Lots of folks have been publishing palestinian reactions to today's news. (Yes, despite the apparent reluctance of their media to report on it, they seem to be getting up to speed.) This is one of my favorites:
Khairiyeh Said, 43, a high-school teacher, said she wept when she watched Saddam in captivity. "I was sitting with my friends when we heard the bad news," she added. "We all started crying because we love Saddam and we hate [US President George W.] Bush and [Prime Minister Ariel] Sharon. This is a big victory for Bush and Sharon and all the enemies of the Palestinian people. We hope the Iraqi resistance will now teach the American dogs a good lesson."
Yes, this is a high-school teacher talking. Imagine what lovely images she plants in the heads of her poor, unsuspecting little pupils. Imagine the rocks, the guns, the explosive belts, the virgins.
But then there was this, as well:
Michael Hanna a 28-year-old engineer was one of the few Palestinians who said they were happy that Saddam was captured by the Americans. "Saddam is responsible for the killing of thousands of his own people and he deserves to die," he said. "I have no sympathy for him or other Arab dictators. I hope he will be put on trial and executed. This should be a lesson for other corrupt and tyrant Arab leaders. I hope the Iraqi people will now be able to live in peace because they have suffered for a long time under Saddam and his sons."
A ray of light pierces the darkness, perhaps.
