We have heard, over and over, how the Palestinains were offered
 90% of what they wanted and turned it down. The right in America
 uses this to condemn the Palestinians, without actually
 explaining just what 90% of what they wanted means.

 In today's paper there are competing columns, one by Nicholas
 Kristof, and one by Charles Krauthammer. Kristof focused on how
 the republicans had a chance at just what they demanded, but
 balked at ending tax breaks for hedge fund managers, and a few
 other tax advantages that benefit the very rich.

 Krauthammer focused on how trivial the value of Obama's demans
 were. He went on about how none of those changes would make a
 significant dent in the budget. Yet they would make the
 republicans agree to tax increases, no matter how trivial and
 indirect. It appears Krauthammer thinks he is hitting Obama
 hard on this, and making Obama appear to be grasping at straws
 in his attempt to get something out of the republicans.

 What he is really doing is making it absolutely clear that the
 republicans had a chance at their 90% of what they demanded,
 only haveing to give up a tiny portion of what the democrats
 wanted, and they walked out.

 The Republican party must have taken a page from the Palestinian
 Authority's manual, Boehner must be channeling Arafat. They had
 it all in their hands, and they walked out rather than give an
 inch.

 One anti-Arafat commentator said, at the time, that Arafat
 didn't want to end the conflict, because to do so would have
 ended Arafat's reason for being.

 Boehner doesn't want to end the impass because to do so would
 mean admitting negotiation is possible, reason is good,
 compromise is rational even if it's just a very tiny compromise.
 Boehner can't do that, he's written himself into the script for
 the national drama as the conquering hero, and conquerers
 dictate, they do not negotiate.

 Boehner has a choice, his ego, or his country. It appears he is
 going to chose his ego.

 And we will pay the price.


BOB KLAHN bob.klahn@sev.org   http://home.toltbbs.com/bobklahn

... There is a current shortage of plowshares and a vast surplus of swords.
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