I must note a healthy change in US academic discourse on the Middle East. When I came to this country as an honored Arab guest 20 years ago, there was a climate of fear regarding the articulation of critical views against Israel. That has certainly (and healthily) changed in the last few years, but to different degrees and in different ways depending on the campus. I am writing this after hearing colleagues here at U Michigan publicly express views critical of Israel. Unfortunately, this healthy expression of views is not yet reflected either in the popular culture, mainstream media, liberal politics, US Congress, and the general political culture of the US. But this may change, probably in 49080980850934509485093485094850934 years. Stay optimistic.