Sunday, March 17, 2002, updated 2:15 PM EST (APJP)  -- Considering the fact that today is St. Patrick's Day, there was surprisingly little mention of Catholic or Irish politics.  But then, it isn't the same world it was a year ago.  The pundit shows spent nearly all their time on the "war on terrorism", violence in the Middle East, the Borking of Judge Pickering, Lott's revenge for Pickering's defeat at the committee level, and even passing mention of the possible filibuster (and likely passage) of campaign finance reform.

Here's the run-down:
 

FAUX News Sunday
Citizen McCain turns left?

Tony Snow knows how to hype an issue like few others in the world of television punditry.  On the matter of Judge Charles Pickering's defeat, Tony previewed his FNS interview with Don "Senator in a Drum" Nickles (Dinosaur-NB) with words like "smack-down" and "payback".  This viewer was left wondering if Tony had watched a little too much of last evening's pay-per-view broadcast of "WrestleMania X8".

But the first guest was one of out favorites at APJ, the seldom soft-spoken Sen. John McCain (R-AZ).  Tony asked what McCain thought of terror bombings in Pakistan and Jerusalem; McCain said it serves to underline the dangers of the present world and the need to work closely with Pakistan.  He did say Pakistan's leader Pervez Musharraf is not completely in control -- which was more than just a hint that McCain is skeptical not only of Musharraf's ability to rein in Jihadists but of Smirk's seeming unconditional support of the present Pakistani regime.

And speaking of control, McCain had some terse words for Palestinian Authority boss Yassir Arafat: JJ slammed Arafat for a de facto policy of tit-for-tat killing and said he was skeptical as to whether Arafat was indeed in control of Palestinian radical elements.  Tony asked whether Anthony Zinni should be back there (a hint of FAUX News's flirtation with supporting Smirk-o-lationism); McCain insisted the US must remain engaged.  There are difficult issues, he said, especially on the matter of settlements, but Israel and Palestinians need to make peace or there is a danger of regional escalation.

McCain gave the boilerplate "regime change" and "clear and present danger" answer when talk turned to Iraq and Saddam Hussein.  This time, said McCain, Saddam will not be left in charge if there is a fight; any objective observer, he added, would be happy to see Saddam removed, but there has to be a "methodical process" of removing him (meaning support of internal Iraqi dissidents and, perhaps, assassination?).  Will there be military action by the end of the year?  McCain would not say, but did claim there is a viable opposition in Iraq (which leads us to conclude that it's more than a matter of desire on the part of el junta Smirkista, and plans and orders are already falling into place).

Tony then turned to the story being flogged by the Moonie Times: Navy pilot Scott Speicher supposedly being held as a prisoner by Iraq.  McCain said there's enough evidence for Speicher to be declared an MIA.

McCain seemed to imply that he might not be able to fight an anti-campaign-finance-reform filibuster, but there's been a seven-year fight for reform and it's time for concrete action (translation: outta my way, Smirky Boy).  Tony tried to slam the millions in federal funds that would go into "get out the vote" programs (which conventional thinking says benefits Democrats more than the GOP, but bet your bottom dollar for Republicans to find a way to jury-rig funding), and McCain replied the bigger issue is special interest money corrupting politics.

Tony said that nonprofit organizations will become the new power players (oh, please - right-wing nonprofits already ARE power players, pumping out propaganda for hard-right candidates and hate radio); McCain essentially said that independent ad money for negative ads is a subversion of freedom of speech (pre-empting the loony right's claim that equates money with speech).  Tony slammed "leftist" People for the American Way for lobbying against Charles Pickering; McCain said that auto manufacturers and labor killed emissions controls with THEIR special interest money!

Holy Hannah! McCain's turning into a Liberal right before our eyes!

The next guest: Lou'zeeana Sen. John Breaux.  Topic one: those visas granted to two 9/11 hijackers!  Breaux, naturally, called for more than reforms -- he wants firings.  Brit Hume asked who made the mistake; Breaux said the approval was granted last summer and the mailing of the visas was a snafu. Brit had thought they were here on student visas; Breaux corrected him, saying that they were on business visas. Breaux wants the military dragged into enforcement of immigration issues.

