Still haven't read it, but I'm guessing the New Yorker profile of Tom Friedman does not include this piece of fanmail from some flounder– "Tom Friedman's house in Chevy Chase
is, by far, the largest house I've ever been in (other than when I paid
to see Vanderbilt Mansion). It's probably over 10,000
square feet. The parking lot (!) which is a trek from the house would
easily park 60 cars. It is truly an energy wasting monstrosity. I'd be truly embarrassed to
live like that. [Me too, flounder!] But he built it!"
Friedman married very well. He's made a ton off his books. Good for him. He hit the ball on the screws when Jews were trying to figure out post-Sabra and Shatilla what had happened to the Israel dream. (Told 'em: It's a tough neighborhood. Big payday) Anyone who claims to be an environmentalist has to be in favor of certain sumptuary laws. People have been guilting Garrison Keillor about his carbon footprint in St. Paul. (Now I'm rationalizing being a gossip) And the larger issue for me is: We are the richest group in America, us Jews. In America money means power. What does that mean for Middle East policy? What does it mean for Jewishness?
The parking lot is an energy-wasting monstrosity? Dang.
"If you've got it, flaunt it!"
It's not about Jews, or being Hebrew, or even nation state. It's about the ego, devouring the world. Jews should look deeper than the Old Testament and Israel to see what lies beneath. The ego has unlimited fears and desires. People invade, kill, steal, and lie about it. That is the true nature of all egotistical people, Jews, Christians, Muslims, all do this for the money. Then the world has the job of knocking the top dog off the hill. Jews should realize they set them selves up for a fall when taking too much. White Christian males sidestepped this problem with affirmative action, peacefully leaving. Will Jews do the same to avoid persecution?