Conservative Blogger SHOCKS Nation, GOP, Joins Reality-based World

[johnfunk]

This is what John Cole writes on the fifth anniversary of Bush Jr's War™:

I see that Andrew Sullivan was asked to list what he got wrong about Iraq for the five year anniversary of the invasion, and since I was as big a war booster as anyone, I thought I would list what I got wrong:

Everything.

And I don't say that to provide people with an easy way to beat up on me, but I do sort of have to face facts. I was wrong about everything.

• I was wrong about the Doctrine of Pre-emptive warfare.
• I was wrong about Iraq possessing WMD.
• I was wrong about Scott Ritter and the inspections.
• I was wrong about the UN involvement in weapons inspections.
• I was wrong about the containment sanctions.
• I was wrong about the broader impact of the war on the Middle East.
• I was wrong about this making us more safe.
• I was wrong about the number of troops needed to stabilize Iraq.
• I was wrong when I stated this administration had a clear plan for the aftermath.
• I was wrong about securing the ammunition dumps.
• I was wrong about the ease of bringing democracy to the Middle East.
• I was wrong about dissolving the Iraqi army.
• I was wrong about the looting being unimportant.
• I was wrong that Bush/Cheney were competent.
• I was wrong that we would be greeted as liberators.
• I was wrong to make fun of the anti-war protestors.
• I was wrong not to trust the dirty smelly hippies.

I mean, I could go down the list and continue on, but you get the point. I was wrong about EVERY. GOD. DAMNED. THING.

Juan has more to say about the matter here.

[BlooInBloo]

1. He came clean a long time ago - supported Kerry for potus.

[johnfunk]

4. I know two Conservative GOPers who voted for Kerry in '04

... because of the sputtering war and Bush's deficits and debt. They trusted Kerry more. I remember the words 'competence' and 'consensus' being used in reference to Kerry by both voters.

[Faygo Kid]

2. Wow. Stunning to see a right winger do this.

John McCain is going to lose. He cannot run on this awful war's "success."

[panader0]

3. I am NOT dirty and smelly......

[annabanana]

5. May each and every last one of them achieve this same moment of clarity.

As soon as they can admit it to themselves, I'm for giving them a big, generous, liberal hug.

[SpiralHawk]

6. Hippies smell not of dirt, but of the soil of the land that feeds us all...

I like to regard it as the smell of earthly reality, Mr. Cole, and reality is not to be sneered at -- not that the borrow-and-spend republicons who have driven America to the edge of bankruptcy, would have any sincere regard for reality.

[kineneb]

17. and we do know how to use soap... nt.

[Tandalayo_Scheisskopf]

7. Cole is very impressive.

He is a man who, after wandering in the wilderness of his illusions, has embraced brutal reality. Refreshing.

It is hilarious to see the still-believing frothers like "Rusty Shackleford" show up on his site and attempt to play their shit. A counterpoint that renders just how stupid the right-wing jerkoffs are, in bold relief.

[gristy]

8. John, not Juan (misspelled in last line of OP)

[lonestarnot]

12. Son la misma. A rose by any other name would smell as sweet.

[tblue37]

22. NOT the same, since JUAN Cole is a Middle East expert, a professor, and

a liberal critic of the Iraq Invasion from the very beginning.

Juan Cole's blog, is at http://www.juancole.com/

It's called Informed Comment.

[lonestarnot]

27. I see.

:patriot:

[johnfunk]

20. Big fargin OOPS! My bad...

John on the right, Juan on the left -- and both sane!

[krkaufman]

23. 'Edit' is your friend. Juan Cole was right where John Cole was wrong. n/t

[devilgrrl]

9. "the dirty smelly hippies"... wtf?

After 40+ years of "hippies" - I've yet to meet one that "smelled" of anything.

Not combing one's hair does equate to one not bathing.

Personally, I don't trust smelly hillbillies that vote against their own interests.

[Iris]

25. well said!

[greyghost]

10. I guess the worm turned for Andrew, I'm glad he's seen the light.

[Hamlette]

13. he saw it long ago, supported Kerry in 2004

although he said he didn't like Kerry much, he knew he would be better than Bush.

Now he is supporting Obama, enthusiastically.

I read him every day. He has great stuff.

[greyghost]

19. Good for him!

[Hamlette]

11. his post when he registered as a Democrat is a classic

http://www.balloon-juice.com/?p=8971

I read him every day...you should too. He is thoughtful and hysterically funny.

[crispini]

15. Too funny! nt

[Hamlette]

18. here's the money quote from the post:

"Long story short, I got up there to register as an independent, said “Fuck it,” and now I am a Democrat. I certainly don’t agree with all their positions, but they are not bat-shit crazy like the GOP. That has to count for something. Additionally, I no longer have to read posts by the 24% crowd calling me a “true conservative” with quotes o’sarcasm (you know who they are). Not any more, bitches. I repudiate you, your party, and whatever the fuck it is you are currently pretending is “conservatism.” It isn’t.

Now send me my check from Soros and the 40 virgins."

at link in my earlier post

[tblue37]

24. This is a great comment someone posted on that blog entry:

"Will the last sane person to leave the GOP please turn out the lights?"

[ForeignSpectator]

14. How about "I was wrong about Iraq and 9/11 connection"?? Forgot that important one... n/t

[Neshanic]

16. It's easy to switch over when the obvious change in the country makes you

not marketable. In Sullivans case, he's just a shrink's wet dream.

[jazzjunkysue]

21. "enough concentrated stupid to fuel three hundred years"

There were moments back then when I really wondered, "was it possible the whole world had lost it's collective mind?" It was easier to believe that I, as the only dissenter I personally knew, must have been wrong, or at least, naive.

This is a great article. I haven't read him before. Thanks for the heads up. It feels really good. :hug:

[Fovea]

26. This warms my heart like a tiny nuclear meltdown.

Really, this is a wonderful read. To see the followers of movement conservatism have their mindless, arrogant certainty replaced by despair and fear at what they have wrought is like drinking 100 year old Grand Marnier.

Even the burn is pleasant.

[GOPBasher]

28. That takes some guts. -- give him some credit. n/t