Is the Arab culture becoming rational?

After the most recent terrorist blood orgy, Islamic Jihad and Hamas have condemned al Qaeda's methods, and Zarkawi has been forced to post a quasi-apology.

What the hell is going on here?

Is the Arab culture finally insisting upon decent behavior in it's cultural waste product? I doubt it. Perhaps I'm a cynic, but as has been so frequently said, Arab governments never miss an opportunity to miss an opportunity. My doubt springs from the fact that there is just nothing especially notable about this most recent attack that it ought to be the tipping point.

97 people were killed in the bombing in Egypt, mostly Arabs. There was a small protest in Egypt that lasted for about 30 seconds, and yes, people were pissed. So why all the Arab excitement this time? It may be that this attack blasted away most of an Arab wedding party, and those that survived have been making the Arab interview circuit and are very sympathetic people. Could this be the beginning of the end for Zarkawi? Maybe, and I doubt it.

I think Arab culture is much like Democrat culture; rhetoric is highly valued, and action is not required. There will be a series of speeches denouncing the atrocities, and probably some more protesting, but in the end, I suspect that no permanent realignment will take place. Al Qaeda may change some of its tactics, as they did with the backlash over the public beheadings, but the totality of our experience with this culture seems to suggest that the status quo will reign.

It may be my prejudice, but my feeling for the Arab culture is that continuity is a very highly valued commodity. Change is not a natural phenomenon within the culture which is why so many within the culture seem to prefer the continuity and stability provided by authoriatarianism, rather than the unpredictability of a freer political situation. That value placed upon continuity predicts the continuation of the hero worship bestowed on terrorists, and the continuation of random murder, just with a new justification procedure.

I hope I'm wrong....

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