BLOG POSTS

Risking accusations of anti-semitism (and, let’s face it, there are times when someone has to) it’s little wonder the Jewish people face constant criticism for their arrogant, high-handed attitudes.

Let me make it crystal clear, I’m not talking the ordinary Jewish man or woman in the street, whether that street be in America, Israel, or anywhere else on earth. I’m referring to the wealthy, powerful, Israeli-connected, Jews who will trample anyone’s sensitivities to get their own way.

Whatever one’s view of Simon Wiesenthal’s obsession with bringing to justice those responsible for the Nazi atrocities of WW2, it’s difficult to criticize him. If I’d suffered the pain and indignities he went through at Janowska, Plaszow, and Mauthausen concentration camps during World War II, I can’t say with certainty I wouldn’t have followed a similar course.

When ultra-wealthy American Jews build a center in Los Angeles and name it after him, however, one might expect it to follow a certain standard of ethics.

It doesn’t. At least, not in the case of its latest venture.

It’s reasonable to expect a $250 million dollar complex labeled, “The Museum of Tolerance”, to show a little of that tolerance when it comes to siting the building, especially when the city designated for its construction happens to be Jerusalem.

Not a bit of it. The super-rich American Jews of the Simon Wiesenthal Center responsible for the project are intending to build it slap bang in the middle of a Palestinian Muslim cemetery.^[1]

Forgive me if I appear naive, but that seems a trifle in-tolerant.

In fact, its a degree of intolerance in keeping with the general intolerance of the Israeli government towards all things Palestinian, which leaves one with the distinct impression that Israeli and US politicians are hand in glove when it comes to not treating the Palestinians with any degree of fairness and humanity.

Could this have anything to do with human arrogance? After all, for God knows how many generations the Jews have been indoctrinated into believing they were the chosen ones of Jehovah. (Psst! It says so in the Bible, so it must be right). Americans, on the other hand, have only believed this about themselves for the last three hundred years or so, but long enough to have a very noticeable effect.

As both nations view the rest of the world from the top of very tall ivory towers, the culture and history of the peasants beneath obviously appear unimportant when God’s “Chosen” decide to erect their glorious “Museum of Tolerance”, as a permanent symbol of intolerance.

Frankly, not only would I not want it slap bang on top of my granny’s grave, but I’d rather it wasn’t even in my city.

I mean, look at it – it’s hideous!

^{[1] “Row over Jerusalem Muslim cemetery”, BBC, November 8th 2008}

Filed under: If the jackboot fits

I’ve never been a fan of Scottie dogs, or Scottish terriers as they’re known in America. In fact, I wasn’t the least surprised to see George W Bush trotting along with one under his arm soon after he first moved into the White House. I’ve always considered it’s possible to ascertain the character of a person by their dog, and George W Bush served to cement that belief. “Barney” was the epitome of a George W Bush pooch.

Scotties are short on temper, not very intelligent, prone to snap without warning, and given to an excess of flatulence. And if that doesn’t describe George W Bush, then I don’t know what does.

There’s something strangely worrying about a man who walks around with a living hearthrug under one arm. It’s not terribly manly. One would condone such behavior from the late Barbara Cartland, or even Noel Coward, but one doesn’t expect the leader of the free world to step out of an aeroplane sporting something resembling a large black rat draped from the sleeve of his Armani suit.

On the other hand, the need of many US males to be seen in the company of huge and aggressive Rottweilers, Bull Mastiffs, or oversize German Shepherds, is equally alarming. Not so much because of the nature of these canines, but from the very public displays of insecurity by the owners, who obviously find it too frightening to venture out of the house without them.

Reuters TV White House correspondent Jon Decker was yesterday either very brave, or more likely, rather stupid.^[1] No-one in their right mind bends down to pet a strange Scottish terrier. Once, after just commencing service as an animal welfare inspector for the British RSPCA, I too made that mistake. An aging female veterinarian who worked at the local animal hospital owned a “Scottie” called Marmaduke. Young, and eager to please, I reached down to pat its head in passing, only to receive a similarly gashed finger. The dog’s owner exhibited no sympathy whatever. (see “Even Little Sparrows” in the sidebar).

Hardly surprising then that Laura Bush’s only comment on her dog’s misbehavior yesterday was to say, “”I think it was his way of saying he was done with the paparazzi.”

^{[1] “President’s Pooch Bites Reporter During Walk” KCAL-9, November 7th 2008}

Filed under: Canine moods

One of the less likely consequences of Barack Obama’s ascendance to the presidency has been a sharp rise in gun sales.^[1]

There’s no suggestion that irate Republicans are out to shoot him, it’s simply that the weirdly warped gun lobby has somehow concocted the idea that firearms will be going up in value with Obama in the White House.

According to a Mister Frank Meeker, who’s 58 years old and owns twelve guns (how can he fire them all at once? He’s only got ten trigger fingers. Perhaps he’s very adroit with his toes?) firearms will be rising sharply in value, as it’s expected an Obama administration will be raising the tax on guns and ammunition.

Never mind, Frank. Diversify. Lots of people, some with no trigger fingers at all, have become very good at painting with their toes.

One day your watercolor of the Colt 39AC/42D(240 shot dum-dum automatic) may be worth more than the real thing.

^{[1] “Gun Shops See Sales Boom After Obama Election Victory”, KKTV.Com, November 7th 2008}

Filed under: AK47’s in a lovely pastel pink