Messages

"...If statistics are right, the Jews constitute but one percent of the human race. It suggests a nebulous dim puff of stardust lost in the blaze of the Milky way. properly, the Jew ought hardly to be heard of, but he is heard of, has always been heard of. He is as prominent on the planet as any other people, and his commercial importance is extravagantly out of proportion to the smallness of his bulk. His contributions to the world's list of great names in literature, science, art, music, finance, medicine, and abstruse learning are also away out of proportion to the weakness of his numbers. He has made a marvelous fight in this world, in all the ages; and had done it with his hands tied behind him. He could be vain of himself, and be excused for it.

The Egyptian, the Babylonian, and the Persian rose, filled the planet with sound and splendor, then faded to dream-stuff and passed away; the Greek and the Roman followed; and made a vast noise, and they are gone; other people have sprung up and held their torch high for a time, but it burned out, and they sit in twilight now, or have vanished. The Jew saw them all, beat them all, and is now what he always was, exhibiting no decadence, no infirmities of age, no weakening of his parts, no slowing of his energies, no dulling of his alert and aggressive mind. All things are mortal but the Jew; all other forces pass, but he remains. What is the secret of his immortality?" 

- Mark Twain
("Concerning The Jews," Harper's Magazine, 1899)

In "The Complete Idiots Guide to Understand Judaism (Second Edition)" the author, a rabbi, responds to Twain's statements with "Judaism is the secret.  We have not kept our faith.  Our faith has kept us."

[Israel protest at concert 'was not racist']

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/scotland/edinburgh_and_east/8609737.stm

Israel protest at concert 'was not racist'

Protesters who disrupted a concert by an Israeli string quartet in Edinburgh have had charges of racially aggravated conduct thrown out by a court.

The five members of the Scottish Palestine Solidarity Campaign shouted slogans during the performance by the Jerusalem String Quartet.

But a sheriff said the comments had been directed at the state of Israel rather than individual Israeli people.

He ruled the case against the accused was not competent and dismissed it.

About 60 supporters of the five accused burst into applause when Sheriff James Scott delivered his judgement at Edinburgh Sheriff Court.

" It seemed to me that the procurator fiscal's attempts to squeeze malice and ill will were rather strained "
Sheriff James Scott

The Crown had brought the charges against Michael Napier, 63, Sofia Macleod, 39, Vanesa Fuertes, 35, Kevin Connor, 40, and Neil Forbes, 55, all from Edinburgh.

It was alleged that on 29 August 2008 at Queen's Hall in Edinburgh they had pursued a racially aggravated course of conduct amounting to harassment of the string quartet, which was performing at the city's International Festival.

The prosecution claimed that by shouting slogans including "they are Israeli army musicians", "genocide in Gaza", "end genocide in Gaza" and "boycott Israel" the accused had made comments which evinced malice towards the musicians based on their membership of an ethnic group or nationality.

They were also alleged to have disrupted the concert and struggled with security staff.

'Strained' attempts

Two alternative charges accused them of acting in a racially aggravated manner, and causing or intending to cause the members of the quartet alarm and distress.

Sheriff Scott said it was clear the accused were engaged in political protest against the Israeli state and an organ of that state, the Israeli army, concerning crimes allegedly committed by the Israeli state and its army in Gaza.

But he said the prosecution had failed to show the five accused had acted together, which made the prosecution disproportionate, and also stated that the comments made during the performance had been clearly directed at the state of Israel and Israeli army.

" The sheriff ruled in open court that it is perfectly legitimate to criticise the crimes of the state of Israel and that does not in any way constitute racism of any kind "
Mick Napier Scottish Palestine Solidarity Campaign
The state of Israel was not a person and the members of the quartet were not targeted as presumed citizens of Israel, but as presumed members of the Israeli army, he added.

He said: "It seemed to me that the procurator fiscal's attempts to squeeze malice and ill will were rather strained".

The sheriff also said that the right to protest would be worthless if protestors were afraid of being charged with racially aggravated behaviour for naming a state they believed had committed crimes.

Their placards, the sheriff said, would need to read "genocide in an unspecified part of the Middle East" and "boycott an unspecified state in the Middle East".

He said the prosecution in its present form was unnecessary and, having concluded it was not necessary or proportionate and therefore incompetent, it had to be dismissed.

The sheriff discharged the complaint simpliciter.

Appealing decision

Speaking outside court, Mr Napier - the chairman of the Scottish Palestine Solidarity Campaign - said he and the other four protestors welcomed the sheriff's ruling.