Now, let's stop for a minute.  Seems like more than a snafu to us -- the receipt of these visas some nine months after they were granted almost seems calculated to make headlines and trigger outcries for massive reform.  Not to be too cynical, but it seems to us that a staged "snafu" is just about the ideal way to drive the sort of "reform" envisioned by the Shrub's handlers.  Looks like the sort of thing Karl Rove would dream up.

Talk turned to the next potential attack on America; Breaux ruled out airplanes, and thinks surface ship cargo containers are the most likely vehicle for the next attack.

Brit turned to Pickering "payback" -- accusing Democrats of doing so as some sort of revenge for the GOP (and Orrin Hatch in particular) holding up the highly qualified appointees Bill Clinton sought to elevate to the appellate courts.  Breaux acknowledged there is talk that this was Democrat come-uppance.  What if Pickering were pro-choice -- would that have swayed Democrats?  Breaux was noncommittal.  Was that the issue?  Breaux said no -- there are big questions about his civil rights record.

Note that many of the pundits are implicitly asking, "Is this a case of Rowe v. Wade being a litmus test?"  This is EXACTLY what the Smirk White House wants asked -- to inflame evangelical crazies and Catholics.  And note the Bogus POTUS going out of his way to coddle conservative Midwest Catholics with his appearance at the Chicago St. Patrick's Day parade.

Tony said (in the form of a question) that Democrats have damaged themselves; Breaux scoffed; Tony quoted Georgia Senator Zell Miller (not exactly a mainstream Democrat), who supported Pickering, and even sneakily dragged Terry McAuiffe's name into the fray (McAuliffe is a regular target of GOP smears). Breaux said Zell is a "straight-talkin' guy" but still scoffed.  He also said it's not fair to judge a region by the actions of one man, i.e. Pickering.

What a slam!  But it was a missed opportunity: Breaux should have spelled out in terms simple enough for even a conservative to understand that there are serious questions about Pickering's civil rights positions - so serious that they place him far outside mainstream judicial philosophy.

Will Tipper Gore run?  Breaux didn't know but said she's a solid candidate.  Brit slammed her for lacking Lamar Alexander's experience (right -- his experience losing to Bob Dole in the '96 primaries - Tipper has never lost to a loser-to-be).

The next guest: Nickles.  Tony almost seemed gleeful that Lott seeks "retribution" for Pickering's deserved Borking.  Nickles was indignant -- this is, he said, "unheard of!"  But Tony pointed out that Hatch had told Bill Clinton, a legitimate president, not to even "think of" nominating certain persons Hatch saw as too liberal (in fact, Clinton's record of nominating centrists is well-documented).  Nickles claimed that there had been an anti-Pickering "character assassination" campaign.  Hold it, said Tony -- aren't GOPers guilty of doing to Clinton just what the Democrats did to Smirky?  Nickles LIED, saying there's "never been a litmus test."

Baloney, Nickles -- there is.  Member of the Federalist Society?  You're in.  Support a woman's right to choose?  You're out.

Tony said that Daschle's FCC nominee will be blocked -- along with financing for the Senate Judiciary Committee.  Nickles said, "There's lotsa ways of getting their attention" -- Nickles cited one Judge Estrada, emphasizing that he's "hu-SPANN-ic" and "an outstanding nominee," and his hearing is being held up.  Juan Williams theorized that Democrats are laying down firm precedents as a signal concerning Supreme Court nominees; Nickles whined that the Pickering mess is a "hatchet job."

Tony then turned to Daschle's reaction to Lott's threats: in essence, shutting down every appointment.  Nickles, who must be under the delusion that Republicans are still in the majority, whined that his party leader's nominees are not being approved, blaming "the leadership in the Senate" (translation: smearing Daschle) and claiming that Democrats are cooperating on "homeland security" and national defense but warring on all other matters.   Nickles added that Condi Rice isn't called before the Senate; why Tom Ridge?

