Now pray, Roger...

The following passage is copied from a NYT piece titled If Not Now, When?, penned by Roger Cohen, who appeared frequently on these pages (as usual, my definition of Roger Cohen: a man who rarely misses an opportunity to miss a point stands re this specific article):

In Jerusalem’s Old City I was walking this year down from the Damascus Gate. Crowds of Palestinians were pouring out of a Friday service at the Al Aqsa Mosque. A large group of Orthodox Jews was moving in the opposite direction, toward the Western Wall. Into this Muslim-Jewish melee, out of the Via Dolorosa, a cluster of Christians emerged carrying a large wooden cross they tried to navigate through the crowd. It was a scene of despair for anyone convinced faiths and peoples can be disentangled in the Holy Land. Looked at another way it was a scene of hope, even mirth.

I imagine myself being little Roger's teacher of journalism and reading this in his homework. Then I, as his teacher, search in my desk's drawer for a ruler. On the whole, choosing between a steel one, a heavy and short wooden one and a long and flexible wooden one, I would, most probably, select the latter.

Then I shall say; "Roger, please place your hands on your desk. You can close your eyes".

And then I'll add, not unkindly: "Now pray, Roger..."