Richard Cohen attacks Syriana, calls Iraq War naive compulsion to do good

[Karmadillo]

So when does sucking up to power become certifiable insanity?

http://www.wsws.org/articles/2005/dec2005/coh-d28.shtml

<edit>

After citing a comment by New York Times reviewer A.O. Scott, who described the film as an “intriguing narrative about oil, terrorism, money and power,” Cohen writes: “You will not be surprised to learn that the locus for all this ‘oil, terrorism, money and power’ is the United States, which is up to no good. With the exception of the Clooney character, everyone is corrupt, including, of course, the CIA. The agency not only sets up one of its own, Clooney, but it assassinates a perfectly nice Middle Eastern potentate to ensure that his oil remains in friendly hands. This sort of thing is distinctly against the law, a true career-ender at the CIA and elsewhere, but never mind. A movie does not have to stick to the facts.”

What distinguishes Syriana from the vast majority of recent American studio productions is precisely its effort to “stick to the facts,” the harsh truth about US machinations in the Middle East, its ruthless and criminal effort to gain dominance over global oil reserves.

Cohen sees things otherwise. Incredibly, he writes, “The Iraq war is not the product of oil avarice, or CIA evil, but of a surfeit of altruism, a naive compulsion to do good. That entire collection of neo- and retro-conservatives—George W. Bush, Dick Cheney, Donald Rumsfeld and particularly Paul Wolfowitz—made war not for oil or for empire but to end the horror of Saddam Hussein and, yes, reorder the Middle East.”

Yes, this crowd practically brims with altruism—the empty and sadistic Bush; the unsmiling state thug Cheney; Rumsfeld, a lifelong cog in the war machine; the neo-conservative conspirator Wolfowitz. “A naive compulsion to do good?” One shudders. The present administration in Washington, which came to power through the hijacking of a national election, brought with it the morals of Enron and WorldCom. It embodies the ascendancy of the political underworld to the highest positions of power. What is Cohen talking about?

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Above all, one feels in Cohen a lack of seriousness. Everything, except perhaps his career and prestige, is a big joke. He speaks for a substantial section of the Democratic Party. And this is why the Republicans—who are at least resolute in their political depravity—will continue to eat these people for breakfast.

[dailykoff]

1. Oh brother.

I think I'm going to lose my breakfast.

[mattclearing]

2. Richard Cohen stopped writing respectably years ago.

He is no more liberal than Christopher Hitchens these days. Sometimes there are liberals and democrats I wish we could throw overboard. He is a prime example.

[Bonhomme Richard]

3. The Crusaders also had a naive compulsion to do good.

[babylonsister]

4. Cohen has lost all respect IMO, and not for this. He's

another apologist and doesn't speak for me. What do you mean he speaks for a substantial section of the Dem party? I must be in another section.

[ProfessorGAC]

5. Um, A "Naive Compulsion"?

Excuse me, but why is that better then a war over oil or money? We start a war out of naivete and that is somehow better? What Cohen seems to be saying is that doing it for no good reason is better than doing for a reason, especially if the reason is greed? Seems to me that a needless war is still a needless war and there is no degree of "ok-ness" no matter the reason.
The Professor

[displacedtexan]

7. I'll forgive a "naive compulsion" if...

... no deaths, mayhem, and/or generally horrible consequences are involved.

Bush's Iraq Folly was/is no naive compulsion.

[ProfessorGAC]

8. But Deaths Are Already Involved

So, this seems like Cohen is trying to rationalize that one bad reason for people dying is better than another bad reason for people dying. So, his argument is valueless on its face.
The Professor

[Ganja Ninja]

6. I bet if I spray painted "GOP Approved!" on the Brooklyn bridge ...

I could sell it to this guy.

[Al-CIAda]

9. " This sort of thing is distinctly against the law, a true career-ender at

" This sort of thing is distinctly against the law, a true career-ender at the CIA and elsewhere, but never mind. A movie does not have to stick to the facts.”

"Confessions of an Economic Hitman" -John Perkins. I suggest this dumbass read it.

[librechik]

14. yeah--tell that to the nice young CIA assassins

that are continuing their work to this very day (Hariri? I'm just sayin...)

[Al-CIAda]

17. CIA never dealt drugs, protected, imported, or orchestrated any such

thing. Real 'carrer enders' those are.

This guy is a lying piece of shit.

[bobbieinok]

20. there was an interview on NPR (Fresh Air?) with author of book movie is

based on

he said everything in the movie is close to what he wrote.....even the title has long been code in the govt

edit to add: I think this is what I heard

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5041385

Interviews
Ex-CIA Agent Robert Baer, Inspiration for 'Syriana'
by Robert Siegel

All Things Considered, December 6, 2005 · Former CIA officer Robert Baer's book See No Evil inspired the new film Syriana, about the Middle East, the oil industry and espionage. Baer discusses the film and separates cinematic fact from fiction.

[CTyankee]

10. I believe Cohen also "changed his mind" on abortion, too

I wonder if he's lost his mind. I used to read him about 20 years ago. What happened to this guy, anyway?

[mattclearing]

12. I seem to recall he was respectable up until Clinton's impeachment.

Then he went the way of Lieberman. It's a real shame.

[Straight Shooter]

11. Since when does breaking the law end a career at the CIA?

Maybe at the lowest levels. Iran-Contra in the 1980s, Chile on September 11, 1973. Does Cohen's memory go back that far? How about as far back as 1953, in Iran?

Jeez, open a history book once in a while, Cohen. Your writing will become more lucid.

[alphafemale]

13. "Animal Farm" anyone?

sheesh

[Yavin4]

15. Give Cohen A Break

Home prices in suburban D.C. are very expensive. Throw in college tuition at Ivy League schools for the kids and retirement, and you can clearly see how "journalists" have sold their integrity out. All our government does is ensure that friendly dictators get control of oil producing nations in the M.E. This is the crux of Bin Laden's existence.

[Southsideirish]

16. Good point - the poor sob is just trying to make a buck, after all.

Isn't that what America is all about?

[CTyankee]

19. You are so right! How else to describe this sellout?

This guy is so far down the drain that he can't be saved. He's looking out for number one big time!

[Javaman]

18. Wow, just wow...n/t