I tend to be a pretty optimistic person, but I have officially given up on the Middle East in general, and the Arab/Muslim world in particular.

Consider the murderous lunatic Hassan Nasrullah, who would rather destroy Lebanon and cause the deaths of hundreds, if not thousands of innocent people than make a peace that would let Arabs and Israelis alike live in dignity and prosperity. It’s long been clear that the Arabs aren’t really interested in any peace agreement that includes the survival of an independent Israel, and their support of Nasrullah, whether implicit or explicit, is clear proof.

Consider the foolish Muslims in the United States, who came here for the peace, security, and opportunity they could never find at home…and who repay the nation that took them in by supporting Hezbollah – which offers only death, destruction, and hate.

Consider the Imams who, fortified with their 7th-century religious education, preach the most vile racist hatred...and are unchallenged by the civilized world.

I’m no particular fan of the Israelis, but they have built a vibrant and prosperous nation in a tough neighborhood. Compare them to the surrounding Arab Muslim nations, who have driven themselves into poverty and backwardness and blame everyone for it but themselves, and you will find there’s no comparison.

Read Victor Davis Hanson’s damning indictment of the pathetic Arab Muslim world at http://www.victorhanson.com/articles/hanson080706.html, and see if you don’t agree with my solution to the problems of the Middle East: build a 100-foot high wall around the region, fill it up to the top with sand, and start over.

I just can’t be an optimist any more.

More thoughts later.

Bilbo