Article

2005-01-10 Israel-Palestine

Mahmoud Abbas wins Palestine poll (woo. hoo.)

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Posted by .com 2005-01-10 00:25|| || Front Page|| [8 views since 2007-05-07] Top

#1 While I certainly don't envy this chap his eggshell tightrope (so to speak), he has brought it upon himself. I fail to see any realistic expectation for success should he continue to make all of the appropriate noises that appease his terrorist constituency while simultaneously pretending that fruitful negotiations with Israel are possible.

For Abbas to assume a mantle of genuine leadership, he must somehow lead the Palestinian people out of their self-imposed dark ages of terrorism. I do not see where there is any sincere common desire by his electorate for this to happen. Anti-Semitism is so deeply ingrained in the Palestinian culture that significant progress with Israel will require a literal rewiring of thought patterns. Nothing points towards this in the least.

The fact that Abbas retains his nom du guerre, Abu Mazen, epitomizes the cognitive dissonance his schizoid stance implies. It's hard to imagine Abbas doing much more than treading political water in a futile effort that pleases no one. The Palestinians have spent decades painting themselves into this political corner. While their arrival at this mordant cul de sac was largely the work of one particularly vile thug (i.e., Arafat), their sincere departure from such entrenched moral and ethical corruption will require much more statecraft than Abbas is likely to provide.

I welcome Abbas' attempts to reconcile the nearly intractable Israeli-Palestinian conflict, but have yet to see much more than lip-service paid towards that end. It is all well and fine for Abbas to publicly call for an end to terrorism, but what he promotes behind closed doors will tell the true tale. I foresee that story having a rather abrupt end, most likely at the hands of dissatisfied terrorist factions seeking a resurgence of the murderous violence they know and love so well.

Posted by Zenster 2005-01-10 1:08:00 AM|| 2005-01-10 1:08:00 AM|| Front Page Top

#2 Lol, Zenster, this is the most balanced and 'fair' comment I've seen out of you :P but you're right. 50-50 that any progress is made AT BEST. :(

Posted by Edward Yee 2005-01-10 1:36:21 AM|| [http://edwardyee.fanworks.net] 2005-01-10 1:36:21 AM|| Front Page Top

#3 I welcome Abbas' attempts to reconcile the nearly intractable Israeli-Palestinian conflict

Except that Abbas' only interest in reconciling the conflict is producing a Judenfrei Israel by political rather than "military" means. But otherwise a good comment, Zenster. Especially the phrase mordant cul de sac , which I was not prepared for this early in the morning. ;-)

Posted by trailing wife 2005-01-10 6:50:59 AM|| 2005-01-10 6:50:59 AM|| Front Page Top

#4 The show must go on --- at least until a viable alternative to Arab oil is found.

Posted by gromgorru 2005-01-10 10:36:34 AM|| 2005-01-10 10:36:34 AM|| Front Page Top

#5 Mahmoud while practicing "arafat politics" won in a...er...ah..."nailbiter" in Palestine.

Posted by John Q. Citizen 2005-01-10 11:27:23 AM|| 2005-01-10 11:27:23 AM|| Front Page Top

#6 Except that Abbas' only interest in reconciling the conflict is producing a Judenfrei Israel by political rather than "military" means.

trailing wife, I could not agree with you more. That Abbas apparently has no qualms vis pandering to the hyper-violent factions within Palestinian society puts the lie to all his blather about foresaking terrorism.

This literally boils down to a single refrain so often sung hereabouts. Namely, "But what did he say in Arabic?" This is exactly what I meant by "what he promotes behind closed doors." The potential for (what is now) commonplace Arab duplicity places an immense onus of transparency and accountability on Abbas that, quite frankly, I see no indication of him being able to deliver upon.

However much I detest pessimism, Islamist terrorism has taught me to place little faith in Arab words and gigantic emphasis upon Arab acts. So far, Abbas is nothing more than another prestidigitation-laden Palestinian sideshow and therefore of little consequence. The simple act of Abbas retaining his nom du guerre signals loud and clear SSDD (Same Shit Different Day). That he also attempts to parlay Arafat's fatally tainted legacy into a positive element of his statecraft is enough for me to dismiss him altogether.

But otherwise a good comment, Zenster. Especially the phrase mordant cul de sac , which I was not prepared for this early in the morning.

Contrary to what others here may squawk about, I do make an effort to contribute something of worth. Catching my prey unawares is merely icing on the cake. Thank you for your kind words, trailing wife. Praise from the praiseworthy is what makes life worth living.

Posted by Zenster 2005-01-10 10:35:38 PM|| 2005-01-10 10:35:38 PM|| Front Page Top

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