Alterman

Nathan Newman nathan at newman.org
Fri Sep 21 07:54:21 PDT 2001


I'm not sure what the Times said, but my experience of New Yorkers is actually quite nuanced- far less bloody-minded than many outside the city reacting more to the symbolism of the attack than the reality of suffering.

I was at the mass meeting on Wednesday of various left folks - a large group wanted a firm statement of principle that those who committed the crime should be brought to justice only based on international law. This was rejected by the left faction who said that since international tribunals would be dominated by the US, promoting such an option should be rejected. So any demand for justice was taken off the table as undermining "unity."

If the Left says that justice is not possible, then those who are angry will choose vengeance. It's second best, but if the left refuses to fight for a positive alternative, then they make war all the more likely.

As they say, if you want peace, fight for justice. That applies to justice for those murdered in lower Manhattan as much as the Palestinians or anybody else.

Nathan nathan at newman.org http://www.nathannewman.org

----- Original Message -----

From: Dennis

But being angry doesn't excuse being stupid and self-destructive, as several of my friends in the city would tell you. Didn't you read that piece in the Times yesterday about the attitudes of New Yorkers? Are they on Hitch's "moral cretin" list, or yours?

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