Monday, February 24, 2003 :::
I heard on the radio yesterday reports of pro-war rallies; I was recently discussing with someone that, to my knowledge, such things don't take place in free democracies, even where war is clearly the popular choice and anti-war rallies are taking place. I submitted that it is an inherently sober position not given to rallies.
If that analysis is perfect, then the pro-war rallies are disturbing, representing a certain enthusiastic belligerence. It's quite possible, particularly as a reaction to the anti-war rallies, that these are simply a response viewed as necessary by people who view war as necessary — a necessary frivolity for a necessary evil.
One of the things that makes the Arab street harder to like than the Israeli street is the joy the former takes in destruction, where the latter expresses nothing happier than relief. I hope we take no joy in any attack, but I also hope we find relief there.
::: posted by dWj at 12:57 PM
