Shimon's indecisiveness

Dear Shimon Peres, kindly announce post haste that you are not planning to run for the premiership and that you have set your sights on the presidency. Declare openly and unequivocally that you, the Nobel Peace Prize laureate, who is respected in high places worldwide, are the right man at the right time to rescue the institution that has been mired in shame and disgrace. Stop being indecisive and publicly announce: Prime minister, no, thank you; President, yes, by all means.

Take advantage of your prestige worldwide to represent our people well, and in your old age serve as an exemplary model.

And another thing: If by now you haven't been given this advice by your advisors – fire them. This is of course if you are able to bring yourself to a mental state where a boss fires an employee. You know what; we'll make it easier for you. First come to a point where you are able to decide. It doesn't matter what, anything. Say yeah or nay on any matter without first checking "which direction the wind is blowing."

Decide on a direction that you think is right. Ask for coffee because you feel like drinking coffee, without first checking whether the hostess is making a pot of tea. In short, lead.

In recent weeks, Shimon, you have reminded us what exactly it is we don't like about you. You have been (with astonishing consistency) also "perhaps running for the presidency" and also "perhaps running for the premiership," while in fact neither of them, or perhaps both (or not) simultaneously, but not at the same time. You have reminded all those who voted for Bibi or Peretz and even for Katzav instead of you why they did so - because you are incapable of deciding. You are not prepared to decide. Not bold enough to decide. And thus you consistently miss the decision momentum.

Peres an opportunist?

A gentleman can wait on the staircase in indignation for a woman who can't decide which shoes to wear with a dress, after which he will smile at her forgivingly. But you can't be late for the concert when you are a leader responsible for the crucial decisions of a state under constant threat.

People intuitively examine a candidate's ability to make decisions, even prior to intelligently examining his proposed political path. They look for a level-headed but decisive leader, but are particularly allergic to dissonances and prolonged hesitation.

Your waiting period, Shimon, has reminded us that you are not cut out for this. You are among those who lay in wait for an opportunity. You are not far off from the word "opportunist." The very same one who misses every real, pure and clean opportunity for electing a leader, and joyously pounces on every fictitious, fashionable opportunity for the only choice that time has left him. And this is where the word "loser" comes into play.

And because of this you are a suitable candidate for the empty seat of the president. There is no need for decision-making there, and you can enjoy honor and prestige without inflicting pain (the justice minister will make pardoning decisions for you,) while action is only taken once the direction of the wind is tested - that wind by which the reeds, also known as "number 2," sway. You, Shimon, are a dear man and it is difficult telling you such things: But perhaps you simply don't understand.