This morning's column by James Carroll, the Boston Globe's resident gushy liberal, is so predictable you wonder whether it might have been produced by a liberal-column-generator software program. You know the kind: insert issue, names of political players, a few factoids, and let the program spit out the boilerplate of a standard leftist diatribe.
I mean, as soon as you knew that Carroll was writing a column about Ahmadinejad's visit to the U.S., could there be any doubt as to where he'd come down on the controversy surrounding the Iranian president's desire to visit Ground Zero? And Carroll doesn't disappoint. Naturally, this was just one big Kumbaya moment squandered:
What if, instead of shunting Ahmadinejad aside as one unworthy to enter the sanctuary of our national trauma, we Americans had said, "Yes - stand here with us. Look at what threatens the universal future if we do not find other ways to relate to each other than with contempt. Relive that horrible September morning with us, when the rank evil of terrorism showed itself with such clarity that the human family, decidedly including the Iranian nation, stood together against it. Let solidarity be the meaning of this place."
Can you feel the love?
And yes, of course we knew that Carroll would have his "it's all Bush's fault" moment. Even so, the former priest outdoes himself with his concluding paragraph, flatly stating that it is our president, and not the, shall we say, eccentric Iranian leader, who by his presence defiles the 9-11 site [emphasis added].
Here is George Bush's most grievous failure: Instead of enabling his nation to reckon with the blow of Sept. 11, and move on from it, he has worsened that anguish immeasurably. Yes, Ground Zero is a holy place, but Bush is the one who desecrates it.
It might be time to recalibrate that liberal-column generating program, turning the rant level down a few notches. We don't want to make the putative authors look like complete fools now, do we?
—Mark Finkelstein is a NewsBusters contributing editor and host of Right Angle. Contact him at mark@gunhill.net.















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Up is Down, Right is Wrong
September 24, 2007 - 09:53 ET by allanfJames Carroll in his best Jabberwocky fashion writes:
Well all those "Death to America" signs and chants had us fooled James. Thank's for pointing out our silliness. How dare we take people at their word.
You can't help but thinking of another Carroll: John Lews Carroll
Beyond belief
September 24, 2007 - 09:55 ET by cvgbuckeyeI find it beyond belief that these guys would be clueless as to what huge horses rear ends (the Christian description) that they are. Are they really that clueless?
I have come to believe that there is just a large group of people who belong to an exclusive group of morons who really do not believe most of the crap (the Christian description) that they spew. They just like belonging to what should be known as "The Stick in Your American Eyes Club".
They think they are cute and they have no idea of the damage that their stupidity does to our nation. If we ever had to depend on these little brats to defend America, half of us would be speaking German and the other half would be speaking Japanese, PLUS there would be no one left in the nation to spit on ANY flag or spew any hatred for the country. They will all have been shot.
James Carroll IS a
September 24, 2007 - 09:56 ET by motherbeltJames Carroll IS a "liberal-column-generator software program."
He can write stuff like this in his sleep.
Skip over all the IED evidence
September 24, 2007 - 10:02 ET by KC MulvilleThis was not an attack against the world. It was specifically directed at the World Trade Center, a target picked precisely because it represents American money. The Pentagon was targeted, not because it is a symbol that the world shares, but because it represents the American military. The targets were chosen specifically because they represented the foundations of American power. Though we're grateful for the sympathy of other nations, these were American targets, plain and simple.
Iran is financing the murder of our troops. Iran finances the groups that provoke violence in Iraq. These are not fellow mourners that we've insulted by our arrogance. These are people who exploited our open wounds.
This guy's self-hatred is embarrassing to watch.
Kumbaya my eye
September 24, 2007 - 10:10 ET by mattmThis is outright subversion. Carroll is just as much a sponsor of terrorism as is A-mad-insane-jihad.
Why do we want to move on
September 24, 2007 - 10:11 ET by Dan The Man 2Why do we want to move on from the WTC 911? We should learn from it like we do all things. We did have a lesson and that was to be vigilant and never let our guard down, which we have been lax on. It was not the USA government but NYC that said they did not want Ima Dinner Jacket there, and with good cause.
