Saturday, 14 January 2006 - 3:29 PM

I hope I wasn't offensive towards any member of Suzanne's family...I was just saying how much I love this country and it's people. However, if I said anything offensive, I do apologize.

As far as having experience under my belt...I may not have the worldliness I need or knowledge of history that Nathan the Elder has, but I have travelled quite a bit, and been through plenty in my short 25 years. I dunno...never thought of myself as lacking in exeperience, but that might be the case.

Israel is not the Garden of Eden for anyone necessarily, but it is for me. I would not say that it is the most prosperous country in the world. Nor would I say that it is perfect, up to American "standards," or anything like that. But if I hear that somebody thinks this place is more dangerous or difficult than the States, I get a little defensive and am quick to say how much I love it here.

I hope that my family and Suzanne's family can come and visit some time in the near future in order to see the good and the bad, rather than focus on the negative as they so often do.

Mr. Nathan, I understand that it is hard to have a daughter so far away. Try not to worry though... I have seen her get lost, show up at the wrong station one more than one occasion, and she finds her way around and deals with the population in a safe and responsible manner. Your daughter is one strong and cool woman, and I can promise you that she will return home safely.

Ihiyeh Beseder, as they say.

Eric

Saturday, 14 January 2006 - 11:47 PM

Saturday, 14 January 2006 - 11:45 PM

Name: Another Nathan speaks

I have finally caught up on all these postings - had no idea what had been flying around in cyberspace the past week or so.
My conscience drives me to fulfill the diplomatic role I have always forced myself into; I can weigh and equally appreciate both sides of the multiple arguments.
To me, it is easiest to categorize them:
1. Politics/Public Policy - please review Plato and Socrates; in their words you can find the foundations of today's democracies and parallel the US and Israel all you want. Both countries, depending on the perspective you wish to hold on to, can be construed as modern-day marvels of the "1st world" and bastions of the "3rd."
2. Allegiance (political) - your come-from will always dictate your perspective. My father is an American through and through (with supposed Zionist tendencies) and his patriotism is as justified and from his heart just as much as every Israeli or adopted Israeli posting comments on this blog. There is no point, in my opinion, arguing the merits of both countries - most of us try to embrace the best of where we spent our formative years (so long as they were safe) - even if that means we spent them in "Chai"land Park, IL.
3. Allegiance (Nathan-style) - Without a doubt, my father is right on at least one point - we were raised to survive and thrive on Michigan Ave. This point can only be 100% understood by him, Alisa, Suzanne, and our mother (av hashalom). Maybe Keith Lissner gets it too.
Finally, I agree with Suz - debate is stimulating, and I'm glad to see so much of it. I admit, though, it's not easy reading the blog and sharing so blatantly the opportunity to psycho-analyze my father, and ultimately Alisa'a, Suzanne's, and my come-froms. As I say, though, we will always find a way to embrace the best of what so profoundly influenced us(this includes our politics, religion/culture, countries/towns, and fathers). And, whether some would like to admit it or not, the OLDER you are, the more this understanding of your own perceptions is unearthed and, then, the more you understand about the world (and have right to blog it on-line).
Love to you, Suz, Lis, Dad. Happy 2006 to all of you.
-Lauren

Thursday, 19 January 2006 - 3:56 AM

The comments of Suzanne's friend, Eric, were a reflection of a sensitive and perceptive young man. They merited response. They weren't perceived by me as having been abusive at all.

The observations of the "bullagullah" who lives in some pasty white town in Oregon who is a solipsist from the get-go do not merit being dignified with response.

In spite of this, his opinions are certainly going to be given all measure of opportunity for expression at least in THIS pluralistic society.

G-d bless America, and may Hashem watch over my beautiful daughter and protect her until she comes home to the first world from whence she comes and where she belongs.

When you all are Alter Kockers and have had children of your own and have made life's mistakes and enjoyed its blessings and shed some tears, then you'll know - then you can say it. Till then, all you can mouth are blithering shibboleths.

And as an old man I've earned the right to say it.

Thursday, 19 January 2006 - 6:29 PM

Though I spend my time trying my best to learn Hebrew, every once in a while I take a moment to improve my English as well. In keeping with that, I would really like to know what these words mean (though I have caught a little from context...):

"shibboleths"

"Alter Kockers" (yiddish?)

"bullagullah"

and "solipsist"


All four of these are gorgeous words. Please clarify :)

Eric

Thursday, 19 January 2006 - 9:32 PM

The word shibboleth comes from Hebrew. Roughly defined, it is a password. The Philestines were unable to pronounce "Sh" sounds, and our ancestors used a shibboleth to trip up the bastards at the security gates.

An "Alter Kocker" is from Yiddish, another language of our ancestors. The short form is "A.K." Literally, it means "Old Fart" It's a wry way to speak of one's self - self sardonic.

A "bullagullah" comes both from Yiddish and Russian. Again, it has a literal translation: "Teamster". Figuratively, it's anyone of low quality - it's someone without "Yicchus". It's someone with no depth of character - a lout - a no-count.

One who is solipsistic believes that all truth emanates from him; the solipsist thinks he is the G-dshead of truth. I think that word befits that half-witted moron from Georgia as well as any I can muster from my quivver.

Again, I hesitate to dignify any of his rantings with a direct response. And likely his Hebrew isn't good enough to know the word shibboleth either.

Saturday, 21 January 2006 - 1:23 AM

Thanks for the definitions. I think out of all of them, the word solipsist will be the one that sticks and that I will enjoy for years to come as added color in my ever-decreasing English vocabulary.

The word Shibboleth is rather surprising to me. The modern Hebrew word for password is "Sisma." You are most likely correct in believing that the Israeli boy wouldn't know it, as I have not heard it in my year and four months in town. I don't reckon it's used much nowadays.

Yicchus...quality? In modern spoken sefardic pronunciation, it is eichut. It's wild living in this country and hearing
Ashkenazic pronunciation. It always sounds wrong, though it probably isn't.

I really do like reading your long responses to Suzanne's blog. Entertaining, enlightening stuff. Take care.

Eric