Re: Ethnic nationalism

["David B. Shemano" <dshemano@xxxxxxxxxx>]

Michael Perelman writes:

>> I don't think this is very productive.  One minor point.  The "crybabies" are not
>> complaining about criticism, but rather pressure to stop them from speaking,
>> publishing.

We disagree factually, so let's leave it at that.  I cited the specific example of the controversy over the Mearsheimer and Walt book tour.  I think I am right on that example.

>>
>> David, if I launch a successful protest to prevent Olmert from speaking in the US,
>> would you approve?  If I prevent publications from speaking favorably about Israel,
>> would you approve?

I think the problem here is you are being very loose in your language.  "Prevent" him from speaking?  What does that mean in context?  Pass a law?  Disrupt his speeches?  No, I would not approve.  I think you would be childish and dictatorial.

On the other hand, would I complain if Olmert asked to address your econ class and you said no?  No, I would not complain.  I could really care less.

There are a lot of hypotheticals in a gray area we could think of.  It really depends on the context.  However, you keep on mixing up whether I believe somebody should have the right to make a decision (employer has the right to fire somebody because they are pro-Zionist), and whether I personally believe somebody should make a decision (a person should be fired because they are pro-Zionist).  Just because I believe in the right does not mean I believe in the should.

David Shemano