Well, Don, for one thing, he's doing a half-assed job as Homeland Security boss.  He's a joke - just like his alleged boss.  You've gotta love it when hard-righters like Nickles show up on FAUX News Sunday to whimper like babies every time one of their schemes or officials is given a whupping - citing, of course, the most hypocritical arguments imaginable.  Nickles did not disappoint - he was a magnificently childish churl.

Will campaign finance reform pass?  Nickles said yes -- but then slammed campaign finance reform supporters for running "negative" ads.  And for once, Nickles was nearly right when he observed that if CFR passes, the networks won't go broke, and newspapers will see some revenues.

Panel time!  Topic one -- the FReeping of Alec Baldwin's web site. Tony said he'd received hate mail (but didn't discuss the organized harassment of Baldwin by thugs over at "Free So Long As You're Not a Liberal Republic").  Mara talked Borking and payback: "I don't know where this goes" but it sends a signal on Supremo Family...er, supreme Court candidates.  Juan said that this sends a signal -- in so many words, Rowe v. Wade IS a litmus test. Brit acknowledged that obscure candidates can be quietly rejected -- but Smirk made this a high-profile nomination and Democrats rejected him, tying it to "left" organizations such as PFAW (leftist -- PFAW? -- more like anti-big-government).  Mara said Clinton would not make a fight, nominating moderates for the court; Brit sneered "Ruth Bader Ginsburg, a moderate?"  Juan said in so many words that Smirk is out to politicize the judiciary. Brit claimed that the underlying fight is Rowe v. Wade.

Mara said this is an issue for many political interest groups, and Smirk admitted he was looking at judges' ideology.

And therein lies the problem -- President Bunny-Pants may be the last hope of Federalist Society neo-fascists to destroy our courts, and they know it.

Talk turned to the Middle East, and news that Big Time Cheney will meet with Palestinians; Mara mocked the Smirk Team for not even wanting to get involved, and now there is a question of whether in fact Cheney has a political agenda; Brit forecast promises and pledges followed by violence, blaming Arafat.

Juan said that the key may in fact be Saudi Prince Abdullah; Brit said he's changed his mind (but has he? Can you take his assertion on its face or did he say it to pressure Israel?).

Tony decided to insult Tipper Gore, but it backfired when Juan called her a sensible voice for moderation when he and Tipper had discussed rap on Oprah.

Tony's final word: on a high school's satirical decision to name their intramural team the "Fightin' Whities".  Tony's conclusion -- laughter can cure racism.

Note that the "Fightin' Whities" flap is laced with the sort of irony that was supposedly dead in the wake of September 11th.  Also note that cable news TV has "embraced" the issue of a politically incorrect name and missing the much-intended satire.

-- Donna Wynner
 
 

Face the Nation

Although less volatile than most of the other pundit shows, Face The Nation with Bob Schieffer and Gloria Borger had two relative heavyweights on today: Future Presidential Candidate (tm) Senator Tom Daschle (D-SD) and future speaker of the phrase "I have no comment on the charges", Orrin "Scorin'" Hatch (R-Satan's Minion).

Unfortunately, they were separate appearances; I'd love to see Daschle shred Hatch's smarmy bullcrap in a head-to-head deathmatch.

And has anyone checked how many fingers Hatch has on his hand?  If he had a mustache and pointy beard, this guy would look and sound like the "6 fingered man" in "The Princess Bride" - I'm just waiting for Inigo Montoya to show up.

Choosing to start with the sane voice (happily leaving the claptrap as the main course), Tom Daschle is live from Grand Rapids, SD.  First topic: the Muddled East.  As more violence stained Anthony Zinni's announcement of "progress", with a suicide bombing in Jerusalem and shooting in Tel Aviv, the Junta is planning to offer CIA monitors in Palestinian jails and offices.  Good idea, asked Bob?

