Another 16 murdered in Israel. What is it that causes the media and intelligentsia to see this kind of tactic as distasteful but understandable, while reserving their condemnation and criticism for the Israelis when they take reasonable steps to find and crush the people responsible? Are we idiots? Are we all essentially terrorists as long as we see ourselves as oppressed? At some point, we must stop excusing this kind of atrocity, and start supporting the efforts of democratic regimes to protect their own people. Arafat is feckless at best, a murderer of innocents most probably. Yet we cling to him like a lifeline.

Mister Bush, tear down this Palestinian Authority! Deliver true reform and democracy to the Palestinian people! Announce that nations, including Saudi Arabia, who provide funding for the groups who perpetuate these attacks, are the enemies of mankind and set about to overthrow them.