian news. Some agreements (like the N. Korean agreement during the Clinton years) are obvious shams -- they just make us look small and stupid for playing along. But other agreements to disarm are real. I like to think the Lybian agreement is real, but who's to say? It sounds like William Safire isn't sure himself.

[aynrandfreak]

They all deserve to be on Mt. Rushmore?

[Rummyfan]

They are all Republicans?

[WoofDog123]

They were President of the United States?

What does Lincoln have in common with ANY of the others?

[WoofDog123]

"I like to think the Lybian agreement is real, but who's to say? It sounds like William Safire isn't sure himself."

I am not in any way an apologist for quadaffi, but some of the thoughts that come to mind here are

1. Economically he stands to gain a LOT from this.
2. He apparently had a shipment of stuff busted recently, and that would have become a front-page issue otherwise. The current american administration isn't shy about exercting its reach, covertly or otherwise.
3. I have read about him surviving a recent coup? This could tie into #2.
4. People do change, though usually from serious health issues or death close to them. That could be at work here, he is not getting any younger.

[stockpixx]

Lets see... most are in stone?? in maybe South Dakota??

[sinkspur]

all were major warmongers

A beautiful thing.

[sinkspur]

Just pokin' a stick, Justine.

Just pokin' a stick.

[fourhorsemen]

As I've said to others, I am deeply saddened that our nation is now negotiating with a terrorist who murdered over a hundred Americans. The only negotiation with Libya ought to be over the terms of Khaddafi's transport to the U.S. to face charges for Pan Am 107 and the Berlin Disco bombing.

[EvilOverlord]

I remember reading articles on FR about Khadaffi distancing himself from Arabs in favor of Africa. It seems to me that one of the primary reasons for a guy like him to oppose the US is to be respected as a great leader of Arabs, since their leaders define themselves by their ability to stand up to America and the Jews.

If he wants to be a great leader of Africa now, rather than of Arabs, the need to oppose America is not as strong, and the benefits of being a friend of America are great, at lease as far as removing sanctions and receiving economic aid.

[Mr. Mojo]

Not a George Washington fan, eh? Would you have preferred King George III? Is any violence ever justifiable to you? ....(With the exception, of course, of the homicide bombings of your buddies the Palestinians).

[Mr. Mojo]

Lookey here ......Justina was just nuked, perhaps permanently.