Yes, replied Tom; our presence is the only thing offering the stability required to begin talks.  Without a presence, we can't be "optimistic" about the future.  Setbacks by radicals will always be possible, but unless we're there, we have no possibility of success.  Bob asked if we have a reason to be optimistic at all, and Tom brought up Sharon's and Palestine's inching closer to being in the same room.  Also, our willingness to "be engaged and assert ourselves" is an opportunity to produce results in 48-72 hours.

I'd bet The Occupant would agree -- it sounds like Big Dick Cheney has been told in so many words that the rest of the world won't get in line with their plans to produce "Iraq Part Deux" with the situation in Palestine completely unresolved.  Maybe they should have thought of that when they chose to abandon Clinton's efforts to get some agreement.

Gloria moved on to domestic policy: Tom "Red Light/Green Light" Ridge refuses to testify on Capitol Hill, claiming advisor privileges.  Both Dems and Repugs say he should; should he?

Daschle took the opportunity to dismantle the "administrative advisor" hoohaw by pointing out that Bush the Wonder Dog claims that creating a homeland defense system is second only to fighting "tairra".  That involves setting budget, asking for appropriations, and involves coordinating with the Junta and Congress.  Communication, both official and unofficial, is important.

I don't know why Daschle is complaining.  Ridge has done a heck of a job in picking 5 colors to represent how pissed off the rest of the world is at us and our policies, and it only took him 5 months!  And those are tough colors to choose - I like how "red" represents "danger".  Going out on a limb, there, aren'tcha Ridge?

Daschle continued to point out that Ridge is basically administering a program, with the rights and privileges of a cabinet officer, and ought to be treated as such.  Gloria pressed for an answer as to whether a subpoena would be forthcoming if Ridge kept dodging, and Daschle essentially said that though it wasn't his first choice, it was a way to break an "untenable impasse".  Bob pushed the "cabinet position" question, and Daschle agreed with Joe Lieberman - the position has "tremendous responsibility", and a cabinet position makes "a good deal of sense".

Bob tried to compare the position to Condi Rice's "advisory role" (such as picking up Junior's rattle when it falls on the floor), but Daschle busted that argument by pointing out that Ridge is acting as an administrator today, not purely as an advisor. He SHOULD have said that he'll buy that argument as soon as Condi starts calling her own press conferences to announce things like the "Terror Color Pie Chart".

Gloria slid into the Pickering debacle; Dems voted along party lines to kill the nomination in committee, and Trent "It's a plot" Lott was whining.  Gloria asked, with even Sen. Breaux saying it should have gone to the floor, is there any chance of a reversal or overruling?

Daschle, after correcting Gloria by pointing out that what Breaux had actually said was that the committee "should have reported out without a recommendation", said that it would be "unprecedented in all of American history" to circumvent the judicial committee process in this case, and that if it happens, we might as well eliminate the committee entirely.  He believes the committee should have autonomy, and he will respect that.

Basically, it's another hypocritical stance by the Pugs when they don't get what they want, and Daschle won't give in.

Bob tried to push the "ABA recommendation" question, but Daschle shut him down by pointing out that he's always said that the ABA should be "taken into consideration", but not be the only criterion.  He finally mentioned the "ethical lapses" on Pickering's part, and the civil and women's rights groups in opposition to Pickering.  Bob brought up the multiracial delegation from Pickering's home state, including Medgar Evers' brother, that came to DC in support of Pickering.  Daschle said he respects their opinions, but also those of the many civil rights advocates who completely oppose Pickering.

It's always laughable when the Conservatives trot out any and every minority or woman who even vaguely supports their cause du jour; it is ridiculously reminiscent of the bigot's rally cry of "Some of my best friends are black!".  Never mind that the vast majority of civil rights advocates oppose Pickering -- what about this black guy we dug up who supports him!

