Regarding the target point, that is.

Peace in the Middle-East will never come about, until it is agreed upon by the aggressing parties. That includes the fanatics -- like the ones responsible for the death of Anwar Sadat 20 years ago last October. He had been presiding over an annual military parade when he was gunned down by what was described to be radical Islamic militants.

What is the use of terrorism?

“Nobody ever answers my letters of complaint... Nobody listens... So I think I’ll just blow them up.”

It appears to me to be a kind of bargaining chip. A sort of debating tool from the stone age, one that ranks right along with, “If I can’t have it, nobody can!” and so they blow themselves up, with their prize. Some people simply need to get the last word in. Both tactics are stupid, but they do get one’s problems published, and -- good, bad, or indifferent -- will probably fuel some kind of response.

Now, since nobody of moral character could ever righteously agree with the fanatic and his chosen, believed right to cause mayhem and destruction at will, to kill -- indiscriminately or not -- merely to shine light on his personal political problems, peace can never be attained.

For the target issue, the best defense is a good offense, and we've finally taken this tact to heart. Eradication of the fanatic will bring the long-awaited peace to the Middle-East. Stability will also bring law and order to the region, resulting in even fewer extremists loose on the streets, and thus strengthening peace.

Sadat was going to be murdered. It was in the plans of the fanatics, and it was either going to come about, or Menachem Begin would have to be the target. Well, that would surely take some doing. Guerrilla leader-come-Prime Minister Begin wasn’t exactly a passive guy to hit. Carter was too well protected for the extremists of the time. Sadat was the logical choice.

During a speech in Jerusalem, Menachem Begin mentioned the “guarantees for Israel” that were being touted by America’s diplomats at the time. Begin’s voice rose, and he pointed to the sky, squinting as though looking for something. Once he had the majority following his gaze, he said, "Guarantees -- guarantees... Maybe there you will find guarantees." He then pointed to the ground. "Not here!"

To win requires a definite action toward a definite solution -- and I think we're finally working on that.

Dan