Doomed To Repeat It

by digby

Kevin Drum links to an embarrassing interview with Silvestre Reyes and wonders:

On the other hand, if you were to ask a bunch of congress critters whether, say, Italy was fascist or communist during World War II, I wonder how many would beg off with jokes about not paying attention during high school history?

I can’t comment on congress critters, but I heard a real shocker from a Supreme Court Justice the other night:

SANDRA DAY O’CONNOR: It was suggested by the study group that we at least talk to those two countries, with whom we’ve had great difficulty and which are creating difficulty for Iraq, and that is Iran and Syria.

And they’re both neighboring countries. It’s important that they understand the concerns and to inquire whether they can try to help preserve the country of Iraq as it is, to stabilize it.

VERNON JORDAN: You know, Margaret, on this issue of Iran and Syria, in the early part of my career, I spent an awful lot of time talking to the enemy. They were police chiefs in the South and sheriffs in the South who were not our friends. But negotiation was required. And we did it because it was necessary, and I think the same thing about Iran and Syria.

SANDRA DAY O’CONNOR: We might go all the way back to World War II, where the United States continued to have discussions with Stalin. He was the enemy, not our friend, but we continued to have discussions. And I think we pretty much have to do the same here.

This country is in such trouble.

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