Can you imaging the logistical nightmare ionvolved. Of course it would have been a good oportunity to get rid of a pest. But it would have been a nightmare for teh SUA if it had ahappened.
Nuke em til they glow then shoot em in the dark.
Carroll
September 24, 2007 - 10:15 ET by misterbillAt one time, in the past, I entered a diatribe against this parody of an American. I cannot resist adding to it today. He is either a victim of molestation or a molester. He is sick with hate for our country and his fellow Americans. In another day and another time he would get a glove across the face and be invited to meet someone at dawn. In today's times, he is best ignored. Boston is my birth and childhood city. I lived there for 37 years. I am full of wonderful memories of friends and family. I usually go to the Globe each day for a quick read of "what is happening". Not today, I shall not--I do not wish to see this article.
misterbill,
September 24, 2007 - 11:54 ET by Dave RHe is either a victim of molestation or a molester.
LOL-I think you're on to something here.
When I'm president, privatization is off the table because it's not the answer to anything.-Hillary Rodham, September 3, 2007 AARP Legislative Conference.
feel the love
September 24, 2007 - 10:16 ET by DontFeedTheTrollsPerhaps when Bush starts supporting hanging homosexuals in the streets, like Ahmadinejad does, Carroll will give him accolades.
D
Keep the ILLEGALS out, join NumbersUSA to send free faxes to your reps.
The Iranian idiot and ground zero.
September 24, 2007 - 10:24 ET by tymanIn my opinion, I think that everyone is missing is the fact that the reason he wants to lay a wreath there is to honor the 19 hijackers.
Wow – Incredible
September 24, 2007 - 10:32 ET by JimboWow – Incredible observation! I would love to know what he was saying to his closest advisors before he left Iran.
“Can you believe the gullibility of these infidels?”
“If they will let me speak at one of their most prestigious colleges after the things I’ve said and done, the conversion to Islam will happen sooner than we hoped!”
“Don’t worry guys, while I am there, I will be scouting for our next target”.
”No… no… I can’t take any of the down with America signs with me. I might not get past airport security at JFK with them”.
Take my personal security force with me? Why? The infidels have agreed to fund the cost of my safety!”
I could go on all day.
Jimbo says - "There is a fine line between freedom of speech and treason"
The ultra liberals (America
September 24, 2007 - 10:27 ET by JimboThe ultra liberals (America Haters, Terrorist sympathizers, all interchangeable terms) want us to move on from 9/11 for obvious reasons. Until we do, it hinders their ability to hug the terrorists without the type of repercussions currently occurring with the Iranian terrorist leader currently speaking at Columbia University to his American followers.
To want to “move on” from 9/11 is simply offensive to the victims and to the citizens of this country who support freedom (which unfortunately isn’t all of us).
Jimbo says - "There is a fine line between freedom of speech and treason"
Bush is descecrating Ground Zero,?????
September 24, 2007 - 23:30 ET by merlin61We should forget 9/11???
We should forget Pearl Harbor too?
No, we shouldn't , never, never, never, never!!!
Only the Dim Libs think we should forgive and
forget!!! We must always be alert and on the
defense of our beautiful country.
Anyone who doesn't believe this should go back
to Iran with this bumbling idiot terrorist and see
how much fun it is to live there.
Prejudice the Globe can understand.....
September 24, 2007 - 10:31 ET by JayTeeThe Globe has to understand some things.....decreasing readership, falling Ad prices, and their own bias on Display. Credibility of the Globe suffers when the Globe cannot recognize forged documents, when even the most casual observer can recognize them ..... The Globe and NY Times must continue to suffer the pain of dicsounted advertisements, reduced readership, and steady Linear decline in subscriptions for their particular take on reality. Pretty soon, nobody will be listening, advertising, or buying what they say.
What good is a Free Press, if it is a False Press ? David Foote GoE
We Need a Modern Day Laocoon
September 24, 2007 - 10:38 ET by bulbasaurI've been reading Robert Fagles pretty nice new translation of the Aeneid, and I can't help but think of the moral lessons of Virgil's account of the Trojan Horse.
After 10 years of war, and wanting it all to end, the citizens of Troy ran out to greet a mysterious giant wooden horse. They wanted to believe it was a gift from the enemy, and that the threat had magically sailed away.
