July 1, 2005
TODAY'S BRIDGE ABUTTMENT MOMENT:
Heard on a Diane Rehm discussion about how conservatives have hijacked the English language:
Caller: Notice that when we backed the mujahadeen against the Soviets they were freedom fighters but now when the Taliban is fighting this government they're called terrorists?
Funny what a little democratic legitimacy will do to one's perspective, eh?
She's apparently having Karl Rove on next week, which should be hilarious.
It's important to note we never actually aided mujahideen against the Soviets. All American aid went to local Afghan warlords.
Posted by: Ben Lange at July 1, 2005 12:52 PMRead Charlie Wilson's War?
Posted by: oj at July 1, 2005 1:00 PMIt's called context. Freedom fighters fight against the focus of evil in the modern world, terrorists fight against the shining city on the hill.
Posted by: Lou Gots at July 1, 2005 1:15 PMBen -- Our money and Stingers didn't go to the "Arabs" (i.e., bin Laden was not an American agent). Rather, it all went to the Mujahideen.
Posted by: David Cohen at July 1, 2005 2:04 PMI should think so: the words are Ronald Reagan's.
Posted by: Lou Gots at July 2, 2005 5:38 PM