The life of a person

I look at Arafat and I sigh. It's sad. I'm sad because I feel it's an example of life unlived, of choices made in life.

He's reportedly dying. I'm sad because people are always speculating about what's going to happen after he is dead. It seemed so callous for people to be saying, “Arafat’s dead, so what do you think is going to happen?"

I'm sad because he could have done something else with his life. He's hated, and he's made an example of--"look at this despicable person, this terrorist." I'm sure many people are wishing for his death. But he's still a man, a person, and he might be on his deathbed.

Fidel fell and people made fun of him. It's justified because he's a communist dictator. It's not about a life of a man anymore. He could have another path in life—a path drastically different from his current one. He could have empowered the Cuban people and the Cuban economy and not become such a divisive figure. But choices get made, and people end up where they are now.

I can't help but feel some sadness for Fidel and Arafat, who is at the end of his life, even if they aren't the epitome of good human beings. I'm grieving for a life lost, a choice not made.

EDIT: Read Slate's article on assessing Arafat's legacy: Yasser Arafat.