Politicos do Sci Fi

For a long time I just figured that a number of world leaders and even certain members of the Israel’s upper tier political class were more than a marginally daft when you stuck a microphone in their faces and listened to what came out of their mouths concerning the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Nothing they said ever seemed to match the events on ground level. Now I finally figured it out and I just feel so stupid. As per the usual, I am one of the last to know. They live in an alternative political reality.

Just like all those alternative reality scenarios which Sci Fi television shows always make at least one episode revolve around per season. Today’s alternative reality moment is brought to us by British Foreign Minister, Margaret Beckett, who is currently visiting Israel. She took the time to address the Israeli press and share her alternative reality. Ynet News reports:

British Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett said Tuesday during talks in Jerusalem with her Israeli counterpart that there exists a window of opportunity to revive the long-stalled peace process between Israel and the Palestinians. "If we proceed carefully, there exists at the moment a possibility to push the peace process forward," Beckett told reporters after talks with Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni.

After I read this, I started to think maybe it would be a good idea if some kind of international litmus IQ test was instituted for all politicians. In order to receive their diplomatic passports and leave their home country to tour the world they would have to achieve an IQ scores greater than 105. It would certainly save Canadians a little embarrassment by keeping our current FM effectively corralled and prevent him from making boneheaded comments while speaking aboard.

I admit the whole “window of opportunity” crap really stumped me. As in my reality, the actions of Hamas, Islamic Jihad and Fatah wouldn’t let me see the window. It didn’t help that Gaza has been smouldering 24/7 for the last 4+ days. And don’t forget the repeated showdowns brought to us courtesy of the world’s longest non-stop ceasefire. That's practically guaranteed to keep your vision so clouded you cannot find a double-wide open barn door - let alone a window of opportunity.

Then it hit me. It’s a vision of an alternative reality. In another dimension things are going along swimmingly. Palestinians of all political moderations are holding hands and singing Kumbaya. The Israelis hear their song and realize not only that peace is on the horizon but is within their grasp; if only they reach out and embrace their neighbours. It’s either that or politicians of all political stripes have embraced the Geobbel principle of telling a lie long and loud enough so that people start to believe the hype.