"LIVE FREE OR DIE"
By: Preston Taran*

AMIN – Arabic Media Internet Network
June 25 2006

This simple phrase is something that should be taken to heart by the
Palestinian people. By now it should be clear to the Palestinians,
that aside from words by a few European leftists, they are clearly
alone. Remember, they cannot be fed by these words. Whether Hamas
recognizes Israel or not, they will still be without help. During
the two Intifadas worldwide support was minimal. Not even their Arab
brothers helped them. Perhaps, Arab states are fearful that many
aspects of the Palestinian people are more advanced than their own
societies (a free press, but for how long?)

South Africa received support and obtained their independence. The
Armenians, though ignored eventually obtained a state of their own.

The list of successful independence movements is endless. The
Palestinians in comparison are forgotten and ignored. Perhaps, they
have a poor public relations section in their ministry, both now and
in the past.

The Palestinian people are starved in more ways than one. Not only
is their economy in shambles, but even their military ordnance is
pathetic. Their childlike rockets are useless and only give the
Israelis an excuse to pummel them with real firepower. What is next?

A civil war?

Should they not look at themselves and say that even if they accept
the Israeli state, they will not be free? Freedom is earned with
unselfish sacrifices by the community as a whole; not with wishful
thinking and platitudes.

What is to be done? I have come to the conclusion that the immortal
words "Live Free or Die: Death is Not the Worst of Evils" is something
that is quite relevant at this fateful juncture in history.

These words of American Revolutionary war hero General John Stark in
1809 (the hero of the Battle of Bennington in August, 1777) should be
taken to heart. Stark knew that life was pointless without the basic
freedoms given to us by the Creator. Having a beating heart is not
the only criteria for living.

The Palestinian people have not one corner of their rump state safe
from Israeli aggression. The children and others die on a daily basis,
so we can no longer say that to be militant will cost lives. A greater
effort must be made to obtain their rightful place in the community
of nations. Palestinian life is already cheap in the eyes of the world.

It is time to do anything that any people desiring to be free would
do. Ultimate sacrifices must be made, as they were in our American
Revolution and for that matter during our Civil War. Men sacrificed
their lives so a nation united and free could come into being. Yes,
to live as a slave is a far worse proposition than to be sacrificed
in order that a sovereign Palestinian state becomes a reality.

* Preston Taran is a writer and editor living in New York.