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From: dje@5941ux.UUCP
Newsgroups: net.politics
Subject: Re: MLK Holiday
Message-ID: <444@5941ux.UUCP>
Date: Wed, 12-Oct-83 11:02:59 EDT
Article-I.D.: 5941ux.444
Posted: Wed Oct 12 11:02:59 1983
Date-Received: Thu, 13-Oct-83 21:03:27 EDT
References: umcp-cs.3029
Lines: 42

Velu Sinha (umcp-cs!velu) writes:

	I too believe that it is more important to have some way of 
	recognizing MLK than to recognize Columbus Day...
	
	Especially in schools - I think if nothing else then all schools should
	be closed on the birthday of MLK. MLK is a much more important figure
	in the history of the US (if not the world...) than many of these
	Jewish holidays on which schools are closed.

Well, well, well, look what's coming out in the wash!  

I've stood on the sidelines for several months now while Velu has spewed out
diatribes in net.politics against Zionism and Israel.  I'd be overreacting if 
I would accuse him of anti-Semitism, now, wouldn't I?  He's not anti-Semitic, 
just anti-Zionist.  Israel is the bad guy here, and so am I if I stick my
nose into this.

Now Velu shows his true colors with a swipe at "these Jewish holidays on which 
schools are closed."  I support recognition of Dr. Martin Luther King's 
birthday.  If the argument against making this day a school holiday is that 
with all the religious holidays there are just too many days schools would be 
closed, that's one problem.  But Velu's problem is that it's the JEWISH 
holidays that are standing in the way.  Suddenly it's the Jews against Dr. King
and everything he stood for.  

As a Jew, I deeply resent the insinuation of racism.  Jews marched WITH 
Dr. King in support of civil rights for all.  The real racism at issue here is
anti-Semitism, plain and simple.  Israel and its government are not necessarily
above criticism.  But if you take a closer look at those who go out of their
way to denounce Israel and Zionism, all too often it's the Jews they're out to
discredit.

Yes, I'm flaming.  I'm tired of anti-Semites hiding behind "respectable"
facades of anti-Zionism.  Anti-Semitic racism has no place on Usenet under
any guise.  Let's put a stop to it once and for all.

[see article id houxa.271 in net.flame for a related opinion.]

David Ellis / Bell Labs, Piscataway NJ
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