October 31, 2004

FITTING MOURNERS (via Robert Schwartz):

Yasser Arafat's unrelenting journey (Barbara Plett, 10/31/04, BBC)

Foreign journalists seemed much more excited about Mr Arafat's fate than anyone in Ramallah.

We hovered around the gate to his compound, swarming around the Palestinian officials who drove by, poking our microphones through their dark, half-open windows.

But where were the people, I wondered, the mass demonstrations of solidarity, the frantic expressions of concern?

Was this another story we Western journalists were getting wrong, bombarding the world with news of what we think is an historic event, while the locals get on with their lives?

Yet when the helicopter carrying the frail old man rose above his ruined compound, I started to cry... without warning.

In quieter moments since I have asked myself, why the sudden surge of emotion?


Because you're a moral imbecile?

Posted by Orrin Judd at October 31, 2004 10:53 PM
Comments

Here's another passage being quoted widely: "Despite his obvious failings - his use of corruption, his ambivalence towards violence, his autocratic way of ruling - no one could accuse him of cowardice."

Of all the things that have ever been said about Arafat, this is probably the first person to claim that he was ambivalent towards violence.

Posted by: brian at October 31, 2004 11:05 PM

When he dies this woman is probably going to uulate on the News at Ten.

Posted by: John at October 31, 2004 11:54 PM

It must really cheese off sensible Brits (I assume there at least a few) that their taxpayer dollars are paying for this.

If she worked for PBS, I would be forced to dope slap her.

Posted by: Robert Schwartz at November 1, 2004 12:36 AM

But yes, well, of course. Why is this weepiness over a mass murdering gangster so surprising (or the fawning of the French PM, etc., etc.)?

Palestinians must wonder how much they must truly be despised by the world, given all the adulation being heaped on the architect of their continuing misfortune.

Posted by: Barry Meislin at November 1, 2004 02:02 AM

...Nor should anyone, after today's Carmel Market bombing in Tel Aviv wonder why Arafat has decided that Paris (or for that matter, anywhere besides Ramallah) is the place to be.

Posted by: Barry Meislin at November 1, 2004 05:46 AM

Just another Jew-hating Brit from the chattering classes. Nothing new to see here folks. Show's over. Let's move on.

Posted by: Bart at November 1, 2004 06:25 AM

when that murderous scum finally croaks, I will feel a sudden surge of emotion... oops, I meant 'elation'.

Posted by: JonofAtlanta at November 1, 2004 09:43 AM

Why must we continue to pay any part of our taxes to support NPR when they broadcast BBC news on their stations?

BBC has been cited as one of the main contributors to foreign public opinion (hatred) of the USA, along with the MSM in this country and Europe ... and I believe it.

When GWB wins I'd hope he would provide NPR support only for their broadcast of music. The rest of their agenda is too damned biased.

Posted by: genecis at November 1, 2004 10:26 AM

Yes, because you are a moral imbecile...

Posted by: DL Meadows at November 1, 2004 07:22 PM

test

Posted by: The Other Brother at December 8, 2004 05:03 AM
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