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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