Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP
Posting-Version: notesfiles
Path: utzoo!linus!philabs!cmcl2!acf4!greenber
From: greenber@acf4.UUCP
Newsgroups: net.flame
Subject: Re: Bastille mentality (and moriarty's ?
Message-ID: <8200038@acf4.UUCP>
Date: Mon, 12-Nov-84 13:06:00 EST
Article-I.D.: acf4.8200038
Posted: Mon Nov 12 13:06:00 1984
Date-Received: Tue, 13-Nov-84 01:32:59 EST
References: <268@we53.UUCP>
Organization: New York University
Lines: 39
Nf-ID: #R:we53:-26800:acf4:8200038:000:1896
Nf-From: acf4!greenber    Nov 12 13:06:00 1984

<>

While at Tel-Aviv University a professor there told an interesting story
which I've found has many a parallel in other matters.  I think it could
here, so (for your approval :-) ) :

Back in the early 1800's there was a rather famous case involving a 
"blood-letting" by one of the town jews.  Blood-letting was the supposed
corruption practiced by Jews in the communities of Europe wherein a Jew
would kidnap a child and sacrifice the child (and its blood!) to "their"
god.

After a major trial, the defendant was convicted and executed.  Naturally,
this caused an uproar in the Jewish community.  All of the essayists of the
time were worried and wrote articles depicting a seige mentality: 
"The pograms are about to start again.  Lock your doors, hide your wives!"
and the entire Jewish community of the area settled in for these things to
start again, after a peaceful time.

All except for one man.  An essayist named "Ahad Ha'Amon" (The spelling is
probably wrong).  He wrote an essay that said: "This is the best thing to
ever happen to the Jews!  We could never have asked for anything better.
After thousands of years of persecution and pograms and prejudice and
people saying 'Jews are this and Jews are that', many Jews might have
felt that, well, maybe, there might be a grain of truth in it all. But,
now, after this tragedy all Jews can take comfort in knowing that no matter
what the millions of people might say, their one lone voice that says
'Jews do not commit blood-letting' is right, and the millions be damned!"


When presented by a professor with a serial number tatooed on his arm, and
realizing where I was, this little story had a profound effect on my life.

So I say, with my one lone voice, "Killing is wrong, and more so when
done by the state in OUR names!!", and know that I am right!



Ross M. Greenberg  @ NYU   ---->  allegra!cmcl2!acf4!greenber  <----