My Falafel Philosophy Ken, the coworker that suggested that we order from that Turkish take out joint the other day, told me he was sick and tired of me complaining about the dreaded döner kebab. He insisted that I give the place another chance. This morning he handed me the menu and asked me to try something else. If I didn't like it, he said that lunch was on him. That sounded fair to me.

I didn't want to take any chances, so I asked for a falafel sandwich. It's one of my favorite foods, but I didn't tell Ken that. He picked up lunch and brought it back to the office. He stared at me as I took my first bite. I grimaced and said "Yuk!" It was delicious!

Ken said, "You don't like it?"

I said, "It's gross."

Ken said, "Oh well, I tried. Just put it back in the bag. You don't owe me a dime."

I said, "Now, hold on a second. Let me try another bite." I bit another huge chunk out of it.

The tahini sauce was superb. The lettuce and tomatos were fresh and crispy. "Disgusting!" I said.

He said, "There's no accounting for taste." He put out his hand and said, "Just give me the sandwich."

I said, "Back off! I haven't gotten to the falafel yet!" I took several more mouth-watering bites. The falafel balls were out of this world. I said, "How can people eat this garbage?!"

Ken said, "Dude, don't force yourself. You'll make yourself sick."

I set the sandwich down, pulled out my wallet, and plunked down some cash. I said, "I'm just yanking your chain, man. It's excellent."

I confessed to Ken that I had falafel before, and that this was one of the best I've ever tasted. As we finished up our lunch, I shared with Ken my falafel philosophy.

Laugh if you must, but I truly believe that the falafel, that little fried ball of crushed chickpeas and breadcrumbs, can be the catalyst for peace in the Middle East, and possibly the world. Embraced by both Arabs and Israelis, and with growing popularity in Western countries, the falafel is becoming the tie that binds our diverse cultures. Even vegetarians can't object to it!

Sadly, however, some people do.

Some conservative Islamist groups see the falafel as a threat, and these groups have recently made an effort to have the falafel banned in Iraq. Although they rationalize their ban on the fact that the falafel didn't exist back in the Prophet Muhammad's time, the real reason for the ban is obvious: they are threatened by the falafel because they fear that the falafel will unite Muslims and Jews, a notion that outrages certain Islamic fundamentalists.

It probably bugs a Jew or two too.

I for one, salute the falafel, and one day, I hope that the peace-hating extremists will see the error of their ways and join the world in it's love of the falafel as it unites the planet in peace, harmony, and tahini sauce.
- Bernie  ¶ 5:52 PM