The wise priest, Laocoon runs up to the too-eager mob that was preparing to wheel the horse inside the city walls, he's yelling, are you Trojans crazy?
No, they're not crazy, they just want to believe the unbelievable.
Human nature is deeply flawed. This pathetic journalist speaks for millions who want so much to make a threat disappear, they'll believe the unbelievable.
Laocoon, by the way, though he was the hero, and the voice of reason, was struck dead by the gods. And the Trojans were slaughtered after a night of heavy partying.
Take heed, libs. Take heed.
What people forget is that
September 24, 2007 - 11:51 ET by buddycWhat people forget is that it is the Carroll's of the world who gave us Ahmadinejad's of the world. He and his fellow liberals supported our refusal to support the Shah and they paved the way for the mullahs and Ahmadinjad to take power in Iran. When and how can we hold them accountable for their actions? Ask him. Check out his articles and writings back in the late 70's early 80's.
Imagine an Iran with the Shah or one of his heirs governing that country. It would be much like Turkey in today's world.
Sometimes I believe that want to focus hatred on whatever republican is in power, Bush, Reagan, Bush Sr, Ford and etc so people won't go back and see how the positions they/he advocated hve ruined this country.
Rather than say "wow they are outrageious" we should go back and remember not only they were wrong but that their decisions are the basis for the worst problems we now have to deal with.
In the normal world this loser would not be employed at a newspaper in a major US city.
He might be on to something here...
September 24, 2007 - 12:50 ET by jswanagon"Yes - stand here with us. Look at what threatens the universal future
if we do not find other ways to relate to each other than with contempt."
I think he might be on to something here. He has a good point, maybe if we could just get Ahmadinejad to stand there at ground zero he will feel our pain and join in our plight to rid the world of this kind of evil.
And then once we are done there, he can go with us as we all go out and put a pitbull next to a bleeding cat and do the same thing. And we can all feel the love together. Ahmadinejad won't be an American hating, terrorist supporting tyrant any more, and the problems between cat's and dogs will be abolished, all in the same happy, fuzzy day.
Or, and this is just a thought, we can have him ejected from our country (like from a canon or something) if he steps one foot off of UN ground and onto our soil. And if Columbia University isn't happy that their praised speaker can't make it because he's not allowed on our soil, then they can move their school to Iran and he can come speak to them any time they want.
When the mushroom cloud
September 24, 2007 - 13:00 ET by Dave RWhen the mushroom cloud rises over Tel Aviv, James Carroll, along with the rest tof the hate-filled anti-semites out there, will be dancing in the streets.
And if the West continues to pussy-foot around with Akhmedinadinnerjacket, the Iranian Hitler, that is exactly what is going to happen.
And shame on George W. Bush for allowing this warmongerer into our country. He had the power to stop it, but wimped out completely.
When I'm president, privatization is off the table because it's not the answer to anything.-Hillary Rodham, September 3, 2007 AARP Legislative Conference.
James Carroll and the
September 24, 2007 - 15:40 ET by MikeBJames Carroll and the Boston Globe desecrate the nation of the United States of America and, indeed, the very land on which the building stands. Practically every word that Carroll writes and practically every article the Globe prints shows the nostalgia they have for the old Soviet Union. Carroll is a waste of oxygen, and the Globe is a waste of real estate.
"A communist is someone who reads Marx. An anti-communist is someone who understands Marx." Ronald Reagan
Carroll
September 24, 2007 - 18:54 ET by SlicksterCaroll and his ilk aren't fit to lick the dogs##t off an American's boots. Yes, Mr Carroll I DO question your patriotism.
Ahhhh... Nothing like the
September 24, 2007 - 18:58 ET by bigtimerAhhhh...
Nothing like the leftist enemy within.
They never fail us.
Pathetic people...just pathetic.
Bass ackwards columnist
September 24, 2007 - 19:04 ET by nkviking75"Here is George Bush's most grievous failure: Instead of enabling his nation to reckon with the blow of Sept. 11, and move on from it, he has worsened that anguish immeasurably."
In other words, let's apologize to the world for provoking the attacks on 9/11 and go on as we did during the Clinton years.
Not.
When you put the clowns in charge, don't be surprised when a circus breaks out.