Friedman: Iraqi Violence Reflects Al-Qaeda Realization "In Some Ways They're Losing"

GMA/NewsBusters ^ | Mark Finkelstein

[governsleastgovernsbest]

GMA/NewsBusters ping to Today show ping list.

[Crawdad]

'"Is Iraq the way Iraq is because Saddam Hussein was the way Saddam Hussein was or was Saddam Hussein the way Saddam Hussein was because Iraq was the way Iraq is - a congenitally-divided country that could only be held together by an iron fist?"'

One should never take a writer who asks the reader questions seriously.

[ExcursionGuy84]

...if we defeat them in the heart of their world in collaboration with other arabs and Muslims by putting together some kind of decent democracy there, it will be a terrible defeat.

Yes it will be.

[InterceptPoint]

Will those in the center-left of our political spectrum heed Friedman's nuanced, somewhat sanguine message, or will we hear nothing but more of the "Iraq is a disaster" drumbeat from the Democratic political establishment?

I think I know the answer to that question and so does Howard Dean. And what Howard Dean knows the MSM knows. It will be the drumbeat path for sure.

[Poundstone]

"One should never take a writer who asks the reader questions seriously."

Sorry, but I believe writers who ask questions are precisely the ones we should listen to. And regardless of whether you're a Republican or Democrat, Tom Friedman is a writer worth taking very seriously.

[Puppage]

In contrast, if we defeat them in the heart of their world in collaboration with other arabs and Muslims by putting together some kind of decent democracy there, it will be a terrible defeat.

Finally!!

Geez, it only took you 4 years to get it. Better late than never, I guess?

[johnny7]

Friedman does this only to cover for Hillary & Kerry and their vote for intervention... he only pimps the top DNC whores.

[saganite]

A defeat for Al Qeada in Iraq is a defeat for Democrats in the US so their reaction will mirror the escalating and ever more desperate attacks of Al Qeada. Stand by for ever escalating rhetoric from Dean and Gore and Kerry and Hitlery and Teddy etc.

[Paul_B]

Great piece, GL.

p.

[Mo1]

Will those in the center-left of our political spectrum heed Friedman's nuanced, somewhat sanguine message, or will we hear nothing but more of the "Iraq is a disaster" drumbeat from the Democratic political establishment?

I think we all know the answer to that one

[governsleastgovernsbest]

Many thanks, Paul. Not one of my red-meat-engine-starters, but I did find Friedman's take interesting and noteworthy. Glad you enjoyed it.

[ThirstyMan]

Merely a rhetorical question for sure.

[GeorgefromGeorgia]

I have read some of Friedman's books: "The Lexus and the Olive Tree" and "From Beirut to Jerusalem." He is a liberal, but his insight into the Middle East is good. Even better, I recommend reading a great author "Bernard Lewis, check out "The Middle East."

[conservatism_IS_compassion]

The closer we get to producing a decent outcome [in Iraq], the crazier our opponents are going to get because they know if they lose it's strategic."

IOW:

• Our opponents are not in solidarity with Muslims in general so much as they are rule-or-ruin fascists. And,

• Bush's move into Iraq was not a "diversion" from getting ben Laden but a strategic move against al Qaeda.

[governsleastgovernsbest]

Excellent observations, IMO.

[Loyal Buckeye]

All Friedman is saying as what the Administration and Military have been saying for 3 years. He just nuanced it in order to save face.

[BadAndy]

It sounds like an act of desperation. They are losing so they see no harm in kicking over the table to shake things up.

[Rummyfan]

To put it simply, Friedman is an a**. I don't care how many Pulitzers he has. The only time he's right is when he restates the blindingly obvious.

[Ditter]

So, it appears, Freidman thinks President Bush's strategery is working (finally he sees). Fight them over there, instead of over here.