On 2010-02-01, at 11:32 AM, Doug Henwood wrote:
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> On Feb 1, 2010, at 8:27 AM, Marv Gandall wrote:
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>> How "authentically" Russian or Jewish are Russian Jews, whether they were born of a Jewish mother or another parent or grandparent was Jewish - that is to say, is the blood coursing through their veins "Jewish" blood or "Russian" blood? - is a question of importance only for traditional antisemites and Zionists and, it would appear, those like yourself who have a peculiar but mainly innocently interest in Jews and other national minorities as exotic Others.
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> It's curious how expats embrace the nationalism of their new countries. Another instance of that - the person who invited me up to Ottawa this past weekend is an American (and an all-around fine fellow) who just became a permanent resident of Canada. He was much more enthusiastic about the virtues of Canada than the natives. Zeal of the convert, I guess.
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Sorry I missed your talk at Carleton. Didn't know about it. Would have liked to have met. You should do what Patrick B., Michael P. and others do - let us know when and where you're speaking.
A lot of US expats came here to escape the draft, and medicare, a more liberal political culture, and relatively lesser racial tensions underlies their continuing zeal.
Myself, I'd erase our current border and move it to the Mason-Dixon line. :)