We’re already starting to see initial war dividends in the West Bank and Gaza. The scales are falling from some Palestinians’ eyes.

“The people are very angry with Saddam because they weren’t aware that he was such a big dictator…”

Comes from watching too much CNN…

Hafez al-Barghouti, editor of the daily Al-Hayat al- Jadeeda, launched an unprecedented and scathing attack on Saddam and other Arab dictators, saying no one will shed a tear if they are targeted by the Americans.

“We won’t cry for Arab regimes that don’t give their constituents any freedom other than the liberty to shout slogans,” he said. “No Arab will cry for his leader because Washington won’t be able to steal more than what the leader has already stolen from his people. Nor will the US humiliate the Arabs more than their leaders have already humiliated them.”

They’re still not ready for the full twelve-step program, though:

…commentators have been careful not to include Palestinian Authority Chairman Yasser Arafat in the list of corrupt Arab dictators who should step aside, though some have hinted that he, too, needs to learn the lesson.

Of course, like Saddam, it will be easier to criticize him once he’s out of power.