The Moustache Demands Heads

I have to congratulate John Bolton for getting through one of his WSJ op-ed pieces without mentioning blowing up Iran. That's actually progress for the man. On the other hand, the Moustache is still carrying the sword for Israel, and this time he's demanding the head of Ireland's former president, Mary Robinson.

Durban is not the only reason Ms. Robinson should not receive the Medal of Freedom. Over the years she has actively opposed “the security or national interests of the United States,” one of the categories of eligibility for the Medal. Those in the administration who recommended her either ignored her anti-Israel history, or missed it entirely, as they either ignored or overlooked her hostility toward America’s role in promoting international peace and security. Or perhaps they share Ms. Robinson’s views.

One example, particularly significant today given the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts, is Ms. Robinson’s strong opinions about the use of force. During the Clinton administration’s (and NATO’s) air campaign against Serbia because of its assault on Kosovo, for instance, she opined that “civilian casualties are human rights victims.” But her real objection was not to civilian casualties but to the bombing itself, saying “NATO remains the sole judge of what is or is not acceptable to bomb,” which she did not mean as a compliment.

In fact, Ms. Robinson wanted U.N. control over NATO’s actions: “It surely must be right for the Security Council . . . to have a say in whether a prolonged bombing campaign in which the bombers choose their target at will is consistent with the principle of legality under the Charter of the United Nations.” One wonders if this is also Mr. Obama’s view, given the enormous consequences for U.S. national security.

The Durban Conference aside (I talked about Durban when Marty Peretz wrote basically this same column last week) Bolton seems to think that questioning NATO/America bombing the crap out of things is pretty much tantamount to treason, certainly disqualifying you from the Medal of Freedom.

If we're talking about Medal of Freedom recipients who really have harmed America with more than opinions about NATO bombing and human rights, let's talk about George "Slam Dunk Case" Tenet, Donald "And You Will Know My name Is The Lord" Rumsfeld, and of course Dick Cheney. Once again, objection to Israel's policies is enough to bring the cries of "Anti-Semite!" and demand from Israel that the United States take punitive action.

Luckily, this President doesn't see the world in such binary terms. Falsifying intelligence to get America into a useless and tragic war in Iraq is an act worthy of the highest civilian heroism to John Bolton. Opposing such acts are demonized. Happily, Mr. Bolton's team is no longer in charge of our foreign or domestic policy thanks to the voters, so he can be relegated to ranting in the WSJ.

But then again, that's the Moustache's job these days.