Posted October 2, 2002

Sorry About That 'Chickenhawk' Crack

In my Sunday Toronto Sun column that you have featured (Monday's spotlight on Antiwar.com), I’ve made an error of fact. I mistakenly included the broadcaster Chris Mathews in my list of "chickenhawks." He should not be there…I’ve sent him an apology.

~ Eric Margolis

Culture

Regarding "Looking Behind Ha'aretz's Liberal Image," by Ran HaCohen:

I read your article with great interest, because I always viewed Ha'aretz as one of Israel's leading online papers. I read their material almost every day and find that it reports most events fairly. As you well know they criticize Sharon bitterly and do not agree with his West Bank policy. But I have a question for you.

How would you suggest your country turns things around? Did Yossi Beilin have the right idea when they negotiated at Taba with the PA? I seem to recall that the two sides were close to an agreement. I hope you believe that Israel in some form should remain a Jewish culture.

~ Gary Maier

Ran HaCohen replies:

Yes, I think every community has a right to its culture, be it Palestinian or Jewish-Israeli (or, if you like, Russian-Jewish-Israeli, Christian-Palestinian etc.). Whether an independent state is the right way to ensure it is another question. At any rate, any "solution" must obey the basic principles of equality and full human, political and cultural rights for all the people(s) of the land -- be it in two states living side-by-side, in a bi-national state, or in a federation of a sort.

The UN

Regarding "Looking Behind Ha'aretz's Liberal Image," by Ran HaCohen:

"Denying the massacre cannot contribute to Ha'aretz's reputation; whereas Ha'aretz's reputation is quite essential for denying a massacre in Jenin, as well as for disseminating other official Israeli positions."

And to what do you attribute the UN's denial of the "massacre"?

~ Gene Warech

Ran HaCohen replies:

Please see my "The UN from Qana to Jenin" for an answer.

Equal Treatment

Regarding "Looking Behind Ha'aretz's Liberal Image," by Ran HaCohen:

Can you answer the one question that no one seems to know? Why can't every individual who lives under Israeli control receive equal treatment regardless of their religion? I do not understand why this is not possible in a so-called "democracy." My tax dollars go to support Israel and I know the Americans believe "All men are created equal."

~ Leslie P., Illinois

Ran HaCohen replies:

I am afraid I have no answer either. I agree: every person under Israeli control should have the same rights. Or else s/he shouldn't be under Israeli control. Why this is not the case? Because those in power have other views regarding morality and democracy.

Translation Omission

Regarding "Looking Behind Ha'aretz's Liberal Image," by Ran HaCohen:

I was reading the electronic edition of Ha'aretz quite often and had no idea of its shameful practice of "selective translations." Thank you, Mr. HaCohen, for your information. I asked my Israeli friends about it and they all confirmed your words. I guess it would have been too naive for me to ask "How can an editor of a 'reputable' newspaper look at him/herself in the mirror after he/she allows such a denigration of journalistic ethics?" But I guess ethics is not in fashion in today's Israel. The price the nation pays for lying to themselves that there is no occupation, no abuse of Palestinians, no land grabs, no water stealing, no money-laundering, no foreign workers slavery, no war crimes, no crimes against humanity. Compared to these lies, what is an omission or two in translation of an article?

Farewell, Ha'aretz, shame on you.

~ Alex Chaihorsky (a conservative Jew, an ex-Zionist), Reno, Nevada

Violent Hatred

Regarding news about Mr. Giuliani wanting to kill Mr. Bin Laden himself and begging the President to grant him his wish, here's an interesting quote: "When our hatred is violent, it sinks us even beneath those we hate." (La Rochefoucauld)

~ MC

Support

The polls show declining support for Bush's war against Iraq, but a majority still are still in favor. From talking to the people around me, it looks like the support indeed remains fairly broad, but it is very shallow. Here's a test I use, that you can try: Just ask anyone who says that they favor war against Iraq if they are prepared to make a personal commitment. Are going to join the military to make sure the job gets done? (Or, if they are too old, are they encouraging their children to join?) My experience has been that no one has indicated that they think regime change in Iraq is that important.

~ Lloyd G.

Malice

Regarding Justin Raimondo's September 30th article:

"do you want to know how many times we and other antiwar site have been attacked by would-be hackers?"

I can imagine quite a lot; while no doubt there are some pro-war goons out there adding to it, I've put machines onto the internet and had them under mass attack inside of 15 minutes. Many crackers scan large chunks of the net looking for vulnerable machines in an effort to hijack them to get access to even more systems. I suppose the old saw can be updated to "never attribute to specific malice that which can be explained by general malice."

~ Randy Kaelber, Software Engineer, Mars Space Flight Facility, Department of Geological Sciences, Arizona State University

Editor's note:

Backtalk editor Sam Koritz is profiled in the Real World section of October's Smart Money magazine (print version only, not available online).