I agree with Mr. Simpson’s every point, period. HRS

Mr. Sutherland mentioned in a previous thread that Bush has an upcoming trip to Mexico. I wonder what kind of self-abasement he has in mind. Will he surpass his performance in Africa? Perhaps he will say something like, “I apologize for the shameful war that America waged on the freedom-loving people of Mexico.

To risk a little ‘me tooism” I agree as well. Well, with the possible exception of the “failure to acknowledge even the nature of the Islamic attack on the West”. Being on the anti-war Right (a position I sense Mr. Auster slowly coming ‘round to) :-) I think our best path in the Middle East it to GET THE HELL OUT! Elsewise, yes I am in complete agreement with Mr. Simpson.

I am not coming ‘round to the anti-war right. But, rather than sit supinely and let the Republicans betray America, I am willing to accept the terrible costs—including most importantly the setbacks in the war—that a Democratic presidency would entail.

Mr. Auster supported the administration’s invasion of Iraq because he believed the Hussein government posed a threat to the United States. As far as I know, he still does. Still, would he agree that the naive belief that Paul Bremer and the U.S. Army can govern a large Arab nation is a (less virulent) manifestation of the same thoughtless universalism that is behind Bush’s national suicide amnesty plan? Both are aspects not only of an utter failure to recognize that there are real differences among nations and races, but of an arrogant belief that there is nothing America (whatever they think that means) can’t do. Hubris, and we will all feel its consequences. HRS

David,

Yes, Bush will be Fox’s guest at a summit of “leaders” of the Americas in Monterrey, Nuevo Leon next week. Most assuredly he will grovel and barter away America’s interests to the assorted banana republic potentates who will gather. Watching the President of the United States, the most powerful political figure in the world, knuckle his forehead to the President of … Mexico is truly sobering.

Porfirio Diaz once said, “Poor Mexico, so far from God and so close to the United States.” I say, “Poor America, so far from God and so close to Mexico.” HRS

This is not the time to get into a discussion of the war. I was simply responding to Barry’s comment that I am coming round to the anti-war right. I’ll just say this and then leave the subject: If a man tells me that two plus two equals four, and then proceeds to cheat me, it doesn’t change fact that two plus two equals four. But for many people today, truth and falsehood are relative to who one’s friends and enemies are.

In the way of truisms please let me suggest that “no one ever got rich by failing to dislodge a stuck shoe”. And while this probably doesn’t represent the apex of wisdom or virtue, it almost certainly exceeds anyones best reason for invading Iraq. I’ll rest.

Lawrence -

Tangental, but related:

I think an effective way to lie is to insert a confirmable grain of truth into your otherwise false statement.

For example, “Jacque Cousteau once said that the ocean floor is very much like the surface of the moon”. Except he never said that.

And a good variant on that strategy is to falsely accuse someone of some ridiculous action, and then point out how ridiculous the action is. (Strawman fallacy)

For example: “People who are pro-choice eat babies. Ever since Jonathan Swift wrote his “Modest Proposal”, these pro-choicer have rejected the …..”

My point: confirm every word, and always do the math.