I hate to state the obvious, but thank you, Plum, for your measured -- indeed, sane -- comments on "the Middle East..." Since 9/11/01, I've seen this true cradle of civilization (ours, too everyone--don't forget that) referred to as hell on earth, and across the cyberworld, the place discussed as the one we should just "nuke." But the easy, misuse of semantics to enhance nationalistic hubris is just illustrative of the overall moral debacle. I.e. Our arrogance about our "humanity" and their "evil." How precious we view our pain, our suffering, our lives, and as Plum points out, how faceless and expendable are "theirs."
"I'm a comedian, but in my spare time, things bother me." Garry Shandling