Booman Tribune ~ A Progressive Community

Quote of the Day

by BooMan
Sun Nov 29th, 2009 at 07:01:42 PM EST

Not exactly "suck on this," but not all that much better from the Mustache of Understanding:

Have no doubt: we punched a fist into the Arab/Muslim world after 9/11, partly to send a message of deterrence, but primarily to destroy two tyrannical regimes — the Taliban and the Baathists — and to work with Afghans and Iraqis to build a different kind of politics. In the process, we did some stupid and bad things.

If the narrative ain't working for us, do you think trying harder is going to change that?

Quote of the Day | 10 comments (10 topical, 0 editorial, 0 hidden)

Re: Quote of the Day (none / 0)

agghhhhh Booman - you made me read Thomas Friedman?! :) I know Frank Rich is off today but still... That's like sending me to read a crazy email from my teabagger aunt (except worse because I keep thinking Friedman might have something interesting to say). To quote from his column:
"Whenever something like Fort Hood happens you say, `This is not Islam.' I believe that. But you keep telling us what Islam isn't. You need to tell us what it is and show us how its positive interpretations are being promoted in your schools and mosques. If this is not Islam, then why is it that a million Muslims will pour into the streets to protest Danish cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad, but not one will take to the streets to protest Muslim suicide bombers who blow up other Muslims, real people, created in the image of God? You need to explain that to us -- and to yourselves."

Well, Thomas, MOST WORLDLY TRAVELER AND THEREFORE ART ALL KNOWETH OF PEOPLES OF THE MIDDLE EAST, for starters, most Sunnis and Shiites do not see themselves as sharing the same religion. Perhaps Friedman's self-described "Narrative" has more to do with the thousands of innocent men, women and children killed from Shock and Awe and all the other "freedoms" we brought to their land.

by forus50 on Sun Nov 29th, 2009 at 07:21:10 PM EST

Re: Quote of the Day (none / 0)

I don't think it is true that most Sunnis and Shiites feel like they don't share a religion. In fact, I'm pretty sure that that is a relatively extreme point of view in the Islamic world. That's the kind of crap that al-qaeda spews, but I think the real distinction is by class in most countries. The Shi'a tend to be poorer, less educated, and have less status. This is definitely true in places like Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, and Lebanon.

by BooMan on Sun Nov 29th, 2009 at 08:06:13 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Quote of the Day (none / 0)

Sure but I was talking about the context of his argument of Muslims not denouncing Muslim on Muslim violence while denouncing non-Muslims cartoonish images of Mohammad. And to my point, we did see those religious differences turn into violence once Saddam Hussein no longer was in control of the Shi'a.

I'm just saying that Friedman's theories on how Muslims should behave are illogical. The Texas guy was just pissed off/distraught/crazy (whatever word it is) at the US invasion and occupation of two Islamic countries and went berserk. So other Muslims are supposed to apologize for that guy? If that's the case then I need to be apologizing hourly for all the Christians killing people. Maybe that guy today who killed 4 policeman was a Christian. That's just the bizarro world of Tom Friedman.

by forus50 on Sun Nov 29th, 2009 at 08:35:32 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Quote of the Day (none / 0)

I despise him. That's not what Thomas said at the time or in the lead up to the invasion.
He did say that it was an experiment. The jerk.
He starts out with half of a fact and then makes the rest of it up.
The first sentence in the block quote is too make him look like some kind of literary genius. Idiot.
Why he earns a living as a writer is a sign of the mediocrity that Raygun ushered into fashion. Fool.

by utried on Sun Nov 29th, 2009 at 07:45:42 PM EST

Re: Quote of the Day (none / 0)

lol. I can't take him seriously. But like you, I don't know how he has that job at NYT. I'm sure you've already read this Matt Taibbi "critique" of him but it's fun to re-read.

http://trueslant.com/matttaibbi/2009/04/23/tom-friedman-strikes-again/

by forus50 on Sun Nov 29th, 2009 at 08:06:39 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Quote of the Day (none / 1)

Why send a fist of deterrence to a country not involved with 9/11?

Oh, there you are, Perry. -Phineas -SLB-

by boran2 (blogistan@yahoo.com) on Sun Nov 29th, 2009 at 08:11:21 PM EST

Re: Quote of the Day (none / 1)

Silly Boran. You must grow a mustache.

by BooMan on Sun Nov 29th, 2009 at 08:19:12 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Quote of the Day (none / 1)

Thanks for that.

Oh, there you are, Perry. -Phineas -SLB-

by boran2 (blogistan@yahoo.com) on Sun Nov 29th, 2009 at 08:30:06 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Quote of the Day (none / 1)

Shorter Thomas Friedman - "Powerful men have fragile egos, which must be propped up at any cost".

by keres on Sun Nov 29th, 2009 at 08:50:22 PM EST

Re: Quote of the Day (none / 0)

Note to Thomas Friedman:

We have no idea how to run fair elections in our own country. Our banking system is a mess. Our healthcare system is a mess. Our children isn't learning. We're $11 trillion in the hole. And now we have global warming on our plate.

Perhaps military intervention in two different countries on the other side of the globe isn't such a hot idea at the moment.

by eagleye on Sun Nov 29th, 2009 at 09:47:04 PM EST

Quote of the Day | 10 comments (10 topical, 0 editorial, 0 hidden)

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