This reminded me of Nathan Englander's brilliant short story (and later play) "What We Talk About When We Talk About Anne Frank," in which the characters play a game in which they try to figure out if they know any gentiles who they could trust to risk their own lives to hide them if the Nazis came to power in America. Ever play that one, Peter?
I can never tell what he means about anything. It’s obvious that a young Swedish girl truly got under Israel’s skin though. The Hasbara related to her has been overwhelming.
I detest trump with the heat of a thousand suns but I took his comment to mean that it was a ridiculous thing to say. Kidnapping Swedish Muppet isn’t on Israel’s to do list.
One small comment on Greta Thunberg, not by way of defense but in fairness: it might be that Greta Thunberg's focus on democracies stems from her belief that democracies are more effective in addressing (issues, e.g.) climate change due to the free flow of information, public debate, and citizen mobilization they allow. Democracies, in contrast to authoritarian systems, are more likely to incorporate public concerns and debate into policy-making, leading to more effective and sustainable solution.
Lyle, I appreciate your comment. What you’ve written makes her actions even more deplorable—or at the very least, more perplexing. Since 10/7, she’s offered her support, whether tacitly or overtly, to Hamas—one of the most brutal authoritarian regimes in recent memory.
Truthfully, it’s not Greta herself who discourages me most. It’s the people who, even during her climate change moment, found her credible. She’s an odd figure: both deeply manipulated and deeply hungry for attention. And yet, there’s something strangely magnetic about her. A kind of Chauncey Gardiner type—with a mean streak.
Finally did receive an answer from a Muslim who says the hostages don't matter because Palestine (that is, all of Israel) belongs to the Palestinians who descended from the ancient Canaanites who were "genocided" by the Israelites in 1250 BC!!! You can't make this stuff up. And he used violently abusive language while responding. My mistake for engaging.
Okay, I’ll say Tlaib is Henry Ford because she’s from Detroit and MTG can be Laura Ingalls (not Wilder) as a pro-Nazi aviatrix and the inventor of Jewish space lasers must have something in common.
Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but Thom Yorke has backslid somewhat and may only be hanging by a thread because Johnny Greenwood is married to an Israeli.
I seem to be playing that game myself with different characters. Trump is Hitler. Pete Buttigieg is Pastor Niemoller. I felt very let down by Thuneberg. She was quite the hero and now, she's just another damned fool. I see Zelenskyy leading the anti-Nazi resistance in the forests. I would love to be Corrie ten Boom or Raoul Wallenberg. Alas, I am Kurt Gerstein. Would you be Elie Wiesel? Or Simon Wiesenthal? Whomever we might be reincarnated from, we still have a lot of karma to level.
Like you, I play an Americanized version of this game. Hispanics are Jews, Trump is Hitler, Stephen Miller is Eichmann, Pete Hegseth is Hermann Goring, and so on. Still waiting for our FDR and Churchill to reveal themselves!
This reminded me of Nathan Englander's brilliant short story (and later play) "What We Talk About When We Talk About Anne Frank," in which the characters play a game in which they try to figure out if they know any gentiles who they could trust to risk their own lives to hide them if the Nazis came to power in America. Ever play that one, Peter?
And in today’s news:
U.S. President Donald Trump commented on the events, saying, "I think Israel has enough problems without kidnapping Greta Thunberg."
Yes. And having seen the full clip, it’s quite apparent that he was being sardonic.
I can never tell what he means about anything. It’s obvious that a young Swedish girl truly got under Israel’s skin though. The Hasbara related to her has been overwhelming.
In truth, she’s gotten under my skin as well. Someone who tacitly or overtly gives succor to Hamas is — quite understatedly, not a person I respect
I detest trump with the heat of a thousand suns but I took his comment to mean that it was a ridiculous thing to say. Kidnapping Swedish Muppet isn’t on Israel’s to do list.
Awesome, Peter. Right on the money.
Brilliantly imaginative and engaging!
