The New York Times Editorial and Dinner and War in the Ruins of Diplomacy

At a time when America most needs the world to see its actions in the best possible light, they will probably be seen in the worst. This result was neither foreordained nor inevitable.

Last night I had my bi-monthly dinner with a small group of science fiction and fantasy readers. We got to talking about giving up things for Lent. I announced that I had decided not to criticize Bush and the administration on conducting the war and diplomancy. Although giving this up wasn't really for Lent, it was giving up something I liked to do. I was surprised by the negative reaction.

"How can you not criticize him, he's an idiot? Don't we have a right and a duty to criticize the president?" was the general tone. There seemed much more criticism of him now than last year.

Before dinner I had predicted Bush would give Saddam an ultimatum of 24 to 72 hours. Later, the television in the room which we couldn't hear displayed a 48-hour graphic.