I agree with you, but I do think Salam did his point a disservice with all the "Georgie" and "habibi" stuff. It just sounds flip and makes it easier to dismiss if you aren't already sympathetic to his point of view.
Now, some might call this the "no bullshit" approach, but I think a better classification is the "I care more about making a statement than making a difference" approach.
Yes, Salam did himself no favors. It would have been fine on his blog, but was too flip for a letter to the editor. The response from Lileks, however, was contemptible. I didn't note something else in the post: the deaths of Iraqi civilians have disappeared entirely from the equation.
Salam is kind of caught up in "fame", he now rarely updates his blog!!
I agree in full about Lileks' response. It's a pity, when Mr. Hyde isn't in control of his brain and pen he's actually a very talented writer.
By the way, did you see Mike D.'s succinct take on Lileks over on The Poor Man? As usual, classic.
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#3 is Lileks.
The cowardice issue is besides the point. What's especially repugnant is the pride. Actually it probably qualifies as arrogance or hubris. And that's why people don't like Americans. Don't people get it?? Regimes are falling away, and the American system clearly has lasting power and attracts people from all over. But it would be folly to let that get to our heads.