[mburbank]

" Edward Said was no Hitler, but neither was he Ghandi."
Drivel.

George Bush the elder is no Hitler, but neither was he Ghandi
George Bush the younger is no Hitler, but neither was he Ghandi
Ariel SharonEdward Said is no Hitler, but neither was he Ghandi
Prince Bandahar is no Hitler, but neither was he Ghandi
Johnny Cash was no Hitler, but neither was he Ghandi
John Ritter was no Hitler, but neither was he Ghandi
Max Burbank is no Hitler, but neither was he Ghandi
Spongebob Squarepants is no Hitler, but neither was he Ghandi

What Palestinain voice and or opinion would any of you select to deal with? I don't mean some mythical Plaestinian Voice you would like. Because if the two sides do not deal with each other (and they make only the thinnest pretense of dealing now) then you simply accept the status quo, blow following blow, death following death. No matter how much you dislike and distrust the views of the Palestinians you either have to pick someone to deal with or havce the decency to come out and say you have no intention of dealing with them at all. There are historical precedents after all. There were no moderate Nazis, and Chamberlain was wrong to deal with Hitler. That is perfectly suppprtable political stance.

My question, and I've posed it before, is do you see any point in attempts at an Israeli/Palestinian peace process?

If yes, who do you propose the Israeli's engage with? What camp, what stripe, hich person?

If the answer is their is no Palestinian Camp, stripe or person you would have them engage with, (and again, I agree this argument cn be made) what do you propose Israel do?

I have seen multiple arguments here against opinions and sympathies, but (and perhap I've missed them) I've heard no suggestions about what to do if their is no one to engage with.

My feeling is down that road lies a war of attrition leading to mutual annihilation.

I might not shed a tear when Henry Kissinger dies, but I wouldn't say or feel for that matter, Good riddance. I don't know how much bloodshed you attribute to Said, but I'd be willing to bet I attribute more to Kissinger, who has had a far longer run, and enjoyed far more power.