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"Lately even the harshest critics of President Bush have been forced to admit maybe he?s right about freedom?s march around the globe. What if we are watching an example of presidential leadership that will be taught in American schools for generations to come? It?s an idea gaining more currency."-- Brian Williams, NBC Nightly News, 8 March
The prosecution: That's wrong, but only because history isn't taught in schools any more. Still, the NBC news crew deserves expulsion from the Loyal Order of News Reporters, and worse. I hereby call for shunning at the toniest parties and relegation to less desirable tables at certain hot spots around town.
The judge: Surely they aren't guilty of such a heinous transgression?
The prosecution: Your honor, I have video...
The defense: Objection!
The judge: Silence. Let's watch television!
After viewing
Judge: (To defense) You disgust me.
(Transcript below fold.)
Update: I tend to agree with what Andrew Sullivan tends to agree with here. (And maybe the post immediately below it too. Can anyone set my mind at ease about the second one?)
NBC NIGHTLY NEWS MARCH 8, 2005
Presidential Leadership
BRIAN WILLIAMS: Lately even the harshest critics of President Bush have been forced to admit maybe he?s right about freedom?s march around the globe. What if we are watching an example of presidential leadership that will be taught in American schools for generations to come? It?s an idea gaining more currency.
Tonight NBC News chief foreign affairs correspondent Andrea Mitchell takes on the question.
ANDREA MITCHELL: Elections in Iraq, Afghanistan and the Palestinian Territories; pro-democracy demonstrations in Lebanon; local elections, at least for men, in Saudi Arabia. Is this an historic turning point, like the fall of the Berlin Wall? And if so, should George Bush get the credit?
DANIELLE PLETKA [foreign policy expert]: President Bush has changed the order of our priorities in the Middle East and has put questions of political and economic reform to the long hand for liberty and democracy. He put those issues at the forefront; that has made a big difference.
MITCHELL: Even some of the president?s critics are rethinking the war in Iraq. Jon Stewart joked about it.
JON STEWART [The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, January 31]: What if Bush is the president ? ours -- has been right about this all along? I feel like my world view will not sustain itself and I may ? and, again, I don?t know if I can physically do this ? implode. [Laughter]
MITCHELL: In fact, the Bush team is getting grudging respect in "old" Europe from opponents of the Iraq war. The German news magazine Der Spiegel wrote: "Now it seems that true freedom of expression and democracy are evolving from that wrongful war. If that?s the case, then there?s good reason to cheer."
Even some Democrats agree.
SEN. CHRISTOPHER DODD [D-Conn.]: So each case, each country, I think there are different motivations; but certainly the president?s policies, having shaken things up in the Middle East, have been part of that dynamic.
MITCHELL: Other experts say the Middle East was poised to move toward democracy and George Bush just got lucky. Most notably, Yasser Arafat?s death last November led to new Palestinian leadership and peace talks with Israel.
And, skeptics say, Lebanon?s divided opposition only came together because of the assassination of former president Rafik Hariri.
SHIBLEY TELHAMI [Middle East expert]: There was tremendous momentum before the Iraq war toward reform in the Arab world.
MITCHELL: Whatever the cause, no one is questioning the powerful appeal of democracy as Arabs see their neighbors voting for the first time.
Andrea Mitchell, NBC News, Washington.
