Bump
Posted on 03/07/2005 4:35:42 AM PST by governsleastgovernsbest
Historians have pointed to landmark events of recent decades such as the fall of the Berlin wall, the toppling of the Saddam statue in Baghdad and the elections in Afghanistan and Iraq.
But some day, observers, in tracing the advance of liberty and the defeat of freedom's enemies, are likely to mark in red Monday, March 7th at approximately 7:12 AM ET. For that was the day and hour that Katie Couric of The Today Show had very positive things say about foreign policy of President George W. Bush.
The occasion was an interview with NM Governor and former Clinton admin UN Ambassador Bill Richardson. The initial focus was on the incident that took place in Baghdad on Friday. An Italian journalist who had been freed after having been taken hostage, and who was on her way to the airport, was wounded and an Italian intelligence agent killed, when they ran a US barricade.
Today opened the show with an item on the incident, and mentioned more than once the journalist's allegation that she might have been intentionally targeted by US troops, on the theory that the US was showing its disapproval of the tactics of the Italians in negotiating with the hostage takers.
Richardson, to his credit, rejected those allegations out of hand. While acknowledging that the incident put Italian President Berlusconi in a tough position, given the opposition of a majority of Italians to Italian military presence in Iraq, Richardson explained that the vehicle carrying the journalist had ignored hand signal, flashing lights and warning shots while racing through the US barricade at high speed.
Then it was on to a discussion of the pullout of Syrian troops from Lebanon. "How significant is this?" asked Katie.
Richardson: "Very significant. The Bush admin deserves credit for saying that foreign occupiers must go." He added that "in Lebanon, Egypt, and the Palestinian territories a wave of democracy, caused by young people calling for democracy, and by the Bush administration, is happening."
It was then that Katie made her historic declaration. Whereas normally she revels in citing experts, named or unnamed, to condemn the Bush administration, today she stated: "many foreign policy experts are hailing the Bush doctrine."
Richardson concurred, if somewhat grudgingly: "It is working, whether by design or accident. It is sparking a wave of democratic sentiment that might override Muslim fundamentalism and hatred for US and create a generation of young Arabs who view the US positively."
Katie ended the interview with this remarkable-for-her personal comment on developments: "Good news indeed."
Has the liberation of the MSM begun? It's way too early to claim victory, and future setbacks are virtually certain.
But the significance of Couric's acknowledgement this morning should not be underestimated. When even the most intransigent crtics of W's foreign policy not merely acknowledge its success but hail it as "good news," something important is happening.
Today Show flying pig alert.
Richardson is going to run for President in '08. He has lowered taxes in his state and will be a formidable primary candidate.
This flash in the pan is welcome, but I await more of them before I excuse Katie's penchant for bad news about our guys.
Katie might be reading the tea leaves.
No doubt. And the way in which Today prominently featured the story about the injuring of the Italian journalist by our troops reveals the show's inclination. Still . . .
Instead of talking to Katie, he should be looking at stemming the flow of illegals in his home state.
I think you're right. Not only has she witnessed Rather's professional demise, she's surely also noticed the way Fox News has totally trampled CNN in the ratings.
"Richardson concurred, if somewhat grudgingly: "It is working, whether by design or accident."
By accident????
Richardson is definitely running for higher office, but he strikes me as being not very bright.
Richardson would be a wonderful running mate for Hillary.She' needs the Hispanic vote and someone to help fog the minds of the masses that she's a moderate.
Just Damn!
The Dems that want to survive have to come off as centrists at this point. But as soon as circumstances get tough for Bush again, they'll come out with hatchets swinging.
Reading this I just saw vivid bolts of lightning and a chorus of loud thunder on this blue-sky morning!
LOL!
"accident" -- LOL!
Richardson would be tough to beat but the Dems are controlled by women and blacks. Hillary will be their choice.
Agreed - they are surely keeping their powder dry, reading to pounce (mixed metaphor alert) at the first stumble. Even so, Katie's concession this morning was stunning. Something important is happening internationally - and at home.
Any idea how high she ranked on the "Pucker-Factor Scale" when she made these comments?
You'd think she was talking about Hillary being elected Prez. ;-)
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