So here’s the bit I wanted to comment on:

For instance, other patriots who disagree with what is now the Israeli right: Abba Eban, Yitzak Rabin, and Arik Sharon. Again, anyone is free to say that any those people are either (a) traitors, (b) idiots, or (c) both.

This is an interesting argument – the people Omri quotes of as “disagree”-ing [present tense] with what is now [present] the Israeli right are dead, dead and in a coma. It’s a wonderful ability he has to tell us how the dead and unconscious feel. Perhaps he could get in touch with my great-grandparents and figure out where they hid the silver – now that would be useful.

Omri’s site says he’s studying for a PhD in rhetoric. My meager recollection is that Rehetoric, Logic and Grammar were part of the original Trivium. His grammar seems fine so perhaps once he has mastered Logic too we will at least be able to have a rational discussion. As it is he is currently using either the logical fallacy of an Appeal to Authority or an Appeal to tradition by invoking dead patriots, I’m guessing he knows his arguments have no real logical basis – his site is called Mere Rhetoric after all, but when you make illogical arguments you don’t have the right to complain when someone calls you on your illogicality.

*** Shimon Peres founded the Israel Air Force? ***

I’ve never heard this claim before…

*** Is there any truth to it? ***

I’ve never even heard Shimon Peres make this claim! Let alone anyone who’s served in the IAF!

And for the record, I have been a NON-fan of Shimon Peres since long before there was an Israellycool web site.

I didn’t like him then; I don’t like him now.

Shalom,

Maksim-Smelchak.

As noted above, Omri’s interpretation of Peres’s remarks was clearly correct. Your “analysis” of this was “based on what I know about Peres,” it’s self aggrandizement. Of course, you don’t explain what you know about Peres or what you base your “understanding” on. Ultimately it really is just a disgraceful cheap shot against someone who has worked to build Israel for decades by someone who’s idea of contributing to Israel is to join the Fighting Keyboardists 101st Batallion and to insult anyone that doesn’t adopt a far rightist’s view.

Intelligent responses and attempts at polite discussion are always welcome here on my blog. Yours is neither.

Your suggestion that Peres’ past glories preclude criticism of his attitude today is perplexing. You might want to rethink that one.

Aussie Dave, it is precisely because of men like Shimon Peres that you were able to make Israel your home and prosper in it. He was a Zionist when the success of that movement was, to be euphemistic, an iffy proposition.

Omri’s interpretation of the remarks is clearly correct. And you are deliberately twisting them out of context to make a personal attack on someone because he doesn’t share your political views. How shameful. How pathetic.

Our sense of humour is unique to us, this is very clear. Even in the most serious of discussions, an Aussie will throw in humour, a joke, sarcasm. It’s OUR culture – do not apologise for it, it’s great. It’s our way of bringing things back to reality.

I don’t know much about Middle Eastern humour, but don’t thing it would be anything like our Aussie humour. They are sooooo sensitive.

Add to that, we’re straight shooters, call a spade a spade, all with a smile on our faces too!

So, with all this multicultural bullshit that’s going on, where all cultures are equal and fantastic unless you’re Western, and in particular white, I say : it’s our culture, so it must be ok!