RE: neither angry nor thoughtful?

[Shirli Sieb <sieb...>]

From: Ed Sieb:


> Judith,
> As far as I understand,
> Robert reacted to a message posted by Shirli Sieb,
> not to your message.


My original "Arafat" comment, was an attempt at wry and cynical sarcasm,
reminiscent of the cynical sarcasm I used to hear from my parents, when I
was growing up.

The remark is based on a certain cynical and contemptuous attitude found in
some groups of immigrant Jews (and in some Israelis).  When presented with
an event or occurance which might signal a change in current social stresses
or which might produce changes in the social climate, this type of
individual
dismisses it with a contemptuous remark, usually having reference to an
enemy.

I recall hearing my friends' father contemptuously utter "Ehh...! Hitler
would be
pleased!"  upon hearing  that his son had purchased a BMW.

In my case, living in Quebec during the turbulent '70's, we had to contend
with
ultra-nationalist Separatists and nationalists who focused on
non-Francophones
as the enemy.  Jews by the thousands flocked to French-language courses, and
partook of French cultural events, in an effort to both understand the
larger French
milieu, and develop closer contacts with it.

The cynics, the curmudgeons thought little of such efforts. On hearing that
so-and-so
had enrolled in a French language course, the typical remark was "Camille
Laurin
would be pleased" (Camille Laurin, being the dour and sanctimonious Minister
of
Language of the Province of Quebec).

Sorry, I thought I was being funny.

Ed Sieb

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