None of me thinks he might be right.
BTTT
I was more than a little surprised at Helprin and this piece. He must have been in some cranky mood when he wrote it. The prose is really not up to his usual level, and the needless sarcasm is particularly irritating. Saying that cops in NYC "live off the land at Dunkin Donuts" is just stupid and sneering.
This same sneering tone pervades the entire piece, and to my mind, calls into question any good points the author may have to make.
This article is nothing more than carping. He's got no read advice to offer, other than to find another wannabe Sadam (quick!) and install him in Iraq, than run like the desert wind back to Saudi Arabia. I, for one, don't think that's a good plan at all.
Yes, we should be taking a harder line in Iraq, and yes, we should be really building up our military, if this is what Helprin is saying I agree. I'm not sure Bush's plan for Iraq will work, but despite everything it is far too soon to call it a failure.
And now I really, really, really want a Dunkin Donuts donut! I must get one this morning, for sure.
He certainly is right about the Dims.