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April 15, 2003
I never forgot Leon Klinghoffer
Mastermind of Achille Lauro hijacking arrested in Iraq Abu Abbas, the Palestinian terrorist who masterminded the 1985 hijacking of the Italian cruise ship Achille Lauro in the Mediterranean Sea, has been arrested by U.S. personnel in Iraq.
I imagined again and again the horror of Leon Klinghoffer plunging into the water, still in his wheelchair. I imagined his wife watching this happen. I never forgot about it. Klinghoffer was dead when the pushed him overboard. The terrorists shot to death a helpless man who could not defend himself. I could not let go of the thought he went into that ocean in his wheelchair. There was something so barbaric about that, so raw and sinister about it. Leon was killed because he was a Jew. An American Jew. An American Jew sitting in a wheelchair doing his best to fend off the terrorists using only his voice. (To the terrorists, this was "provocation.") I spent a lot of time at the library discovering all kinds of sordid things about the Palestinian Liberation Front after that incident. I never forgot those things. I never forgot Leon Klinghoffer. May Abu Abbas meet a worse fate than Leon Klinghoffer did. Comments
The news of the capture of Abu Abbas is, in my opinion, some of the best news to come out of Iraq in several days. Abbas is an animal and will be caged the rest of his life. The sick culture that gave rise to Abbas, nutured and adored him, has been dealt a severe blow of late. I hope for more stories like this in the near future. Posted by: Mark at April 15, 2003 11:07 PMEvery once in a while, over the years, I too thought of Mr. Klinghoffer. More recently, similar reflections have arrived about the airline staffer with her hands tied with wire and her throat cut. Unimaginable, her feelings. Words fail. It is too bad so many people are too young to personally know this act of terrorism. I too remember it vividly. Posted by: Shiraki at April 16, 2003 03:30 AMIf Mr. Klinghoffer were a citizen of Houston the Rangers would be on a plane now to bring him back for trial. And we all know what happens to murderers and their accomplises in in Texas: A speedy trial as guaranteed by the constitution, a few years in a small cell near Hunstville, a short walk down a dreary corridor, ("this might sting a bit") needle, drip, drip, drip ("Won't feel anything ever again!"). Maybe Mr. Klinghoffer can be made an honorary citizen of Houston. I should call the mayor... The best thing about the arrest of Abbas is that it gave the Palestinian Authority to demonstrate once again what subhuman savages they truly are. Posted by: Spoons at April 17, 2003 04:21 PMIf Abu Abbas' claims of innocence are true I will, and I promise I will , eat my shoe! Posted by: J J Astor at April 17, 2003 07:27 PMPost a comment
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