Shouldn't a requirement of being a nationally recognized columnist be the ability to exercise some degree of skepticism?
From David Brooks (Present at the Creation)
You can go to Jerusalem or to some Arab capitals and the diagnosis of the situation is the same: Iran is gaining hegemonic strength over the region and is spreading tentacles of instability all around.
Um, David, do you think maybe you're being played? Leaders in other countries watch us closely. They know our current obsession is Iran. So if you are an Israeli leader hoping to parry pressure for a renewed peace process with the Palestinians, you play the Iran card. If you are a Saudi leader hoping to divert attention from continued support for terrorism, you play the Iran card. Three years ago, everyone was saying what they thought we wanted to hear about al Qaeda, now they are telling us what we want to hear about Iran. Wake up.
Also from Brooks:
The Bush administration is not about to bomb Iran (trust me).
Trust you David? No, F___ You. Not good enough.
Bernard Finel
www.bernardfinel.com