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Cries of anti-semitism about this paper simply reinforce the common view that what is really "anti-semitic" is anything that Jews and their friends don't like or disagree with.

A good friend of mine once shocked me by going on a anti-Jew barstool rant that came out of nowhere. I’ve never really respected him since. I’ve never understood where sentiments like this come from. I have a hard time noticing somebody is Jewish when I’m looking right at them. Other people sense evil and danger whenever a Jew is around. Anti-Semitism is the strangest thing. It’s seem so irrational and without basis in anything. Maybe you cold help me out, by explaining how and where you acquired it. How old were you when this all started? Do you hate blacks, Catholics, or any other group? Or, is it just those damn Jews and their retched state? Were you exposed to diatribes by a relative as a child? Do you have any other phobias like fear of germs or government agents? Do you generally have a social life or do the people that know you consider you a crank?

Of course, I’ve never met you, and I’m sure you consider yourself completely non-bigoted, but phrases like “Jews and their friends” reveal a hostility you can deny if you want, but is obvious. Just curious how you arrived at this state.

Anti-Semitism is the strangest thing. It’s seem so irrational and without basis in anything. Maybe you cold help me out, by explaining how and where you acquired it. How old were you when this all started?

Since I haven't gotten the anti-semite virus, I don't know how old I was.

Do you hate blacks,

No.

Catholics,

I am Catholic.

or any other group?

Yes. Commmunists, socialisits, homosexuals, and abortionists.

Or, is it just those damn Jews and their retched state?

I rather like Israel, but find them schizophrenic.

Were you exposed to diatribes by a relative as a child?

No. My parents are flaming liberals.

Do you have any other phobias like fear of germs or government agents?

I don't particularly care fo great heights.

Do you generally have a social life or do the people that know you consider you a crank?

How about this. I live in the Fever Swamp. So just finish drawing your own conclusions. Its not like you haven't already.

Of course, I’ve never met you, and I’m sure you consider yourself completely non-bigoted, but phrases like “Jews and their friends” reveal a hostility you can deny if you want, but is obvious.

How so? Are Jews not a group of people, and do they not have friends (for example, evangelical Christians) and enemies (for example, radical Muslims)? Its hostile to Jews to observe that some people like Jews and others don't?

Is the phrase "Catholics and their friends" a phrase of hostility? How about "Amish and their friends"?

Your completely paranoid and irrational reading of a perfectly innocuous phrase tells me definitively that you have no capacity to carry on civil discourse realting in any way to Jews if the conversation does not reflect every sacred nuiance that you require. I am real tired of that attitude, "I don't like it so it must be anti-Semitism."

The scum Frank Rich called American war hero Bob Dole an anti-Semite in his New York Times column back in 1995 just because Dole made some remarks critical of Hollywood. Some of you are on the way to making "anti-Semitism," a badge of honor, a testimony that the person so charged is not cowed by your howls.