Give Joel Stein a break. At least he's honest and much more, demonstrates some consistency. I first heard of Steins column yesterday on the way home from work as I listened to Hugh Hewitt rake Stein over the coals. I gotta say, I was impressed with Stein. Not his views of course, but he maintained consistency and said exactly what was on his mind in the face of some very difficult questions. Much more, he actually allowed himself to be asked the hard questions! I wrote Hugh the following email:
I am proud to have served in Afghanistan and Iraq. I returned from Iraq just before Christmas. I'm happy with what we're doing there, and I'm ready and willing to go back and continue the effort.
You shouldn't be any more angry at Joel Stein than anyone else who doesn't support the war in my opinion. I just heard your interview, and to me it was a breath of fresh air. I was happy to hear him say he doesn't support me in my efforts because in saying that he's showing a degree of something nearly every liberal lacks in their views - consistency. What does make me mad, is when people try to eat their cake and have it too by saying they don't support the war, but they do support the troops. That's about as intellectually honest as saying "I don't like telemarketing but I support the telemarketers" would be. At least Stein is showing his true liberal colors.
Joel Stein is a boob, but not because of what he said in his column, but because out of mere bitterness about his side losing elections, or whatever petty political thing it is that makes him angry at the administration and Republicans, he can't connect the dots in the big picture between what our country is doing in Iraq, Afghanistan, and the rest of the world, and this country's long-term well-being.
I don't want or need Joel Steins support.
Actually, some of what Stein said in the interview and in his column does make him a boob, but not the part where he says people who don't support the war, shouldn't support the troops. That's where he's right on.
You can't be against the war and for me. Sorry. I'm invested in the effort. Now I'm not talking to those who'd only say the premise of the war was a mistake, I'm talking about those who accuse us of doing something evil - killing innocents, freedom fighters, and terrorizing the country of Iraq.