
The passing of President Ford has New York Times columnist Nicholas Kristof fantasizing about the ignominy that President Bush's obituary will heap on him for his handling of Iraq. In what Kristof claims to be "the holiday spirit," he offers W ten suggestions to rescue his legacy. After all, what says "holiday spirit" more than dreaming about someone's death?
You can read all ten suggestions here if you've anted up to the Times, but for those loath to lard the Times' coffers, let me focus on two of Kristof's recommendations:
"Seriously engage Iraq’s nastier neighbors, including Iran and Syria, and renounce permanent military bases in Iraq. None of that will solve the mess in Iraq. But these steps will suggest that you are belatedly trying to listen and are willing to give diplomacy a chance."
We haven't listened to Mahmoud Ahmadinejad? Sure we have: he wants to develop nuclear weapons and erase Israel from the map. For starters. And just why should we renounce the prospect of bases giving us the ability to defend American interests in the most volatile region of the world?
"Put aside those thoughts of a military strike on Iranian nuclear sites, and make it clear to Israel that we oppose it conducting such an attack."
More from the Neville Chamberlain Guide to Diplomacy: begin negotiations with a hostile state by pre-emptively renouncing your strongest card. No thanks.
Finkelstein was in Iraq last month. Contact him at mark@gunhill.net
—Mark Finkelstein is a NewsBusters contributing editor and host of Right Angle. Contact him at mark@gunhill.net.
















Editor at Large
Comments Policy
Geez, how did this guy get past my brillian statesmen filter?
December 31, 2006 - 09:55 ET by acaiguanaGeez, how did this guy get past my brilliant statesmen filter?
The profundity of it all.
<grin>
ACA
...
Acaiguana says: "Which city is next?"
ACA,Thank GOD this guy just w
December 31, 2006 - 10:40 ET by Indiana JoeACA,
Thank GOD this guy just writes for the al-NYT. Imagine if he WAS a senior statesman. <Sam Kennison scream> .... >:^O
We could start up a Muslim prayer-rug business right now, and corner the market... with a side-line of fashionable burkhas, of course.... ;^)
IJ
You probably don't know this.
December 31, 2006 - 10:57 ET by acaiguanaYou probably don't know this.
I already have a great business in Helen Thomas screen savers, mouse pads and lingerie line.
Mark has encouraged me greatly.
:-)
ACA
...
Acaiguana says: "Which city is next?"
ACA,Is it a halloween store?
December 31, 2006 - 11:21 ET by AntiMediaACA,
Is it a halloween store?
S&M
December 31, 2006 - 11:28 ET by acaiguanaS&M
:-)
ACA
...
Acaiguana says: "Which city is next?"
The thought of Helen Thomas
December 31, 2006 - 12:16 ET by mytwocentsThe thought of Helen Thomas and lingerie just made me lose an otherwise sumptuous breakfast!
This site can be very dangerous.
December 31, 2006 - 12:19 ET by acaiguanaThis site can be very dangerous.
:-)
ACA
...
Acaiguana says: "Which city is next?"
I had no idea! It should c
December 31, 2006 - 12:44 ET by mytwocentsI had no idea! It should come with a government warning. :)
Contemperary Media thought th
December 31, 2006 - 10:19 ET by Ron was RIGHTContemperary Media thought that Reagan was dumb and made terrible mistakes, now everyone knows that he was one of the top 3 presidents in American history. Conservative presidents always have a tendency to make difficult decisions that are unpopular but end up changing the world for the better. I don't think that George W. Bush will have much trouble with history in 20 or 30 years. I do think that the subversive and Un-American Media and Democratic party will work for the next 10 years to ensure that everything Bush accomplished is distroyed.
RR:Sort of what the right win
December 31, 2006 - 13:22 ET by Dave HighRR:
Sort of what the right wing media and the Republicans are doing to Clinton? I will bet you dollars to doughnuts that when the Iraq fiasco is finally pronounced over and lost, it will somehow be the fault of the Clintons and the media.
Regards, Dave High
I am afraid that you are wron
December 31, 2006 - 14:11 ET by James2306I am afraid that you are wrong former President Clinton destroyed himself. Bombing aspirin factories, refusing to go after those who bombed the USS Cole, the first trade towers bombing, Janet Renos lies about Waco and Ruby Ridge. Monica, Jaunita Broderick. Gennifer Flowers, You get the point He proved himself to be criminal a traitor a rapist and god knows what else
James your talking crap as
December 31, 2006 - 22:01 ET byJames your talking crap as usual, when did President Clinton prove himsel to be a criminal, traitor, and rapist, when boy, when.
Ah, but 7MS never talks crap
December 31, 2006 - 22:57 ET by UnsaneAh, but 7MS never talks crap that he can't back about the current President, does he?
"Socialism is the philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance and the gospel of envy." -Sir Winston Churchill, British statesman (1874-1965)
7MS, here's 23,800 times
December 31, 2006 - 23:08 ET by SportPolitics7MS, here's 23,800 times, doiboy.
Criminal: Lied to a Grand J
January 1, 2007 - 15:16 ET by winston smithCriminal: Lied to a Grand Jury; witness tampering; Whitewater
Traitor: Draft Dodger: Protested the viet nam war in a communist country, sold nuclear weapons technology to the Chi-coms for campaign contributions.
Rapist: Juanita Brodderick
Exhibitionist: Paula Jones
Adulterer: numerous occasions
Liar: numerous occasions
Ruby Ridge, which happened be
December 31, 2006 - 22:55 ET by UnsaneRuby Ridge, which happened because laws on the books were being enforced and the perpetrator decided to barricade himself in his home, occurred in August 1992.
