Comments on: Middle East Studies: a surreal weekend http://fresnozionism.org/2008/10/middle-east-studies-a-surreal-weekend/ A pro-Israel voice from California's Central Valley Mon, 06 Sep 2010 19:34:55 +0000 hourly 1 By: Vic Rosenthal http://fresnozionism.org/2008/10/middle-east-studies-a-surreal-weekend/comment-page-1/#comment-6361 Vic Rosenthal Mon, 20 Oct 2008 15:20:32 +0000 http://fresnozionism.org/archives/1057#comment-6361 I ended up quite depressed after the weekend. I doubt that my outburst had any positive effect, and I could even describe it as 'making a fool of myself'. The audience was -- with a handful of exceptions, most of whom were Israelis -- almost 100% in line with the speakers. Davidson was frightening in his single-minded hatred and cynical use of any (rhetorical) means necessary to recruit for his cause. As I said, I started out almost sympathetic to Fayazmanesh, who really is worried about the fate of Iran. As far as Obama is concerned, there is little evidence of understanding the situation in either political camp. Obama's choice of advisors hasn't been encouraging, although Dennis Ross is a slight improvement over Rob Malley. If Obama wins, one hopes that like JFK he will begin to understand that at some point he has to ignore the 'experts' and analyze situations for himself. He seems to be smart enough to see through the lies that pass for wisdom in academic circles. I ended up quite depressed after the weekend. I doubt that my outburst had any positive effect, and I could even describe it as ‘making a fool of myself’. The audience was — with a handful of exceptions, most of whom were Israelis — almost 100% in line with the speakers.

Davidson was frightening in his single-minded hatred and cynical use of any (rhetorical) means necessary to recruit for his cause. As I said, I started out almost sympathetic to Fayazmanesh, who really is worried about the fate of Iran.

As far as Obama is concerned, there is little evidence of understanding the situation in either political camp. Obama’s choice of advisors hasn’t been encouraging, although Dennis Ross is a slight improvement over Rob Malley.

If Obama wins, one hopes that like JFK he will begin to understand that at some point he has to ignore the ‘experts’ and analyze situations for himself. He seems to be smart enough to see through the lies that pass for wisdom in academic circles.

]]> By: Shalom Freedman http://fresnozionism.org/2008/10/middle-east-studies-a-surreal-weekend/comment-page-1/#comment-6360 Shalom Freedman Mon, 20 Oct 2008 12:22:09 +0000 http://fresnozionism.org/archives/1057#comment-6360 I commend Vic Rosenthal for his courage in standing alone against the ignorant army of bigoted Israel haters. It is very difficult to speak truth when one is alone in doing so. I think he is right when he points to a decline in academic standards, certainly in departments of Middle Eastern studies. The propagandists whose work Rosenthal cites do not even deserve the title 'hacks'. The one disturbing note for me in all this is the one lecturer reporting that his friends tell him with Obama it will be different. This in fact does worry me especially as I see who Obama's foreign policy people are likely to be. On the other hand I saw a report in Debka file which said that he will be reluctant to enter into Israel- Arab negotiations knowing how much time and presitge it cost Clinton and even the Bush Administration. My own concern is also that an Administration may come into being in Israel which will take unilateral withdrawal actions in order to please the Americans. One more small point. I cannot help feeling these academic distorters of Israel's position and history are motivated more by anti- Semitism than by anything else. I commend Vic Rosenthal for his courage in standing alone against the ignorant army of bigoted Israel haters. It is very difficult to speak truth when one is alone in doing so.
I think he is right when he points to a decline in academic standards, certainly in departments of Middle Eastern studies. The propagandists whose work Rosenthal cites do not even deserve the title ‘hacks’.
The one disturbing note for me in all this is the one lecturer reporting that his friends tell him with Obama it will be different. This in fact does worry me especially as I see who Obama’s foreign policy people are likely to be. On the other hand I saw a report in Debka file which said that he will be reluctant to enter into Israel- Arab negotiations knowing how much time and presitge it cost Clinton and even the Bush Administration. My own concern is also that an Administration may come into being in Israel which will take unilateral withdrawal actions in order to please the Americans.
One more small point. I cannot help feeling these academic distorters of Israel’s position and history are motivated more by anti- Semitism than by anything else.

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