Guido Preparata's website

[David Guyatt]

Did you ever post on the more sensitive subject you were considering doing (I understand the context and your concerns about such a thread)?

So far - I haven't David; and for reasons you are clearly aware of. I was also waiting to see if there was any more interest.

The catchall title of such a thread - actually a separate forum would probably be needed to do it justice - would be "The Jewish Question", (or similar, minus the latter-day knee-jerk Holocaust connotations). The problem is that ANY substantial, honest and open discussion of that age-old subject would, without the shadow of a doubt, get the forum branded as a "Hate site" unless it desisted. That, is a stark measure of just how much the subject needs to be discussed too.

What post-WWII western man is expected - or rather required on pain of career destruction - to agree is that, whilst for close to 2,000 years there were vexed recurring issues surrounding the relationship between the Jewish diaspora and its host countries, such issues have now been fully resolved (or no longer exist) and can therefore be raised only in the context of Jews as history's eternal victims - which of course stands as a patently absurd proposition when you summon the courage to ponder it a bit.

I have to say I am apprehensive about alienating people - hence my caution about the need for rigorous moderation. I'm also apprehensive about the time commitment that opening such a discussion with serious intent to pursue it would involve; but, since I personally judge it as central to understanding the past 150 years, I guess I'm prepared to put the required time in.

So, what do you, and others think?

I understand your hesitation and share it too. In the last analysis I think it might be best to leave it for the time being, as it would undoubtedly be incredibly divisive.