Thread: T.S. Eliot
View Single Post
  #68  
Unread 11-14-2009, 01:57 PM
Roger Slater Roger Slater is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: New York
Posts: 16,742
Default

I don't think courtesy is a gift that we have no right to demand. If someone is named Bill, and you insist on calling him BamBam, Bill has the right to demand that you call him Bill, and if you don't, and you own a store, Bill has the right to refuse to shop at your store and ask his friends to do likewise. He is not asking for the gift of courtesy and respect. He is demanding it as his due.

I agree about selective outrage, though. In some circles, you would suppose that the Palestinians are the only refugees in the world, and that no other oppressed or threatened people deserve attention or special emergency UN sessions. I do not mean to argue Mideast politics. For present purposes, I am willing to concede the full justice of the Palestinian cause. But unfortunately, there are many equally just causes that do not command the same attention although the number of victims may be greater.
Reply With Quote