Colin Powell said the US wouldn't deal with Arafat if he were re-elected. The Palestinians are reacting the same way I would if they told me they wouldn't recognize anyone elected President of the US. Don't tell me for whom to vote!

There is a huge disconnect for me in this.

There have always been Palestinian extremists, some of them Palestinians at war against the PLO. They have not been under the control or influence of the PLO.

Arafat is being blasted for what the extremists not under his control have been doing.

Now, while Arafat is being called upon to control the Palestinian extremists who resent the Israeli usurpation of the West Bank, the Israelis continue to build the settlements.

How does the American government think Arafat, or anyone, can control the extremists while the invasion, the usurpation of property, and the evictions of Palestinians continues?

And a "cessation of hostilities". What that means is the Palestinians stop protesting the Israeli invasion and usurpation of their homeland. A ceasefire means the Israelis keep building, but the Palestinians keep asking the UN to write them letters.

No wonder Sharon loved the Bush speech. It meant a return to negotiations while the land grab continued.

It just seems crazy.