David Brooks teaches a course on "humility" at Yale. That was hilarious and ironic enough when it first happened in 2013.
But twice a week, David Brooks confirms that he is perhaps the least qualified person in the country to teach that course. And all you need to do to confirm that is to cite his own columns from "now" and "then."
Today's supposedly sage advice on Syria is a case in point.
January 30, 2015: The way not to approach the Middle East is as a chessboard on which the grandmasters of American foreign policy can impose their designs.
Being Who We Are.
In 2003, we were not just "grandmasters," but God put us on earth to impose our designs on the Middle East:
April 9, 2003: The Iraq invasion represents what the United States is on earth to achieve. Thank God we have the political leaders and the military capabilities to realize the ideals that have always been embodied in our founding documents.”
Today's Progressive Spirit.
March 31, 2003: “One gets the impression that U.S. military dominance is now so overwhelming that the rules of conflict are being rewritten.”
The Phony Debate.
David likes the chessboard metaphor so much he turned to it twice today:
January 30, 2015: The Middle East is not a chessboard we have the power to manipulate. It is a generational drama in which we can only play our role.
Being Who We Are.
Yet In 2003 and 2004 he implored war opponents to do what he hasn't done in 12 years:
April 28, 2003: Even if Saddam's remains are found, even if weapons of mass destruction are displayed, even if Iraq starts to move along a winding, muddled path toward normalcy, no day will come when the enemies of this endeavor turn around and say, "We were wrong. Bush was right." (Emphasis added.)
The Collapse of the Dream Palaces.
April 10, 2004:“This week, Chicken Littles like Ted Kennedy and Robert Byrd were ranting that Iraq is another Vietnam. Pundits and sages were spinning a whole series of mutually exclusive disaster scenarios: Civil war! A nationwide rebellion! Maybe we should calm down a bit.”
Take a Deep Breath.
In 2003 Brooks cheered turning over the chessboard, with disastrous results. And yet, this consummate charlatan is everywhere -- twice a week in the Times, on The News Hour, on Sunday mornings, re-tweeted everywhere, "most emailed."
David Brooks -- We were right. You were wrong. True humility would cause you to actually say that.
Go figure.
For the best relentless, hilarious and devastating Brooks coverage see Driftglass.
Also Charlie Pierce, via Moral Hazard, the Irish setter owned by Brooks for photo-op purposes.