It is now an archive for my newspaper and magazine pieces. My blog can now be read at: www.spectator.co.uk/stephenpollard
Politics, economics and culture from the master. Unmissable.
Melanie Phillips home page
Melanie Phillips' peerless blog. Read, and learn.
Daniel Finkelstein's Times Comment Central
A daily must-read.
Tim Worstall
Lots of interesting nibbles - and a ruthless swatter of economic gibberish.
Harry's Place
Must-read left of centre blog from writers who understand the threat to the West.
Clive Davis
Always interesting selection of culture and politics, from an Anglo-American bent.
Samizdata
Libertarian blog, packed every day.
Norm's blog
The thoroughly sensible thoughts of renowned left-wing academic Norman Geras, Professor of Government at Manchester. And cricket, too.
Public Interest
Peter Briffa's inimitable take on The Yazzmonster and other assorted demons.
Reform
The public sector reform group; their website is an invaluable source of data and ideas.
Centre for the New Europe
The leading European public policy think tank.
Developed by:
| March | 08 |
| 2007 |
Ive just spent 10 wasted minutes composing a post about the comments on the BBC last night by Rabbi Yitzchak Schochet, who alleged that antisemitism is behind the treatment of Lord Levy. Wasted, because Daniel Finkelstein has said exactly what I want to say.
I screamed 'shut up' when I heard the Rabbi. Yes, there have been some traces of antisemitism in some of the coverage. But as for the idea that the underlying foundation of the whole affair is antisemitism - purrrleaze. The basis of the affair is (alleged) corruption and (alleged) interference with the investigation into that corruption. It happens that one of the people arrested is Jewish. If the Rabbi thinks Lord Levy would not have been arrested if he was an Anglican, or was only arrested because he is Jewish, then he is living in a parrallel universe.
As Daniel says, there's enough real antisemitism around to worry about, without gormless, unwarranted and totally self-defeating accusations of it. Believe me, I am in the front of the queue when it comes to identifying the real antisemites. But when people start thowing the label around without any basis in fact they play into the hands of those real antisemites.
UPDATE: On the other hand...!
MessageSpace
I agree totally. No doubt anti-Semites will exploit this situation, but, then again, if it wasn't this it would be something else. The notion though that the motivation for the affair was anti-Semitism is stark staring mad.
Levy made a classic Jewish mistake, a mistake that has been made by Jews for centuries: the belief that by doing the bidding of the gentiles in power it will make one more socially acceptable. In actual fact, it only makes one more despised. This coupled with the likelihood that one might end up in cheder for a long stretch should make the whole idea exceedingly unattractive. However, because of the usual character flaws associated with vanity and inferiority complexes it doesn't seem to. As an aside, It's the same reason why virtually all the leaders of British Jewry have displayed such complete cowardice in the face of rampant Jew-hatred and the widespread deligitimisation of Israel.
I decided long ago that I don't give a toss what they think of me. I'm not going to be one cent richer or poorer whatever garbage they happen to hurl in my direction. So what does concern me? In order of importance: Israel, the Jewish people, my own well-being, my business. Friends come in there somewhere, but I'm not sure where. And, oh yes, Britain does figure in all of this: these days it's sandwiched somewhere between a warm bagel and a decent pickled cucumber - well, on a good day it is.
Joshua - a very long way to say what we have always known. You are no friend of ours, and quite frankly, we can survive without your friendship. Now, if only you would take yourself off to somewhere with rather less nasty goyim around.
"The notion though that the motivation for the affair was anti-Semitism is stark staring mad."
Yes, although now that you understand that making frivolous claims about anti semitism is insane perhaps you should consider getting yourself assessed.
Bang on Stephen. Shocket should keep his stupid big mouth firmly shut.
Of course you are completely right Stephen. Rabbi Megaphone of Mill Hill is just devaluing the currency of anti-semitism. He should know better. I'm deafened by the silence of his congregants agreeing with you, Melanie Phillips and Dave Aaronovitch.
Regards Jonathan Hoffman