I read Cole's reply and as usual he doesn't reply to any of the specific criticisms nor does he link to the article or post he is replying to.
He did the same thing when he accused the brothers at Iraq the Model of being "feted CIA stooges" after they destroyed Riverbend's credibility as well as embarrassed he and Khalidi concerning their complete ignorance of actual Iraqi history concerning Fallujah.
That being said I thought Cole's reply on the whole was not bad and makes some reasonable points. The part about Israel selling Khomeni weapons is damning if true.... and prior to his going into Hitchen's drinking the reply was well thought out and measured, ie.... not over the top.
The jab at Hitchens, even if true that he is an alleged "drunk" is classless but considering how Hitch classified him and Cole's prior history of being a classless insensitive punk (with Steven Vincent's widow) this reply was uncharacteristically and surprisingly measured and logical for him.
I suspect that he proof read it a few times and edited it before publishing it on his blog.
Geez, I don't know. Yes, I thought the reply was at least reasonable to start, although he seems to be spinning really hard to make Ahm. into a misunderstood figure. Leaving that aside, though, when it hits the alchohol business, I really think it's unhinged. Completely. This is not just some guy like you or I, this is a guy with professional credentials and reputation blogging in his own name, and that response is...well...like a drunk who sees red and starts swinging.
Martin Kramer, for instance, does scathing and effective snark while maintaining his dignity and professional demeanor. Cole is just childish and his screed is tantrum-like. And that whole bit about warmongers and trying to make Ahm. into an excuse to go invading...it's the real face of Cole, and it doesn't look rational or professional to me.
I live in DC and hang out with many journalists. It is widely known and lamented that Hitchens suffers from severe alcoholism. This is uncomfortable for all, but it explains a great deal of his behavior and words. One simply cannot ignore it in his case. I wish he'd get treatment -- many people have tried to encourage him.
It's an irrelevant smear in this case though, isn't it? Cole's response is far more the raving of an alcoholic (and I'm not suggesting he is) than was Hitchens's original piece. Hitchens was right, Cole's translation and spin are a legitimate subject for discussion, even scorn without being labeled the product of alcoholism.
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I read Cole's reply and as usual he doesn't reply to any of the specific criticisms nor does he link to the article or post he is replying to.
He did the same thing when he accused the brothers at Iraq the Model of being "feted CIA stooges" after they destroyed Riverbend's credibility as well as embarrassed he and Khalidi concerning their complete ignorance of actual Iraqi history concerning Fallujah.
That being said I thought Cole's reply on the whole was not bad and makes some reasonable points. The part about Israel selling Khomeni weapons is damning if true.... and prior to his going into Hitchen's drinking the reply was well thought out and measured, ie.... not over the top.
The jab at Hitchens, even if true that he is an alleged "drunk" is classless but considering how Hitch classified him and Cole's prior history of being a classless insensitive punk (with Steven Vincent's widow) this reply was uncharacteristically and surprisingly measured and logical for him.
I suspect that he proof read it a few times and edited it before publishing it on his blog.
Mike
Geez, I don't know. Yes, I thought the reply was at least reasonable to start, although he seems to be spinning really hard to make Ahm. into a misunderstood figure. Leaving that aside, though, when it hits the alchohol business, I really think it's unhinged. Completely. This is not just some guy like you or I, this is a guy with professional credentials and reputation blogging in his own name, and that response is...well...like a drunk who sees red and starts swinging.
Martin Kramer, for instance, does scathing and effective snark while maintaining his dignity and professional demeanor. Cole is just childish and his screed is tantrum-like. And that whole bit about warmongers and trying to make Ahm. into an excuse to go invading...it's the real face of Cole, and it doesn't look rational or professional to me.
I live in DC and hang out with many journalists. It is widely known and lamented that Hitchens suffers from severe alcoholism. This is uncomfortable for all, but it explains a great deal of his behavior and words. One simply cannot ignore it in his case. I wish he'd get treatment -- many people have tried to encourage him.
It's an irrelevant smear in this case though, isn't it? Cole's response is far more the raving of an alcoholic (and I'm not suggesting he is) than was Hitchens's original piece. Hitchens was right, Cole's translation and spin are a legitimate subject for discussion, even scorn without being labeled the product of alcoholism.