It appears that the latest suicide attacks in Israel have brought the New York Times' Thomas Friedman back to sanity. One week ago, Friedman was espousing the dubious contention that terrorists didn't want to kill a lot of people. This week he seems a more in touch with reality.

The reason the Palestinians have not adopted these alternatives is because they actually want to win their independence in blood and fire. All they can agree on as a community is what they want to destroy, not what they want to build. Have you ever heard Mr. Arafat talk about what sort of education system or economy he would prefer, what sort of constitution he wants? No, because Mr. Arafat is not interested in the content of a Palestinian state, only the contours.

Let's be very clear: Palestinians have adopted suicide bombing as a strategic choice, not out of desperation. This threatens all civilization because if suicide bombing is allowed to work in Israel, then, like hijacking and airplane bombing, it will be copied and will eventually lead to a bomber strapped with a nuclear device threatening entire nations. That is why the whole world must see this Palestinian suicide strategy defeated.

Friedman's right, and he's even got a few outlines for deterring suicide attacks. Read the entire article here.