Purely Commentary

Preachers of Hate and Their Infusion Into
. Nonsensical Attitudes on
Republican Party
'Deputy' Role
Tribute to Stark .
Prayers ,

By Philip

SIOMOYitZ

This week, at the trial of the two Mauer brothers in Salzburg, No End to Nonsense in
Austria, where the crimes of the Nazis are being aired, there was an
Simultaneous with the publication of the American Jewish Com- anti-Semitic demonstration and "Bravo" shouts from the audience for Dealing With High Court
There is, indeed, no limit to the
mittee's analysis of the extent of anti-Semitic incidents that have been the accused. When a witness from Israel took his oath on the Torah,
recorded in this country in the last five months of 1965 came the he was jeered and the demonstrations then began with ridicule of Jews. nonsense that some people utter
in relation to the exaggerated
news from Trenton, N.J., about "the Rat Finks"—the young Repub-
In a new book published in Germany and now appearing in an
lican punks who sang anti-Semitic songs, who were encouraging the English translation in this country under the title "The Unloved Ger- school prayers' "problem" and the
"shooting of all the kikes," who rejoiced that "the Nazis (are) back mans," published by Stein and Day, the author, Herman Eich, white- Supreme Court rulings.
Take, as an example, the utter'
in town."
washes the Nazis. It is another evidence of a revival neo-Nazi spirit.
While the anti-Semitic hilarities to which Young Republicans re-
Those who believe they are immune from recollections or safe ridiculous article by a Free Pre,-
sorted at the New Jersey state convention and in Miami has become from what may happen again should take note of the new demonstra- columnist (Russell Kirk), whik
a matter for serious probes by the Republican Party leadership, it tions. And they should see "The Deputy:" Let it serve as a vital was entitled "School Prayer
Blow at Freedom." How silly cal--
would be nothing short of naivete, or of sheer blindness to reality to reminder . . .
people be: blow at freedom!
judge this matter on the basis of Republican guilt. There have been
so many incidents of anti-Semitism among Southern Democrats, the Getting Rid of Preachers of Hate
What the Supreme Court rulings
depravity of anti-Semitism has involved people of so many faiths,
do is guarantee freedom!
Republican national leaders are seriously concerned about the
parties, alignments—even among intellectuals and prominent writers—
But there is a bit of malice in
"Rat Finks" and they have issued a demand, in "blunt terms," to be
that we may as well admit that the sin is universal.
the Free Press piece because its
"rid of those preaching religious intolerance and racism."
The analytical report of the American Jewish Committee showing
author keeps referring to the
All Americans may as well make this an objective regardless of Warren Court. There is a United
that 14 anti-Semitic incidents in the United States in the last five
party.
Because
racism
has
become
a
plague
within
all
parties;
and
months of 1965 are the most reported in any comparable period since
States Supreme Court, its Chief
the 1959 epidemic of worldwide swastika-smearing that commenced racial intolerance has not died with the innocuousness of erumenism.
Justice is Earl Warren, and he has
Of interest in the "Rat Fink" story is the revelation that these in- eight associates. To malign this
with the desecration of the synagogue in Cologne, Germany, states:
"The incidents recorded during the past five months being tolerant youths, white right-wingers, joined with other right-wingers, important judicial factor of our
neither imitative nor, apparently, centrally sparked, must be con- Young Americans for • Freedom, and infiltrated Young Republican land as the silly F.P. piece does
sidered as deliberate, wanton actions expressive of a lingering ranks. Their nickname at first was "Rat Fink Pack," but their cam- is hardly self-respecting: it is a
violent anti-Semitism, the social triggers of which are not readily paign buttons, in support of Barry Goldwater for the Presidency, with bit disrespectful to our highest
discernible. In this sense, the 'orderliness' of an 'organized plot'— the initials "R. F. P.," might have been interpreted at the 1963 San court.
Francisco Republican national convention to mean "Rockefeller for
one. vulnerable to police action—would be less disquieting."
Thus this report emphasizes that the incidents recorded did not President." The group thereupon changed the name to "Rat Fink
constitute a centrally directed campaign, that they were not the Society," and the initials became "R. F. S." There are, in the "R. F. S."
ranks, Protestants and Catholics, and it is said there are no Negroes
work of an organized anti-Semitic movement.
Which, on the basis of knowledge of the extent of the pestilence, as members—which is understandable—and "few Jews"—which is very
causes us to meditate. After the 1959 Cologne outrages, there were difficult to understand. But when it is indicated that "R.F.S." member-
indications that even though there was a single source whence the ship includes policemen, lawyers, truck drivers, executives, attractive
anti-Semitic incidents stemmed, there was "an invisible" organized young housewives, college students, then our point becomes clearer
The first volume in the Anchor
force: the type of invisibility that suggests inhumanity of man to man, and is proven: that to clean house of bigots it is necessary to go to Bible prepared by a Catholic
many
elements
which
