If you're an Israeli and you hate Yasser Arafat, then he is dying of AIDS. If you're a Palestinian and you hate Jews, then Arafat has been poisoned by the Israelis.

Larger than life figures are mere mortals when it comes to death. Their admiring and despising publics don't believe it. The Kennedys murdered Marilyn Monroe. The CIA assassinated Martin Luther King. Prince Charles offed Lady Diana. Even the deaths of mediocre historical figures, such as Zachary Taylor, are surrounded in intrigue.

Yasser Arafat's death is remarkable only in that it occurs peacefully in a hospital bed. Like conspiracy theories surrounding Monroe, MLK, Lady Di, and General Taylor, the wild tales regarding Arafat's demise rely mostly on the imaginations of their proponents. When I see actual evidence showing that Arafat has AIDS or has been poisoned, then I'll believe it. Until then, the competing theories prove nothing save the enormous capacity man has to fantasize the worst possible things about his enemies.

Wow, the most rational post on your blog right now and not a single comment. I think that says volumes about your readers.

Sanity doesn't seem to be selling well these days.