From the world's most popular novelist, Paulo Coelho, an open letter of praise for President Bush.
March 17, 2003 9:33 AM   Subscribe

Thank you, Great Leader George W.Bush Paulo Coelho writes an interesting letter of praise to Prez Bush
posted by elpapacito (34 comments total)
 
That was a good read. Thanks for posting it.

World politics ought to see a big shift in the next elections. I hope.
posted by a3matrix at 9:49 AM on March 17, 2003


Thank you, Great Poster elpapacito.
posted by Espoo2 at 9:50 AM on March 17, 2003


Interesting? I think not. It's the same trite left-wing anti-war drivel that we have been hearing for weeks. How about an original thought?
posted by Durwood at 9:52 AM on March 17, 2003


This article IMO pretty much sums up our current situation and the possilbe repercussions to follow (i know, msnbc. it's still good though).
posted by poopy at 9:55 AM on March 17, 2003


Paulo Coelho is the worst, tritest, most vapid snake-oil merchant writer I have ever tried to read. This letter is yet one more example of his emetic sentimentality and atrocious style. Should be a hit.
posted by MiguelCardoso at 9:56 AM on March 17, 2003


When are people going to learn that you shouldn't be snide when making political arguments?

Sounds like a high school rant.
posted by xmutex at 9:57 AM on March 17, 2003


When are people going to learn that you shouldn't be snide when making political arguments?

Dunno. Ask Donald Rumsfeld?
posted by riviera at 10:05 AM on March 17, 2003


mmm... sour grapes....
posted by jammer at 10:05 AM on March 17, 2003


I think it is written in the style of a 'childhood poem', which he aludes to in the opening:
'So, remembering a poem I learned as a child, I want to say thank you.'

Still I mostly agree with Miguel on Coelho.

Here's something that would be on the front page if it involved the US congress:

"I can't accept collective responsibility for the decision to commit Britain now to military action in Iraq without international agreement or domestic support."

The decision by the Leader of the House of Commons, one of the highest profile figures in the Labour Party, came as the cabinet held an emergency meeting in Downing Street.

I can't believe it. Someone in the government has a conscience! Gnome-faced philanderer that he is.
posted by asok at 10:06 AM on March 17, 2003


This blew his arguments for me:
"...world's most popular novelist..."

Isn't that Barbara Cartland?
posted by jpburns at 10:32 AM on March 17, 2003


D'oh! Dirty writer tricked me!!! I thought he LIKED George Bush, but then, about three quarters of the way through, it seemed like he DIDN'T like him. Damn tricky writers!!! We hates them, and their trickses....
posted by jonson at 10:41 AM on March 17, 2003


Let's not forget:

Thank you for accepting and presenting to the United Nations falsified proof of Iraq's nuclear capability/possession.

Thank you for making wag-the-dog come true, outright permitting your armed forces to target and fire upon on-site journalists in the event of war. Also, for seizing any and all reporting equipment of journalists.
posted by omidius at 10:44 AM on March 17, 2003


I'm very anti-war, and that letter was very horrible.
posted by Slimemonster at 10:50 AM on March 17, 2003


aye; the article that poppy linked to was surprisingly good. Much better than the article linked to at the top of the thread. (I myself doubted on seeing the MSNBC logo, otherwise I wouldn't bother saying so. I mean, have you seen the shit that comes out of CNN lately?)

*sigh.* I'm going back to my freedom fries and jim beam, now. I'll be under my desk if you need me.
posted by kaibutsu at 11:12 AM on March 17, 2003


Thank you for showing everyone that the Turkish people and their parliament are not for sale, not even for 26 billion dollars.

Thank you for revealing to the world the gulf that exists between the decisions made by those in power and the wishes of the people.


Aren't these two points a little contradictory?
posted by BigPicnic at 11:13 AM on March 17, 2003


Better, and more generally applicable: William S. Burroughs' Thanksgiving Prayer. But then I'm feeling a wee bit dark'n'cynical today.
posted by PinkStainlessTail at 11:17 AM on March 17, 2003


How about an original thought?

You first.
posted by Satapher at 11:23 AM on March 17, 2003


You've gotta love MeFi and all, but how about we all agree to stop posting Anti-War things on MeFi until the war actually starts. (Shouldn't be too long now...) How about some pro-war things for the next week? That'll be fun, won't it? Or even better, how about nothing related to the war at all? I think that'll be best.

Is it just me, or do we all just skip the MeFi links that have to do with war, or Bush's stupidity these days? Apparently, there really isn't anything new under the sun.
posted by ruwan at 11:37 AM on March 17, 2003


The only thing about this (soon-to-be) war I find interesting and not totally depressing: the situation in the United Kingdom and Spain. I sincerely hope that both Blair and Aznar go down in flames, leaving Bush isolated in world opinion. Their countries are heavily against war, particularly with UN involvement.
posted by letitrain at 11:47 AM on March 17, 2003


Is it just me, or do we all just skip the MeFi links that have to do with war, or Bush's stupidity these days? Apparently, there really isn't anything new under the sun.

