Questions

I do not like it when I hear someone offhandedly make an anti-Semitic remark. Several people, whom I have greatly respected, lived through World War 2. I have also known a couple of people who survived the Nazi concentration camps. After hearing first hand accounts of the horrors they witnessed it makes me even more uncomfortable to hear anti-Semitic talk.

According to the L.A. Times this is what Mel Gibson said “The Jews are responsible for all the wars in the world.” Gibson then asked, “Are you a Jew?”

According to the San Francisco Chronicle this is what Albert H. Foxman of the Jewish Anti-Defamation League said in response, “It appears that the combination of liquor and arrest has revealed his true character.

“We believe there should be consequences to bigots and bigotry. One way to combat bigots is to put a price on bigotry.

“I would hope that if this is in fact true, that his colleagues condemn him and distance themselves from him.”

A liquored-up Mel Gibson saying this stuff makes the South Park episode look pretty close to the mark. However, the A.D.L response sounds inflammatory. Compare that statement to this A.D.L. response regarding the Seattle Jewish Federation shooting.

The shooting attack at the Seattle Jewish Federation was a terrible tragedy and points up the need for security awareness, especially at a time when there is a crisis in the Middle East, with Israel as a focal point. However, the Jewish community in Seattle was not advised of any specific threat from law enforcement.

We applaud the Seattle Police Department for their quick response and apprehension of the alleged shooter.

Why does the response to a babbling drunk sound more harsh than the one about an incident where multiple people were shot because of a mans self professed hatred of Jews?

Furthermore, as a consumer society, why are we obsessed with the misfortune of a cultural icon and less interested in a real tragedy where countless innocents are affected?

On Another Note

The gigs were fun this weekend. We were playing outside so it was hot and humid. It was a packed house both nights and the crowds were in a happy party mood.

The comedian Gallagher was in the audience Saturday night. He is playing at a theater in Branson for a while. I introduced myself and we talked briefly. He told me he was writing a song called “I’m A Boob For Tits”.

We had a good rehearsal Sunday with the full band. I should have some news on dates later this week

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Tags: Gallagher, Mel Gibson