This is an excellent, brilliantly insight essay. I already read and listen to many of the people on your list. I will add Coleman Hughes.
Yes. Do. He's quite special.
He has a new podcast. I’m looking forward to checking out.
One small comment on Greta Thunberg, not by way of defense but in fairness: it might be that Greta Thunberg's focus on democracies stems from her belief that democracies are more effective in addressing (issues, e.g.) climate change due to the free flow of information, public debate, and citizen mobilization they allow. Democracies, in contrast to authoritarian systems, are more likely to incorporate public concerns and debate into policy-making, leading to more effective and sustainable solution.
Lyle, I appreciate your comment. What you’ve written makes her actions even more deplorable—or at the very least, more perplexing. Since 10/7, she’s offered her support, whether tacitly or overtly, to Hamas—one of the most brutal authoritarian regimes in recent memory.
Truthfully, it’s not Greta herself who discourages me most. It’s the people who, even during her climate change moment, found her credible. She’s an odd figure: both deeply manipulated and deeply hungry for attention. And yet, there’s something strangely magnetic about her. A kind of Chauncey Gardiner type—with a mean streak.
Yes, The last question is the most important and should be repeated non-stop to people like Greta and Piers. I wrote about this in December 2023, and I still have not received an answer from anyone who blames Israel for the war: https://missoulian.com/opinion/column/ruth-vanita-for-a-ceasefire-hamas-should-surrender-now/article_98a94b34-9f68-11ee-9414-3b4d627eb3c8.html
Finally did receive an answer from a Muslim who says the hostages don't matter because Palestine (that is, all of Israel) belongs to the Palestinians who descended from the ancient Canaanites who were "genocided" by the Israelites in 1250 BC!!! You can't make this stuff up. And he used violently abusive language while responding. My mistake for engaging.
Karoline Preisler deserves a place for consistently raising her voice in a sea of seeming indifference. The indifference is almost as galling to me as the hate. https://ruthvanita452091.substack.com/p/killing-indifference
This is your best post .
Thanks Liba. I hope to win that accolade one day for things less painful. Shabbat Shalom.
Provocative words. t.y.
Just wondering, who are Marjorie Taylor Greene and Rashinda Tlaib (strange bedfellows!) in The 1937 Game?
https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/antisemitism/article-857258
Play the game!
Okay, I’ll say Tlaib is Henry Ford because she’s from Detroit and MTG can be Laura Ingalls (not Wilder) as a pro-Nazi aviatrix and the inventor of Jewish space lasers must have something in common.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laura_Ingalls_(aviator)
Because All Lives Matter? Smh
Wonderful and very realistic analysis, But extremely depressing…so sad. People never learn. 😞
We all cling to our own narratives. But just as everyone who owns a violin is not a virtuoso, not every narrative holds the same moral weight.
Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but Thom Yorke has backslid somewhat and may only be hanging by a thread because Johnny Greenwood is married to an Israeli.
Like many board games, these pieces can be moved around when needed!
Love this
I seem to be playing that game myself with different characters. Trump is Hitler. Pete Buttigieg is Pastor Niemoller. I felt very let down by Thuneberg. She was quite the hero and now, she's just another damned fool. I see Zelenskyy leading the anti-Nazi resistance in the forests. I would love to be Corrie ten Boom or Raoul Wallenberg. Alas, I am Kurt Gerstein. Would you be Elie Wiesel? Or Simon Wiesenthal? Whomever we might be reincarnated from, we still have a lot of karma to level.
Like you, I play an Americanized version of this game. Hispanics are Jews, Trump is Hitler, Stephen Miller is Eichmann, Pete Hegseth is Hermann Goring, and so on. Still waiting for our FDR and Churchill to reveal themselves!
Start with Pete Buttigieg. Adam Kinzinger. Chasten Buttigieg.
Good people all. But we'll have to wait til 2028 to see if they can defeat fascism.
The voters will have to WAKE UP and decide.
Today's piece should be mandatory reading in every school, not just in America but the world. Every school without exception.