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I didn't get a chance to comment on this a few days ago, but since it has come back up now...

This week the United States, which in the past has provided little direct aid to the Palestinian Authority, demanded that the Palestinian Authority return $50 million that President Bush had given in May to show support for Abbas, the State Department said Friday. The money was intended to fund projects in Gaza after the Israeli withdrawal last year, but the Palestinians so far have spent only about $600,000 of it, the State Department said. Abbas agreed to return $49.4 million but was furious at the U.S. demand, according to a source close to the Palestinians.

I understand that a decision over how to handle Hamas is difficult. Hamas is after all still classified as a terrorist organization, and as such it make no sense to support them. But...

Isn't it a bit hypocritical to spend years beating the drum for democracy and freedom,only to turn around and reject its results when they don't agree with foreign policy objectives? Isn't this going to send precisely the wrong message to the Arab world at a moment when messaging is absolutely critical to our long-term success? You can't be an idealist and a realist at the same time. For 5 years now Bush has staked his and our collective futures on an idealistic vision. How on earth does he think he can turn away now without any consequences?

Also, if the money was sent to assist in development in Gaza, wasn't its aim to help the people of Gaza and not its politicians? I seem to recall arguments by many before the war that sanctions we're hurting the people of Iraq more than its leaders, and that as such a quick war would be more humane than leaving the sanctions regime in place. Wouldn't the same argument apply here?

Honestly I can't say that I see an easy a solution to this problem. There simply isn't an easy out. But the situation is much more difficult than it need have been thanks to Bush's simplistic and idealistic view of the world. Idealism can be a beautiful thing, but when shaping public policy an understanding of the realities of the world in which we live is absolutely essential. Apparently reality just isn't something this administration has cared much about, and for that we will now all have to pay the price.

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