"He ridiculed and satirised the procurator fiscal's efforts to protect a foreign state, in this case Israel, from criticism," Mr Napier said

"The sheriff could have hidden behind generalities, but today in court we discussed the state of Israel specifically and the sheriff ruled in open court that it is perfectly legitimate to criticise the crimes of the state of Israel and that does not in any way constitute racism of any kind.

"It is a constant never-ending attempt by those who support the state of Israel to name those who support the Palestiniains as anti-Semites. It never ends. Well it ended in court today and we will not be intimidated by this smear in the future."

Fiscal depute Graham Fraser said the Crown would be appealing the decision.

The case had previously been continued without plea on a number of occasions.

During legal debate earlier this year, lawyers representing the accused claimed that under the European Convention of Human Rights the prosecution represented an unnecessary, illegitimate and disproportionate interference with their freedom of expression, speech and peaceful political protest.

The Crown held that the charges were relevant and that the accused's rights under the convention were "not unfettered" as the rights of one person might impinge of the rights of another.

http://www.jnewswire.com/articles/print/2722

Western antisemitism at World War Two high

By Stan Goodenough
Mar 16, 2010


According to figures released by the Jewish Agency, acts of Jew hatred in western Europe in 2009 were pegged at their highest level since the Second World War.

Distorted media coverage of Israel's war against Hamas in Gaza at the start of last year, along with the legally-flawed Goldstone Report which charged Israel with deliberately murdering innocent civilians in that conflict, have been identified as major fanners of the ever-present — if sometimes muted — flames of international antisemitism.

The unique and unparalleled form of racism has dogged the Jewish people since the earliest days of their national existence.

Since paving the way for - and driving the forces of - the Holocaust, the tide of this prejudice has ebbed and flowed. Whereas historically the exiled Jewish people were endlessly scapegoated for the ills plaguing their host nations, since 1948 that ingrained animus has increasingly focused on the reborn nation state into which they have been regathered.

The majority of anti-Israel officials, journalists and organizations strongly reject charges of bias, maintaining that criticism of Israel cannot be labelled antisemitism.

Their readiness to believe lies and distortions about the behavior of Israel's armed forces, the policies of Israel's governments and the intentions of Israel as a nation — however — give the lie to their protestations.

[Non-native animals cause rural problems, charity warns]

I can think of another non-native mammal species that is damaging the native species of the UK.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/8602358.stm

Non-native animals cause rural problems, charity warns

A number of non-native mammal species are damaging the UK countryside by eating crops and threatening wildlife, a conservation charity has warned.

A report by the People's Trust for Endangered Species identified 14 problem species including rats, American mink and muntjac deer.

The trust said some of the creatures have been in the UK for so long, they are thought of as indigenous.

It said it was important to stop the extinction of native species.

Practical action

According to the report, two of the UK's fastest declining native species - the red squirrel and the water vole - which has declined by 90% - are under threat by mammals introduced by humans in the last two centuries.

American minks prey on water voles while grey squirrels, which were introduced to the UK in the 19th century carry the deadly squirrelpox virus and outcompete the native red squirrel when it comes to hunting for food and habitats.

The trust also warned the red-necked wallaby is capable of damaging capercaillie birds on Loch Lomond island, while muntjac deer congregating in high numbers are also accused of being a threat to wildlife.

According to the British Deer Society, muntjac were brought from China to a park in Bedfordshire in the early 20th century.

They spread across the country after they escaped, or were deliberately released, from the park.

Further invasions

People's Trust chief executive Jill Nelson said: "Our campaign to conserve Britain's native mammals is rooted in finding more about each animal's behaviour in response to the various threats they face and translating that knowledge into practical conservation action."

She said the way with how the UK dealt with the problem was a "vital component in preventing their extinction".

The trust said the species can have a negative impact on UK wildlife, landscape and agriculture. This range of problems include carrying disease, breeding with species to produce hybrids and altering the landscape and damaging crops.

The report also warned that global trade and a changing climate could lead to the invasion of more alien species.

Other species to have made the list include house mice and rabbits.

But the report, researched by professor David Macdonald and doctor Dawn Burnham from the University of Oxford Wildlife Conservation Research Unit acknowledged, that while rabbits are mainly seen as a pest, they can also have a positive conservation effect in particular areas where they graze.

[Race relations in South Africa are at an all time low.]

