Martin Kramer Smackdown

Quite the exciting panel discussion today! At the Woodrow Wilson Center, a panel was held to discuss Obama's Cairo speech and the necessity and implications of two-state talks with Israel and Palestine. This is a fresh topic to be sure, but what set this particular event apart for me was the 'rousing' debate that followed. Rousing is another one of those polite understatement-type terms that seem to litter the air here in Washington, though 'Martin Kramer Smackdown' might be more suitable to this particular occasion. Martin Kramer, one of the four panelists presenting, found himself in the awkward position of rallying behind the opposite platform from everyone else with a microphone. Once the floor opened for Q and A he was soon locked under the sweaty armpit of scholarly 'discourse', as panelists tag-teamed the man with slamming rhetoric, tapping in with the words "I would just like to comment on..". At times the speakers even postponed answering questions from the audience just to get in one more whack with the chair. Of course I'm speaking figuratively. We did not "smell what the Samer Shehata is cooking". The event did not end with high-fives and butt slaps among the victorious panelists. But I have to say this event was at times almost as painful to watch as a professional match, and absolutely more fun :D