Friedman drives me crazy because sometimes he is so dead on correct on a subject while other times he is deadly wrong. I have just about given up on him over the last five years for his trust in a man and an administration that many of us knew could never be trusted. But I also know that Friedman can be right, such as he was in 2001 and as he is in some of his analysis in Wednesday's column.
In June 2001 Friedman wrote a column about how Osama Bin Laden was being emboldened by both the United States inaction to the Cole incident and the fact that the Bush II administration was moving some of our units out of the Middle East due to his threats. In 2002 I had my broadcast journalism students read that column to remind them that while most of our journalists were covering the summer of Shondra and sharks in 2001 some were being real journalists.
But most of know how Friedman squandered his reputation on this war of choice and having any faith in this administration. He deserves to forever be associated with the Friedman Units for predictions of progress in this catastrophe. Yet Friedman shows again in Wednesday's column that he can still be dead on in his analysis. In talking about the potential for America to come back around he writes:
"It seems to me that the strongest case one could make for an Obama presidency right now is rarely articulated: it is his potential to repair the broken relationship between America and the world."
He also touches on Obams's ability to listen. This is something that a few others have observed, and it is one of the things that made me an Obama fan early on. It also reminded me of what they said was one of Robert Kennedy's greatest qualities. RFK's ability to really listen gave him the strength to grow and change and enabled him to recognize the need for our nation to pay attention to the poorest in our society. It is why I have real hope for this next election and for our nation.