You, The People
June 26th, 2002 - 3:21 pm
The problem with democracy is figuring out how to keep The People from picking the wrong guy.
In the US, the safety valve is the Electoral College. If, in a race between Hitler and Santa Claus, The People choose Hitler. . .well, there’s nothing really preventing the Electoral College from electing Santa, instead.
That said, fear not the not-quite-as-yet-scheduled Palestinian election. Certain, hidden powers-that-be, both within and without the PA, will make sure The People don’t choose Arafat.
what about between Hitler & the Grinch.. who makes the call ? sounds very slippery-slope to me.
After all, should the lectoral college have elected Al Gore since he was sooo much smarter and well-read than Bush..?
Remember, The People can always rise up, too. I recall that happening once before in these parts…
Stephen, I interpreted your “don’t worry” as sarcastic since I put the odds of Arafat being defeated at election at about 25% – assuming he lives to see it.
Right you are, Stephen.
My take.
ACD
Not sarcastic in the slightest, Robin. If Arafat lives and runs, he’ll lose.
Depends on what state you are in. Recall that some states actually do require the electors to rubber stamp vote the democratic majority outcome. The ‘tyranny of the majority’ safety valve is highly diluted, if that’s what you’re looking to the electoral college to accomplish.
As to the other point, I have to go with Robin. The odds of Arafat losing are damn slim indeed. To wink at or endorse any tinkering by the US or any other interested party (ahem) in the election is counterproductive. I hope that’s not what your, “hidden powers that be” is suggesting.
What a bunch of jackasses we would be to push democratic reform, fair and open elections, and then muck about with it. Our long term credibility on that point is far more important than any short term gain. Assassination also is out, not only because of existing restrictions on it (which could always be revised or overturned), but because it too would be counterproductive in the long run. Why make a martyr of the man?
All that is left is the ‘make clear the consequences should they choose him’ argument, which is pretty intangible and unlikely to sway Palestinian public opinion.
Am I missing some other option??
Personally, I can’t think of a single martyr ever holding office anywhere so I think assassination of Arafat would be just dandy.
Besides, one would think that the Mossad could make it look “natural” if they really wanted to. I mean, isn’t Arafat an old fart who could easily have a heart attack anyway?
Hard to say. Frankly, even if he does die of natural causes I would expect there to be a good amount of finger pointing. To avoid the appearance of hypocrisy, though it is imperative that we do not, as America, have a hand in this sort of thing. If Israel wants to do it, having weighed the moral and strategic implications, that’s their own business.