Posted by Dan Ewert : 4/30/2002 12:13:00 AM (Archive Link)
It’s occurred to me that Yassar Arafat is a classic mafia godfather. First, he rose through the ranks as a violent thug who didn’t hesitate to terrorize and to kill, thereby making himself a made man. Now, he puts on this presentable image as this great man, this great community leader who is respected by one and all and who is trying to lead his people as the president of the Palestinian Authority. The PA, however, is only his front organization. Behind the scenes, he’s dirtied his hands in all sorts of nefarious activities. Bombings, assassinations, election-fixing, intimidation, killings, weapons smuggling, random terrorism, and who knows what else. He talks of peace while holding a gun behind his back. He complains about the constant pressure from the District Attorney’s office (the Israelis) and whines about he can’t get his legitimate, honest business done because of it. The DA presents evidence of the godfather’s crimes… documents, testimony, a ship laden with 45 tons of illegal arms shipments… but the court of world opinion continues to find him innocent. He’s the new Teflon Don. So he will continue his crimes in private while the ignorant world eats up his good-guy image.