"Socialism is the philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance and the gospel of envy." -Sir Winston Churchill, British statesman (1874-1965)
The NYT has already pronounce
January 2, 2007 - 02:44 ET by NL207The NYT has already pronounced Iraq a fiasco and lost.
You lose.
NYT
December 31, 2006 - 10:53 ET by iveseenitallWas the NYT once a great paper? That's the myth which is out there. Could have fooled me. Kristoff represents a group of ignorant hate mongers who appear not to have a brain among them. Even to imply that this is a "great paper" is to condemn our educational system and, of course, journalism in general. Come to think of it, condemnation is what both these "revered" institutions deserve.
NEVER,NEVER trust a liberal
Ironically, last night my wif
December 31, 2006 - 11:23 ET by sublight68Ironically, last night my wife and I were discussing how W.'s legacy would be regarded 20, 30 years from now.
Even given the best efforts of the MSM and other liberal parrots to undermine his accomplishments (like they tried with Reagan: the Soviet Union was collapsing on its own anyway, it was Gorbachev who ended the Cold War, etc.), I think the general population will look back and realize how crucial his presidency was, and how his policies, though unpopular at the time, proved to be correct.
The Middle East may never be tamed, the War on Terror may continue for generations. But if we were to simply capitulate and roll over now, our country and way of life would surely be lost...sooner rather than later
him
December 31, 2006 - 11:47 ET by NtvAmrcnDoes anyone besides me want to just simply slap the shit out of these idiots?
Count me in before the line
December 31, 2006 - 12:18 ET by mytwocentsCount me in before the line gets too very long! :)
Endurance
December 31, 2006 - 14:23 ET by nkviking75Ntv, they're so full of it, your arms would fall off before you got it all out.
NtvAmrcn --not one city
December 31, 2006 - 14:52 ET by misterbillWe would have to do it in many cities. I don't believe the waste systems of any one city could handle it!
Another sanctimonious lemming
December 31, 2006 - 12:10 ET by JPR1Another sanctimonious lemming with an opinion and a pen.
This guy has never had to make a truly difficult decision decision affecting the lives or well being of others.
God help us if he ever does.
Oh but he has JPR1
December 31, 2006 - 22:37 ET by SportPoliticsOh but he has JPR1.
When the schoolyard bully came for his lunch money, he "seriously engaged him", deftly talking him out of it.
.
.
.
.
.
Now 45 years later he's trying to repeat, but so far Bush, quite unfortunately, isn't listening.
I'm better at it than any and all the liberals that ever come here.
Have to admit, when I first read "seriously engage" in Mark's posted words of kristoff, what came to mind was a military bombing blasting them to kingdom come, then I got to "give diplomacy a chance". I don't know anymore if engagement means a ring and a woman, a military battle, or a tree hugging fairyfest fantasy of dhimmi submission coupled with tax confiscation and a foreign payout giveaway. That is what the libs prefer, right, pay the master mohammed for the right to exist, there is a name for it in Islam. Why don't the lying scuckbuckets just use the name their policy hope relies upon ? Would that be far too much exposure ?
Laughin' my a$$ off! Thanks S
December 31, 2006 - 23:43 ET by JPR1Laughin' my a$$ off! Thanks Sport. Hope you've had a Merry Christmas and have an even better New Year!
W
December 31, 2006 - 12:40 ET by ucIn due time "W" may yet be recognized for cheering to victory - though now he is just faithfully cheering for a far more difficult situation to get resolved than for which was hoped and expected. Always a cheerleader?
Kristof's last suggestion was...
December 31, 2006 - 13:01 ET by Guy Arthur ThomasAnd Kristof's last suggestion, if all else fails, is drop your britches and spread 'em 'cuz even when you are their b!tch the concept of strength through weakness...well it might not prevail but it does keep you alive still sniveling and groveling which would cost the conscience and principles of super-libs like Kristof...nothing at all.
; )
If you claim to be a conservative, please don't disgrace yourself and conservatism by thinking and arguing like a liberal.
If you want to judge the seri
December 31, 2006 - 14:39 ET by Dave659If you want to judge the seriousness and gravitas of Mr. Kristof, check out his video feature mocking small allies' contributions to the war effort. You can see one part of it at http://www.nytimes.c...
In a mincing voice dripping of sarcasm and superiority, Kristof interviews the prime minister of Estonia under the guise of "helping President Bush drum up support."
Well by golly- the man has na
December 31, 2006 - 16:09 ET by NazarethWell by golly- the man has nailed it- just look at any race- it's always the weakest ones that triumph and are victorious
I suppose his leftist sad excuse for a mind rationalizes like so: "Since Global warming will weaken this world, in the end it will be victorious in our demise- therefore, if we act weak on terror, terror will win, but really, as we've seen from global warming winning in the end, it wilkl be us who wins- the terrorists just won't realize it" BRILLIANT! Psssst, Kristof, Global warming is a farce- it's a CYCLICAL Warming trend- mankind will survive- breathe, breathe, exhale, breathe.
http://sacredscoop.com
Dave659
December 31, 2006 - 22:46 ET by SportPoliticsHe also sounded, looks, and acted like a flaming faggot. NYT hiring policies must be perfected. Can't they find any of em that act like men still ? Why must it be cross-eyed flappy cheeked lip dribblers ?
Actually, I thought we alread
December 31, 2006 - 17:13 ET by Dave RActually, I thought we already tried the Strength Through Weakness route when Jimmuh "Jihad" Cahteh was residing at the White House.
Really impressed the Iranians at the time, too.