Tom Friedman has a good editorial in The New York Times on
what is really
going on with Arafat. A passage of particular note:
The reason the Palestinians have not adopted these alternatives is because they actually want to win their independence in blood and fire. All they can agree on as a community is what they want to destroy, not what they want to build. Have you ever heard Mr. Arafat talk about what sort of education system or economy he would prefer, what sort of constitution he wants? No, because Mr. Arafat is not interested in the content of a Palestinian state, only the contours.
The Palestinians are so blinded by their narcissistic rage that they have lost sight of the basic truth civilization is built on: the sacredness of every human life, starting with your own. If America, the only reality check left, doesn’t use every ounce of energy to halt this madness and call it by its real name, then it will spread. The Devil is dancing in the Middle East, and he’s dancing our way.
The entire piece has some very good observations about what’s going on in
the Middle East and what America should do about it. As Instapundit’s Glenn Reynolds
asks, why has it taken people so long to figure this out? Only a crushing defeat of
these extremists will be enough to end the terror.
