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Politics : Politics for Pros- moderated -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Lane3 who wrote (19314)	12/11/2003 2:32:51 AM
From: Sully-	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 793639

"You have taken the column simply as an example of the ubiquitous spin from the Times." If the shoe fits...... "Have you read Friedman's books on the ME? Do you not know that he guy is a certifiable expert on the subject? Do you not know that he has been stationed there forever, away from the "corruption" of the Times' brie culture." His IQ, level of expertise or location doesn't change the fact that the article included spin & distortion. His story only works if you buy the spin & the distortion. Removing it casts serious doubt on the hypothesis that followed. Once that became obvious, his thesis fell apart IMO. Please feel free to rebut my points with relevant facts, logic & reason if you disagree with any of them. However, trying to dissuade me with superfluous perceptions that have no bearing whether or not he used spin & distortion won't work with me. You may choose to side with this knowledgeable, articulate intelectual. When I see obvious holes in an opinion piece, I become suspect of motive & agenda, regardless of pedigree.

To: Lane3 who wrote (19314)	12/11/2003 3:10:04 AM
From: Nadine Carroll	Read Replies (3) \| Respond to of 793639

Have you read Friedman's books on the ME? Do you not know that he guy is a certifiable expert on the subject? I have. From Beirut to Jerusalem is excellent, The Lexus and the Olive Tree pretty good, Longitudes and Attitudes are just his columns dressed up and prettified. He started off as an excellent reporter, whom I fault on specific points, like his unquestioning acceptance of the huge double standard for judging Israeli and Arab actions. He has become glibber and more in love with the sound of his own voice over time, too much writing with too little thought, always willing to sacrifice coherence for the cute phrase. Besides that, he is deeply conflicted on the Iraq war, supporting it 52 to 48 as he himself says, and you can get whiplash following his columns from week to week. Do you not know that he has been stationed there forever, away from the "corruption" of the Times' brie culture It's my understanding that Friedman hasn't been stationed in the Middle East since 1988 and he lives in America. I don't know about his resistance to brie culture, but he didn't look very resistant to flattery in that little escapade with Prince Abdullah of SA last year. nytimes.com