Pardon me if I seem a bit confused, but I have to ask, do you think better of Friedman because of his remarks vis-a-vis China, or did his remarks viz. China reduce your respect for him?
Sorry, I was not clear. Once in a while I would find him saying something I’d be in complete agreement. Not too often. But I retained a respect of him as one can respect a person you disagree with. Now, he was seduced by Chinese. He is not the first westerner who finds it cool to admire authoritarians from aside. He would not be that agreeable if it’s him, who would feel firsthand the blunt force, or be a side-affect, a collateral damage. Shame on him. So, whatever respect for him I still had is quickly dissipates.