Yes, but if he dies like this, he's not a martyr. Hopefully, someone with an actual commitment to peace ultimately takes his place. Of course, in that region, it ain't bloody likely.
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Originally posted by OlFuzzyBastardYes, but if he dies like this, he's not a martyr. Hopefully, someone with an actual commitment to peace ultimately takes his place. Of course, in that region, it ain't bloody likely.
Oh, he'll be a martyr. They'll blame it on some Israeli plot or something. Considering some of the stuff them blame on the Jews, this one'll be easy.
If the Israelis have any sense at all, they'll let Barghouti out of jail and let him have a go at it. He's the only one with the combination of street cred, common sense, and (hopefully) willingness to make peace to possibly make it work.
The really fun game is going to be "where's he going to be buried, who's going to come, and what are they going to say." If the Israelis really want to be pricks they'll make him be buried in Egypt (he is Egyptian after all).
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Originally posted by Roy.My big question is, if he kicks the bucket, who takes over for him? And is that person going to be better or worse for the world?
Originally posted by OlFuzzyBastard, someone with an actual commitment to peace ultimately takes his place.
Those are the two key points. I personally believe that Arafat has always been part of the problem, and his death will help peace along. However, true to their Communist roots the PLA is going to be run by a troika in the meantime. And generally, whoever is the most ruthless, worst guy of the bunch takes charge(see: Stalin).
"France, as I told you (Arafat) in Ramallah on June 30, will be always on your side to back your effort in favor of a just and negotiated peace," [French foreign minister] Barnier said.
Good to see France continuing its proud traditions.
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Besides where he is buried, an interesting question will be what level leaders show up for his funeral? Heads of State or just lower level emissaries. And, while the next leader could be worse than Arafat, nothing is going to be accomplished with him in control, so might as roll take a shot that his successor is willing to cut a relatively reasonable deal.
Well, I am pretty sure if he gets buried anywhere where an Israeli war plane can fly near, you can bet your ass a lot of "hi level PLO" types will bite the dust that day.
Originally posted by OlFuzzyBastardYes, but if he dies like this, he's not a martyr. Hopefully, someone with an actual commitment to peace ultimately takes his place. Of course, in that region, it ain't bloody likely.
My sentiments, exactly. As ghoulish as it sounds, I would like nothing more than for him to die a peaceful death (when his natural time comes, of course).
Originally posted by Guru ZimThe Yahoo! link says that he is dead, if you missed it I think it's not a question of if any longer.
Although...this is starting to get strange. This was on the MSNBC site, and CNN had one similar to it.
BREAKING NEWS NBC News and news services Updated: 12:14 p.m. ET Nov. 4, 2004
PARIS - A hospital official in France on Thursday denied reports that Yasser Arafat had died as the result of an undisclosed illness. The statement came after Israeli media and the prime minister of Luxembourg said the 75-year-old Palestinian leader had died.
EDIT: CNN is now saying (dateline today, 12:00 EST) that Arafat is being moved to a different medical facility for "treatment more appropriate to his condition".
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Both the Palistinians and French doctors are denying he's dead however, with the docs saying only his condition is now "more complex." Still, if he's not dead it's looking like a safe bet he won't be around by the weekend.
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The report I heard says the Israelis said he was dead. The French denied he died in a Paris hospital, and also denied that the condition was cancer. Something about a blood problem.
Reminds me a bit of a Simpsons episode He was taken to hospital and pronounced dead. he was then taken to a better hospital and pronounced alive.
The jury's still out (ie my opinion) on the effects this will have on the Gaza conflict.
Originally posted by Jeb Tennyson Lund• One of these days, when Triple H is in the middle of one of his long grunting promos, Jericho should just lean forward, stick his finger on the end of Triple H's schnozz and say, "poooooooke!" No one will know what to do.
Anybody else getting an old Russia feeling about this? LIke he's BEEN DEAD for a a few days, and they are scrambling trying to get things lines up back in Israel before they announce it?
Remember Andropov? Didnt that basicly happen with his death?
Originally posted by Guru ZimThe Yahoo! link says that he is dead, if you missed it I think it's not a question of if any longer.
Although...this is starting to get strange. This was on the MSNBC site, and CNN had one similar to it.
BREAKING NEWS NBC News and news services Updated: 12:14 p.m. ET Nov. 4, 2004
PARIS - A hospital official in France on Thursday denied reports that Yasser Arafat had died as the result of an undisclosed illness. The statement came after Israeli media and the prime minister of Luxembourg said the 75-year-old Palestinian leader had died.
EDIT: CNN is now saying (dateline today, 12:00 EST) that Arafat is being moved to a different medical facility for "treatment more appropriate to his condition".
(edited by Blanket Jackson on 4.11.04 1219)
This still isn't as good a Calling a Person dead before their time blunder as a few years ago when CNN knocked off Bob Hope, the Pope and about 25 others all at once. Anyone know if Yassar has been cast in Weekend at Bernie's 3 yet?
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Originally posted by Big GThe report I heard says the Israelis said he was dead. The French denied he died in a Paris hospital, and also denied that the condition was cancer. Something about a blood problem.
Reminds me a bit of a Simpsons episode He was taken to hospital and pronounced dead. he was then taken to a better hospital and pronounced alive.
I don't know why this whole thing reminds me of a Strong Bad song, but it does.
It'll be the biggest hit on Radio PLO: "Yasser is not deeeeaaaad/I'm so glad Yasser is not dead/Yasser is not deeeeaaaad..."
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Originally posted by redsoxnationThis still isn't as good a Calling a Person dead before their time blunder as a few years ago when CNN knocked off Bob Hope, the Pope and about 25 others all at once.
Including Yasser Arafat, if I remember correctly.
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