Friedman returns...
First, as Friedman well knows, from my frequent criticism of his editorials, I am not one of his adoring fans, for we disagree on most things. However, the NY Times' op-ed page is better for his return, so welcome back Mr. Friedman. Today, Friedman picks up where he left off.
Friedman is right. Much that has happened in Iraq after the fall of Hussein has gone poorly. However, firing a general or Rumsfeld would not improve things in Iraq one iota. Clearly, Friedman is still plagued by his inability to master the obvious, and he still suffers from what Carlyle called "froth-logic."
Nothing makes less sense than Friedman's belief that we can get "politics" out of our Iraq policy. Over two thousand years ago, Plato and Aristotle taught us politics dictate policies. After being off for three months, Friedman returns offering us platitudes, peppered with a health dose of specious reasoning.
Like Kerry, Friedman believes Iraq is Vietnam, and we'll end up with a "fractured" America. However, neither have offered any proof that the one is similar to the other in any meaningful way.
Unlike Friedman, I only hear "more of the same thing" from candidate Kerry. Kerry offers us "progressive internationalism" to manage our foreign affairs.. Internationalism gave the world 800,000 slaughtered citizens in Rwanda and the continuing genocide in Darfur. Internationalism gave us the quagmire in the Balkans. Since 1995, America has been involved in 2 Balkan wars, we still American troops there, with no "exit strategy," and no end in sight.
Friedman has remained steadfast in his belief that more troops are needed in Iraq; however, General Abizaid doesn't agree, so Friedman must believe Abizaid wants to lose Iraq to terrorists and insurgents. More troops didn't help us in Vietnam, we had over a half-million there. Once our political resolve wilted, we abandoned those we claimed we wanted to help, and we fled.
Contrary to Friedman's assertion, our politics are essential to formulating effective policy. If our polity remains firm, steadfast, and resolved, our policy regarding Iraq will be a success.
Friedman is right. Much that has happened in Iraq after the fall of Hussein has gone poorly. However, firing a general or Rumsfeld would not improve things in Iraq one iota. Clearly, Friedman is still plagued by his inability to master the obvious, and he still suffers from what Carlyle called "froth-logic."
Nothing makes less sense than Friedman's belief that we can get "politics" out of our Iraq policy. Over two thousand years ago, Plato and Aristotle taught us politics dictate policies. After being off for three months, Friedman returns offering us platitudes, peppered with a health dose of specious reasoning.
Like Kerry, Friedman believes Iraq is Vietnam, and we'll end up with a "fractured" America. However, neither have offered any proof that the one is similar to the other in any meaningful way.
Unlike Friedman, I only hear "more of the same thing" from candidate Kerry. Kerry offers us "progressive internationalism" to manage our foreign affairs.. Internationalism gave the world 800,000 slaughtered citizens in Rwanda and the continuing genocide in Darfur. Internationalism gave us the quagmire in the Balkans. Since 1995, America has been involved in 2 Balkan wars, we still American troops there, with no "exit strategy," and no end in sight.
Friedman has remained steadfast in his belief that more troops are needed in Iraq; however, General Abizaid doesn't agree, so Friedman must believe Abizaid wants to lose Iraq to terrorists and insurgents. More troops didn't help us in Vietnam, we had over a half-million there. Once our political resolve wilted, we abandoned those we claimed we wanted to help, and we fled.
Contrary to Friedman's assertion, our politics are essential to formulating effective policy. If our polity remains firm, steadfast, and resolved, our policy regarding Iraq will be a success.
posted by Tony Harrison at 5:50 PM
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