Peter Arnett got the axe yesterday from MSNBC after that ridiculous interview he gave to Iraqi television.

* "It is clear in the U.S. there is growing challenge to President Bush about the war," he said.

* "The first war plan has failed because of Iraqi resistance. Now they're trying to write a new war plan," he said.

* "Well, I'd like to say from the beginning that the 12 years I've been coming here, I've met unfailing courtesy and cooperation. Courtesy from your people, and cooperation from the Ministry of Information, which has allowed me and many other reporters to cover 12 whole years since the Gulf War with a degree of freedom which we appreciate. And that is continuing today," he said.

The only thing missing was a T-shirt reading: "Saddam's Bitch."

Arnett has waged controversy before, but this new, fatal misstep is inviting reflection from everywhere. As one commentator put it, Arnett's simply an idiot. Or, as another suggested, he's stupid.

"Mr. Arnett hangs by a rope of his own weaving" says Walter Cronkite in Today's Times. "He besmirched his reputation, offended a nation and lost his job — justifiably so..."