Gloria led into the "tit for tat" situation -- Toupee Trent is holding up a $1.5M request on the part of the judicial committee to look into FBI counterterrorism, and holding up Daschle's former staffer's FCC nomination, and Gloria asked for Daschle's response. Daschle took the high road, pointing out that this was simply Lott's "lashing out" at someone who had nothing to do with the Pickering situation, and he hopes Lott will reconsider.  He also took a swipe at the idea that the Dems are using the situation in some unusual way by pointing out that the Senate has confirmed 41 nominations already, more than the Repugs did in any year they held the majority, and that the Pugs did not confirm one single circuit court judge in '96, while the present majority has done 7 in 9 months.

Bob asked a quick question about a potential upcoming filibuster on finance reform, and Daschle made a crack about having already brought in the cots.  He's confident he has the votes to pass it, and expects it will be done by Friday, "easy or hard".  Bob also asked about Tipper Gore's potential Senate run possibly hurting Al's chances in '04, which Daschle dismissed.

If Daschle can get his act together and keep pressing home the point that the Emperor has no clothes, Gore might not be an issue; Daschle could take on Boy George himself. This guy looks more presidential than Bush Baby with every appearance.

After a break, Warrin' Orrin Hatch was on deck.  Bob immediately asked about any potential Pickering fallout, giving Hatch a chance to start selling the ABA rating, which he said the Dems have previously called "the Gold Standard".  He thinks Dems want to continue the "Old South" reputation, completely ignoring the fact that Pickering is upholding that tradition just fine by himself.  He claimed that the "outside groups" that Daschle said opposed Pickering were all "Warshin'ton based", and were far left groups that "never surface" until there is a Republican President.  He doesn't seem to make the connection that they probably only need to get vocal BECAUSE there is a Republican President, but then he's never been swift on the uptake in that area.

Bob brought up Lott's "payback" comment and the Daschle staffer block, and Hatch had the gall to claim that they were obviously "unrelated", that Trent simply felt the staffer unqualified.  Gloria pressed the $1.5M being withheld by Lott from the judicial committee again, and Hatch actually smiled as he claimed that the committee was already "heavily funded" - apparently Hatch has no problem handing back money if he can stick it to the Dems...and the country.  I hope they keep a tape of Hatch claiming they're already "heavily funded" for the next time the REPUBLICANS want more money for that committee.

Bob mentioned the Nickels threat; if "something" doesn't happen, Republicans will have to "get the attention" of Dems -- what does that mean, asked Bob?  Hatch replied "I don't know; I'd prefer we treat people with dignity and decency".  The fact that he can say
this with a straight face while thinking about the fishing expedition we watched go through Clinton's pants is a testimony to his serious nature.

Bob actually pointed out that 3 of Clinton's choices never even made it TO the committee, much less were ever given a hearing in it and released to the floor, and that Pickering at least got a hearing.  Hatch got testy, saying they were put up late, that there were "objections" (of course ignoring the objections against Pickering), and that there were objections by the Senators involved.  He claims the Repugs did a "better job" than the Dems.

And he's right; they did a better job of holding a grudge, and of not even letting it get to the committee hearing level.  Something to be proud of, to be sure.

Bob asked Borin' Orrin if Ridge should testify; Hatch played the "right hand person" advisor card, and claimed it was "highly unusual" to demand that an advisor should testify, especially Ridge, who is "busy handling a problem".  Not too busy to teach the country about the visual spectrum, apparently, but he's too busy, damn it!  Bob got in a shot referring to Ridge's asking for money to go to certain agencies, and who gets what, but Hatch still claimed that Ridge is simply advising Junior, and that Bush is making the decisions.

Jesus wept, what a choice; Ridge or Bush?  Who's least likely to make a fatal mistake? Can I use a lifeline?

Hatch finished with the claim that the acting President is doing a "good job", and in a shocking personal revelation, that he "agrees with" the Chief Chimp that Ridge shouldn't be called in front of Congress "all day".  Shocker, huh, that Hatch agrees with Junior? This is why we love Orrin - he's always willing to go out on a limb...and crap on your car.

Bob's Final Word was about how the Oscars are causing "negative campaiging" just like politics.  If that's true, then thankfully SOMEONE might notice it in the movie business and start taking it seriously in politics too.

-- Art Layman

Meet the Priss
The Russian is coming!

