Damage Control

William Arkin, whether on his own or under pressure from the outcry he caused or from his editors has made a sort of apology for the storm he brought down on himself. Actually, had he written this post in place of the first one, he would never have ignited the entire thing in the first place. Does he have some valid points worthy of discussion? Sure. But his first post called the troops "mercenaries." His second post called anyone who took exception to that as "arrogant and intolerant." He has apologized for the first but not the second.

But in neither of my two responses was I particularly hard on Arkin. Others were. Oh, I poked him pretty hard and had some fun at his expense, but I didn't want him to shut up. His opinion is as valid as anyone else's. I frankly think he should be able to speak his mind and not have to fear being "silenced", as he put it. Nor do I think the troops he criticized earlier wanted to silence him, despite his taking their words to mean that. In his latest post he tries, rather more clearly and without as much of the venom, to get his points across. Good for him, that is what discourse is supposed to be. Not shouting down those who disagree with you. Not trying to enforce your view as a stone tablet handed down from on high that cannot be argued with. Not insulting, in vitriolic terms, the very people who guarantee your right to say what you do.

To be very clear here, some folks are calling for Arkin's head (figuratively, of course – anyone doing so literally should be jailed). That is wrong. If you think he's being an ass, call him on it. Argue with him, beat his points down one by one and give him a chance to defend himself and beat your points down in turn. I do not particularly think Arkin did himself proud with his last two posts, but he has a right to express himself. We all have a right to express our complete disgust, dismay, anger or contempt for his words. That is part of what the troops, through the years, have purchased for us with their very blood. That is the thing we all benefit from.

Now, Arkin, in his latest post, simply takes the position that he is right because the war has failed. He does not even admit the possibility that maybe, just maybe, he is wrong. Now is that human nature: to believe your beliefs are right and others are misguided? Sure. Is his presumption on the state of the war also disagreed with – vehemently – by others? Sure. And do those others think that their opinions are correct? Oh yeah. I happen to be one of them. Do I believe the media has made dragging the administration down job one, no matter what the cost to the nation? Hell, yes I do.

But Arkin has, at least, backed off from the worst of his rhetoric. It is probably a good time to let the matter drop rather than look like a virtual lynch mob.

UPDATE: Blackfive himself taking on the whole controversy on Fox News. And he does a great job of pointing out why Arkin is dead wrong on a lot of things. And addressing and defeating the arguments of people like Arkin are the best solution.

Update: Should have done a H/T to AllahPundit for the video.

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  By Buck, February 1, 2007 @ 9:05 pm

  Well said, Gaius. Arkin may be is a twit, and his three columns (I read them all) prove it beyond a shadow…

  No need to lynch the willfully ignorant, though. Enough is enough.

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