Ho hum. But you seem to think that Palestinians having the wherewithall for armed resistance is a substantial breach of the peace process. I say the article is well crafted right-wing propaganda.
But for the sake of argument, lets assume that I accept it at face value. What do you propose to do about it? Give Sharon whatever he wants? Imprison Arafat, impose concessions on Israel terms and an interim goverment on Palestine. Bear in mind, Bush is *on record* saying he wants a two-state solution. A two-state solution seems to pretty much be US policy, at least for now. Me: So, by your definition, the Palestinians can violate the agreements that they have signed promising that they will limit their arsenals, and that fact is "right-wing propaganda?" At what point, exactly, would Palestinian violations of the accords not be right wing propaganda? When they were using explosives they aren't supposed to have to kill Israeli kindergardeners? Oh, wait, that's already happening. When they were shipping heavy anti-tank weapons they aren't supposed to have into the territories with the assistance of the Iranian government? Oh, _that's_ already happening too. For the sake of argument, I'll ignore the ludicrous description of a Scott Shuger article in Slate as right-wing. Have you ever even read Slate, by any chance? Do you have any idea where it falls on the political spectrum? The fact that Michael Kinsley was its founding editor might possibly suggest something to you. But what is it that you think Sharon wants? I'll tell you exactly what - he wants Israeli civilians to no longer be murdered by Palestinian terrorists. Apparently everyone but Jews is allowed to live in safety and defend themselves when attacked. Jews, though, have to sit there and take it. Finally, I would point out that there are three major players in the process - Bush, Sharon, and Arafat. Bush has said he wants a two-state solution. Arafat says that in English but in Arabic repeatedly calls for the destruction of Israel. Sharon, however, is _also_ on record as proposing a two-state solution. He _also_ has publicly supported the creation of a Palestinian state. Only one of the three parties wants a one-state solution. It's not the US, and it's not the Israelis. Gautam
