Tonight was such an important night in American journalism that I want to add a little to what Adam says above. Bob Simon's report was great old 60 Minutes journalism. It was good guys and bad guys. It was rage and distance. It was a strong storyline and point of view. It collapsed geographical complexity into easy understanding. It made Tzipi Livni look like a horse's ass and an Arab doctor look like the face of humanity. It was beautiful journalism.
And the TRAGEDY is that 60 Minutes could have done this report 10 years ago, or 20, and it never did. It could have done it when Bill Clinton and George H.W. Bush were campaigning for the settlements in '92. It could have done it when this would have made a difference.
The report was really about Zionism. And the question anyone must ask is, Wasn't this clear all along? Wasn't expansionism and disrespect for Arabs part of the original political operating system, from '47 at least on? Many years ago George Antonius, a leading Arab nationalist, said, If I only tell the story of Zionism in the court of world opinion, the world will take our side. Well it didn't happen.
And tonight it did. The hero of this piece was Dr. Mustafa Barghouti, the Arab doctor. At last an Arab hero in American journalism. A thoughtful humane Arab having his rights crushed by Israel. And Arab children being oppressed. You would fire rockets if they treated you that way.
Bob Simon must be congratulated on one of the finest pieces of journalism ever done on Israel/Palestine. It is a game-changer. Open the floodgates. America open your eyes. (Phil Weiss)
