Body-Surfing to the Grave
SLANT POINT BLOG
I don't know about anyone else, but I certainly don't want my coffin body-surfing into my grave when I die. Don't get me wrong. I was a huge heavy metal/grunge fan in my 20s, and enjoyed the maneuver a few times in front of Soundgarden, Metallica and more.
But Arafat's coffin atop his people's heads in a Ramallah mosh pit? Geez. We knew security forces for the PLO were somewhat weak, and outsourcing to Hamas and Islamic Jihad a regularity, but couldn't they have held back the crowd and allowed the coffin to experience a more nobler ride? Just a little?
I suppose that's wishful thinking in a land of rock stars. And Arafat was greatest of them all. All the leaders in the Middle East are rock stars. They have mastered showmanship, concerts, screaming their lungs out in every aspect of "high" society - oh, except they carry guns.
You'd think something good just happened - well, looking around American media I'd say something good did happen. Seriously, what is the cause to celebrate? Who throws a party at funerals except eccentric families who would rather booze it up than face the concept of grieving?
There is no grief in Palestine. Somehow, the Palestinians have blind hope that this is all just an act, and that the next great act will follow.
Frankly, a culture can mourn, grieve or whatever any way they choose. But I think in a few days, the ghost of Arafat will haunt his people - a mirage of hope that he is still around mixed with denial that a dark, dark time is about to fall on their land.
Rock on dudes. Your tickets are no good tomorrow.
Like-minded:
Instapundit: If the Palestinian "authorities" can't even organize a funeral, how are they going to run a country? The answer, judging from past experience, is "miserably, violently and with massive corruption." |
