Paul Krugman (The New York Times): A Willful Ignorance

[Jack Rabbit]

(Also posted in Editorials)

From the New York Times
Dated Tuesday October 28

A Willful Ignorance
By Paul Krugman

According to The New York Times, President Bush was genuinely surprised to learn from moderate Islamic leaders that they had become deeply distrustful of American intentions. The report on the "perception gap" suggests that the leader of the war on terror has no idea how badly that war — which must, ultimately, be a war for hearts and minds — is going.
Mr. Bush's ignorance may reflect his lack of curiosity: "The best way to get the news," he says, "is from objective sources. And the most objective sources I have are people on my staff." Two words: emperor, clothes.
But there's something broader going on: a sort of willful ignorance, supposedly driven by moral concerns but actually reflecting domestic politics. Surely it's important to understand how others see us, but a new, post 9/11 version of political correctness has made it difficult even to discuss their points of view. Any American who tries to go beyond "America good, terrorists evil," who tries to understand — not condone — the growing world backlash against the United States, faces furious attacks delivered in a tone of high moral indignation. The attackers claim to be standing up for moral clarity, and some of them may even believe it. But they are really being used in a domestic political struggle . . . .
Why is aiding a brutal dictator O.K., while trying to understand why others don't trust us — and doing something to create that trust — isn't? Why won't the administration mollify Muslims by firing Lt. Gen. William Boykin, whose anti-Islamic remarks have created vast ill will, from his counterterrorism position? Why won't it give moderate Muslims a better argument against the radicals by opposing Ariel Sharon's settlement policy, when a majority of Israelis think that some settlements should be abandoned, and even Israeli military officers have become bitterly critical of Mr. Sharon?

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[Classical_Liberal]

1. I like that Paul doesn't back down when threatened!

. He has been on the money most of the time of late.

[Submariner]

2. He is an outstanding political and economics analyst

and he paints an accurate portrait of how hollow and strident Bush really is.

[bpilgrim]

3. i guess its NOT just all in our heads

thank gore he 'invented' the internet :bounce:

great article :toast:

peace

[edzontar]

4. Krugman hits the nail on the head, as usual.

The non-removal of Boykin tells the world that what he said is basically "OK" with the US administration, and paints yet another target on every American's back.

But the pigs in the White house don't care---its like there is a fog of denial and ignorance that completely enshrouds them.

Bush's remarks yesterday that the atacks this week "prove we are making progress" was just the most insane statement yet from these criminals, the worst Us administration in history.

[northzax]

5. the thing I find most ironic

about this administration is the de facto charges of anti-Semitism levelled against anyone who questions Israeli policy, and yet the continued support of those who use anti-semitism to gain policitcal power elsewhere that the middle east. anyone else notice that Putin arrested another "oligarch" yesterday? that he's now arrested what, ten billionaires, all of whom just so happen to be Jews? The lack of concern for anti-semitism elsewhere in the world lead me to disbelieve that charges brought against all those (including myself) who question certain elements of Israeli policy.