Punditry In Motion

Scanning the words of the pundits this week...

• Arnaud de Borchgrave (The Washington Times) - An interesting perspective on one of the roots of terrorism and a glance into the process of terrorist "beginnings." It is not Islam at all; it is a radical, politicized form of Islam that is proposed by the Saudis and their seemingly endless funds for "education." de Borchgrave argues that this kind of Wahhabist rhetoric is not absent in the United States and might find a ready audience. How far can we go in following the free flow of information, especially religious information? Is this a good indication of terrorist formation/support? I suspect that this is another roadblock and issue of contention in our difficult relationship with Saudi Arabia, a relationship that we must reassess and work to repair. The Saudis are a valuable ally in the region but, as the 9/11 Commission report pointed out, we neeed a relationship not based only on oil.
• Larry Elder - His column this week (and most other weeks) proves that he is one of the few sensible people in America and is not afraid of the taboos or reservations of an over-sensitive society. There should be no issue that is so dangerous that it cannot be discussed. Elder is fearless. C'mon, Larry! Give up the trashy talk shows and Moral Court and go legit! The people must be told!
• Christopher Hitchens - Hitchens confronts an issue this week that I feel is important for people to understand. Iraq and Vietnam are really apples and oranges. They cannot really be as closely be conflated as they are. I suspect that feelings of failure and lack of purpose stand at the center of this analogy. We seemingly failed in Vietnam and it seems that we are doing the same in Iraq. Many think that it is a "created situation," where we have no business intruding. Vietnam is a synonym for failure in war and foreign policy that has become a part of the American cultural imagination. This does not make right, just popular. I guess it is just more convienent to use an analogy than actually probing the causes and facts. Sad but true.

Keep watching the wonks!