2' Friday, July/ 13, 1984:
THE DETROIT JEWISH NEWS'
PURELY COMMENTARY
PHILIP SLOMOVITZ
The political agenda:
definitions ... predictions
have resented being asked to deflate his conservatism. that there can be very few serious changes if Likud is
They, like many others, did qualify for such designations, defeated and the Menachem Begin administrative forces
didn't they? Yet, there is occasional panic in political ranks are altered. There will be some mediations involving the
West Bank. The Jewish settlements will not, can not be
A hot July and an even hotter 1984 . . . all because of when there is a "labeling."
The label especially panic-provoking is "leftist." It has abandoned. There will be continuing efforts to negotiate
two elections in two of the most predominantly democratic
been trouble-inspiring and fear of it is understandable. • with Jordan and other Arab states. But there is little hope
countries.
Emanating humor will be welcome, as it strikes candi- Aren't the leftists the bedfellows of the Kremlinites? They for drawing Jordan's Hussein into a role similar to that of
dates and nations : . . and satire will be especially appli- are the extreme critics of the governing bodies in the President Anwar Sadat who came to Jerusalem, to the
world's democracies, and these include the United States Kremlin, to Camp David to negotiate peace. It is still not a
cable.
completely enforceable peace, but antagonists did meet on
With all due respect to diplomats and statesmen — as and Israel.
Even they of the left often merit respect, and while a sensible diplomatic basis. There is little hope for repeti-
some politicians may wish to be judged — a prominent
editor recently judged them. Alan Abelson, in his column they are unacceptable to the majorities, there should be no tion with the Jordanian monarch who lives in constant fear
of assassination.
"Up and Down Wall Street," in a recent issue of Barron's ,
A most interesting editorial in the Toronto Globe and
the popular magazine for investors, offered this definition:
Mail invites special consideration for its look at the Arab
The story, as we recall, runs like this: A
viewpoint on the subject. That important editorial, entitled
woman goes to a doctor to inquire about a brain
"Syria votes for Likud," states in part:
transplant for her husband. The doctor explains
Well, Likud is tough all right. But for that very
to the anxious wife that there are a variety of
reason, it has just won the popularity contest
brains available for transplant, but the price var-
among Israel's most dangerous enemies, the Sy-
ies according to the source. For example, he says,
rian Baathists. The Damascus leadership knows
a teacher's brain costs $500 an ounce; a lawyer's,
that its hopes for leading an Arab confrontation
$750 an ounce; a broker's, $1,000; and a politi-
front against Israel depend on Mr. Shamir's re-
cian's, $1,500. "$1,500," the wife exclaims; "why so
election. A Labor government, after all; would try
much for a politician's brain?" "My good
to negotiate a territorial compromise with Jordan
woman," the doctor replies, "do you realize how
that would resolve the Palestinian issue. That
many of them it takes to make an ounce of
would deprive Syria of the chance to pose as
brains?"
champion of the Palestinians and to mobilize the
There need be no squirming. Politicians who
Arabs under its leadership.
reached high goals in diplomacy had no cause for resent-
Broaching the issues so interestingly, the conclu-
ment over studies into their aspirations. Where there is
sions are apparent: There are vital differences of opinion on
success, even sharpest barbs won't hurt.
Louis Brandeis
Harrj, Truman
the role of Arab leaders. It is foolhardy that they may affect
Therefore, accumulated definitions will be soothing to
the results of the oncoming Israel election. Israelis are
the many who are irritated by the overabundance of politi-
cal rhetoric.
cause for fright. There should be only rejection stemming aware that Peres and his Labor Party do not provide hope
that any of the Arab potentates will respond to their hopes
Speaking of rhetoric: baseball and football fans are from opposition.
Resort to the term "leftist" in political and social asso- for amicable confrontations to discuss and plan peace. This
annoyed when the politicians take time from the broad-
casts of their favorite sports. They call it "stealing time." ciations should serve as a reminder of an era when there remains a national Israeli matter, not a party quip.
was atrocious witch-hunting. In the 1950s, remembered as
Therefore, the Israeli difficulties in peace planning are
the McCarthy Era, anyone called a 'leftist" would im- uninterrupted.
mediately be branded also as "Communist." Anything in-
The major headache for all in Israel is the economic. If
citing to similar witch-hunting in this period in history a new administration in the Jewish state, no matter from
And the polls ..
should be warned of accompanying dangers.
which party, can resolve it, it will be the blessing awaited
defining the pollsters
Applications of the term liberal to the rejected by Israel and all her friends.
The wise student of political developments will be ideologies must never hiconsidered permissible. Any con-
patient in accepting judgments and surveys. Between "now fusion in definitive political terms must be rejected.
