Arafat is dead (and there was much rejoicing). Which leaves an open spot at the top of the Palastinian Authority. We've been hearing hopes of renewed talks between the Palastinians and Israelis since his death, pending new leadership.

So who's up for this coveted position? Currently Mahmoud Abbas is in the spot now until an election can be held. Who's his opponent going to be? Why, none other than Marwan Barghouti. And by all accounts, Barghouti seems to have a pretty good chance of winning.

I'm sure you're asking yourselves, "Well, what's the difference between these guys? Who's the red guy and who's the blue guy?" Having just endured a rather lengthy election cycle here in the US, election politics are still fresh in our minds.

So briefly, here is a rundown. Abbas (apparently) has the support of both the US and Israel. Barghouti is a convicted terrorist who is currently serving multiple life sentences in an Israeli prison. Here's a little history on the guy:

Barghouti was born in 1958 in the village of Kobber, west of Ramallah in the West Bank.

    He descended from a poor family that was part of the big clan in the West Bank.

    Barghouti received his primary education at schools in Kobberand finished his secondary education in Ramallah.At the age of 18, Barghouti was arrested by the Israeli army forthe first time in his life. He spent five years in jail.After being freed, Barghouti entered the Beir Zeit University in the West Bank, where he got a master's degree in the French-Arabrelations.

    In 1987, he was deported to Jordan by Israel which accused himof leading the first Palestinian Intifada (Uprising).When he was in Jordan, he was an aide to chief of Fatah's armed wing Khalil Al Wazeer.

    In 1994, Barghouti returned to the West Bank after the Oslo Accords were signed between Israel and the Palestinians.In 1996, he was elected as a member of the Palestinian Legislative Council, or the parliament.

    Within Fatah, Barghouti was one of the seven senior leaders. He represented the stream of reformists in the movement, calling for holding internal elections and giving a chance for the younger generation to lead.

    Since the outbreak of the second Intifada in September 2000,Barghouti has become more popular among the ordinary Palestinians.Considered as the uprising leader, Barghouti ever stated that the Palestinians would defeat Israel one day.

    On April 15, 2002, Barghouti was detained in Ramallah by the Israeli army during a large-scale military operation code-named the "Defensive Shield".

    In early 2004, he was sentenced five life terms in imprisonment by an Israel court after being convicted of plotting the murder of at least four Israelis and a Greek monk.

Wow, tough choice there. I sincerely hope that the Palastinian people realize that it's not in their best interest to elect this guy. I doubt Israel will be willing to work with a "leader" who resides in one of their jails. Of course, it would be really easy to keep track of what he's up to...

And running for office from prison? What, has this guy been taking political advice from James Trafficant?