Apparently, we all just don't ... (skip these posts that is. Instead, it would appear that many love to comment about how their skipping these threads, in the threads. Curious, don't you think?)
posted by Wulfgar! at 11:49 AM on March 17, 2003


I meant without UN involvement. My bad.
posted by letitrain at 11:55 AM on March 17, 2003


Sounds like a high school rant.

Thank you, for taking the words right out of my mouth.
posted by tomplus2 at 1:34 PM on March 17, 2003


poopy, thanks for posting that link. It was a most interesting article. From my point of view, as a non-American, the (American) author got things bang on. It's a shame Cuelho's article was nowhere near as good.
posted by salmacis at 1:42 PM on March 17, 2003


This doesnt look like Paulo Coelho at ALL. Too much hard data, too much objectivity. I wouldn't be surprised if this was a hoax. If it is, I'll be VERY surprised.
posted by falameufilho at 2:38 PM on March 17, 2003


The Portugues contingent seems to have weighed in about Coelho's relative literary qualities. I'd be curious to get a list of good portugues authors (don't care if its brazillian or portuguese... and I'll admit to enjoying The Alchemist, I haven't enjoyed the rest of his stuff).

Currently listening to Marisa Monte and Milton Nascimiento.... want to visit Brazil again, or maybe the azores, or maybe even the continent... too poor...must settle for books...
posted by namespan at 4:20 PM on March 17, 2003


I must give thanks to this great letter! I would like to thank Paulo Coelho for showing to the world that he would make an extremely poor leader. That's at least one future el Presidente scratched off the list.

Being a leader involves making unpopular decisions that ultimately result in good. Anyone who thinks a leader is automatically bad for ignoring the dumbass requests of his populace is stupid.

Sure, Bush or Blair might be ignoring some of their voters, but they're not gassing us, raping us, or forcing us to do anything here. They're making hard decisions for us. God bless them.
posted by wackybrit at 6:57 PM on March 17, 2003


Nice, wackybrit.

Using the rationale for going to war with Iraq, we could next invade Iran, North Korea, and half the countries in Africa. Since when did we become "liberators" and global cops? America has always looked out for no. 1. This war is about revenge, political expediency, oil, and business interests. Bush's speech made me want to vomit: "The tyrant will soon be gone. The day of your liberation is near."

The vast majority of the world is against this war, but Bush and his two little amigos are dead set to trash the U.N., N.A.T.O., and the rule of international law. Blessed are the peacemakers – Bush, Blair and Aznar can go to hell.
posted by letitrain at 9:01 AM on March 18, 2003


letitrain - good logic. Remember when Hitler got his start in Germany? You liberals just don't get the point. Saddam has invaded another country and will do so again.

America, a country that lost over a million lives to close Nazi death camps, liberate France (twice, thank you), save South Korea, stare down communism, rebuild Europe and Japan, liberate Kuwait (and NOT take the oil fields), and stop ethnic cleansing in Kosovo. And how much land did America lay claim to after all these conflicts of the 20th century? Aside from an island here or there, nothing. And aside from Afghanistan, we do not occupy any country that hasn't explicitly asked for us to be there as protection.
posted by Macboy at 7:32 PM on March 18, 2003


Remember when Hitler got his start in Germany? You liberals just don't get the point.

dingdingding! Godwin!

This war marks a huge shift in American foreign policy; when the United States decides to pre-emptively (and essentially unilaterally) invade other countries, I think it's important to consider the ramifications down the line from Iraq. Especially when the Administration has named two other countries as part of the "axis of evil" and international goodwill toward the US is at such a low ebb.
posted by Vidiot at 4:30 AM on March 19, 2003


Blessed are the peacemakers – Bush, Blair and Aznar.

Tony Blair should be knighed. I am very proud that there are some leaders in the world who are not cowards. It's obvious from Europe's popular opposition to this war that Europe is not self-sufficient, and, left to its own devices, would now be the German or Russian Empire. And Jew-free. Oh well.
posted by ParisParamus at 4:52 AM on March 19, 2003


This war marks a huge shift in American foreign policy; when the United States decides to pre-emptively (and essentially unilaterally) invade other countries, I think it's important to consider the ramifications down the line from Iraq. Especially when the Administration has named two other countries as part of the "axis of evil" and international goodwill toward the US is at such a low ebb.

Because you are so in love of the Iranian Mullahs and the Great Leader of North Korea? How pathetic.
posted by ParisParamus at 4:56 AM on March 19, 2003


dingdingding! Paramus!

30 comments before you derail, you're slipping.
posted by niceness at 4:56 AM on March 19, 2003


PP -- that comment was utterly incoherent. (And I mean that in a nice way.) Why don't you let us know when you plan to contribute to the discussion?
posted by Vidiot at 5:02 AM on March 19, 2003


Incidentally Paris, Blair will be following the Iraqi war with a concerted push for a Palestinian state. Good to know the newly Knighted Sir Tony of Baghdad will be able to count on your support in his future projects.
posted by niceness at 5:03 AM on March 19, 2003


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