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Is it really that simple Scott?

If I label some person or group a terrorist I'm entitled to inflict any kind of inhumane barbarity on them? No questions asked before during or afterwards? No investigation permitted see what the facts actually are? You think the American people really will settle for that?
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Of Course not.

But if the IRA's response after 9-11 were to step up the violence against Britain by bombing shopping centers, double decker busses, and schoolyards, then a stepped up British response would have been largely applauded in the USA. I think the IRA astutely saw this political reality and adjusted their strategy accordingly: They decided to take the high road and very publicly announce that the renounced terrorism and that they would now use only peaceful means to achieve their ends.

I'm taking a side on the issue of Ireland or the IRA. I think that most in the US don't even understand the problems in Ireland. In fact most Americans couldn't find Ireland on a map of Europe. Heck, most in America would probably blame the IRA terrorism of the past on "those damned dirty Republicans" (In Congress).

America after 9-11 is not likely to take the side of the "terrorists" whether they call themselves "Freedom Fighters" or not. The Best course of action for the Palistinians after 9-11 would have been to lay low. They did the opposite. It was a terrible blunder on their part. They just don't get how the game is played and won. They are led by real bad negotiators. They need a political spin-meister, a P/R firm, a good lawyer, and a good time-out before they are ever allowed back to Camp David. Unfortunatly, their bluders are more likely to lead to a war than a Palistinian State.

Scott (Certainly not an expert on Ireland, but I think I have the Palestinians pretty well figured out.)