[Peace-discuss] Democracy Now! & the Israel Lobby

Sat Feb 16 03:02:02 CST 2008

It seemed to me appropriate under the circumstances for Rothschild to write the letter (privately, but knowing it probably would be published), since he had the responsibility for- and obligation to defend his staff member (well, it's a good  excuse, anyway). He took great care to keep himself beyond reproach by using only Finkelstein's own quotes and quotes of others criticising Finkelstein. Reading between the lines, it's obvious that Rothschild does share many of Finkelstein's concerns but feels (and hates) that he goes to extremes and ends up doing a disservice to causes they both embrace. Face it, Finkelstein's controversial, and his harsh style turns off many of his friends as well as his enemies.
   --Jenifer

"Laurie at advancenet.net" <laurie at advancenet.net> wrote:
                Interesting; but he fails t o say what the nature or reason for the lawsuit by Finkelstein against him were that would elicit the private response that was made.  I walk away from his response to you (e.g., No one here at The Progressive has ever intended any harm to him. I bear him no ill will, and we see eye to eye on a lot of issues, including the cause of justice and peace for Palestinians, which he has courageously championed) with the feeling that I just experienced the equivalent of a Mafia Don kissing his victim just before putting the knife in his back.

  I am curious to know what your feelings are with respect to the response you got.

        From: peace-discuss-bounces at lists.chambana.net [mailto:peace-discuss-bounces at lists.chambana.net] On Behalf Of Morton K. Brussel
Sent: Friday, February 15, 2008 5:58 PM
To: C.G.Estabrook
Cc: Peace-discuss
Subject: Re: [Peace-discuss] Democracy Now! & the Israel Lobby

  FYI

      Dear Morton Brussel,

    Thanks for sending me your note.

    You should know that I have never said one word in public against Norman Finkelstein.

    All that I did was respond to a direct threat of a lawsuit from him with a private letter, which he then posted on his website.

    This was not an attack on Norman Finkelstein. It was a private defense against the prospect of a lawsuit.

    No one here at The Progressive has ever intended any harm to him.

    I bear him no ill will, and we see eye to eye on a lot of issues, including the cause of justice and peace for Palestinians, which he has courageously championed.

    Best,

    Matthew Rothschild

    Editor, The Progressive

    On Feb 15, 2008, at 10:29 AM, Morton K. Brussel wrote:

    Dear Mr. Rothschild,

    I've been a subscriber to The Progressive, on and off, for some time. Very recently, and belatedly, I was shocked to read of your attack on Norman Finkelstein while defending Ruth  Coniff. 

    Unless I see a published apology to Mr. Finkelstein and those who, with him, wish to see justice and peace established for a Palestinian people strangled by the Israeli state, I shall cancel my subscription to your magazine. You have, unexplicably, gravely wronged Norman Finkelstein. 

    Others have well expressed the reasons why they have been outraged by your remarks, so I won't repeat them here; I'm sure you know of them by now  [http://www.normanfinkelstein.com/article.php?pg=3&ar=67].

    Sincerely,

    Morton K. Brussel

    Urbana, Illinois

      On Feb 14, 2008, at 9:22 PM, C. G. Estabrook wrote:

    It would be good if he got a lot of complaints from DN! listeners.  His email seems to be <mattr at progressive.org>. --CGE

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