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Reader comment on item: Does Israel Need a Plan?

Submitted by Paula Kirby (United States), Mar 4, 2003 at 11:15

This is so far the best article yet. Should go far to clear up muddled thinking in all camps. Should also be required reading for President Bush who seems to be suffering from some form of schizophrenic thinking in this area. Apparently you think so, too, as spelled out in your latest article, "Bush on Israel; Heartburn for All."

Mr. Pipes, you are possibly the most important - albeit not the most popular - voice in our society today. Do I only imagine it or is the media leaving you off its talking head programming lately on purpose? Your voice must be too close to the truth for comfort..... They seem to thrive on fostering confusion of late.

Could you in a future article address Thomas Friedman's strong opposition to Jewish settlements in Gaza and the West Bank? He is so pro-Israel and "right on" in all other areas except this one. Could it be he is partly right? I think people need to view this issue in its broader historical sense in order to make an informed decision and I believe you're the man to do it. ( Perhaps you already have and I just missed that issue.) However, it seems it bears repeating in light of the "road map" fiasco.

Paula

P.S. Have you read "Coming Home to Jerusalem" by Wendy Orange? Thomas Friedman had a major influence on her decision to make aliyah and she seems to share his viewpoints in most areas. Helped me to see things from the liberal peacemaker point of view, or the Pipe Dream School of Thought vs. the Daniel Pipes School of Reality.

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Daniel Pipes replies:

Thank you for your kind words. No, I don't feel neglected by the media at all. But it does come in waves - no tv for a week, for instance, and then three appearances in two days.

I have devoted one article to Thomas Friedman - "The Education of Thomas Friedman." Jerusalem Post, 14 February 2001, http://www.danielpipes.org/articles/20010214.shtml - which will have to do for a while.

No, I have not read the Orange book, but I do like your distinction between the Pipe School and the Pipes School!

DP