Fouad Ajami: Don't Let Arafat Distract Us

Opinion Journal ^ | 04/13/2002 | Fouad Ajami

[not-an-ostrich]

Good catch on the newbies. My guess on a profile would be members of some anarchist group. Some of those people who live for the adrenaline rush of confrontation. Usually choosing the most outrageous positions in order to heighten the effect. Some new group names - The Universal Cult of Nihilism, Stop Civilization Now, Misery Loves Company, or The Society for the Promotion of Chaos?

[cake_crumb]

But, GEE...Bush is waffling on Mideast policy, the language of diplomacy is obviously a total myth, every government official who made a public statement has meant exactly what they said, Bush is the cause of the ongoing "crisis" in the Mideast, I've lost my faith in his ability....blah, blah, blah.

Sorry...I'm not a good, out-of-hand, Bush basher. (If I get good at mindless rhetoric of Bush-Bashing, someone please KICK ME!!)

[Mr. Peabody]

Israel can take care of herself. No more Arab "governments".

[cake_crumb]

"By inflaming the Mideast, Sharon has only made the jihadists stronger"

By refusing to give in to terrorist threats of widespread violence and having the courage to visit a Jewish holy site, Sharon has only given the terrorists a convenient excuse for their year and a half long "day of rage." It would have happened no matter WHAT. Sharon could have sneezed wrong and it could have been used as an excuse for violence.

I may not agree with a lot of things that Sharon has done, but this is not his fault, and every time people such as you attampt to change history, someone like me will be here to tell the world the truth.

[cake_crumb]

"We don't need another Arab police state in the Middle East."

The Yasser-controlled PA territories are already an Arab police state.

[etabeta]

no, it is time to solve the palestinians question once for all. Only then peace will be a reality. Respected through force, not hated through diplomacy and pussyfooting.

[RedBloodedAmerican]

under Sharon, Israel's death rate has skyrocketed

Nonsense.

And are you implying Sharon is at fault? More nonsense. If there was any increase it would be because Sharon has not taken the hard line his predecessors did, and now that he is, you complain?

New member. Says it all.

[RedBloodedAmerican]

Post your source. And to compare it to Oslo? Be serious. You are certainly establishing your credibility on FR quickly.

[Stentor]

Disruptor new 04/11/02

I was just thinking that somebody lifted a rock.

[cake_crumb]

"...but I know for sure Sharon doesn't want to end it but keep it going."

And I believe it's Yasser and the leaders of Arab nations, which control the various terrorist gorups which don't want to end it. Try talking to them sometime. It took me two months in order to start getting straight answers, and those answers almost uniformily Peace Through the Annhilation of Israel.

"I don't mind this because under Sharon, Israel's death rate has skyrocketed"

It was Barak's government (in conjunction with Bill "MY Nobel Peace Prize, my legacy" Clinton) which set the stage for the violence. Ariel Sharon is no more responsible for the comedy or erroneous events leading up to the beginning of the current intifada in September, 2000, than President George W. Bush was responsible for the events leading up to the 9-11 attack upon US soil.

[michaelt]

You are one sick animal. Take your hatred elsewhere.

[Utah Girl]

Have you heard of the author of this column? He is good.

[PleaseNoMore]

Your "cut and paste" redundancy is boring.