Thread by @tomfriedman

Retweeting as a thread:
Mr. President, You are right, unlike you, I am always respectful -- especially when I talk to the President of the United States at the request of a U.S. Senator in your party. I try to be respectful even with people I disagree with.

I do this because I hope it will increase the chances that they listen to me. You should try it.

But I also always adhere to the facts: I was asked to speak to you by your Senator friend, who said you were upset at the criticism you were getting from the Wall Street Journal and some other conservatives for not bombing Iran in retaliation for Iran’s downing of a U.S. drone.

And here is exactly how I began our conversation, precisely because I did not trust what you would do with it: ``Mr. President, you know that I disagree with you on many things but you were right not to bomb Iran.’’

You then basically talked for four minutes. I interjected a few things on China policy, said thank you, and we went our respective ways.

Since you are clearly a reader of my column, you know that from the day you announced your candidacy, I have not hesitated to criticize you when I have seen you dividing our country, alienating America’s closest allies and giving succor to racists and bigots everywhere.

And you also know that on issues where I thought you were serving the American interest – like confronting China’s most abusive trade practices or not going to war with Iran – I have not hesitated to support your polices, very publicly. I will continue to do both.

For me it is always about what is best for America – the country that I love and that you are now tearing apart.

Respectfully yours, Tom Friedman