[S.T.D.]

It sounds terribly familiar. The left pooh poohed this too.

http://blogs.jpost.com/content/polit...many-1919-1932

“Antisemitism based purely on emotion will find its ultimate expression in pogroms… antisemitism based on reason must lead to the organized, legal campaign… It’s ultimate, unshakeable goal must, however, be the elimination of the Jews”
(from the Gemlich letter, 1919)
Introduction: Although political antisemitism in Germany reached its nadir with the 1932 electoral victory of National Socialism, even the Nazis referred to 15th century theologian, Martin Luther as their inspiration for Holocaust. How deeply antisemitism permeated the culture of the West can be judged by the speed with which it entered politics, was reflected in academia and the arts. In his 1850 essay, “Jewishness in Music,” German composer Richard Wagner describes Jews as “alien” and “harmful” to German culture. In the ever-popular 1812 children’s tales of the brothers Grimm the Jews are represented as villains and demons. Political economist and social philosopher Karl Marx’s, the son of convert gather, wrote his, On the Jewish Question in 1843. Whether or not his “Jew” in the text was intended as an antisemitic slur or simply an economic symbol is still a matter of controversy. What is not in doubt is its use by antisemites of the left and right, antisemitism/anti-Zionism by liberals and conservatives, genocide by fascists and communists.

[NeroASERCH]

I realise this ongoing, excellent article is regarding Germany; however, it seems to me, we in the West must also take a hardcore and honest look at our own anti-Semitic behaviour then and presently. History has all too often repeated itself, not solely in Europe, but the Americas. I am aware as Canadian, there is much of our anti-Semitic history that has been swept under the proverbial carpet. It doesn't help that students today can choose basket-weaving over history as an option, which is a prime indicator that, at least here, the dumb down days are here and have been so for some time. Hence I have gone off on one of my tangents as my better-half call 'em but whilst reading the article, I couldn't help but draw some parallels to the events here as well as Germany.

Jews were deemed in the 19th century onward as a blight to say the least and a threat to our nation's social structure. This repugnant viewpoint has not changed... although, at least today, our present government is extremely pro-Israel, to the chagrin of those especially on the extreme left and surely those of the extremist right.

Nothing has changed; the subtleties practiced by some politicos and everyday people during the post-war era have been gradually tossed into the recycling bin. Now, exposing one’s anti-Semitism in the West has become chic, there is no need to hide one’s loathing of Jews. I believe, it never fell out of fashion but was veiled to disguise the West’s, true, state-of-mind; a sense of guilt and embarrassment; a sense of self redemption during the post Holocaust era. Decades later, throughout the West, the Shoah for many non-Jews is a fading memory; feeling they have served penance and are cleansed of their guilt for not, perhaps, doing more to save European Jewry, when there was a chance to do so. Habitual or perhaps inherent habits, primarily anti-Semitism, ostensibly have once again become the acceptable norm.

Anti-Semitism is now, deemed more than an accessory, which people, at one time, would choose to reveal openly or conceal depending upon the occasion. It is obvious today, once again, there is no apprehension or embarrassment of one being criticized for being an out-in-the-open Jew-hater in a political arena or elsewhere. A leopard cannot change its spots… a cliché… but the same may be said for the West, in my opinion.