Tuesday, August 29, 2006
Another Walt & Mearsheimer sighting
Dana Milbank today properly mocks John Mearsheimer and Stephen Walt, of the infamous Israel Lobby theory, as he writes on the professors’ talk to CAIR (Council on American-Islamic Relations). Pronouncing Blame on the Israel Lobby
“Blurring the line between academics and activism, they accepted a button proclaiming "Fight the Israel Lobby" and won cheers from the Muslim group for their denunciation of Israel and its friends in the United States”
I’ve made no secret of my absolute disdain for the professors' (lack of) scholarship on this matter (here, here and here) and this report of their comments will not cause me to revisit such judgment. For instance, there’s this:
But, he added, "If …hadn't captured those soldiers, the war would have come in October anyway." Hezbollah's raid drew Israeli action sooner and "deprived the Israelis of the element of surprise," he said. CNN.com : Soldiers' abductions a mistake
Oops, sorry – that was Hezbollah leader Nasrallah in a recent interview. Here’s Mr. Mersheimer:
“Clenching the lectern so tightly his knuckles whitened, Mearsheimer accused Israel of using the kidnapping of its soldiers by Hezbollah as a convenient excuse to attack Lebanon.
"Israel had been planning to strike at Hezbollah for months," he asserted. "Key Israelis had briefed the administration about their intentions."
“A questioner asked if he had any "hard evidence" for this accusation. Mearsheimer cited the "public record" and "Israeli civilian strategists," then repeated the allegation that Israel was seeking "a cover for launching this offensive."
Such scholarship - Chicago is lucky to have him.
But, to be fair, this comment by Professor Walt did get me thinking:
“Walt could be heard telling one that if an American criticizes Israel, "it might have some economic consequences for your business."
Hmm – Professor Walt teaches at Harvard; Professor Walt criticizes Israel; Princeton finally supplants Harvard as #1 in the USN&WR rankings. USNews.com: America's Best Colleges 2007: National Universities: Top Schools
Maybe if we could just get Steinbrenner to criticize Israel...
UPDATE: Guess I didn't read down far enough to see that Soccer Dad was already all over this: http://soccerdad.baltiblogs.com/archives/2006/08/29/milbank_vs_mearsheimer.html
“Blurring the line between academics and activism, they accepted a button proclaiming "Fight the Israel Lobby" and won cheers from the Muslim group for their denunciation of Israel and its friends in the United States”
I’ve made no secret of my absolute disdain for the professors' (lack of) scholarship on this matter (here, here and here) and this report of their comments will not cause me to revisit such judgment. For instance, there’s this:
But, he added, "If …hadn't captured those soldiers, the war would have come in October anyway." Hezbollah's raid drew Israeli action sooner and "deprived the Israelis of the element of surprise," he said. CNN.com : Soldiers' abductions a mistake
Oops, sorry – that was Hezbollah leader Nasrallah in a recent interview. Here’s Mr. Mersheimer:
“Clenching the lectern so tightly his knuckles whitened, Mearsheimer accused Israel of using the kidnapping of its soldiers by Hezbollah as a convenient excuse to attack Lebanon.
"Israel had been planning to strike at Hezbollah for months," he asserted. "Key Israelis had briefed the administration about their intentions."
“A questioner asked if he had any "hard evidence" for this accusation. Mearsheimer cited the "public record" and "Israeli civilian strategists," then repeated the allegation that Israel was seeking "a cover for launching this offensive."
Such scholarship - Chicago is lucky to have him.
But, to be fair, this comment by Professor Walt did get me thinking:
“Walt could be heard telling one that if an American criticizes Israel, "it might have some economic consequences for your business."
Hmm – Professor Walt teaches at Harvard; Professor Walt criticizes Israel; Princeton finally supplants Harvard as #1 in the USN&WR rankings. USNews.com: America's Best Colleges 2007: National Universities: Top Schools
Maybe if we could just get Steinbrenner to criticize Israel...
UPDATE: Guess I didn't read down far enough to see that Soccer Dad was already all over this: http://soccerdad.baltiblogs.com/archives/2006/08/29/milbank_vs_mearsheimer.html
