Alec, the lack of clarity in your writing could lead one to believe that you are looking forward to, if not advocating, some kind of deserved “holocaust” for certain “chosen people”. What would all your Jewish friends at the ballet think about this?

we were talking about historical context. at that point these questions become relevant when discussing a claimed 2000 year old homeland, while turfing out those who have been peacefully settled there for much of the intervening time.

in the meantime, i would suggest that we are on the classic lawyer’s tactic here – advance little, niggle much.

CLTA:

above applies here to you. singular.

except we add the gratuitous ad hominem attack. iced with irrelevance and false information.

in any case, if the pharisees blew it 2000 years ago – and based on existing historical records they didn’t – the NYT wasn’t going to miss the mark this time.

in these more worldly times, poor mel hasn’t had to perish to reap his heavenly reward.

but the best slings and arrows money could buy were expended to make his outrageous fortune.

hubris. the classic sin. did in the greeks. in line to do in others for the Nth time.

far better to live in peace and lend a hand to one’s fellow man.

no people are chosen. and when cut all men’s blood bleeds red.

Oh I can’t resist. Why this preoccupation with “ethnic relation”? My God! You’re not talking about race are you!? Do you want to maintain the ethnic purity of the Middle East? That sounds a little strange coming from someone with ideas as progressive as your own. Who exactly are these people “called the jews” that you talk about? Alec, man you crack me up.

“Gradual crucifixion”!!! BTW, your “history” left out certain events and dynamics…things that don’t suit your idea of Palestinians as helpless “martyrs” (tee-hee)…but like I said, I quit.

See you at shul! Maybe we can discuss why those rascally Jews are responsible for the mess in Baghdad. And cheer up! Whenever you feel angry, just remember your trust fund.

or some time in between.

tell me – just what historical context suits you? tell me just what historical context justifies the gradual crucifixion of the palestinian people now?

for that matter, what historical context justifies americans in baghdad?

as i have asked you three times now…

what is your point?

“Both are rhetorical crutches used by self-righteous bigots with little sense of historical context.”

That is my point. If you want to argue against that point, here let me repeat my point again:

“Both are rhetorical crutches used by self-righteous bigots with little sense of historical context.”

Nowhere did I use verbal “sticks and stones” to insult you at a personal level.

i’m sure comments like “nuke baghdad” leave you indifferent as well.”

No, I think you miss my point: neither corrie’s death nor the idea of nuking baghdad are very useful to understanding the Israel-Palestine conflict. Both are rhetorical crutches used by self-righteous bigots with little sense of historical context. However, if you are simply looking for a “symbol” may I suggest a swastika.

i’m sure comments like “nuke baghdad” leave you indifferent as well.

perhaps discussion of robot armies and african legions may be more to your taste. if not, hélas, our dalliance is at an end.