Arafat's Legacy
Let's look at Arafat's life.
First he was a terrorist. He virtually created aircraft hijackings (would al queda have been able to hijack the four planes of September 11th were we not "programmed" to react as we did by Palestinian and other terrorists?). He ordered kidnappings, murders, the list goes on and on. I doubt that ANYONE knows the number of innocent people murdered on Arafat's orders. The terrorist activities of this man would have doomed virtually anyone else to a life on the run from authorities.
Then this murderer, with the blood of innocents on his hands, was somehow accepted into "normal" society. Even worse, he is accepted as a diplomat. I can remember my SHOCK when he was invited to the White house numerous times. He even received the Nobel Peace Prize. All of these things legitimizing a mass murderer. His ONLY claim to fame was his terrorism. Had he been an upstanding member of society no more than a few dozen people in the world would have known his name. However, by the time of his death he was free to travel to most countries, including the United States without being arrested. This is quite a feat!
In the past few days he has been called a statesman, a dreamer, a hero, and a litany of other accolades as though he were some model for all to look up to. And, occasionally, a negative adjective is added, but ALWAYS with an asterisk. Things like, "some" considered him a terrorist. "Some?", as though some don't believe him to have been. As if that terrorist were another man, and this one need not be obligated to stand up accountable for the horrible acts of that first one.
Since September 11th I have often wondered about the "logic" (assuming there is any) behind al queda. Bin Laden has to know that America will not change its entire foreign policy because of terroristic attacks. Bin Laden WILL die. Al queda will be marginallized. The stated goal (which could not possibly be the real goal) of getting America out of the middle east is NOT attainable. Therefore, who in his right mind (obviously he is not) would attempt such a foolish endeavor? Then, this week it hit me. Arafat attempted it, and succeeded! He went from an illegitimate terrorist to a so-called "statesman" who, had he the courage, could have attained most of his stated goals. Unfortunately, he always wanted a little more than was offered to him and he died without realizing the sovereign Palestine which was within his own power to have attained.
For the sake of the Palestinian people, hopefully their next leaders will reach out and bring Palestine to life as a free and peaceful member of the world community. Unfortunately since the world community gave legitimacy to the terrorist Arafat, these new leaders may think that more violence can achieve more of their goals, just as it seemed to have Arafat's.
The world cannot make the mistake of someday granting legitimacy to other terrorists. Whether they are Palestinian, or someone like bin laden, the world cannot afford to give them ANY seat at the bargaining table.
If we do we only invite other "nobodies" to commit acts of terror to become a "somebody" and how many thousands (and unfortunately in the atomic age perhaps millions) of innocent people will have to die for a nobody to get recognized?
pacifism toward terrorists is not an option. We can understand the desperation behind the acts but we can NEVER condone the terroristic acts, or the terrorists themselves if we want not to live in constant fear. If their terroristic acts NEVER get them what they want they may try other means. However, if they achieve their goals, they will never stop.
Think for yourself!
Make up your own mind!
First he was a terrorist. He virtually created aircraft hijackings (would al queda have been able to hijack the four planes of September 11th were we not "programmed" to react as we did by Palestinian and other terrorists?). He ordered kidnappings, murders, the list goes on and on. I doubt that ANYONE knows the number of innocent people murdered on Arafat's orders. The terrorist activities of this man would have doomed virtually anyone else to a life on the run from authorities.
Then this murderer, with the blood of innocents on his hands, was somehow accepted into "normal" society. Even worse, he is accepted as a diplomat. I can remember my SHOCK when he was invited to the White house numerous times. He even received the Nobel Peace Prize. All of these things legitimizing a mass murderer. His ONLY claim to fame was his terrorism. Had he been an upstanding member of society no more than a few dozen people in the world would have known his name. However, by the time of his death he was free to travel to most countries, including the United States without being arrested. This is quite a feat!
In the past few days he has been called a statesman, a dreamer, a hero, and a litany of other accolades as though he were some model for all to look up to. And, occasionally, a negative adjective is added, but ALWAYS with an asterisk. Things like, "some" considered him a terrorist. "Some?", as though some don't believe him to have been. As if that terrorist were another man, and this one need not be obligated to stand up accountable for the horrible acts of that first one.
Since September 11th I have often wondered about the "logic" (assuming there is any) behind al queda. Bin Laden has to know that America will not change its entire foreign policy because of terroristic attacks. Bin Laden WILL die. Al queda will be marginallized. The stated goal (which could not possibly be the real goal) of getting America out of the middle east is NOT attainable. Therefore, who in his right mind (obviously he is not) would attempt such a foolish endeavor? Then, this week it hit me. Arafat attempted it, and succeeded! He went from an illegitimate terrorist to a so-called "statesman" who, had he the courage, could have attained most of his stated goals. Unfortunately, he always wanted a little more than was offered to him and he died without realizing the sovereign Palestine which was within his own power to have attained.
For the sake of the Palestinian people, hopefully their next leaders will reach out and bring Palestine to life as a free and peaceful member of the world community. Unfortunately since the world community gave legitimacy to the terrorist Arafat, these new leaders may think that more violence can achieve more of their goals, just as it seemed to have Arafat's.
The world cannot make the mistake of someday granting legitimacy to other terrorists. Whether they are Palestinian, or someone like bin laden, the world cannot afford to give them ANY seat at the bargaining table.
If we do we only invite other "nobodies" to commit acts of terror to become a "somebody" and how many thousands (and unfortunately in the atomic age perhaps millions) of innocent people will have to die for a nobody to get recognized?
pacifism toward terrorists is not an option. We can understand the desperation behind the acts but we can NEVER condone the terroristic acts, or the terrorists themselves if we want not to live in constant fear. If their terroristic acts NEVER get them what they want they may try other means. However, if they achieve their goals, they will never stop.
Think for yourself!
Make up your own mind!
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