Juan Cole is obviously brilliant, and he doesn't need me to tell him that. But I think his biggest contributions are his frank discussions about Israel. His post today is a perfect example.
I remind you that Sharon bad-mouthed the United States just after September 11. It wasn't any old time. The country was reeling. We were trying to understand what had happened. We were reaching out to Muslims who would be allies, like Pakistan and Egypt and Jordan. They were all telling us that the Muslim rank and file was angry about the Israeli predations in Palestine. Sharon in essence accused the 9/11 families who argued for the need to seek Middle East peace of being Chamberlains and appeasers.
This just infuriates me to no end. Israel's blatant abuse of our friendship is getting Americans killed every day. Even on this site, I don't hear the outrage on this issue I think I should. What can we do to get this message out, without being labeled "anti-Semitic" by the mainstream media? This piece of shit Sharon and his minions might end up getting me and everyone in my family killed. For reasons I vehemently oppose. And I'm paying him to do it. We have to make this point loudly. This is just one more example of how the average American "conservative" should be bitterly at odds with the government, and he doesn't even realize it. It's What's the matter with Kansas? all over again.
It is vital for our national security that we put Israel under our thumb. They have become that loudmouth little friend who always talks up at the bar and starts stupid fights that we have to finish. Eventually it has to be easier to just smack him down until he shuts the hell up.