[cicero's_son]

The so-called suspect is a principled scholar, gifted linguist and expert on the Middle East. He is hardly an Israeli spy

What does his scholarship have to do with anything? Alger Hiss was no doubt a gifted scholar as well.

I am more than willing to give Israel the benefit of the doubt, but it makes me more suspicious when I see this kind of pre-emptory disingenuousness.

Every nation in the world has spies in the US. They would be fools not to. That said, when we catch someone in the act, we must do everything in our power to punish him.

[Poohbah]

What does his scholarship have to do with anything?

He's described as a <>Bprincipled (i.e., very honest) scholar.

[Fedora]

"I am more than willing to give Israel the benefit of the doubt, but it makes me more suspicious when I see this kind of pre-emptory disingenuousness."

Same sentiment here.

[TopQuark]

The so-called suspect is a principled scholar, gifted linguist and expert on the Middle East. He is hardly an Israeli spy

CS: What does his scholarship have to do with anything? Alger Hiss was no doubt a gifted scholar as well.

You have confused "gifted" with "principled." People that exert effort to be above suspicion in the integrity of their work tend to be honest elsewhere. That was Hanson's point.

For further details, consult your father.