I reviewed one of Barry Rubin's earlier books on Israel, the Palestinians and the peace process several years ago. It was a respectable, evenhanded study written by a knowledgeable expert. With this in mind, I was surprised by yesterday's commentary (Do Not Forget This Day) -- a screed of overblown rhetoric delivered in the breathless voice of an excited teenager.

No, Prof. Rubin, everything the supporters of this war predicted has not come true, including the purported reason for the attack: the presence in Iraq of weapons of mass destruction. And everything the critics of the war said has not been shown to be false, including the fact that this pre-emptive attack was carried out in defiance of international law and the wishes of the global community.

When academics become cheerleaders, who will hold the line on propaganda and rhetoric?