Did you ever in your wildest dreams imagine reading a New York Times column not written by a conservative that claimed "the forces for decency, democracy and pluralism" in the Middle East "have a little wind at their backs" due to the policies of former President George W. Bush?
Neither did I, but much to my surprise, such was said by Thomas Friedman in his most recent piece entitled "Winds of Change?"
Readers are strongly advised to fasten their seatbelts tightly across their waists, for you are about to enter an alternate media reality:
There are a million things to hate about President Bush’s costly and wrenching wars. But the fact is, in ousting Saddam in Iraq in 2003 and mobilizing the U.N. to push Syria out of Lebanon in 2005, he opened space for real democratic politics that had not existed in Iraq or Lebanon for decades. “Bush had a simple idea, that the Arabs could be democratic, and at that particular moment simple ideas were what was needed, even if he was disingenuous,” said Michael Young, the opinion editor of The Beirut Daily Star. “It was bolstered by the presence of a U.S. Army in the center of the Middle East. It created a sense that change was possible, that things did not always have to be as they were.”
Need to pinch yourself, or check that link to make sure I'm not kidding about who wrote this?
I understand.
Now, to be sure, this was not a piece meant to flatter the former President, as Friedman was also critical of Bush whilst praising Obama.
And, this isn't the first time the Times columnist has spoken positively about the net result of Bush's policies despite the mishaps.
However, as Friedman after last year's elections claimed that it would take great moves by "Obama and the Democrats [to] not only end the Iraq war but salvage something positive from it," it is both surprising and refreshing to see him give Bush any credit for the progress in this region.
With that in mind, readers are encouraged to review the entire piece.
—Noel Sheppard is the Associate Editor of NewsBusters. Follow him at Facebook and Twitter.
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Oh, so now he tells
June 14, 2009 - 17:04 ET by Chris NormanOh, so now he tells everybody...
The "Mainstream" Media: By liberals. For liberals.
How about a non-leftist view, eh?
June 14, 2009 - 17:09 ET by ThisnThatI've only read the paragraph you extracted for us so far, Noel. And here's what jumped out at me -- and what the leftists will take away from this paragraph:
Why can't the MSM simply point out the facts without all their venemous opinion entertwined?
___________________________________
Liberals constantly demand that we accept a glaring falsehood as truth; Obama's elimination of the word "terror" will make terrorist acts less terrifying
Exactly and the left have
June 14, 2009 - 17:25 ET by gmaniac1Exactly and the left have no idea why they hate Bush other than the fact he beat them in two elections. Of course one was stolen from them mind you.
When the people fear the government it's called tyranny, when the government fears the people it's called liberty!
Well I'll be darned, this
June 14, 2009 - 17:19 ET by bigtimerWell I'll be darned, this only happens once in a blue moon.
Better late than never I suppose.
Miracle the NYTs printed it.
Doubling down on stupid is not a particularly good idea. ~Andrew Breitbart
So, how did this column get
June 14, 2009 - 18:01 ET by R D HelmSo, how did this column get by the NYT's gatekeeper?
LOL-Must have been on his union break.
-Dave
Obama's health care "reform" plan is to blow up the building in order to fix a leak in the roof-Herman Cain
Well, Tom Freidman.. Bush did a lot in other places as well
June 14, 2009 - 18:43 ET by Gary HallWell, Tom Freidman.. Bush did a lot in other places as well. Perhaps, you aren't well read enough yet, in order to enjoy the entire entree!
In October, 2008, at the President's Conference on International Development, as is often the case, praise for President Bush and his administration was in the air - for doing what? Doing the walk - not just the talk.
But agreed, it is refreshing to read something observing the obvious.
Indeed, I'd like to see Obama improve on such a record - but it's a long road to hoe.
I'm not forgetting Libya
June 14, 2009 - 18:52 ET by bigtimerI'm not forgetting Libya either.
Nor the release of our crew in China...that he was saddled with right off the bat...and down-played, plus stayed out of the spot-light with grace and dignity when they came home.
Doubling down on stupid is not a particularly good idea. ~Andrew Breitbart
I fell out of my chair
June 14, 2009 - 19:00 ET by Jack Hermanin disbelief.
Democracy and Islam remain incompatible, and will remain...
June 14, 2009 - 19:25 ET by ThalpyDemocracy and Islam remain incompatible, and will remain that way. Mob rule is mob rule, so without the modifications provided by our democracy, there is little hope that these changes that Friedman sees will have much of a life-or substance, for that matter.
"The forces for decency, democracy and pluralism" have a little wind at their back in the Middle East?" Nah.
I thought my cigar was laced with crack when I read the title...
June 14, 2009 - 19:33 ET by pahuberWOW.
God I miss President Bush. He did so much with his cabinet to not only keep us safe, but proactively spread freedom around the world. Cared about the troops and took it hard his last 4 years with the onslaught of lefties in the press.
I pray the lefties get a taste of what they dished out to conservatives with their hatred in this lifetime for all to watch.
Here's to 2012!
P.S. and to 2010!
miracle
June 14, 2009 - 22:26 ET by charlietexasI can't believe what I just read.
LOL charlie... There may
June 14, 2009 - 22:31 ET by bigtimerLOL charlie...
There may be a big ol' retraction tomorrow regarding this in the NYTs...on the front page no less.
Doubling down on stupid is not a particularly good idea. ~Andrew Breitbart
Wait, WHAT?! The Rocky
June 15, 2009 - 11:15 ET by wiwfWait, WHAT?!
The Rocky Mountain Collegian: Illustrating Idiocy