[Scott from the Left Coast]

It appears that Arafat is going for the PR KO with this little action (does anyone doubt that he ordered those in the church to start this the moment he heard that Powell had accepted his little half-statement/feint?)

Now he can get the giant PR boost (especially in fortifying his status amongst his own people) from the U.S. playing supplicant to him plus he can get the European Roman Catholics stirred up against Israel by torching the church (and Europe is already blaming Israel for Palestinian murders holing up there). Beautiful. Master of the Big Lie.

He's playing us like a Stradivarius.

[RamsNo1]

You're right. The bombing yesterday happened to see what Powell was made of. Today we and Arafat found out that he and Bush are made of mush.

1) Game---Arafat bombing of Israelis in Jerusalem

2) Set---Arafat "favorably" responds to US urging to denounce terrorism to get his endorsement meeting with Powell and more international aid.

3) Match---Arafat gets more international sympathy by blaming Israel for starting more fighting at the Church of the Nativity.

[mrustow]

It appears that Arafat is going for the PR KO with this little action (does anyone doubt that he ordered those in the church to start this the moment he heard that Powell had accepted his little half-statement/feint?)

Now he can get the giant PR boost (especially in fortifying his status amongst his own people) from the U.S. playing supplicant to him plus he can get the European Roman Catholics stirred up against Israel by torching the church (and Europe is already blaming Israel for Palestinian murders holing up there). Beautiful. Master of the Big Lie.

He's playing us like a Stradivarius.

But haven't you heard? Already on day one, a PLO policeman named Samir called from inside the church, insisting that all the terrorists' ammunition was used up. And Pali policemen never lie!