From
David Still
<ds@davidstill.org>
To
Alfred G Gerteiny
<pinguhot30@hotmail.com>
Re:
Do you know what happened?
MESSAGE
Alfred G Gerteiny wrote: David, if this is your name, I am tired of corresponding with somebody I do not know and who claims to know me. It is unfair and pointless indeed. You said you served in the armed forces. I know nobody who served the army in combat. And from what I gather you do not seem to know anything substantial about me. So, this is going to be my last word. If you do not want to be misrepresented, as you claim you were, then present both sides of the argument --the US and Europe, and do not be offensive; but the way you have been presenting your arguments indicates a lack of mature objectivity and a deep contempt for Europe and the rest of humankind. This has, therefore, elicitred equally one sided responses. There is much in the US that I love and admire, and just about that much in Europe as well, and in all the other parts of the world where I have navigated and done research. Coversely, as a responsible, concerned individual, I believe that much need to be changed both here and there. Finally you say that the situation in the ME leaves you indifferent. It is fine with me. But why then all the hullabaloo about Irak, and Islam and all the other junk? Like me, as a citizen of The Super-Power you should be concerned about all that happens everywhere, lest others --and this is usually the case-- take the ball and run with it, while you, friend are left with a pale looking for a soft ball in your garden. >From: David Still > I have always been a strong advocate of the European system , the welfare state, in that the richest should be taxed (as of course all others; but according to earnings) in order to support all thse not so fortunate... Holland is my model. A state is only so good as its weakest link. You misrepresent me! > As for the three students: another dumb thing done. I am not sure at this point whether they were stupid enough to make a joke, as has been claimed, or if the woman is or was lying. If a joke, then in the worst of taste. > psN; who studies in the islands? those not able to get into med schools in America. But as the saying has it: the losest grade that makes you graduate still allows you to be called doctor. > Of course there is racism, and anti this or that in America--and guess what? elsewhere too. The Palestinian students would do well, though, not to toss stones etc as they did at San Fran. State...Freedom to speak etc is a right, and ought to be granted to all: Jews, Arab or just Real People...but to abuse such rights, be it from Jews, Muslims or any other group is to abuse those rights. On this I am sure we can both agree. >I am not anti this or that but rather indifferent to all that takes place in the ME.. enough to concern me while I tend my own garden. And I am not about to go off to fight for oil in Iraq either. >Alfred G Gerteiny wrote: >Yes, and politicians and academics in Switzerland, Germany, France and the UK have been convicted for uttering criticism of Israel. But we have, and have had all that and more in the States.... Remember the McCarthy period? The Edgar G. Hoover terror, the lynching of Blacks, the conviction and execution of countless innocents? More recently, look at what happened to the 3 or 4 medical students (US citizens, I believe, of Arab decent) on their way to a hospital residency in Florida. Not only were they detained and publicly defamed, because of hearsay, but the hospital where they were heading to train, receiving threats from area bigots, cancelled their residency. > >Even before the 9-11 terror attack, 6 to 8 years ago a South African Professor at a Long Island University was harassed and urged I believe, by no less than Liberal Gov. Cuomo to be fired for offering a course comparing the bigotry of Nazism, Fascism and Zionism. Since then, we have witnessed even more attacks on civil liberty and Academic Freedom. > >Nobody's perfect, my friend, but you must admit that Europe provides better, cheaper and more universal healthcare and education to its people, and wonderful benefits to families and the elderly, something we should, perhaps emulate!