Andrew Sullivan writes about "the barbarism of Hamas," offering up with his seal of approval this quote from Dean Barnett:
Hamas was the popularly elected government in the Gaza Strip. It reflects the will of the Palestinian people. For those who fantasize about a great silent majority in that part of the world hungering for peace, the events of this week should provide a needed reality check.
A resident of a Hamas-dominated neighborhood, identifying himself only as Yousef for fear of reprisal by his neighbors, said Gazans would always back the winner, regardless of ideology.
"Today everybody is with Hamas because Hamas won the battle. If Fatah had won the battle they'd be with Fatah. We are a hungry people, we are with whoever gives us a bag of flour and a food coupon," said Yousef, 30. "Me, I'm with God and a bag of flour."
It's as basic as Maslow's heirarchy of needs. Until basic necessities like air, water, food, shelter, and security are taken care of, ideology is irrelevant. Given that a vast majority of the population of Gaza cannot provide those basic necessities for themselves, it shouldn't surprise anyone that they will support, at least for a time, those who seem to offer the most assistance.
"God and a bag of flour" will beat out "democracy and individual liberty" every time.
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