Credit where due to Hewitt for having a substantive conversation with you that was unedited. I hope things like that continue.

I couldn't help but notice his "hate radio" mentality peeking through each and every time he went to and came back from break where he whipped out the "lefty" label to make sure his listeners knew you weren't to be trusted, no matter how much sense your arguments made. I also loved the multiple attempts to conflag his arguments using absurd and extreme examples. He wasn't used to his guest being able to dispel them so easily. Good on you.

In the end, though, a great interview.

Apparently Jon Stewart also has problems with Israel acting all "but they are firing rockets at us for NO REASON AT ALL!" as well.

Of course, apologists for the right makes might mentality, such as WinSmith, will immediately set upon Stewart for daring to question the actions of the Israeli militarists.

"The Looming Tower: Al Qaeda and the Road to 9/11" is a magnificient book, though I'm not sure Hugh and I read the same text. Brutilization and shame are key elements in the foundation of the ideology founded by Sayyid Qutb. There is a passage in the book that describes Qutb's time in prison in Cairo, Egypt, where torture was rampant; I'm paraphrasphing: It is often said that the roots of the ideology of al qaeda were born out of the prisons of Egypt.

Really well done, Glenn. The listeners of that show will have become more informed after having heard that. Some may have even begun to to question things a bit...which would be healthy.

I can't help but wonder, though...how many of them automatically began to seethe at the radio as soon as Hewitt introduced you as "lefty"? And how many others scoffed at the interview, saying to themselves, "See!! That guy never even answered the question Hugh was asking him! Lefties don't have a clue what to do over there."

Like trying to get blood from a stone.

I thought Hewitt was doing fine until he trotted out one of his well-patched straw men, "what would you do about Hitler and isn't that the same as Hamas?" What an idiot.

You absolutely rocked Glenn, nice job.

We're better than that (or at least I hope we are). This is why people on the left choose their words carefully, parsing distinctions between legit criticism of Israel and weasel words that cover for the typical "Protocols of Zion" cabal narratives.

-- WinSmith

You still think that after a couple of hundred of your comment posts that anyone sees you as anything other than a devout propagandist? A lousy and deceitful but transparent propagandist. That's what you are. I doubt that few if anyone who has read your comments sees you in any other light.

Indeed we are, me'Buck-o.

Good interview, Glenn. I heard half on the radio last night and read the rest of the full transcript at Hugh's site this a.m. You stated the case for tolerance of the fanatically intolerant clearly. Within living memory of the vast lessons of the 30's, you make a verbally nimble argument for talking with Islamists who continue pushing their aims with indiscriminate rocket attacks. Bit by incremental bit. Push, push, push...Then, REACT with manipulative outrage and momentary withdrawal to lick Islamist wounds, regroup, talk, let pressies run with the civilian casualty ball....Then repeat the process further down the line. Cool. Hezbollah, in the north, made publicity gains during and after that "Israeli incursion". Hamas is figuring on the same. Maybe, just maybe, Israel learned valuable lessons with Hezbollah and will be far more thorough in Gaza. ALL before January 20. I'm still hoping for 15,000 lb Bunker Busters at the Persian Nuke sites, as The Messiah is very likely going to disapprove of Israel taking the Mullahs at their word. Hey, we Evil Neos have our dreams, Boyo!

I would hope Mr Greenwald would run for office some day but I suppose that would be a step DOWN, none the less excellent article / interview. I for one d noto side with either agressor, once again religion makes for an almost impossible solution, of course the inactivity on the part of the Bush administration for the last 8 years and the Iraq debacle have made things much worse. Mr Obama has quite the mess one his hands....

Both Israel and Palistine can make peace and I would argue the civilians on both sides are more open to dialogue than it's politicians....Lets hope the next administration can do better.

Nothing to add re: an outstanding interview other than:

1. Kudos to HH for allowing you the space to answer his "questions".

2. I second the previous commenter who hopes you are provided with many more similar media opportunities. Better you than me.

I do wonder, though, if anything you said "got through" to his listeners, or even, dare I ask, Hewitt himself.

Other than your stupid, bloodthirsty, lying self: who brought up any thing about Protocols?

You defend blatant slow-mo genocide. You are not human.

I'm no historian, but the reason Hitler was able to gain power in Germany, as I understand it, is because of the effects of WWI -- you should have asked Hugh that, given what arose from the ashes of WWI, should we have fought THAT war. Violence begets violence.

Or how about this response: Given that Israel only exists because of the rampant anti-semitism that allowed the holocaust to take place -- anti-semitism in all countries, including the United States -- wouldn't all this be resolved if we had shot any anti-semite?

Basically, any argument that requires as many "what ifs" as Mr. Hewitt used, is sufficating from the vacuum of its ideas.

I've never once questioned the right for people to criticize Israel. I've questioned those who claim no one's allowed to question Israel.

The sort of paranoid persecution-complex nonsense doesn't fly when the right wing noise machine trots it out about the "liberal mainstream media" and it's just as pathetic when our side does the same thing.

The only reason more voices aren't criticizing Israel's initial right to respond to mortar fire from Gaza that's being going on for years since Israel pulled out in 2005 is because, on its merits, that's a pretty compelling justification.

As to the prosecution of its response, we can and should hold Israel to a much higher standard, and voices who criticize Israel's disproportionate response are being heard, will continue to be heard, and have a right to be heard.

Only in Glenn's mind are all government officials "quarantined" by some secret conspiracy to control critical debate on Israel. Presumably by PNAC and AIPAC funding streams. Probably run through Bernie Madoff. And Joe Lieberman. And George Soros (oh wait). And David Geffen. And what are the Rothchilds up to these days?