Pop Quiz
Today former Iranian president Mohammad Khatami offered to mediate between Fatah and Hamas. He conducted meetings with representatives from each organization.
You have exactly 5 seconds to decide if you should express encouragement or discouragement. You may prevaricate and mumble something about "study the issue", but if so, you're not ready for primary time.
Pretend you're some congressional or above candidate and jot down in comments your (assumed) character and his or her decision or lack of one.
Comments
If my assumed character was a career politician, with nothing concerning me more or less than my image as viewed by the cluelessly disempowered, demoralized minority of the eligible voting public that miraculously still votes, I would say something along the lines of, "Hamas is a terrorist organization. America is not interested in mediated discussions with terrorists." i.e. balls out pseudo-macho bull, because unfortunately mindless authoriatarianism is still a force to be reckoned with these days.
If my assumed character was human, who somehow was able to navigate a career in politics without diluting my essential humanity AND at the same time pose a credible challenge to a congressional seat or higher, I would say, "Khatami seems like he could be a genuine force for peace in a very troubled polity. I am interested in hearing what may come of this." Such make-believe means of course I wouldn't feel threatened by using a 25 cent/eggheaded word like "polity", either.
Posted by: spark | July 1, 2007 06:50 AM