Realism and common sense must remain the dominant
and then," they always change.
in human relations in their affinity to politics and
An interesting play-on-words was provided here by a forces
Octogenerian L.N.S.:
society's interests.
wise Israeli observer. Dean Gershon Weiner, here for a
A proniinent American Jewish lawyer treated the - Honors for eminent Detroiter
brief visit to report on the progress of the Yiddish Teachers' question
of liberalism in this fashion:
cathedra at Bar-Ilan University offered an example mak-
A community that has long ago come of age has many
It
is in the ancient liberal faith ... that our
ing the rounds in Israel. It was a play on two words relating
notables to be proud of. When the very distinguished
to polls and pollsters. He pointed out that the word for poll *course be governed not by the dead hand of yes-
among them reach the age of four score and more, there is
terday's facts and prejudices but by the living
in Hebrew is seker — from the word raker, which means "to
cause to rejoice that they were blessed to-be with their
of today and our aspiration for tomor-
survey." Change the letter samakh in seker to shin and the realities
row. It is this genius for making change serve the
peers, that the community benefited from their labors.
word becomes sheker, which could be interpreted among
eternal
unchanging
values
we
cherish
that
is
the
Over the initials L.N.S. are recorded so many commu-
other things as "fake," "fabrication," and could even mean
very essence of American liberalism.
nity accomplishments, such a vast variety of creative
"misjudgment."
This is a credo notably applied to the Jewish way of
labors in support of all the major causes in all functions of
What a marvelous play-on-words!
life and it merits seriousness in dealng with the ideals
human endeavor, that its initials-writer, Leonard N. Si-
involving political and social differences.
mons, is immediately recognized among the most distin-
The ideologies will inspire much debate in the coming guished among the notables in Michigan history.
months. Let them serve as guides toward cementing the
In a matter of days, July 24, he will be an Octogene-
best human relations everywhere.
rian, and in the records of every important movement
`Give 'em Hell' legacy
Havelock once defined progress as "exchange of one L.N.S. will mark a tracing of at least half a century of
The August cheers at the GOP convention will soon nuisance for another nuisance." For politicians who de- eminence.
end whatever lull there will be in the rest to be provided scribe themselves as "progressives," this is a marvelous
It matters not whether
between party assemblies. The polls will be busy. As of now avenue for escape.
the cause was the Cancer
the prophets will warn of a Reagan victory. The Democrats
Perhaps this is an ideal time to confront the President
Research Foundations, the
will recall that 1948 also looked gloomy but Harry "gave of the United States with this quotation from Ralph Waldo
Michigan Historical
them hell," and Truman won. •
Emerson: "Men are conservatives' when they are least vig-
,Societies -- Jewish and
Therefore, the conflicting auguries annoying the elec- orous, or when they are most luxurious. They are conserva-
civic — or the Detroit His-
torate. At least, there was relief from the nonsense that tives after dinner." This is not intended to provide Ronald
torical Comniission; the
used to be heard throughout the conventions as radio re- Reagan with a powerful platform in his remarkably strong
Jewish Welfare Federation
porters and TV manipulators kept interviewing every Dick physical condition. On the contrary: it may even be a chal-
and its many functions or
and Harry, Betty and Nancy, on the convention floors. Now lenge to the alleged progressivism that needs the strength
the universities in this
the reporting is strictly business.
of the ballot. box.
country and in Israel,
Much wisdom often emerges even from nonsensical
In the process of juggling definitions, the Jewishly
whether they are the Hillel
interviews. While the characteristics of-delegates will re- principled must not be ignored.
Foundations, Wayne State
main in the background, many greatly missed, "strictly
University Press and the
factual" reporting may bring new glory to news coverage.
American Jewish Publica-
tion Society, the Jewish Na-
tional Fund or the Weiz-
The election in Israel:
mann Institute of Science
Leonard Simons
what
changes
in
offing?
Being liberal in a •
and the Technion in all
these accumulated appealing needs Leonard Simons has
conservative environment .
The election in Israel, only a week away, will invite registered
inerasable contributions.
ideological differences similar to the American. Addi-
A prevailing view, gaining momentum this election tionally, there are the quandaries over the possible changes
When the documentaries which will indicate the major
L.N.S. achievements come off the Wayne State University
year, is that this country is proceeding conservatively; that, in government.
in fact, the entire free (non-communist) World. is going
Press toward the end of this month, under the title "Simon
If the polls prove correct (Seker versus Sheker),
then
conservative.
Shimon Peres will finally attain a life's ambition and will Says," the American Jewish community and the many Is-
Which invites the need to encourage and pretive be confronted with serious challenges involving his many raeli leaders heading the causes which gained from the
ideological'thinking and the right to hold differing views. pledges.
L.N.S. leadership skills will have an opportunity to review
John Haynes Holmes and Louis DI, Brandeis didn't
. Pledges are a dime a dozen wherever there are demo- a notable career. It will be occasion for appreciation and
have to apologize for being liberals. Harry Truman would cratic elections. In Israel's case, it can already be foreseen good wishes to the octogenarian who has well earned the
acclaim accorded him.
.
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