Edward Said dies

[The_Rorschach]

"What then? A US forced peace? An indeffinite period of waiting sort of kind of hoping that perhaps a Palestinian negotiator will arise?"

Just as I believe that laws concerned with protecting people from themselves, rather than to protect the encroachment of rights and liberties by others, I also believe that forcing a peace upon nations goes against the American philosophy.

"This ignores the point of the question, which was not really what you personally or the US or Abcddxx should do, but what might you imagine doing, what might you suggest , what course might Israel take? I lay the initiative at Israels feet becuase they have a functioning government and military capable of controlling their citizenry and acting on their behalf."

I ignored the question because I was not qualified to give a suitable answer being largely unaware of certain relative facts which I would need to in order to land at a just conclusion, therefore I attempted to answer your question as best I could, given the limitation of my scope.

"Then having said that you don't personally think the US ought to have a role you forward a peace plan (which I mostly like by the way) That TOTALLY relies on US military and financial contributions."

Having endeavoured to emplace ourselves in such quagmires as the Middle East peace process, we have a responsibility to see it through until the end. Yes, it does rely entirely on the US, as it should as we owe them the same commitment as we owe the Kurds, and Iraqi's and Afghani's, and every other people we have promised to aide and embetter.

"And the central problem with the plan you offer is it was written before Abbas resigned and assumed to some degree that Abbas could be trusted to negotiate for the Palestinians."

The King of Jordan could be trusted to Palestinians, and if memory serves, that was a previous proposition. He seems even keeled enough to me to be trusted in Abba's stead.

"If you cannot imagine a Palestinian who you do not like, who you do not agree with, but who you can work with... Than why talk of peace at all? And if you don't believe peace is a possability, take the bull by the horns and say what you DO think Israel should do."

See this is where I make an assumption, which is always a potentially disastrous move. The majority of people within Palestine, I believe without any supporting facts or data, are people frustrated by economic dispair, crippled by lack of formal education, and despirited by the prospects of a doubtful future. Perhaps it is simply cultural arrogance, but this is how I see them, and based on that assumption, I believe a dose of wealth, comfort and security for their future coupled above all with an open educational system would go a long ways to easing the tensions in that reason. A hundred years ago we were having witch trials, and the only difference between the Americans then and the Palestinians now is technological means and lack of inhibition.

"Oh, and while Said may have had more active influence on current world affairs as of a week ago than Kissinger, it's arguable. . ."

Arguable is the correct word here in my opinion. The ramifications of Said's writings will endure long after Kissinger's last ripples are felt, though of course I hope otherwise.