[Revolting cat!]

Mark Helprin understands history better than the right wing shouters on the radio, or any of the idiot box pundits. This piece, like his previous essays, will stand the test of time. Democracy in Arabia? There was, in Lebanon 50 years ago. Freedom from colonialism in Africa? That’s worked out great, hasn’t it. I predicted the hysterical reactions here reading this piece in print this morning. Bush worship ain’t dead. Let’s post the pic of the Iraqi woman with a purple finger, shall we?

[Munz]

What an idiot. he mentions Bush and what he did by name, but then says “democrats” failed too.
EXCUSE ME, if WILLIAM JEFFERSON CLINTON had dealt with the terrorist threat when it was just a threat we wouldn’t have been in this mess.
If not for what George W. Bush has done for us in an “inconclusive seven-year struggle against a ragtag enemy in two small bankrupt states.” he would be praying 5 times a day now on a mat under threat of being beheaded.

Does this idiot really think that these well funded, well organized, politically protected, state sponsored terrorists are a “ragtag enemy”?

This guy needs a clue.

[Steve_Seattle]

Helprin's piece is rambling and incoherent. Although he says we must "respond" to the emerging Chinese and Russian threats, he offers not a single specific policy recommendation to deal with those threats.

As for the alleged violations of civil liberties, he is again non-specific. Is he referring to Guantanamo? The rendition program (begun pre-Bush)? The "warrantless" interception of calls from known terrorist telephones? The waterboarding of three captured terrorists (a short-lived technique that was scrapped years before it became a matter of public controversy)? What are these massive violations of civil rights he's talking about?