This is from the comments page:

Mr Terreblanche, who campaigned for a separate white homeland, came to prominence in the early 1980s. Race relations in South Africa are at an all time low. This sad event is just the icing in the cake to get things moving. There have been calls for open dialogue about race relations in this country, this is the time for South Africa to talk. This country has so many problems that are not being addressed properly because everybody uses the race card instead.
Siyabonga Ndlovu, Soweto

Although I personally did not support Eugene Terreblanche's view - I am concerned about the senseless killing of farmers, as well as the public hate-speech against white South Afrikaner which the ANC allows by supporting Julius Malema. White South Africans are not allowed to use their words for the native South Africans, but the derogatory term for the white South Africans is publicly allowed and accepted. What is President Zuma going to do about this? It seems as if the ANC government is now failing all South Africans, as the political instability seems to be on the increase.
Willie van der Merwe, Johannesburg

As a white single mum of one daughter I already had sleepless nights regarding my daughter's safety. Now after the murder of Mr Terreblanche I fear even more. Racial tension has been driven to the point of no return now. I can smell the fear.
Riesa, Cape Town

Eugene was an enemy but I also don't condone his death. One will argue this is just a conspiracy to discredit Julius Malema's racist song "Kill the boer, kill the farmer". But still I would like the leaderless ANC to refrain from this racist songs.
Itami Manganyi, Durban

The struggle songs that the ANC insist should be sung contain lyrics like "Kill the farmer, Kill the boer". They insist that the songs are just commemorative, but it's disturbing that the songs are sung with such gusto; especially in recent months where half a dozen farmers have been killed. The murder of a political figure may finally cause the government to realise that singing racist songs isn't conducive to South Africa's reconciliation.
Kerry, Johannesburg

This a horrible death, a gruesome manslaughter, a never to be repeated act of hatred amongst each other. I found it very difficult to understand this irresponsible conduct, we hope this will not result into another civil war and bloodbath between the whites and blacks of this country. Where is our humanity, good morals, brotherly love, regardless our race and colour?
Vincent, Germiston

I am a proud black South African. I am appalled at this type of violence! Under no circumstances is one justified to take a life!
Lerato, Johannesburg

Farmers are being killed weekly in this country, nobody wants or needs this but the government does nothing about Malema singing "kill the boer".
Vincent Barkas, Hoedspruit

The murder of Terreblanche comes at a particularly volatile time in South Africa. Terreblanche was mostly seen as an embarrassment by white Afrikaners, yet I expect great concern about the lawlessness which led to his death. South Africa is a country suffering from a lack of moral leadership and the perception is growing that crime pays, corruption is ignored. On grassroots level the relationships between black and white are respectful, yet the political leaders reflect mistrust and antagonism.
Annelize Slabbert, Randburg

His death won't affect the country at all. The circumstances surrounding his death have nothing to do with the recent utterances made by the ANC youth league, irresponsible as they may be. He had become a nonentity on the political front. The danger is 'analysts' who want to use the killing as a barometer of black and white relations and sentiments, and their influence on a sceptical white population and those who can't see the bigger picture.
Tawanda Musarurwa, Johannesburg

Any murder is a tragedy. The irony is that a primary crazy fueller of racial hatred, a monster with no morals, could by his murder do even more harm and create hate as he did in his tragic and wasted lifetime.
David, Sedgefield

This news comes at an extremely fragile time in South Africa. Whilst our high profile political figures continue to sing songs about 'shoot the boers' it will undoubtedly lead to increased anger in relation to Terreblanche's death. He spoke for a few, and although many white individuals recognise him as an extremist and racist, that will do little to speak for the tide of events that will rock and will continue to rock the front pages of newspapers in the coming weeks. South Africa is urgently in need of the spirit of reconciliation we enjoyed so much following the 1994 elections... We seem to have run out!
Ryan, Grahamstown

I can't believe the level of hatred in our beautiful country. Why can't we just live our lives in peace for heaven's sake? Just grow up!
Joan Pearce, Cape Town

I believe Jacob Zuma and ANC have not been responsible enough in reprimanding the Youth League president for all his provocative utterances and actions that is bringing about racial tension.
Raymond, Johannesburg

The situation is similar to the slaying of black communist leader, Chris Hani, in 1993. South Africa managed to come through that (with the help of Mandela). It remains to be seen how South Africans will react now, 20 years later, only 60 days before the World Cup.
Jonathan Winter, Durban

I don't think the passing away of Mr Terreblanche will make any difference. South Africa never healed as far as racism is concerned, you may notice this in business and job opportunities. Terreblanche had also become less popular.
Thanda, Krugersdorp