Comments on: NYT protects its readers from a small newspaper’s criticisms of Israel

By: Chaos4700

Chaos4700 — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 08:09:14 +0000

Well. My idea of long range isn’t necessarily that long — maybe another year or so, such that I can finish my degree.

By: MRW

MRW — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 07:11:28 +0000

Chaos4700,

Honestly? That’s why I have long range plans to leave the US.

You’re not alone. Mine are no longer long range. If Obama greenlights Afghanistan and Iran, I’m gone, because there will be bombs in this country as a result of bombing Iran, and I will blame Israel and the Israel Lobby 1000%.

By: MRW

MRW — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 07:05:31 +0000

VR,

Thanks for this mention: Eduardo Galeano’s volume “Open Veins Of Latin America, Five Centuries Of The Pillage Of A Continent.”

I wrote it down somewhere to read and lost the name.

By: syvanen

syvanen — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 06:10:36 +0000

Hey citizen. The first instance that I was ever called an antisemite happened in 2002 when I suggested that 911 was the result of our support for Israel. The accuser was a colleague, in a public forum and was extremely uncomfortable for me to say the least. I backed away quickly. I was not interested in hurting my position over what should have been a simple observation on an outside politcal debate. In any case there were many, many people who had the same reaction that I did, but had a better sense to keep their opinions to themselves. I know because others who witnessed the confrontation said they agreed with me but would have never said so in public.

By: syvanen

syvanen — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 05:37:01 +0000

Of course things can (and will) change. Let us all enjoy it while it lasts.

By: MRW

MRW — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 04:53:09 +0000

Wow, Danaa, [Syvanen, have something for you, too, at end]

You just hit the jackpot, IMHO, with this: Alas, just because there’s silence, doesn’t mean there’s no anger about being silenced – as you point out. It is a bit scary to think of what can happen if and when the lid comes of.

I believe there is tremendous, righteous anger about being silenced, and people like Abe Foxman are supreme fools for not realizing it. It is bubbling on medium low beneath the surface.

Syvanen, you wrote:

namely both the left and the right are frequently paralyzed from making objective observations because of the fear of being accused of antisemitism. Being from the left, I have certainly felt the pressure, but it seems reasonable that honest observers on the right would also feel the same constraint.

I was one of those for years, and years, decades really. I chewed the head off anyone who made a criticism of Jews, or Israel, as late as early 2003. God forbid, anyone make a criticism in my presence. Now, it’s a badge of honor — and I feel deep sneering derision — whenever anyone attempts to accuse me of being anti-semitic in my remarks, now.

Actually, I think the ‘left’ is more paralyzed. The right, I mean the whacked right, would turn on a dime if they had a different POV. And they are the most wobbly.

By: Danaa

Danaa — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 04:21:06 +0000

Thanks syvanen. Credit should be shared however with the many excellent posters here who provide much inspiration. There are not too many blogs out there where one can have in depth conversation about things that matter. it’s also an interesting dynamic that developed on this blog. Even the occasional trolls seem to get on with the program, somehow. Notice how Nomi got run out of town?

By: syvanen

syvanen — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 02:18:08 +0000

Danaa, I like what you come up with. You strive for original observation and frequently succeed. That is rare, and should be appreciated even if one doesn’t agree. But I think you hit a good point here, namely both the left and the right are frequently paralyzed from making objective observations because of the fear of being accused of antisemitism. Being from the left, I have certainly felt the pressure, but it seems reasonable that honest observers on the right would also feel the same constraint. And after discovering antiwar.com and Justin Ramaindo about 8 years back I recognize that there are legitimate critisms of Israel from both ends of the political spectrum.

By: MRW

MRW — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 22:16:23 +0000

Shmuel,

Thank you for your condolences. :-)

By: Danaa

Danaa — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 21:40:50 +0000

Thanks all for the good words and comments.

Here’s something for us to speculate about: how long will this blog be able to stay as freewheeling as it is? I can just see the powers that be setting up their little plan(s). may be it’ll be a fantastic job offer that’ll mysteriously come phil and Adam’s way. One they can’t refuse. Maybe an especially generous donation or two, or three, enough to allow the site to expand and grow – and get used to the improved outlook – and newly found influence – all for a good cause – for a while. Then, at some point, the hammer will come down, just as it does with all people, groups and activities that defy The Man.

So it’s a race. Can Phil et al make enough difference before they too get silenced (in a manner of speaking. No one ever gets totally silenced. Just enough to be compromised)? can anything positive happen before more lights go out? and can anything change the course towards calamity that we seem to be on?

Yap. Negativity day. Under the weather.