Arafat The Monster (Jeff Jacoby, Boston Globe Op-Ed)

Boston Globe ^ | Jeff Jacoby

[farlander]

In a better world, the PLO chief would have met his end on a gallows, hanged for mass murder much as the Nazi chiefs were hanged at Nuremberg. In a better world, the French president would not have paid a visit to the bedside of such a monster.

[Swampmarine]

The author couldn't resist demeaning an otherwise good piece of writing by taking yet another cheap shot at President Bush. Just couldn't help himself.

[Admin Moderator]

Regarding #2, Boston Globe is excerpt-only.

Reference.

[Texas Eagle]

In a better world, George Bush would not have said, on hearing the first reports that Arafat had died, "God bless his soul." God bless his soul? What a grotesque idea! Bless the soul of the man who brought modern terrorism to the world? Who sent his agents to slaughter athletes at the Olympics, blow airliners out of the sky, bomb schools and pizzerias, machine-gun passengers in airline terminals? Who lied, cheated, and stole without compunction? Who inculcated the vilest culture of Jew-hatred since the Third Reich? Human beings might stoop to bless a creature so evil -- as indeed Arafat was blessed, with money, deference, even a Nobel Prize -- but God, I am quite sure, will damn him for eternity.

Hard to argue with that.

[Capt. Tom]

The author couldn't resist demeaning an otherwise good piece of writing by taking yet another cheap shot at President Bush. Just couldn't help himself.

I don't think it is a cheap shot. Bush said it, and the author disagrees with him.

If you want to bless Arafat's soul then you agree with the President. I don't. - Tom

[Moral Hazard]

In a better world, George Bush would not have said, on hearing the first reports that Arafat had died, "God bless his soul."

It's my understanding the President Bush has used this same phrase in reference to individuals executed in Texas. I don't think it's a sign that he thinks the subject is a good person.

[DoughtyOne]

Damning his soul would be the only proper course. You are correct.

I simply do not understand how this administration could so completely miss what Arafat was time and again.

Leadership is not couching your words to curry favor. Arafat was an evil man. When talking about him, it is fitting to acknowledge that.

[morrighan_rising]

I think it's entirely possible for one to see Arafat for what he really is and simultaneously recognize that a higher power has jurisdiction now.

It's like saying "May God have mercy because we sure won't."

[Texas Eagle]

Point well taken. Although it can be argued that at least in the case of the criminals executed in Texas that they were held to account for their earthly actions by their fellow man and therefore asking God to bless their souls is a prayer for God to take this into consideration.

In Arafat's case, he never was held to account for his actions. Until now.

[Walkin Man]

No kiddin, that makes me wanna vomit!

The original terrorist baby killin muslim scum dies and the President says "God bless his soul"?!?!?!?

Lord have mercy...

[massgopguy]

Yes, but I suspect that the president knows the likelyhood of the Almighty doing it. There may have been a silent; "or not" running through his mind.

[UnklGene]

[LowCountryJoe]

You're a piece of work, guy. As a Christian (as your profile suggests), you should understand the validity of that statement by president Bush; not only from a Christan perspective but from a important diplomatic point of view as well. Remember, even the accounts Jesus' last moments on earth have him asking His Father to forgive those who had Him put to death because they knew not what they were doing.

Ask your physician about a good mood stabilizer.

[rightwingreligiousfanatic]

I love this article. It is great! Ending with listing the names of all the victims of a horrendous attack in 1974 that had Arafats fingerprints all over it.... I don't know why it's not getting more attention here on FR!

Maybe it was posted elsewhere?

[Smile-n-Win]

Maybe it was posted elsewhere?

Yup: here and here.