>As a misreading and distortion of the historial record, this annoys me.  But
>perhaps such approaches are what such items are based on and are supposed to
>do, but one might expect serious people to be more discriminating.
>
>Larry Ingle
>Formerly history department
>
>----------
>>From: Yigal Levin <[log in to unmask]>
>>To: [log in to unmask]
>>Subject: [UTCSTAFF] Osamma Bin-Laden calls Yasser Arafat
>>Date: Wed, Jun 5, 2002, 8:51 AM
>>
>
>> The following is sure to upset someone:
>>
>>
>>
>> Osamma Bin-Laden calls Yasser Arafat:
>>
>> Listen, Yassi, there is something that I don't understand. We are both
>> terrorists, we both killed thousands of innocent people, but all the world
>> is hunting only me, and at the same time you are the honorable Nobel-Prize
>> for Peace Winner !
>> What is your secret ?
>>
>> -Oh, it is very simple, Osamma.
>> I kill only Jews.


You were obviously right, Yigal, about upsetting someone.  Dr. Ingle
overcame his historical (pun intended) loathing of entering into RAVEN
discussions or venturing unsolicited opinions (please check the archives
for disconfirmation).

I thought of your anecdote yesterday as I listened to the account of the
latest atrocity in Israel.  You may be sure that there will be a different
reaction at the inevitable time when American tourists are among the
casualties.  September 11 is sufficient proof of this.  As Americans, we
tend to believe we are "innocent" victims.

I will further rankle as I submit publicly my response to Yigal's initial post:
"You may have upset others, but I think you make an important point.  In
time, terrorists become diplomats, since humanity has a short memory.  I
still remember Munich, 1972 and other such incidents."

I suppose that I am now an official PIP: politically incorrect pariah.  But
I am confident that a huge number of colleagues will endeavor to set me
straight.

Lee