Comments on: No end in sight

By: Joe Erwin

Joe Erwin — Wed, 15 Aug 2007 17:53:58 +0000

Replacement of Saddam Hussein’s autocracy with
something better probably was a worthy enough
goal, but the mechanism of doing that was, indeed,
flawed from the beginning. Even with a misguided
start, the post-Saddam era could have been managed
in ways that would have been constructive. But,
clearly that was not the case. That phase was
managed with arrogance and cultural naivete
(read, insensitivity and ignorance). America’s
reputation in the world has been seriously damaged.
Do I have to wait for this to come to a theater to
see it? Colleagues and I have established a nonpartisan,
nonsectarian, nonprofit Institute in our rural area
to bring information and understanding to our group
and our neighbors. There is no theater very near
here. How can we get a copy of this film to show
locally?

By: Stephen Cassels

Stephen Cassels — Tue, 07 Aug 2007 10:06:29 +0000

Democracy is all about discussing things publicly, that means being open to learn something new from anywhere you can. I commend your post. I cannot understand the apparent inability of some people to look openly at things, namely that discussing US Policy in Iraq does not automatically mean disloyalty to the US, to Bush, to US troops or the Constitution. Such an approach smacks of “reds under the bed” and McCarthyism.
Surely the prime qualities of a US President are to be a good manager, good at picking people to delegate to, a good listener and experienced in World Affairs. You might be able to wing it on all of these but for world affairs; its a pity Bush junior wasn’t as worldy as his ex CIA director dad. “The Best and the Brightest” illustrated that you can have the best managers of a generation but still get it horribly wrong. If only all US Presidents had a PHD in US Foreign Relations.

By: Einar Moos

Einar Moos — Tue, 07 Aug 2007 02:40:58 +0000

It is time we tell the truth.

When I mailed Glenn Reynolds instapundit.com to stop sending out lies before the invasion, there was radio silence.

Some people now waking up late makes me feel that perhaps there is still hope in the US. and everyone from the the web has the duty to react. But it is too late.

The hope is thin, though, since you all still drive cars and make a lot of money enabling you to converse with neo-con conspirators not knowing who you drive with or work for who make money from death and destruction.

It is a sorry sight to see the USA going down this way.

By: Sean McGee

Sean McGee — Mon, 06 Aug 2007 20:35:40 +0000

I’m not going to remove this feed even though I don’t like discussing politics.

And, I still like your stuff.

“web design news & info.” Maybe if you add a comma (i.e. “web design, news & info” people wouldn’t be so surprised.

Keep up the good work.

By: Dean Collins

Dean Collins — Sun, 05 Aug 2007 21:46:13 +0000

Joe Dempsey, Sr. – I’m sure you guys will be fighting to get to the front of the line to see yet another Bush hate fest. Maybe y’all can split a large pop corn.

By: Matt Robin

Matt Robin — Sun, 05 Aug 2007 19:47:46 +0000

Adam: ….’the US had no business being there in the first place.’

That might be the case – please tell anyone in world politics who is going to listen to what you have to say.

Will they admit to it? Probably not.
Will they care? Doubtful.
Are power-politics issued via total force more important than human life in cash-rich, oil field center of the world? The American government has already made your decision for you. How will you vote in the next election eh?

By: Adam Greenfield

Adam Greenfield — Sun, 05 Aug 2007 02:27:47 +0000

“Intemperate,” even.

By: Adam Greenfield

Adam Greenfield — Sun, 05 Aug 2007 02:25:26 +0000

No, sorry, I apologize: that was intemporate. My blood boils, though, when I think of everything human and material and intangible that’s been squandered in this enterprise.

I shouldn’t be taking that out on you.

By: Adam Greenfield

Adam Greenfield — Sun, 05 Aug 2007 01:55:55 +0000

NO END IN SIGHT somberly chronicles the principal initial errors of U.S. policy in Iraq: insufficient troop levels; allowing the looting of Baghdad; purging professionals from the Iraqi government; and disbanding the Iraqi army. Nonsense, Jeffrey. The "principal initial error of U.S. policy in Iraq" was invading Iraq in the first place, when it served no clear strategic purpose whatsoever, and, in fact, manifestly made American strategic objectives in the region harder to achieve. The "good idea, pursued badly" take on the needless war of choice the United States prosecuted in Iraq is as pernicious and intellectually dishonest as any of the increasingly nonsensical justifications the Administration spews. No End In Sight may accurately relate the sad consequences of the US involvement in Iraq, for all parties, but it irresponsibly muddies what should be the central historical point: the US had no business being there in the first place.

By: Yarthur

Yarthur — Sun, 05 Aug 2007 01:10:37 +0000

Let’s “get real”? Please. The REAL reason Maui is jumping off this blog, is that his albino half-cousin was abducted by extraterrestrial siamese twins on there way to the Brockian Ultra-Cricket match.

I don’t even know if Maui is a “he”, and neither does 99% of those who’ve read this far. Who cares? Maui did what maui did. You only add to the ridiculous if you claim to know the truth. You make as many similar blunders as a certain, more-on-topic film points out, and it gets us nowhere, either here or there.

Mr. Zeldman, I’m sorry. I’ll stay away, or on topic from now on.

By: Don Ulrich

Don Ulrich — Sat, 04 Aug 2007 21:28:42 +0000

I don’t quite know why I am responding to this post. Other than GWB jr and his fathers friends have sold out America. It is hard for me to speak of the crap he has done without getting upset. He and business associates are treasonist bastards with a myopic perspective.

Good film Jeffrey.

By: Brian Warshaw

Brian Warshaw — Sat, 04 Aug 2007 18:47:38 +0000

Let’s get real here. Maui is not upset because this post ain’t web-related. He didn’t post about his impending departure when Jeff wrote about the iPhone or about the explosion in NYC. Jeff deviates from the supposed point all the time. The problem for Maui is that he doesn’t share the opinion of those who recognize that the so-called greatest nation can have flawed foreign policy from time to time. I heartily doubt that he would have taken offense if jeff’s opinion had been more in harmony with his own.

By: Joe Dempsey, Sr.

Joe Dempsey, Sr. — Sat, 04 Aug 2007 14:02:15 +0000

@Dean Collins: It’s not that the Bush Admin made mistakes in Iraq, it’s what mistakes the Bush Admin made in Iraq that is the point of the movie. And if it is an anti-Bush film, then we sure could use more of those. I, for one, plan to see it.

@Jeffrey: Speak you mind, sir, and let the tongues wag!

By: Joe Yearwood

Joe Yearwood — Sat, 04 Aug 2007 11:28:00 +0000

I can only say one thing and it might not be much. There’s too many CHIEFS and not enough INDIANS! No offence to anyone, just an old saying. Too many cooks spoil the broth! But then, is there anyone in politics that is wise enough to do a good job. probably not. Iraq needs to stand on its own feet sometime. I’m not saying right now,but soon. We could be there for 20 years and they will still do what they want after we leave.

By: Joe Grossberg

Joe Grossberg — Sat, 04 Aug 2007 00:29:20 +0000

I won’t go so far as “maui”, and very well might check out this film, but I do hope that zeldman.com doesn’t become excessively political — especially as we approach the 2008 US elections. I live in Washington, DC and I look to web design blogs as one way to avoid all the political clamor around me.