I ... I ... I ...
Observe my speechlessness.
Got an unusual item in the mail the other day. A book. Unsolicited. From some folks who call themselves "Progressive Vision International." Book is called "Let My People Go! -- The struggle of the American Jew to Come Home to Israel" by a fellow called Tom Hess.
Gave it a quick once-over. The thesis of the book, near as I can tell, is that the author thinks it would be a Really Good Thing if all the Jews in America packed up and went to Israel.
Had an extremely uncomfortable moment thinking this must be what it feels like for an African-American to be told to "Go back to Africa."
Now, I'm certain Mr. Hess does not want me to feel icked out by his missive. Mr. Hess wants me to understand that he doesn't want me to go to Israel because he hates Jews or anything. Oh, heck no. Hess would like me to pack up my Jewish self and get the hell out of America because the Bible Says So.
Y'know ... I've written this entry a half dozen times and I can't quite find the way to do it. It's hard to point out how vile and offensive this book is without actually quoting it -- but I don't really see a need to repeat the crap that he's spouting.
Let me just say that I've been pretty lucky in my life in that -- with the exception of an isolated incident or two -- I haven't really come across much in the way of hatred or discrimination directed at me because of my faith. I don't know what I find more troubling -- that this jerk has enough of a budget to print out 800,000 copies of his book and mail them to Jews all over the world, or that somehow I've ended up on his "Jews to target" list.
Excuse me. I'm going to go sit in a corner, hug my cat, and reconsider my belief in the general goodness of people.
14 comments:
? Unbelievable. I share your speechlessness... There are freaks all over the world and there always will be, but I do think most people are good. It's only the freaks you hear about. Don't let it get you down, I have to believe that goodness will prevail... - Michelle
i think i would be most concerned with HOW i ended up on his 'jews to target' list, so that i could get my ass off of it! That is awful!! I don't blame you at all for feeling the way you do, but you know as well as i do that discrimination attacks all people in one way or another. its ridiculous and doesn't deserve another moment of your thought (other than getting your name off that list). take care!!! anna
Maybe Mr. Hess needs to take his jingoistic ass back to wherever he came from.
Damn NZ. Your sure know how to make a person feel bad to be an American. Where did Mr. Hess' ancestors came from? Would you take a bet he isn't native either? Wasn't the country founded on religous freedom? Maybe why your ancestors came? Mine fled communism in Finland. Damn happy to get here. I'm sorry you got that book.
Gordy
I recieved this book today. I just wrote you a comment but they say it is too long. It is very disturbing, and yes, we should find out how an org can get the names of 1 million Jewish people to do this. Someone suggested letting the Simon Weisenthal Center know. I think this is a good idea. ANyway, it helped me a lot to find your blog tonight and I do hope you are feeling better. This is absolutely sickening, this book. Thanks again for exposing it.
That *is* a good idea. (Someone else suggested I send it to the LA Times.) And I do want to thank everyone for commenting here -- feels better when there are lots of voices drowning out the offensive one.
I just got mine yesterday. I knew from the second I opened the envelope and saw the cover art something was wrong. Just a gut feeling I guess. I feel targeted and uneasy. I'd like to know who bankrolled this guy. I'd like to know where exactly this subvertive hatred comes from. I understand how you feel.
This book just assures me these wolves in sheep's clothing really exist and in frighteneing numbers.
I just got mine yesterday. I knew from the second I opened the envelope and saw the cover art something was wrong. Just a gut feeling I guess. I feel targeted and uneasy. I'd like to know who bankrolled this guy. I'd like to know where exactly this subvertive hatred comes from. I understand how you feel.
This book just assures me these wolves in sheep's clothing really exist and in frighteneing numbers
I just got mine yesterday. I knew from the second I opened the envelope and saw the cover art something was wrong. Just a gut feeling I guess. I feel targeted and uneasy. I'd like to know who bankrolled this guy. I'd like to know where exactly this subvertive hatred comes from. I understand how you feel.
This book just assures me these wolves in sheep's clothing really exist and in frightening numbers
This guy is a sick pup. Heck, I'm not even Jewish and I got a copy of this garbage in the mail. I guess my last name is Jewish sounding. I think some type of legal action should be taken. I'm looking into it. Any suggestions ?
I can understand the rising anti semitism in some parts of the world
where people associate Jews with the policies of Sharon but not in the US.
We now have a Christian mirror image of Islam extremists?
I'm Jewish and I think this man needs to feel what its like to be a minority and to be hated and having Israel being bombed everyday...I'd like to see how he'd react.
There is a large movement in America of evangelical Christians who believe that before Jesus can return and bring the enlightened souls to heaven (The Rapture) all the world's Jews must return to Israel where they will have the opportunity of converting to Christianity or of being destroyed at the time of the second coming. Hess's "concern" for us is really only concern for the Christians. Check out Terry Gross's interview with Tim Hayes, author of a best-selling series on the rapture, on Fresh Air---http://freshair.npr.org/-- (archived), March 12, 2004,. Be sure to listen also to the following segment with Israeli writer Gershon Gorenberg. They're not out to save us, they want us in Israel as fodder for their "End-of-days" cannon.
What? Hess doesn't have my best interests at heart? I'm shocked! Absolutely shocked. [/sarcasm]
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