[fogarty]

His words bring to mind a weak parent, once again scolding a rebellious toddler with words rather than action: "One more time, and I promise, you are gonna get spanked.....I really mean it this time."

The fact of the matter is, this "ultimatum" should have been given MONTHS ago. It is too late for words promising a vision of a Palestinian state to people who murder and slaughter innocents.

Here is my prediction. Within a few weeks, another crazed Muslim thug will blow himself up in another market or bus, and kill another bunch of Israeli kids. And once again, Bush and Powell will trot out a variation of the 'scolding' speech. "We really mean it this time...if the violence continues, no Palestinian state for you!"

[hchutch]

Did you think Bush was bluffing on September 20?

I think the Arabs thought we were, but they guessed wrong. Now, another speech, just this side of an ultimatum.

Arafat is very nervous by now. Bush now can say, "we tried to work it out" before the Israelis roll. It's laid out pretty clearly, and it is up to them to decide if they will choose liberty and peace or war, death, and all that will result from war.

The Arab states also have a choice. Live peacefully with their Israeli neighbors, or share the fate of the Taliban. The unasked question hangs out there: Do you think you can take both the United States and Israel?