Right Or Wrong? Obscene gloating over US failures in Iraq

Reason ^ | May 25, 2004 | Cathy Young

[quidnunc]

Are some Americans, including journalists, rooting for the enemy while their country is at war? This question is coming up with increasing frequency as the troubles in Iraq continue.

The May 15 issue of the British magazine The Spectator published an article [free reg. req.] by Daily Telegraph correspondent Toby Harnden, recounting a conversation he had with an unnamed "American magazine journalist of serious accomplishment and impeccable liberal credentials."

According to Harnden, "Not only had she 'known' the Iraq war would fail, but she considered it essential that it did so because this would ensure that the `evil' George W. Bush would no longer be running her country. Her editors back on the East Coast were giggling, she said, over what a disaster Iraq had turned out to be. `Lots of us talk about how awful it would be if this worked out.' " Harnden goes on to say that when he asked the woman if "thousands more dead Iraqis would be a good thing," her answer was, essentially, yes.

If this story — tailor-made to confirm every conservative's worst suspicions about the media establishment — is true, it illustrates a repugnant mentality. But some of those criticizing such attitudes reveal a mindset that, in some ways, is equally misguided. On the widely read Instapundit.com weblog, University of Tennessee law professor Glenn Reynolds writes, "To explain things in words of few syllables: It's wrong to root for your country's defeat." Reynolds adds that it's especially wrong "when that defeat would mean the death of innocents" and "when it's merely for domestic political advantage." It's hard to disagree with the last two statements. But what about the sweeping assertion that rooting for your country's defeat is wrong?

-snip-

[Paul Atreides]

Are some Americans, including journalists, rooting for the enemy while their country is at war?

Is Hillary as ugly as Michael Moore in a thong?

[muawiyah]

One wonders if Harnden would spill the beans on who this ol'gal is provided he were given the same injections (or enemas) as that other Brit who complained about his two years in Guantanamo.

[Cicero]

Does a bear?

[conshack]

The list of names is endless. At a time when our country needs to unite more than ever, it seems the idealogues feel like they can tear it down for political gain. The resolve of the true Americans is necessary now, more than ever.

[Mister Baredog]

I think they'll be choking on their words before it's over.

[BenLurkin]

Are some Americans, including journalists, rooting for the enemy while their country is at war?

Yes, they are called 'democrats'.

[atomicpossum]

Cathy Young tritely avoids making any value judgements to keep her premise alive.

[Maria S]

Gee! Do you think the following might be troubling to some of these liberals?



AP Exclusive: New intelligence suggests terror operatives in U.S. for major attack

- CURT ANDERSON, Associated Press Writer

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/news/archive/2004/05/25/national1907EDT0711.DTL&type=printable

Tuesday, May 25, 2004

(05-25) 16:51 PDT WASHINGTON (AP) --
U.S. officials have obtained new intelligence deemed highly credible indicating al-Qaida or other terrorists are in the United States and preparing to launch a major attack this summer, The Associated Press has learned.

The intelligence does not include a time, place or method of attack but is among the most disturbing received by the government since the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, according to a senior federal counterterrorism official who spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity Tuesday.

[Pompah]

Thoughts like that shouldn't happen to anyone.

My God what a breathtaking visual. Go get some rest man.

[NavySEAL F-16]

Is it any wonder that the rest of the world hates us. If they listen/read the MSM, they think that the majority of Americans hate their country. The MSM is doing the work of our enemies! We are a great, generous country and the MSM would be doing the entire world a favor if they just printed the truth and not their tales. I for one am disgusted with the pundits, former government officials, politicians etc. The silence of those who disagree with this "hate America" crowd only adds fuel to the fire.

We are a great country and I am proud to be an American.

[rllngrk33]

Are some Americans, including journalists, rooting for the enemy while their country is at war?

The answer is a resounding YES!

p.s. see tagline

[Intolerant in NJ]

If this story — tailor-made to confirm every conservative's worst suspicions about the media establishment — is true, it illustrates a repugnant mentality...it's the Vietnam Anti-War all over again - the constant questioning of motives, tactics, and planning, the magnification of the inevitable screwup of a few to represent the entire effort, the exclusive focus on the death and destruction with no mention of the progress made - and eventually no matter how well it turns out, there will be the flat asserions that we "lost" - these types don't need real failures to make their point......

[marvlus]

This same question was poised on the O'Reilly Factor on Tuesday nite. O'Reilly brought up the fact that some Americans (or so they say) want us to fail in Iraq, so that Bush will be voted out of office. You see, they care more about their own ideology than they do about they future and security of America. O'Reilly labeled these people (and rightly so), bad Americans.

[Sapper26]

Are some Americans, including journalists, rooting for the enemy while their country is at war?

Is a duck's butt watertight? Are the Kennedy's gun shy?

[Keith in Iowa]

Did someone say Bad american?

Sorry - couldn't resist.... :)