A gleeful Tim Russert gloated at the top of MTP about his booking coup: a taped interview with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Ivanov.  But before it began, Tim reviewed overnight violence in the Middle East and Pakistani, and the latest moves to tamp the situation down by Cheney and Zinni.

Talk between Tim and Ivanov turned first to Smirk's nuclear proliferation plans being in part a result of instability on Russia's border and one official's assertion that relations may worsen between the US and Russia -- while there is a move to reduce the number of nukes.  Ivanov said that there are indeed problems on Russia's periphery (emphasis on periphery) - and admitted he is envious of the US having just two neighbors.  The idea of reducing the number of nukes is being seriously considered, he said.

Tim brought up the issue of "shelving" vs. dismantlement.  Ivanov brought up the dangers of old warheads, which should be scrapped, but warned "the devil is in the details."  Tim cited an NIC report claiming that Russian nuclear material has been stolen or gone missing.  Ivanov categorically denied that weapons-grade material has been stolen, but did say that some parties had tried to sell isotopes as weapons-grade nuclear material.  All weapons-grade material, said Ivanov, is safe and secure.

Has the US campaign in Afghanistan been a success?  That depends on the definition of success: big terrorist bands have been dispersed, but the public should not be overly optimistic; it will, he concluded, take years to destroy Al Qaeda.  How did the US do it so quickly when "Russia" lost thousands of soldiers?  Ivanov corrected Tim -- it was the Soviet Union, not Russia, that invaded Afghanistan -- and said that the war is not over.  Tim brought up Osama's alleged activities in Chechnya -- where is he?  Ivanov thinks he's still alive in or near Afghanistan.  Will he be captured?  It may take years, said Ivanov, but he will be, "and should be captured" (that was a definite signal to George II, who has reneged on his promise to bring Osama to justice or bring justice to Osama).

Tim then turned to reports of an unprecedented sharing of intelligence between the US and Russia. Ivanov would not confirm it, but did admit that US military intelligence officers are attending Russian anti-terrorism briefings.  Ivanov also said that old enemies have now teamed up -- and yes, there may be spying on each other, but even the US spies on its long-term allies!

Tim mentioned that Iraq owes Russia $8 billion and a lot of oil, and there may be the opinion that Iraq will be better without Saddam.  Ivanov said there might be a problem, and it's time for UN monitors to have unfettered and complete access to Iraqi weapons -- and if they're gone, it is time to lift sanctions (which sounded like the "carrot").  But if they're there, he said with particular emphasis, action should be taken (can you say "stick?").

Tim brought up the claim that Mohammad Atta met with an Iraqi intelligence agent in the Czech Republic (a story that is now disputed in some circles), and Ivanov again said he has issues with going after Saddam now.

Tim brought up Russia's having helped Iran with its nuclear technology -- and Ivanov categorically denied that they are helping a weapons program, but are helping with a power plant program.  Are you afraid of Iran with nukes?  Ivanov practically answered, "That depends on what the meaning of afraid is" before saying that he is concerned about proliferation in general (not a very convincing answer, but what else can he say?).

Talk turned to the Middle East, and Ivanov said that pressure must be put on both sides to stop the violence -- and pointed out that many Israelis who have been killed are Russian-speaking Israelis.  Likewise, he said, Israel should take their actions down a notch and other Middle East nations should work to encourage all parties to sotp fighting.

Ivanov then said that Smirk's assertion that the Cold War is over is "visionary" -- and the Cold War itself overpowered both the Soviet and US bureaucracies.

The final question -- a reference to Joe McCarthy on MTP fifty years ago -- and Tim asked that magic question: "Are you or have you ever been a member of the Communist Party?"  Ivanov, with a sly and good-humored chuckle, said yes!

This was far and away the best interview Tim has conducted since September 11th.

Tim's next guests: Tom Friedman and Bill Kristol.