could
be
the
source
of
hatred
and
intolerance.
and by the power of suggestion causes a movement to arise to taunt
scholar will be published by Dou-
and humiliate those disliked, to resort to xenophobia—the dislike of
bleday today. "Psalms I (1-50)"
A
Great
Senator
and
His
Nonsense
the unlike.
It took very little for the Cologne incident to become the signal
Senator Everett Dirksen is one of the most interesting personali- (volume 16 in the projected 38-
for international actions against Jews. Why should it be considered ties in the highest legislative chamber in our land. He is well liked, volume Anchor Bible) is trans-
inconceivable that a movement could exist to molest Jews without a his dry humor is enjoyed, he is respected. But even a great Senator lated with an introduction and
single organizing cell—as long as those who desire to hate have Jews might utter nonsense. This has been the case with Senator Dirksen's notes by Mitchell Dahood, S.J.,
sudden analysis that he will revive the school prayer issue. He has
in their midst to hate?
The report of the American Jewish Committee listed the arson in suddenly become angered over a decision that is now the law of the professor of Ugaritic language and
the Holyoke, Mass., synagogue, the damaging of sacred articles in the land. He is reviving an issue that was nearly forgotten. But what he literature at the Pontifical Biblical
Institute in Rome.
Bridgeport, Conn., synagogue, the Ku Klux Klan actions in San Fran- has uttered is sheer nonsense.
An editorial in National Observer properly judged his sudden
cisco, the smashing of windows in a Chicago temple, desecrations in
One of the most beloved books
awakening to an issue that was believed to have been removed from of the Bible, Psalms has provided,
Albany, N.Y., and other occurrences.
What about the scores of incidents in Detroit and other com- the agenda as not much of an issue at all. The Observer editorial is for 2,000 years, both solace and
inspiration. Yet, for more than 300
munities that were not placed on the record?
worth studying. It reads:
No, the movement was not organized on paper, or in a meeting
"ISN'T IT STRANGE," boomed Sen. Everett Dirksen, "that in years, the English-speaking world's
place, or at formal planning sessions: it is organized in the minds
this country as prayer goes down, crime goes up? This high conception of Psalms has been
indelibly influenced by the King
of depraved people, and it is these we must be concerned with at all
and august Court puts thumbs down on prayer."
translation. But the unsur-
times.
We hate to be tiresome about this, but the Senate's Republican James
literary achievement of the
Anyone who believes that anti-Semitism is dead is deluding him-
leader can be pretty tiresome himself on the prayer issue. He passed
King James Version has obscured
self. As long as there are Jews there will be haters, and we must
certainly was the other night when, addressing a
the continuing need to examine
face the issue bluntly and realistically.
Dirksen
group of Washington newsmen, he pledged a
the Psalms in the original Hebrew
And while viewing it we must take into account the very essence
On
fight in Congress for a Constitutional amend-
and to render them accurately and
of hatred. Those who have become alarmed over what was perpe-
ment.
The
amendment
would
ensure
that
"9
men
•
Prayer
meaningfully for a modern au-
trated by Young Republicans should take into account the humiliations
may not say to 190,000,000 people where and
dience. Though many translations
to which Negroes have been subjected—as they were, indeed, in the
when they can utter their prayers." The senator could "see no have been attempted in recent
Rat Finks' programs. For every swastika-smearing incident there may
evil in children who want to sing that God is great and want to years, none have been entirely
have been a dozen Ku Klux Klan outrages. It is possible that less
thank Him for their blessings."
responsive to the evidence of bibli-
attention has been given to songs with slurs at Negroes than at Jews.
We can't either but that's not the point.
cal archaeology (including remark-
Yet these insults were overlooked, ignored, often condoned. Let what
To begin with, the Illinois senator really can't produce sta- ably complete scrolls of certain
happened be a lesson that no matter who is abused in free America,
tistics to prove that prayer has gone down. If he could it would Psalms), and of comparative lin-
he must be exposed and condemned. If we permit Negroes to be
be a far greater accomplishment to prove that the decline in the guistics.
abused, we'll be next. By the same reasoning, soon after Jews are
prayer rate is linked to 'the rise in crime rate. In fact, today's
In his translation, Father •a-
molested by Nazis or Fascists, Catholics come next, and then Protes-
criminals received most of their education in the days before the hood draws heavily from the Ras
tants who have a sense of decency and liberalism in their heart and
Supreme Court's prayer edicts. And all of today's criminals, even Sh a mr a-Ugarit texts and other
are known for their sense of justice also will be humiliated and
youngest, are long past the days when they prayed over their epigraphic discoveries made alon
the
abused.
kindergarten cookies.
the Phoenician littoral. Tho'
Whenever and wherever there is evidence of bigotry, let it be
More to the point, the High Court did not "turn thumbs down these texts were discovered
condemned—and let there never be ground for accusation that Ameri-
