SHREDITORIAL

In our opinion, entirely too much attention is being paid to the Middle East by us and the rest of the civilized world.

While that region was once, inconceivably enough, at the forefront of civilization, unfortunately, neither the Renaissance nor the Enlightenment graced the minds of its inhabitants.

Out of respect for their insistence on remaining in The Dark Ages, the better part of valor requires us to give these potentially extraordinary human beings approximately eight-hundred years to catch up.  The figure is based on the estimate by the popular historian, Will Durant, on how long it takes a country to develop what might be called a civilization.

At this distant time, the inhabitants may finally appreciate the enabling benefits of democracy and freedom. 
Meanwhile, we can turn our attention back to the civilized world as we have known it since the Golden Age of Greece and continue to cultivate it.

There may, however, be numerous exceptions to our estimate of an 800-year wait, since we notice, despite all the explosive news emanating from the Middle East, a continuing influx of independently minded immigrants from that region.  So, even as we lament the backwardness there and the terrible toll it takes on the hapless inhabitants, thousands of them will continue to arrive in the modern world and adapt, with varying degrees of discomfort, to its demands and delights.

We can conclude, however, that the 800-year period may be required for the region itself to recuperate.  One reason is easily understandable.  A great deal of income in the Middle East, as well as whatever enlightenment passing moderns may provide by example,  has traditionally come from tourism, and the violence and bloodshed have not been a particular  encouragement to it.

In a recent poll of 2,000 frequent international travelers, not a single respondent listed his most anticipated destination as Iraq, Afghanistan, Iran, or the Palestinian territories.  The projected loss of revenue to the three countries was calculated to be equal to half the gross domestic product of China.

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