Sunday, August 13, 2006

Norman Finkelstein article: Dershowitz' descent into moral barbarism

CounterPunch Magazine is a project of extreme Leftist Alexander Cockburn. Even though his last name is pronounced "Coe-burn," like the Canadian musician Bruce Cockburn, that hasn't stopped him from acquiring the nickname "Alexander Cockroach."

Cockburn is a fellow traveler of Noam Chomsky. DePaul University's holocaust-minimizing Norman G. Finkelstein is along for the ride on their Lefty pleasure drive.

Here's what author and law professor Alan M. Dershowitz said about the trio:

The mode of attack is consistent. Chomsky selects the target and directs Finkelstein to probe the writings in minute detail and conclude that the writer didn't actually write the work, that it is plagiarized, that it is a hoax and a fraud. Cockburn publicizes these "findings," and then a cadre of fellow travelers bombard the Internet with so many attacks on the target that these attacks jump to the top of Google. Because no one has thus far exposed the pattern, each attack may seem plausible on first impression. But when the pattern is examined and exposed, the entire enterprise becomes clear for what it is: a clear attempt to chill pro-Israel advocacy on university campuses by a form of literary McCarthyism.

Cockburn is co-editor of CounterPunch magazine. Do I have to tell you the political philosophy of this publication? And with another big hat-tip to Steven Plaut, I've learned that Finkelstein has an article about Alan M. Dershowitz in CounterPunch's latest edition.

Actually, my headline is truncated: The title of the article in its entirety is, Descent Into Moral Barbarism
Should Alan Dershowitz Target Himself for Assassination?


In that piece, Finkelstein mentions twice that Dersh has a home in Martha's Vineyard.

He also writes:

On his continuum of civilianality Dershowitz appears to fall in the proximity of the Hutu radio broadcasters and Streicher ­ less direct in his appeal, more influential in his reach. It is highly unlikely, however, that he will ever be brought before a tribunal for his criminal incitement. But there is yet another possibility for achieving justice. Dershowitz is a strong advocate of targeted assassinations when "reasonable alternatives" such as arrest and capture aren't available. The conclusion seems clear -- if , and only if, -- one uses his standard and his reasoning. Of course, the preponderance of humanity, this writer [and CounterPunch, Eds.,] included, does not think this way. After all the hard-won gains of civilization, who would want to live in a world that once again legally sanctioned torture, collective punishment, assassinations and mass murder? As Dershowitz descends into barbarism, it remains a hopeful sign that few seem inclined to join him.

So, Professor Finkelstein: Should Professor Dershowitz announce to the world what corner on which street he'll be standing on so you can win your verbal war with him?

Technorati tags:

No comments: