On Thu, 4 Apr 2002, Baardwijk, J. van DTO/SLWPD/RZO/BOZO wrote: > > The problem with the comparison is that the Nazi version of Lebensraum > > included a mandate to exterminate all non-Aryan people, most notably > > Jews, to accomplish that goal. The comparison therefore implies Israel > > has resolved as a founding principle to exterminate all non-Jews in the > > Holy Land. > > > > That's how language works, whatever your actual intent. > > I have repeatedly explained that I was only pointing out a common goal (a > place to live). I have also explicitly stated that I am not comparing > *actions* but only the common *goal*. > > No matter how language works, if people still want to see things that are > not there and ignore my explanations, then they are only deluding > themselves; they are beyond help.
Actually I agree that it's mostly fruitless to argue endlessly over someone's intent, but I did want to point out *why* I think the comparison is odious, and why other readers might also think so. On a purely ironic note, if Sharon should be held responsible for provoking the current intifada in Palestine because he made a clumsy and offensive political gesture, by the same reasoning, can I hold you responsible for provoking John's wrath with your clumsy and offensive language? ;-) Marvin Long Austin, Texas
