Is Thomas Friedman changing his stance on Iraq?

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

Déjà vu all over again in Fallujah

By THOMAS L. FRIEDMAN
SYNDICATED COLUMNIST

I got a brief glimpse of Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld's news conference on Monday, as the battle for Fallujah began. I couldn't help but rub my eyes for a moment and wonder aloud whether I had been transported back in time to some 20 months ago, when the war for Iraq had just started. Watching CNN, I saw the same Rummy joking with the Pentagon press corps, the same scratchy reports from the front by "embedded reporters," the same footage of U.S. generals who briefed the soldiers preparing for battle about how they were liberating Iraq.

There was only one difference that no one seemed to want to mention. It wasn't 20 months ago. It was now. And Iraq has still not been fully liberated. In fact, as the fight for Fallujah shows, it hasn't even been fully occupied.

Taking in this scene I had very mixed feelings: a fervent hope that victory in Fallujah will start to tip Iraq in the right direction, and utter scorn at the fact that we are now, once again, fighting a full-scale war in central Iraq, without an ounce of self-reflection by an administration that long ago declared "mission accomplished." But don't worry. Rummy has it all under control. He hasn't made any mistakes. Everything is going as planned. The plan was always to fight running street battles in Fallujah 20 months after Saddam's fall.

So lay off. Shut up. Watch Fox. Wave a flag. Visit a red state. Don't ask how we got into this fix. Shut up. Lay off. Watch Fox.

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/opinion/199284_friedman12.html

[wtmusic]

1. He's very subtley trying to act like he never approved of the war

and trying not to reveal that for a Pulitzer-prize-winning columnist he's pretty fucking stupid

[eleny]

2. What the hell?

"Alas, I'm part of that dwindling minority who believe that a decent outcome in Iraq is both hugely important and still possible."

He's got a lot of nerve trying to set himself up as the I-told-you-so-guru now that he's finally realizing what people all over the world knew before we started this offensive.

I've got your "free advice" right here, Tom.

[sandnsea]

3. He wants to succeed

Apparently he thinks most of the country believes we should just get out now. He is part of what he sees as a "dwindling minority", meaning fewer and fewer people, who think it's important for Iraq to be a success.

In fact, most Americans think it's important for Iraq to be a success and not create another Afghanistan. Bush being able to paint Kerry as not believing that probably contributed to the loss more than any "moral values".

[orwell]

4. Tommy Gun

A lot of us have been beating up on this guy for years now pointing out his blind fealty to the Neocon agenda.

Some of this blood drips from your typewriter Tommie and no amount of feigned outrage can wash it off.

You are a coward and a liar.