Friday, February 28, 2003

The Worst Argument Ever (Almost)

Josh Marshall is making it, but he's left open the possibility for redemption:


Unfortunately, we don't have that choice. The administration has already done massive damage to our standing in the world. And they've managed to create facts on the ground -- intentionally and unintentionally -- which make pulling back arguably more dangerous than pushing ahead. The question is no longer what the ideal thing to do is. It's more aptly described as which of the really bad alternatives is best to choose given the jam the administration has backed us into.


First of all - if our standing in the world sucks because we've pissed people off and we're about to go invade a country without their support is it going to get better if we go ahead and invade? This is playground level diplomacy and it is silly. We bully. Bully must follow through on threat or bully can't be bully anymore. Hulk smash!

The one thing which doesn't make this the worst argument ever is if pulling back somehow decreases our security rather than increases it. So, if Josh succeeds in coming through on the second half of this promise:


More soon on what the damage is to our standing in the world and what those facts on the ground are.


then maybe I'll retract. But still this notion that we can improve our standing in the world by continuing down this ridiculous course is indefensible.