There is an old expression " Consider the source", that should be applied liberally to this situation with Frist. The source in question is Associated Press, and the writer himself, Jim Krane.
First off let us take a look at Frist's statement after he became aware of the misquote.
America will Never Negotiate with Terrorists or Support their Entry into Afghanistan’s Government
I’m currently overseas visiting our troops in Afghanistan, but I wanted to take a moment to address an Associated Press story titled, “Frist: Taliban Should Be in Afghan Gov’t.” The story badly distorts my remarks and takes them out of context.
First of all, let me make something clear: The Taliban is a murderous band of terrorists who’ve oppressed the people of Afghanistan with their hateful ideology long enough. America’s overthrow of the Taliban and support for responsible, democratic governance in Afghanistan is a great accomplishment that should not and will not be reversed.
Having discussed the situation with commanders on the ground, I believe that we cannot stabilize Afghanistan purely through military means. Our counter-insurgency strategy must win hearts and minds and persuade moderate Islamists potentially sympathetic to the Taliban to accept the legitimacy of the Afghan national government and democratic political processes.
National reconciliation is a necessary and an urgent priority … but America will never negotiate with terrorists or support their entry into Afghanistan’s government.
Written by Bill Frist, M.D.
This was immediately posted to VOLPAC, Frist's site.
Now let us compare this to the original story that was published by Jim Krane of the Associated Press, which can be found here.
The original story written by Jim Krane "implies" that Frist wants to be best buddies with the Taliban Terrorists. As Frists statement makes clear, that was not his intention, nor what he said, but we all know it is not unusual for quotes to be distorted by the press for nothing more than the "shock value" that can be attained.
I think the point is just as we cannot paint all Muslims with the jihadists brush, there are people in the Taliban that do NOT carry guns, are not part of a militia and are not terrorists.
Moderates brought into the political ring can only help bring voices of reason to those that have not armed themselves yet. They can give the children that would become adult terrorists, another option. Just as we are asking the Muslims to do. Moderates can talk to thier own children, they can get them to understand there is another way, a non violent way to proceed.
[UPDATE] Don Surber has more comments on this here.
Outside the Beltway has another take on Frist.
