In direct contravention of my wife's explicit instructions, herewith I inaugurate my first blog. Long may it prosper.

For some reason, I think I have something to say to you. You think you have something to say to me? Email me at: gideonsblogger -at- yahoo -dot- com

 
So, just a quickie, I'm busy, but I want to understand something. As of this writing, the heads of state of Egypt, Morocco, Lybia, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates are not attending the summit in Beirut. Several of these leaders are staying away because they fear assassination. So remind me: why is it a foreign-policy priority of the United States to have Arafat attend this summit?
posted by Noah at 1:44 PM