Tim read part of a Friedman column focusing on the fueling of anti-Israel and anti-US feelings in the Arab World.  Friedman elaborated, explaining that there are three factors: the Intifada, an Arab population explosion marching toward workplace age, and the rise of media feeding Intifada imagery to youth.  Friedman fears that this environment will eventually foment mass slaughter as someone launches an attack on Israel with a weapon of mass destruction.

Tim turned to Kristol, describing polls that show that Arabs do not believe their fellow Arabs carried out the September 11th attacks by a factor of five out of six.  Kristol described anti-Jewish propaganda in the state-run Saudi press, and the myth about blood in Purim bread.  He also described Arab regimes as oligarchic and anti-Democratic (which may not be far from the truth, but largely ignores moves by pragmatic political leaders and businessmen in the Arab world to drop the propaganda and modernize).

Tim turned back to Friedman, and his argument that the proliferation of small weapons of mass destruction (i.e. suitcase-size nukes) means that Israel is doomed.  Friedman said secular Palestinians are now launching suicide attacks and it is essential that the US work to shut down the Intifada.

Tim then played video footage of Snippy George in a rare moment of equanimity, slamming Ariel Sharon for stepping up violence.  Kristol bristled at what he felt was Smirk having said Israel has no right to self-defense (which should come as no surprise to anyone familiar with Kristol's politics), but thinks there must be more US involvement -- possibly including troops (which goes against the proto-isolationism he and his magazine, the Weakly Scammer...um, Weekly Standard, was pushing up to September 11th of last year).  Tim turned to a report in USA Today quoting an Al Fatah official saying Arafat has ordered suicide bombings -- what do we do?  Friedman mentioned something seldom discussed in the US media: the "secular phenomena" of suicide bombings among Palestinians, and added that Kristol is on the right track: the essential problem is that Israel must leave occupied territory, and the Palestinian authority cannot be trusted.  And, he added, "you cannot do Iraq" until the Israel-Palestine problem is defused.

Tim pointed out that Osama has suddenly embraced the Palestinian issue -- one he had ignored up until September 11th.  Now the Arab League is meeting, and may go forward with a peace plan including recognition and respect of Israel.  Kristol said that Arabs could have helped Palestinians but never have, instead cynically using the Palestinian issue to fuel anti-Israel policy (somehow he forgot that Jordan has in fact lent haven and support to Palestinians).  He argued that the Palestinian problem is being used to fuel extremist Wahabi Islam.  If there is a reasonably pro-Western Iraqi regime, he added, it could be the linchpin to establishing a stabilized region.

Tin asked Friedman about Saudi Prince Abdullah's plan for peace with and recognition of Israel.  Friedman cited three schools of Muslim socio-political thinking: Osama's infidel-free school, the Syrian "get more from and give less to Israel" school, and the Jordanian school that says a failure to pluralize dooms the region to poverty and failure.  An enraged population, said Friedman, will destroy the House of Saud's ability to govern -- and Abdullah's decision to speak about a peace plan was a de facto coup.

So why shouldn't the US tell the Arab League to normalize relations with Israel? Kristol thinks we should -- and also tell them to stop exporting Wahabi Islam, which is destabilizing even southeast Asia.

What happens if Arab nations "weasel out"?  Friedman said that having Powell knock heads with Israel and Palestine is one approach; the other is to call Arab nations on their bullshit using Egypt vs. South Korea during the period 1953-2002 as an example of the failure of non-modernized regimes.  In effect, tell them they're lost.  Kristol said that there are plausible hawkish and dovish Israeli views, and maybe the Sharansky approach, tough on terrorists but generous to Palestinians, is a workable solution.

Tim then related Al Gore's criticism of Smirk's prosecution of the war on terror (along with an unflattering picture of Big Al).  Kristol slammed Gore; Friedman said that the problem is that Smirk's policy is one-dimensional, and components such as trade and governance must be promoted.

-- JJ Balzer
 

Later today: more Pap!
 

JJ Balzer is a former television news producer.  He lives in New York City.

Donna Wynner is an entertainment lawyer.  She lives with a black labrador and a housetrained husband in Fort Lee, New Jersey.