Yes, that fly-by-night publication the Economist allows the writer of the Bagehot column to spew whatever he likes over their august pages without editorial oversight or substantial agreement from the rest of that half-assed rag. And being a Jew, his opinion is irrelevant anyway since he's biased. We can only consider non-Jewish opinion about Jews to be truly objective and fair.NO JOKE DAVE wrote:As usual, unable to face up to reality you resort to the weasel words that typify you. Bagehot is an opinion column, and the author is free to express any opinion he chooses... and the author just happens to be Jeremy Cliffe, a Jew. An impartial arbiter he most certainly is not.Jacked Camry wrote:Hmmmm... The Economist versus NO JOKE DAVE. Well, what more can you say? You should write your screed to the letters to the editor. A careful analysis like that would embarrass them severely. No doubt they"d give you a column based on such cogent observations.
Nobody is arguing that the Israeli regime is as brutal as the Nazi regime, but the similarities between the two are far greater than the differences. And the similarities I highlighted can all be easily verified, as deep down you are well aware.
In my world, when someone provides a link to a respected and admired periodical known for their objectivity, one debates it on its merits and, if one disagrees, one provides similar links to similarly respected publications that provide a counterpoint or one argues the actual points made within the article. Have you any sources that argue the merits of the Nazi-Israel comparison and its fair use that is similarly respected? I mean, other than your own research of course. As noted, if you believe you've come up with something earth-shattering here that blows away their editorial, then they provide a forum for your views in their letters to the editor. I'm sure they'd value your contributions. Or is that part of the Economist run by Jews too?
I will not get dragged into another Rain Dog style debate where I am expected to justify and take the side of the Israeli government whose policies and actions I disagree with. Nor will I accept that as a Jew (not religious, cultural and genetic) I am supposed to somehow be responsible for or have to defend the things that some Israelis have done. I similarly don't expect that others, as Christians, Muslims, Buddhists, Atheists or Zoroastrians should have to do the same whenever some country or organization or group of their adherents does something awful. That's for those who actually do the thing to take responsibility for and defend. I have pointed out the double standard and the latent Anti-Semitism that is at the very least the source of much of the vitriol and hatred being expressed here.
I have only ever requested two things in regard to the discussion - stop conflating Jews and the actions of the present Israeli government and stop comparing Israel to the Nazi regime when this is highly offensive and spurious. There's lots that can be discussed and written about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict without having to muddy the waters and ramp up the emotions through bringing up the old prejudices and invoking Godwin's Law. And, for the hundredth time, I have no issues with criticism of Israel otherwise - have at it. I won't join the discussion except to point out when it veers uncomfortably close to or definitely within the bounds of Anti-Semitism. It's not acceptable and the lesson I've learned through my upbringing is that you confront it and fight against it rather than go meekly to the gas chambers. And besides, I'm far from being otherwise knowledgeable about it - many of the other posters (including, ironically, Rain Dog) know far more about the region and politics and other things than I do since I've never been there and have no friends there.
So, carry on with your noble fight to make the highly offensive comparisons between Israel and Nazis, because, you know, it's such a critical part of any objective debate about the actions of Israel and in no way is designed to make Jewish people angry or upset or to invoke the old canards that led to the widespread persecution of Jews throughout Europe and the Middle East. It must make you proud to be such a fighter for truth and justice.