John Fund [DCOW] in today's (Wall Street) Opinion Journal accuses Prof. Cole of, among other things: blogging, being an expert in 19th Century Middle Eastern History, and saying that a powerful pro-Israel lobby exists in the US.

Poliblog and Outside The Beltway have come to Prof. Cole's defense, but we need more, I think. Never underestimate the Wingnuttophere's capacity for smearing someone who reveals facts they don't like.

UPDATE: Juan Cole strikes back!

The articles linked above reveal that Prof. Cole has seriously put his career and reputation on the line by becoming part of the blog community. John Fund in his piece culled some random quotes from Informed Comment to use against him.

Prof. Cole has provided valuable information and a clear, reality and historically-based perspective on events in the Middle East. He should be rewarderd for his public service (and his scholarship) with a prestigious academic position. Let's not let a few frothing wingnuts deny it to him. ###