Fouad Ajami: Palestine's Deliverance

Opinion Journal ^ | 06/27/2002 | FOUAD AJAMI

[Pokey78]

Fouad Ajami MEGA Ping!

[Howlin]

Oh, yeah! This is good!

[monkeyshine]

Great Article, BTTT

[Utah Girl]

Great article ping.

[Travis McGee]

Ajami writes as beautifully as he speaks, it is almost heartbreaking to read such clear and wonderful prose from a man using his second language. It makes me think of Conrad, the Pole who learned English as an adult and mastered it to a degree seldom seen among native speakers.

[Lady In Blue]

Excellent post for your consideration.

[isthisnickcool]

A "Palestinian State" is somewhat like the Chia Pet. It's odd, in many ways it makes no sense, but some people seem to want one. There is no Chia Pet language or culture. No real Chia Pet history. Someone made the Chia Pet up one day and a bunch of other people looked at it and said "hey, that makes sense!"

Like the Chia Pet, the idea of a "Palestinian State" has become so popular with some people that it's hard to ignore. No matter how ugly it is or how worthless it will be.

[jwfiv]

Many thank youse for pinging me on this.

I was wondering, earlier today, what Ajami was thinking about the recent developments, as I'd not seen anything from him for a while.

He's numero uno in my book.

[beckett]

It makes me think of Conrad, the Pole who learned English as an adult and mastered it to a degree seldom seen among native speakers.

True --- Ajami is not quite Conrad, but then, who is? As you say, though, he has real rhetorical eloquence that is exceptional for a guy writing in a second language.

On the substance of his remarks, I hope there is some element in Palestinian society that has the capacity to appreciate Ajami's analysis and the courage to trumpet it. If such people exist, they've been hiding pretty successfully for a long, long time.

[McGavin999]

This is an incredible article. Not only is it informative, the writing is downright poetic.

[Travis McGee]

I'm sure they exist, but because they don't want to be shot and dragged through the streets and hung naked by their ankles while children are encouraged to stab them, they remain a bit muted.

[secretagent]

...a declaration, signed by dozens of Palestinian intellectuals and public figures, condemned suicide bombings against Israeli civilians...

But did not condemn bombings against Israeli soldiers. Also, they condemned the bombings mostly for tactical reasons: they were arousing too much sympathy for Israel.

Still, a significant split, one denounced by Hamas. Important to mention it. The media could help by giving the signers saturation coverage, interviews, and analysis.

[SevenDaysInMay]

BTTT.

[WaterDragon]

This is really excellent, Pokey. Thanks for the ping. It is heartening to know there are Muslims with this kind of intelligence.

[Stultis]

Bump to read later.

[Madame Dufarge]

It has been a peculiarity of Arab life, ever since the birth of the modern state system in the Arab world, to promise the Palestinians the sky, and then stiff them when it truly mattered.

The "Palestinians" will remain bastards of the Arab world as long as Arafat and his henchmen are in control. It's going to take a long time for the "Palestinians" to wake up from their fever dream, and cold compresses and aspirin aren't going to be administered by Dr. Arafat.

Thanks for the ping, Pokey. This is a great article.

[tear_down_this_wall]

Thank you, Pokey. Great article!

[Tokhtamish]

Still, a significant split, one denounced by Hamas. Important to mention it. The media could help by giving the signers saturation coverage, interviews, and analysis.

And a very real split based on solid self interest. Terrorism and a cult of 'martyrdom' spawn a kind of pervasive lawlessness. A barbarization of your culture as it sinks to a world of being ruled by lawless young men with guns. And there is no force on planet earth more terrible, more destructive, more pitiless than a teenage boy with a gun.

Recently Hamas was on the defensive among Palestinians for using teenagers without their parent's permission. Under the impact of pervasive violence the foundation of social order, the family, is unravelling. The signers of that statement want a Palestinian society that can control its children.

[blackie]

Very good !!

Freedom Is Worth Fighting For !!

Molon Labe !!