on prayer." The Court did reject compulsory prayer in public- deciphered 35 years ago, no tr
cans were silent when their fellow citizens were insulted and dis-
school classrooms, a pious practice that was harmless—indeed, edi- lation of the Psalms, until no
criminated against.
fying—as long as the custom represented a consensus of those has fully availed itself of these
praying. But when a significant, though very small, segment of clay tablets.
My First City Editor
Father Dahood attempts to
society protested that they did not share this consensus, and
My first newspaper job, after the Night Editorship on the (Uni-
raised
the
valid
legal
argument
that
the
practice
violated
the
Con-
render
accurately not only the
versity of) Michigan Daily was on the editorial staff of the Detroit
stitution, the Court acted. The Justices did not kill prayer, nor meaning of the Psalms but their
News. George Washington Stark—his middle name is due to his
could they have done so if they had wanted to.
poetic form and rhythm as well.
having been born on Washington's Birthday; he would have been 82
Prayer is still possible at home, at church, in community In probing the original he un-
on Feb. 22—gave me my first reportorial job. Malcolm W. Bingay then
gatherings at which attendance is not compulsory, in private. A earths some striking examples of
was the Detroit News managing editor.
child well trained by pious parents can pray privately over his passages previously mistranslated,
We worked together well. George W. was cooperative. He became
kindergarten cookies, or his drive-in hamburger; he will pray, in and by applying the insights
a friend.
gained by archaeology and modern
fact.
Especially in 1953, when I was chairman of the Michigan Commit-
Most of the initial criticisms of the Court's prayer ruling philology, he arrives at many pro-
tee for the Celebration of the American Jewish Tercentenary, and he
have faded, and many religious leaders long ago withdrew their vocative readings. His translation
was the president of the Detroit Historical Society, we had occasion to
protests after sober reflection. The broader Constitutional issue and its conclusions derive from
cooperate in community wide celebrations.
of separation of church and state, however, remains cloudy. Some persuasive, thorough, and decisive
He was a brilliant newspaperman, a good historian, a charming
debate, in and out of Congress, might be in order there. But the research and represent a break-
person who loved not only the poems of his wife, Anne Campbell, but
subject is surely worth more serious thought than it takes to through in Old Testament study
those of others who were associated with him—as long as copy was
that will unquestionably stir con-
dredge up the "thumbs down on prayer" business.
readable and creative.
troversy among general readers
Blessed be the memory of another great Detroiter who has gone
If the issue really were vital, if it had been true that prayer was and biblical scholars throughout
legislated
against,
many
religionists
would
have
stormed
continuously
to the Great Beyond !
the world.
*
•
*
since the last ruling by the United States Supreme Court. But the
to
'The Deputy'—a Vital Play—a New Warning Against Nazism issue had died down because no one either desires to or dares
Students Jilt Rockwell
Our community has been stirred again by the charges that the negate prayer. What has been done was to adhere to a basic Ameri-
LAS VEGAS (JTA)—About 100
can
principle—that
of
Separation.
Perhaps
Senator
Dirksen,
who
ap-
late Pope Pius XII had failed to act in defense of Jews who faced
of an audience of 500
extermination by the Nazis, as depicted in the stirring drama, "The preciates good humor, desires to have a bit of fun. But prayer is members
walked out Monday night before
hardly
a
subject
for
hilarity.
It's
a
serious
matter,
and
the
Illinois
Deputy."
George Rockwell, head of the
Facts are facts, and the play should be seen. It keeps alive the Senator has overlooked the seriousness of it.
American Nazi Party, finished an
The
Illinois
Senator
surely
knows
that
this
country
is,
in
the
main,
warning against the terror that ruled in the world under Hitler, and
anti-Semitic and anti-Negro ad-
keeps reminding people of the need to protect humanity against the under religious influence. Ralph Ingersoll's day is, in the strictest dress at the New Mexico High-
sense,
long
gone,
and
the
atheistic
rites
are
minimal.
But
our
freedoms
recurrence of the anti-Semitic evils.
it possible for an atheist to enjoy civic liberties as much as a lands College. Most of the 500 in
During the staging of "The Deputy," youngsters in the audience make
preacher,
and no one would care to or dare to interfere with basic the audience were college
were heard asking each other, "What was Auschwitz?"
our students.
The reminder serves to bring to light the facts the youth is American rights—provided the liberties, as they are guaranteed by
Supreme
Court's
decisions,
are
honored
and
respected.
That's
what
we
unaware of — and that, too, gives "The Deputy" status as a revealing
THE DETROIT JEWISH NEWS
factor in history that should be remembered but may be forgotten by expect of Senator Dirksen. But perhaps he is punning: that's what's his 2—Friday, February 4, 1966
Court
oratory
sounds
like.
.
new
anti-Supreme
a new generation that knows not the menace of the past.

'The Rat Finks': Depraved Minds on American Scene

New Anchor Bible
Presents Psalms
Basic Translation

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